Page 35 of My Favorite Boss

Then another staff member joined us, and I never got a chance to speak to her alone again.

Saturday, I knew Bane was working. I got up and baked some of my best muffins, made sandwiches, then headed to the office. He was surprised to see me, but he accepted the muffin and waved off my thanks. His words warmed me, though. We had worked well for a few hours, but something felt different. Easier. I caught him staring at me more than once. Felt his eyes on me often. His voice wasn’t as clipped. His requests were polite. Nicer.

Until the moment he needed help on the server and I moved in front of him. The sensation of him behind me was overwhelming. In the tight space, his knees pressed against my thighs. I could smell his cologne. When he stood and I stumbled back into him, I felt everything.

His muscled chest. Strong arms that banded me tight to his body. His sinewy forearms that were taut and warm under my fingers. I felt his breath stir my hair, and I swore I felt his lips press to the crown of my head.

And trapped between us, I felt him. Hard. Rigid. Huge. For a moment, neither of us moved. All I wanted was to turn in his arms and kiss him. Feel his mouth on mine. Fan the desire coursing through my body.

Until he ordered me to leave, his voice strained with tension. It broke the spell I was under, and I rushed away, fleeing the office as if the hounds of hell were chasing me. I took the stairs, not waiting for the elevator. Panting, exhausted, and confused, I sat on the cold concrete steps of the main floor, catching my breath and wondering what had just happened.

He’d been on my mind the rest of the day, starred in my dreams that were vivid and hot. I woke up Sunday, wet and aching, his name on my lips. He was everywhere the rest of the day, overshadowing anything I attempted to do. I was grateful for a change when my dad slept through most of my visit. I was having trouble concentrating.

And now, standing outside the office building, I had to face him.

Would he be cold and indifferent again?

Address what had happened?

Pretend nothing had occurred?

I drew in a long inhale of oxygen.

There was only one way to find out.

He was already there, his head bent over his laptop, his door partially closed. I sat down, scanning emails, then went to get his coffee. I made a black one, unsure how he would react to one of my “foamy” concoctions. I had a feeling he liked them more than he admitted, only pretending to be upset when I brought him one.

But I wasn’t testing anything today.

I walked into the office, grabbed my notebook, squared my shoulders, and knocked on his door.

“In,” he snapped.

I pushed open the door, approached his desk, and set down his coffee, flicking on the mug warmer. He lifted his gaze to me, then dropped it quickly.

“Morning,” I said brightly as I sat down.

He grunted in return, then spoke. “I have a meeting with HR this morning at nine. Push everything back for a couple of hours.”

“I had already cleared your schedule, so you’re good.”

That got me another grunt.

“If you can keep working on the printing, I would appreciate it. I got more done, so refer to the list.”

“Of course. Anything else?”

He sat back, meeting my gaze. The ice was back in his eyes, and although he looked tired, his voice was clear and the blue was cold. “I apologize for Saturday. That was totally inappropriate.”

I swallowed and decided to play dumb. “Asking me to work? I offered.”

He narrowed his eyes. “For grabbing you.”

I stood, shaking my head. “I stumbled, you caught me, which I’m grateful for. Nothing else.”

He met my eyes, and I kept my gaze steady.

“If you say so.”