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“You do?”
Her expression softens and she says forlornly, “I’m a bit of an insomniac these days.”
I raise my brows. “Really?”
“Ever since Mark divorced me, it’s been very hard for me to fall asleep. It’s been three years since it happened and I still haven’t known how to deal with that.”
“Have you tried going to a shrink?”
“Oh, no,” she says with a laugh as she stands. “I don’t have the luxury of time for that anymore.”
“It might help.”
She shakes her head as she approaches me. Leaning over, she breathes, “It won’t.”
“Why’d you say so?”
“Because what I need is not a shrink, Mr. Thatcher.” Her dark eyes flicker through me.
Indulging her for a second, I ask, “What is it, then?”
Her lips curl into a sultry smile. Edging a little nearer, she lowers her voice, “Well, according to what one of them told me, what I need is companionship. And not just with anyone.” Her eyes are pinned on mine and she lets out a shaky breath. “It has to be someone who... understands me. Someone who’s just like me. Someone who’s also experienced their unfair share of loss, and is finding it hard to move on, just like me.”
“Sara—"
“Don’t you miss it, hmm? I miss it, all the time.” She sighs and closes her eyes. “It’s the way my body is. I just can’t help it.” She puts one finger out and touches the blond hairs on my wrist. “I just… can’t help it.” Her index finger moves up my forearm, making my skin crawl. “I’ll go crazy if I don’t feel someone’s arms around me soon.”
I lift my eyes to hers. Next to me, she looks so small. There’s no denying what a stunning body she has. Underneath her suit, her cleavage is visible, tapering down to a V-shape that conceals her full, creamy breasts.
Objectively, she’s beautiful and tempting, but her personality and this constant harassment put me off in a big time.
Our eyes meet again, and this time, in the depths of her eyes I see her emotions… fear, and longing, and hope.
A rare moment of vulnerability, unguardedness, openness… But unlike with Noelle, who calls to something deep inside me, I feel nothing.
Not today. And not ever.
Clearing my throat, I get up from my chair. “Well, I wish you luck in finding one. Excuse me.” I head to the door to show her out.
“Have you gone insane?” she screeches angrily.
I turn to look at her, stunned. “I beg your pardon?”
“What’s wrong with you?” she demands, propping her hip against my desk, crossing her arms and glaring at me. “I throw you all this,” she fumes as she thrusts her voluptuous chest forward, “and you turn it down, for what? Huh? A kid? I mean, come on, Maverick, I thought you were done with her!”
Maverick? Since when does this lady think it’s okay to call me that?
“Excuse me?”
An indignant hiss escapes her lips. “Noelle Quinn. Or aren’t you? She really has all of you wrapped around her little finger, doesn’t she? First Chris, now you.”
Ignoring the rest of her spiteful tirade, I ask, “Who told you Noelle and I were done?”
Her head draws back in surprise and she blinks. “I thought... I assumed you two were no longer... together. After what happened in that pantry. I mean…”
I open the door and say to her, “First of all, my name is Mr. Thatcher to you. I have never and will never give you any indication you can take those liberties with me.” Turning, I walk to her and pulling on her elbow, gently, I guide her to the outside of the door as I add, “Second of all, don’t believe everything you hear. Now get back to work, Miss Carter. And if you ever act like this again, with me or anyone else in this company, you’re fired.”
I close the door in her face.
