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“That works. I want—”
“I know what coffees you drink.” I laugh nervously for pointing out my memory of all things Tyler and add, “Everyone should know what their boss likes in a cup of coffee.”
He narrows his eyes on me. “Is that right?”
“Oh, yes. It’s important. I take coffee and my boss’s interests seriously.” It’s out before I can stop it, my words just tumbling into mayhem creating gibberish ever since he touched me.
Tyler’s eyes light with amusement. Great. Iamusehim. “I won’t be long,” he says.
“I’m really okay all by myself,” I assure him.
He surprises me then and says, “Maybe I don’t want you to be, Bella,” and he doesn’t give me time to read his words with his expression. He grabs his briefcase turns away and starts walking.
I’m left staring after him, more confused than ever. In fact, I am hereby living in a perpetual state of wanton affection and confusion where my boss is concerned. I slide my purse over my shoulder and roll my briefcase with me to the Starbucks line. I’ve placed the order, and I’m waiting for it when my phone buzzes with a text from Allie. What is up with you and Tyler?
I draw a breath and allow it to trickle from my lips. I want to tell her so many things right now. She is a friend, a sister soon, by marriage. But she also works for Tyler. She sleeps with my brother every night. There is a complicated weave to the way we are all connected.Shouldn’t you be asking about the status of Dash’s Hollywood deal?
As I told Dash, you and Tyler are the dream team, but that doesn’t mean I’m not worried. Him getting involved with an employee would look really bad right now. You getting involved with your boss would color the way people look at you, Bella. And I saw the way you looked at each other at theparty. Y’all are red-hot together and it’s terrifying me for you both.
“Anything interesting going on?”
At the sound of Tyler’s voice, I rotate and face him.
“Bella, your order is ready!” comes a shout from the counter.
I hand him my phone, and say, “Read that.” With that decision I can’t undo, and I’m not sure I should anyway, I walk to the counter. If Allie sees what is going on between us, others will too. We have to deal with this, whatever this is, and deal with it before we return to the main offices.
I grab the drinks, return to hand him his cup, and accept my phone in exchange. “Are you going to ask why I let you read that?”
“I know why you let me read it. You’re worried about your reputation at the office.”
“And yours. You can’t afford—”
“I know. Believe me, I know.” He glances at my phone and then at me again. “Typical Allie. She tells it as it is.”
“Is that how it is? I don’t think we were looking at each other anyway but normal.”
“When she saw us, I’d just been between your legs, Bella. Neither of us are objective on that topic.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks. “Did you have to be that frank about it?”
“You had me read the message. I thought we were being frank about things?”
“We both knew what happened.”
“I damn sure do,” he assures me. “And she’s right, Bella. We are not good for each other, but there are matters between men and women that are rarely logical.”
“We can’t have the world look at us and assume we’re sleeping together.”
A boarding announcement is called over the intercom and Tyler ignores my statement, and says, “That’s us.” He starts to turn away.
I don’t think. I just act. I catch his arm. When his eyes meet mine the punch of awareness between us is almost brutal. “There you go touching me again, Bella,” he warns softly.
I’m reminded easily of all the things he said he would do to me if I kept touching him. I release his arm. “Tyler, this is not a non-issue.”
“Which is why I say we trade in these coffees for booze on the plane. We have no meetings until tomorrow. And before you say a word, your brother is wrong about alcohol being my addiction. It’s not, but I am not without an addiction, Bella.” His eyes drop to my mouth and linger before he looks at me with so much heat, it’s hard to miss his meaning. He means me. Or sex? Sex with me? “How about that drink?” he asks.
The air crackles between us and my nipples are tingling again, and I am fairly certain I just got wet for this man, in an airport, with what might be a suggestion that I am his addiction. Or not. I don’t even know for certain what he was saying.
