“I think you know exactly what I mean,” I whisper, leaning in. “I want to get to know you, Grace. More than this, more than lunch.”
“I, um… I don’t know if that’s such a great idea.”
Again, her gaze moves around the restaurant. Like she’s looking for something. Orsomeone.I work to hide my grin. I knowexactlywho Grace is looking for. The irony is, he’s sitting right across the table from her.
Before I have the chance to convince her of breaking any rules, Grace begins rummaging in her purse, her demeanor a complete one-eighty from how it was a moment ago. “I should probably get back to work. I’ll cover my half.”
“Nonsense.” I reach across the distance, placing my hand on her arm to stop her. Grace bites her lip, looking up through impossibly thick dark lashes, and I lose it. “I’m sorry I said what I did, Grace. I wasn’t trying to push.”
“It’s okay…” But it’s clearly not.
“Grace—”
“Listen, I’m not going to sit here and lie. I’m attracted to you, too, and a big part of me wants to see where it goes.”
“But?”
She worries her lip. “But I like my job. I can’t risk it. No matter how much I might want to.”
Her last statement fills me with exhilaration, and I have to fight to keep the bloodthirsty grin from showing.Wantis just a small step away from giving in. Soon, Grace will be mine, and only mine.
“I understand,” I say, trying to look disappointed. “I won’t push the issue any further.” I stare pointedly at her purse. “But Iwillbe getting lunch. At the very least, to make up for any mistakes on my end.”
Grace nods, relaxing back into her chair with a small smile. “You’re a good man, Mr. Graves. Thank you for understanding.”
If only she knew the truth.
Grace finishes up the rest of her lunch, and while we ease back into polite conversation, she doesn’t attempt to feed me again. On our walk back to the office, there’s a heavy silence between us that’s normally not there.
“Thank you again for lunch.” Grace is unable to meet my eyes fully. “I really do appreciate it.”
“We’ll have to do it again soon.”
She nods, but I get the funny feeling she’s running through the different excuses she’ll give me in the future to get out of it. If I wasn’t the other man who’s stopping her from getting closer toMr. Graves,I might be angry. But seeing as Red 7 is the reason for her hesitation, I can’t help but be filled with a sense of dark satisfaction.
“Bye, Mr. Graves.” Grace scurries back to her desk, her head lowered and cheeks heated.
I’m a little upset at her abrupt departure, but I can’t blame Grace. She spooks easily, and I got a little too excited at lunch.She just needs more time to warm up to me, and she’ll be begging for everything I can give her.
But if she doesn’t come around soon, I’ll have to speed things along. And I know exactly which of Grace’s buttons to push.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
GRACE
It’s almost five,and I have gottenzerowork done. Each time I try, my mind wanders, conjuring unprofessional thoughts and scenarios including my sexy boss. I’m sure he’s caught me looking through his office windows at least a dozen times, but I can’t seem to stop. I keep reliving our conversation in the restaurant, and there’s a sick feeling in my stomach when I get to the part where I turned him down. It was the last thing I wanted to do, but what choice did I have?
If someone discovered us, it would be detrimental to my career. Plus, I have to worry about Seven. I don’t think he’d appreciate sharing me with Archer Graves one bit. He’s killed for me before, and he wouldn’t hesitate to murder a man for wanting to date me.
I have to keep my distance from Mr. Graves. It’s the only thing that will keep him alive.
I glance at the clock on my computer, sighing when I notice it’s time to head home. With one last longing look at Mr. Graves’ office, I begin packing my things.
“Hey, killer!”
I flinch, squeezing my eyes tight as Corey’s voice breaks out behind me. He is thelastperson I want to see right now. I turn slowly, giving him a smile that feels like plastic on my face.
“Hi, Corey.”
