Oh, fuck it.
I charge in his direction with my heels clicking against the wood. Storming into his office, I close the door behind me without a thought. My abrupt entrance catches him off guard as he glances up from his laptop, with lines creased on his forehead.
Pointing my finger at him, I stop due to the desk being a barrier. “So what? I watched you undress and head to the shower. I am sure it would happen if you used the sauna in the spa here too. No big deal.”
Amusement gleams on his face, a fine line stretching on his lips. Ugh, why must he have a little rough stubble today?
No, Lexi, I will not be distracted. I’m confident.
He holds a finger up as he leans back in his chair, relaxed as can be. “One, Lexi, a towel is a necessity in the sauna here at our spa, it’s optional if you use it to cover yourself or sit on. And two, you know it’s not exactlynota big deal. You’ve seen the goods, and it’s quite the opposite, it’s a large deal.”
My lips part open, entertained by the repartee being tossed around between us. “Holden, I only saw your immaculate ass, so the size of your dick is still a guess.”
Holden licks his lips as he chortles. “Are we really going to go back and forth about this?”
I bring my hand to my hip. “No. I just find it interesting that you didn’t tell me yesterday that you knew I saw you.”
His hands come behind his head and his chest stretches, which has an added benefit since his button-down is fitted, so I see a few outlines of his muscles. “It’s more fun to catch you off balance.”
“I’m sure. Let’s just keep everything aboveboard, shall we? I have your hotel to decorate.”
Holden stands, completely unfazed by my request, as he bypasses me and heads straight to his coat rack, and my eyes follow him. I’m intrigued by what he’s up to now.
He swings his coat off the hook then slips it on. “Sure. Anyhow, I need your help if you don’t mind. I need to take Harry to get his supplies for his science project, and Lori needs to get to the ice rink for her figure skating lesson. Would you be a doll and help me?”
“I’m not a child carer,” I reiterate for the thousandth time, my tone flat.
Holden has a droll smile. “So you’ve said. But please, can you help get Lori to her lesson?”
I blink a few times. “What does this entail?”
“Pick her up from school, listen to pre-teen angst for ten minutes, then drop her off at the ice rink. I’ll pick her up later,” Holden explains as he steps slowly in my direction.
I have a weakness for helping people in a crisis, and in a flash, I remember the disaster of his morning routine with his kids. Maybe it’s pity. “Fine.” I don’t sound enthused, but I am agreeable.
Holden reaches with his fingers to touch my arms, sending a buzz throughout my insides, especially when I notice his eyes dip low to my body then jump right back up. “Thank you.”
I roll my eyes but then nearly laugh to myself that he keeps wrapping me around his finger. But this time, it’s me invading his space, reaching out to his open coat. I pull on the fabric to catch the start of the zipper. His eyes become glued to my fingers that are maneuvering his zipper. Slowly, tooth by tooth, I drag the zipper up as our eyes meet. I do my best to give him a sultry look because I know it drives him crazy.
The sound of the zip stops when I reach the end of the line, and I bring my palms to his chest. I smooth out the fabric, pretending I’m sweeping off some lint, then pat near his shoulders. “I would hate for you to get cold.” I pretend to pout with concern.
Holden purses out a breath, fully invested in our tit-for-tat. He caught me off guard with his knowledge of what I saw, and now I’m causing his pulse to pick up a beat because I have the power to weaken him purely by a tantalizing touch.
He clears his throat, but his straight-lined lips that have a hint of entertainment returns. “You’re so considerate,” he comments dryly.
“I know, and that’s just me being a completely normal person.” A breathy husk comes out of me. “I’m a giver, what can I say?”
Holden clasps the tip of my hair resting on my collarbone, and he rubs the strands between the pads of his fingers. “I’m a taker, so it seems we have a match.”
After a brief pause, we both lock our eyes with soft smiles appearing.
Breathe, I remind myself. Everything inside me wants to be touched, and I’m desperate to pull him close to relieve me.
“Thanks again for helping with Lori.”
“Sure.”
It feels as though neither one of us wants to leave, but the clock keeps going even if you want it to stop.
