“We’re not.” Can she tell?
She turns with a smile. “Well, that was worth a shot.”
“Julia!” I play-punch her arm. “You made that up.”
“Ow.” She laughs and rubs the spot. “I’m just curious, that’s all.”
“Well, don’t be. Nothing is happening.”Anymore.
We stop at her desk and she takes a seat. “Oh, he’s here.” She picks up the file he must have kept and flips through it. “Look here. He’s asking for his very special PA. He can’t start his day without seeing her.” She wiggles her brows.
“That’s a lie.” I turn away before she can see my flushed face.
Her laughter trails me as I head back to the conference room.
I sit and round up with my work. Then I have to see him.
It takes forever to get to his office door because I’m walking so slowly. I sigh and push the door open.
He’s behind his desk, looking sharp in a tan shirt. His gaze lifts as the door clicks shut behind me.
I look away, guilt pinching at my conscience. If he wanted me to know about his mom’s death, he’d have mentioned it, right? But I just had to go digging. Now I can’t look him in the eye.
Julia said it’s no secret, nothing to feel guilty about.
“Maddie?”
“Yes.” I look up and paste a smile on my face.
His eyes narrow. “Can you come a little closer and tell me what I have on my calendar today?”
‘As you always do’hangs in the air.
I do draw closer and read from the file in my hand even though I have it all in my head.
“That’s your schedule for the day,” I say and close the file.
“Maddie, look at me.” His warm voice sears through my belly.
I look up through my lashes and he’s watching me with a frown.
“Is something wrong?”
“No.” I press out a fake smile.
He knows it because he only looks more worried. “Did you get home safely? Is someone bothering you?”
“No, nothing like that.”
“Then, what?” His eyebrow rises. “Am I working you too much? Are you stressed?” He stands and I have the urge to take a step back, but I hold my ground.
“I’m serious. I’m fine.”
He circles the desk and my stomach curls.
He’s a head and shoulder taller than I am, and broader too. When a man like him advances, I should be scared.
But the only thing I feel is need, heating me from the inside out.
