“I knew I should have gone home when I had the chance,” I grumble as sweat greases my skin.
“Why did you stay?”he asks, genuinely curious.
“Why do I normally stay late?You know the answer. I haven’t quit yet because I can handle the work. I sure as hell am not going to quit because we’re trapped in a sauna and you’re naked as can be.”
His low, devilish chuckle sends a ripple of chills straight to my nipples, despite my body being covered in sweat. “Yet you haven’t fully looked.”
Does he really want me to look? This is twisted—and still, I’m drawn in. My sense of right and wrong collides with an urge I can’t completely deny.
My eyes betray me, and he catches my glance. Sweat sheens our faces; the light glows on our skin, intensifying everything. The sensual setting heightens our senses.
The first word that comes to my mind is long.And hard.And is it because of me?
My eyes meet his with purpose as I falter. "Hmm, I thought I'd need a tape measure, but I guess not."
His lips twist before he wryly half-smiles. “What a wicked little mouth you have.”
I shrug my shoulders and sigh. “But clearly one part of your body loves it.”
"You’re in a towel with nothing underneath in front of me. I’m a hot-blooded man." With intent, I slide my fingers along the edge of my towel, lowering it slightly over my breasts, taunting him as his eyes roam my body. "Don’t toy with me, or you won’t like the consequences." His voice is firm, making the threat clear.
My brows rise. “Lucky you, my time is up.” I remain locked in his gaze, even when I stand in the middle of the sauna to leave. I pause for a second and begin to adjust my towel. “You are so wise with all of your years. You’re right. I should follow sauna etiquette better.” I rip away the towel to be completely naked in front of him. I’m not shy, and he can’t hide that he is taking a photograph in his head.
I’m not going to deny myself that I wonder what he’s thinking. Is my body the way he imagined? How would he touch me if I let him? This is me with the power to lead the scene.
That’s why I give him a few more seconds—just to taunt him—before turning to leave.
Feeling a heavy set of eyes on me the entire time.
I don’t intendto break the keyboard on my laptop, but my natural instinct is to jab each one with intense frustration. It’s not because of the unacknowledged, highly inappropriate moment I had with my boss after seeing him naked. I’m aggravated because some tasks in my role are interesting, but my new boss is draining. No wonder everyone quit. Yet, I still have the drive to succeed and go down in history as the one who broke Julian Haven…exceptbeing so close to his orbit shakes my confidence; he makes my body buzz.
Sighing, I abandon the email, grab a packet of fruit snacksfrom my jar, and sink into my chair. Based on the agenda, I might actually leave on time and meet Elodie for drinks, since she has a sitter tonight. I need a moment to unwind. Last weekend, I worked nonstop fixing mistakes left by past assistants during their brief stints at the company.
I eat another red gummy, acutely aware that drinking cocktails on fruit snacks means doom. Hopefully, the place Elodie chooses has solid appetizers.
The elevator dings, and I groan inside because Julian must be back from a meeting.
His stare is sharp as he slows his swagger past my desk, creases forming as he pauses.
“What the hell are those?”
I follow his gaze to my jar. “Uh, fruit snacks.”
“Yes, I can see that. Enlighten me why a child’s snack choice is on display onmy personalassistant’s desk?”
Every time he saysmy personalassistant, my body is not pleased. Especially now that I’ve seen him naked, and I imagine him saying it in a different setting. My thoughts could reach a meltdown if I’m not careful.
"Sometimes I need a pick-me-up that isn’t candy," I say, tossing a grape-shaped snack into my mouth.
“Well, it isn’t the pick-me-up choice that represents Julian Haven, so let’s find a new home for that crap, or better yet, give it to the tiny terrors down in the company daycare.”
He must see the annoyance that I feel. “Forgive me, dear highness,” I bring my hand to my heart, “for not aligning my snack choice with your brand. Let me guess, your family chef growing up wouldn’t allow fruit snacks as part of your refined palate.”
A subtle shake of his head and his brief check of the ceiling relay that the feeling of annoyance has returned in full. “I don’t have time for this. Messages?”
“Yes, Dale Jones from Davenport Group phoned, said he can’t reach your cell but needs to talk to you. Wouldn’t say why.”
Julian’s jaw sets as a new irritation has been found. “There is a list somewhere, or ask Charles.The list has the name of every board member from Davenport, and I’ll be damned if I give them a second of my day. Learn it, use it, and never let me hear you bother me about it again.”
