I laughed despite myself and took a sip of my own coffee, the caffeine starting to pull everything into sharper focus. My phone buzzed beside me, and I glanced down.
Speak of theactualdevil.
Chad’s messages threatened to taint my good day as they popped up on my screen.
8.30pm
Hey. Can we talk?I know I messed up. But ignoring me isn’t fair either.
I swiped the screen off without replying.
Alex raised a brow. “Boyfriend?”
“Ex,” I said quickly, a little too quickly. “Persistent.”
He gave me a look that saidtell me morebut didn’t push.
Instead, he nodded toward the break room. “Want a coffee top-up?”
I was just about to say yes when I felt it. That strange tension—the pressure of eyes. The subtle weight of being observed. I glanced over my shoulders.
And there he was.
Ambrose.
Leaning back in his chair like sin dressed in a three-piece suit. One hand in his pocket, the other spinning a fountain pen.
He almost looked like a cat flicking its tail irritably—waiting for attention.Almost.
His eyes were locked on me with an intensity that bordered on something not unlike possession. Something about the way he watched me made my stomach tighten.
Alex followed my gaze, then let out a low whistle. “You ever notice how he looks at people like he’s already decided where to bury the body?”
“Every day.”
“Gives me the creeps,” he muttered.
I gave a tight smile but didn’t say anything.
Because creepy wasn’t the right word.
Controlled.
Hot.
Seductive in a way that makes your knees forget how to function.
Alex muttered beside me, “Seriously, how does he make standing still look like a threat?”
My phone buzzed again.
I need you, Flower. But I don’t think I will be able to control myself tonight. If this makes you uncomfortable you do not need to come.
My breath caught.
Alex noticed. “Another text?”
I nodded slowly. “Yeah. Something like that.”
