The butterflies in my stomach soared when we simultaneously reached for a biscuit and our fingers brushed. He pulled his hand away with a small gasp.
“I used to work for a bank,” Ross explained after a moment of silence and the lightness I’d felt evaporated a bit. He’d mentioned that before, but I still couldn’t imagine him as a banker.
Ross was such a hands-on man, the one who shouldered heavy bags of coffee without blinking an eye, and who spent hours on his next blend.
“My job was to build financial models based on our customer’s data so we could understand and evaluate their financial health.”
“Wow that sounds…”horrible!I tried again to imagine Ross poring over screens and building complex algorithms. I mean, the idea of him in a white dress shirt was weirdly hot, and I bet he looked dashing in a suit, but other than that…
“Yeah, I loved the job.” He gave me a half smile. “I suffered a burnout almost two years ago and had to leave. I can’t go back,” he added in a pleading voice. “I just can’t, Autumn.”
Oh my God, you precious baby.
“I understand.” I rested my hand on his arm and squeezed. I’d always been a tactile person andwantedto touch Ross. “You won’t have to go back there. I promise.”
I flinched when something landed on my head. I tightened my hold on his arm.
“Hold on.” Ross raised a hand, a minuscule smile on his muzzle. “Here.” He plucked something out of my hair and held it up in front of me.
It was a beautiful red and orange leaf.
“Aw, thanks Ross. I thought a critter had landed on me.”
“No. Just a leaf. Autumn is my favourite season,” he added as an afterthought.
“Mine, too,” I said with a laugh and watched the enormous man get all flustered, something I hadn’t thought possible.
Ross got up abruptly, wringing his hands. “More coffee?”
“Yes, please. Coffee is my middle name.”
He gaped at me, his breathing agitated. I absolutely adored how it got all raspy when he was unsettled.
So sexy.
“Yes, thank you,” I clarified.
“So. The people skills,” I took up the point of our meeting when he’d returned with two fresh cups for us.
“I’m lacking them.”
“You said as much yesterday.”
“Came as a shock to you, did it?” Ross returned my smirk.
“Yeah, I would never have guessed, Mr Wild Bull.”
Ross shot me a glance but I could tell he wasn’t angry with me.
“I like it,” he huffed. “I’m just not great with people, that’s all.”
“I’d never have noticed,” I added in mock surprise.
“I was never good at masking.”
“Neither should you. I’m unfazed.” I shrugged. “I like a challenge.”
He snorted, sounding one hundred percent on brand.
