Page 24 of Bound Hearts

“Rough day?” I ask.

“No. Just those two are a headache.” He waves me in.

“I think it goes way back,” I say, strolling in.

His eyes bug out, and he cranes his neck. “What?”

I shrug and smack my lips, suddenly aware of how unprofessional this is. But it’s Foster—no holding back—and we have a rule to keep things between us. “Maybe they…”

Foster begins to grin as though he struck gold. “They what?” He won’t give up.

Blowing out a breath, I hate myself right now. “Her brother was in Easton’s fraternity, and maybe he and Olivia…”

Foster’s jaw drops slightly. “That’s why he calls her Olive. He’s more than familiar with her?”

“I don’t know. I assumed…”

His deep chuckle is devilish, and his grin is ear-to-ear. “No shit. He never mentioned. They act like they hate each other, and we all assumed it’s two personalities clashing.”

“Yeah, I noticed.” I refuse to continue this conversation. “I came here because I’ve been summoned,” I say as I sit down on the chair in front of his desk, crossing my legs and folding my hands on my knee, completely switched off from the fact that he was inside me the other day.

“I like it when you say you’ve been summoned.” He simpers as he unbuttons his suit blazer and slides it off, hanging it on the back of his chair before he plants himself down.

I gawk at him. We’ve been good at separating our two relationships. Let’s not start to go downhill now.

He clears his throat and switches on our conversation. "We finished the contract, and I thought that was it for a while. But I've been told you'll help me again with the renewal of our truck supplier's contract in Canada. Your colleague will be out recovering for a while."

"Right. We've done this before—work and play. I’ll review the contract and send over my points. It’s likely a quick amendment to the existing agreement. Nothing major."

“Exactly. If you have any questions, you can ask Chris in my department.”

Instantly, I huff a laugh because I’m amused. “Are you avoiding me?”

His eyes glint. "No. Is it safer? Sure, but I have to deal with the new forecast numbers. You can wrap this up by next week."

“Believable,” I confirm, but still smile wryly. “With that said, I’ll let you be.”

“Thanks.”

I begin to stand, but lightness rushes to my head, and a wave of dizziness hits. I wobble, immediately grab the front edge of his desk with both hands, and take a deep breath as my mind tries to catch up.

“Sutton?” Foster’s voice is tight with concern. Blinking, I gather my bearings as the dizziness begins to fade. “Are you okay?” Foster is already halfway to me.

“Yeah.” I’m unsure, actually.

“Do you want some water?” He reaches out to touch my arm, but I straighten my back in an attempt to regain professional composure, and his fingers stall in the air as he takes the hint not to touch.

“Nah, just stood up too fast,” I explain. “Went overboard on the caffeine today, I think.”

His eyes laser in on me as he frowns, unsure whether to let it be. “If you’re sure.”

“Totally.” I fake a smile to reassure him.

I slowly walk out of his office but stop at the exit, wanting one last look at him—truthfully, concerned Foster is kind of sexy.

I’m only half-turned when I notice his eyes still on me, almost predatory. He stands, hands tucked in his pockets, perched on the corner of his desk. “I’ll see you later? I can order something in. Can’t have you dizzy on us again.”

Ah, let’s add that suave move to his broody appearance to sweeten the view.