I grab my notepad and recorder and walk toward the glass corner office like I’m heading to an execution, albeit a sexy execution and one with abs.
The door is open. Jaxon stands inside with his jacket off, his sleeves rolled to his forearms, and the top few buttons of his shirt undone like he’s intentionally endangering lives with chest access.
His gaze hits mine instantly, and I feel it; deep, low, and everywhere.
“Ruby,” he says softly. “Come in.”
I close the door behind me. The click sounds obscene.
“This looks… official,” I say, gesturing to the office.
“I’m an official man,” he replies with the slightest smirk. “Sit.”
The command curls through me like smoke.
I sit. He leans against the edge of his desk, his arms folded, watching me like he’s replaying every second of last night.
I clear my throat. “Okay. Let’s begin. This is, um… for the Valentine’s Desire Issue. Bachelor Number Seven.”
“Yes.” His gaze doesn’t move from my mouth. “That’s me.”
“Right.” I flip open my notepad. “So. Question one. What’s your full name?”
“Jaxon Cole.”
I write it down even though my brain has already tattooed it somewhere inappropriate.
“Occupation?”
“Investor. Private holdings.” Then he pauses. His voice lowers. “You already know what I do with my hands.”
My pen freezes.
“Jaxon,” I whisper, horrified. “This is a professional interview.”
“And I’m answering honestly.”
He’s impossible.
“Okay,” I say tightly. “What do you look for in a partner?”
“You.”
My breath catches. “That’s not…, you can’t say, that’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only answer.” He steps closer, just a few inches, but it feels like the whole world tilts. “I know what I want.”
“No.” I hold my hand up like a traffic cop. “Absolutely not, this is not last night, this is work.”
His voice softens. “It can be both.”
“No, it can’t be both. That is literally the definition of a workplace hazard.”
He lifts a brow. “Are you filing a complaint?”
“Maybe!”
“Then file it after the interview,” he murmurs, brushing a finger along the edge of my notebook. “Finish your questions first.”
