Page 42 of If By Chance

My heart pounds deep in my chest, my skin clammy, and I swallow back the bile rising in my throat.

I glance over at him again, more eager than ever to get away.

I can’t remember going to bed with him.

But I also can’t remember getting home.

His fingers tighten on my skin, and even hungover, heat rushes between my legs.

I have a rule: never, ever, sleep with someone I work with.

With his touch, a moment from last night flashes.

I vaguely remember going to bed.He helped me after I dressed in one of his t-shirts.

I peek under the covers and release a breath.

I’m still wearing it.

But then he left.

How did I end up in the same bed as him?

Oh, sweet Jesus, did I pounce on him?

As much as I’d like to get the most from this situation, and a morning quickie might satisfy my salacious appetite, I feel like I was dragged through a bush while tied to the back of a horse, and I’m pretty sure I look no better.

“Shit,” I curse under my breath, hitting the heel of my palm against my head and immediately regretting it.

How the hell am I supposed to get out of this bed without waking him?

Do I wake him and politely ask him to move but risk having the awkward morning-after small talk?

Or do I try the dive and crawl?

Neither, it would seem, because the man lying next to me leaves out a moan, and with a simple sound, he sums up exactly how I feel.

My chest deflates.

Awkward morning-after small talk it is.

“Morning, Trouble,” he mumbles, turning away from me and onto his back.

Trouble?

Chewing the inside of my cheek, I force a smile while pulling the covers a little higher on my body.

“Morning. I’m going to freshen up, and I will be out of your hair.”

His eyes narrow on me. His throat bobs while his eyes slide down my arms—the only part of my body exposed—and my stomach tightens.

I need to get out of here before I jump his bones again.

“Sorry, Claire. My son is due home soon.”

Bonus points for not calling me Ms. Russell.

“It’s fine, honestly. I need to go anyway, and we’re both adults. Let’s not drag it out. And please don’t fire me.”

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