Page 24 of Lying to the Boss

He gives me a sad smile, the back of his hand brushing over my cheek.

“The only thing that would make my life better is having someone to share everything with. Maybe someone specifically who doesn’t want it.”

“So, now this is a marriage proposal?”

He huffs a disbelieving laugh.

“Why does everything have to be so grand with you? Why can’t it be just this? Just two people who enjoy being with each other? You can’t say you don’t enjoy my company. You had fun today.”

I did have fun today. More than I expected.

Shaking my head slowly, I search for the right words to express what I want to say. He’s good at listening to my words, so I need to choose them wisely.

“My whole life, I’ve had things handed to me. I’ve been told what to do and when. I’ve been given everything I need, but—”

“But it didn’t matter because you want the reward of doing it yourself.”

“Yes.”

My heart beats a little harder. How did he know that?

“I didn’t hire you because you were good in bed, Tage. I’m not stupid. I hired you because I could see you were capable and that you wanted the job.”

“How? You barely know me.”

“Just a feeling, I guess. But I wasn’t wrong.” He sighs. “I don’t know your story, and it’s clear you don’t want to talk about it. That’s fine. But look at where you are in life. You said it’s more than you expected. You did that yourself. I don’t do handouts. My company would crumble if all I cared about was having pretty people to look at in my office.”

I can’t stop the smile tugging at my lips. “You think I’m pretty?”

“I think you’re beautiful.”

My chest warms, and something in my brain clicks. Something that has me making a really stupid decision.

I lean in to kiss him, but he’s closer than I expected because he’s kissing me too. It’s firm and soft all at the same time. Simple but passionate. Sweet, almost.

His lips are warm; his tongue is soft. It’s exactly how I remember his mouth feeling, only… it’s a little better now. And that’s the scary part. That I’m giving in so easily, all because he called me beautiful? What the hell is wrong with me?

Chapter Nine

Lane

The drive back to the hotel is comfortable, despite what happened. This wasn’t my intention when spending the day with him. Sure, I’d thought of it when I knew we’d be spending time together in the hotel, but it was more of a hope than a goal. I’d planned on teasing him. See him blush. Watch him squirm. I didn’t really think anything would happen.

Tage has the key to the room and swipes it in the elevator to get us up to the top floor, and then again to get into our room. The door falls closed heavily behind us, a loud reminder that we’re in here alone. We stand in the living area, staring at each other, neither of us sure what to do.

Do we go to our rooms? Go to one of our rooms? Fuck on the couch? Go to sleep?

These are only a few of the options. Truthfully, they’re pretty endless.

“I was going to take a bath…” I say.

“A bath?” he smirks. “Like a child?”

I should argue. He’s been making comments about me being incapable of taking care of myself since the first day I hired him. But this is an opportunity that I can’t give up.

“Yes, like a child. Which means I need someone to watch me. Up for the task?”

He keeps his eyes firmly on mine, and I can’t tell which way he’s going to answer. Then his arm lifts, slightly gesturing toward my room, for me to lead the way.