Page 40 of Bossman

“Why would you tell me that?”

“Because it’s true. And I figured I’d lay all my cards on the table. You’re not having sex. I’m not having sex. Thought maybe we could work through our problem together.”

“I don’t have a problem.”

“So why aren’t you having sex, then?”

“Why aren’t you?”

“Because I’d like to have it with you, and you haven’t given in to me. Yet.” He brought the beer to his lips and watched me as he drank.

“I can’t believe we’re having this conversation. You know I’m seeing someone.”

“I do. That’s why we’re having this conversation. If you weren’t seeing someone, I’d have you up on that kitchen island showing you what I want to do to you, rather than telling you.”

“Is that so?”

He moved closer. “It is.”

“What if I’m not into you in that way?”

Chase looked down, his eyes lingering on my nipples. My very erect nipples. “Your body says otherwise.”

“Maybe I’m just cold.”

He inched closer. “Is that it? Are you cold, Reese? Because you actually look a little warm. Flushed, even.”

“You’re my boss.”

“Not now. You just said so yourself.”

“But...even if I wasn’t dating Brice—”

“Bryant,” Chase corrected me with a smirk.

Oh my God. “Bryant. Even if I wasn’t dating Bryant. And even if I was attracted to you—”

“You are.”

“Quit interrupting. You’re trying to confuse me. Like I was saying, even without Bryant in the picture and me being slightly attracted to you, it still can’t happen. I really like this job, and I don’t want to screw things up.”

“What if I fired you?”

“That probably wouldn’t be the best way to get into my pants.”

“Tell me what is.”

I chuckled. “You sound pretty desperate.”

Although we’d been teasing, his response was serious. “I feel pretty damn desperate right about now.”

So did I, but I wanted him to truly understand where my head was. “Can I be honest with you?”

“I’d be upset if you weren’t.”

“I sort of…had an office relationship…Well…it wasn’t really a relationship. It was more like a momentary lapse in judgment caused by excessive imbibing in holiday cheer. Anyway, you get the picture.”

“Yes. Unfortunately, I do. You slept with someone from work. Hang on. I should get another beer. I’m taking it this story isn’t going to bode well for me.”