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I offer him my brightest smile, attempting to remind him I’m a good employee. Everything I do must prove I’m a professional who wants to support him and the company. “My friends can take me back to the office. I can be there in less than an hour to help Ms. Fine with whatever she needs.”
“This isn’t about what London needs.”
I don’t know if it’s the gravelly tone of his voice or the darkness of his eyes or his hand moving down my arm in an intimate caress to encircle my wrist with a possessive grip, but I’ve never been so aroused and terrified at the same time.
I tremble under his fingers and his expression deepens even more, almost as if he is as affected as I am from us touching. “I can help you with whatever you need too.”
“I know you can.”
Somehow I know we’re not talking about the same need at all.
Or maybe we are.
With his presence, his accent, his touch, I want to find out even though I shouldn’t. I’m a grown woman with the student loans and past due rent to prove it, so I need to act like it.
Yet I’m letting my attraction to him impact my resolve to focus on my career. Which I promised myself I would never do.
I lift up my head to meet his gaze, offering him my most agreeable smile. “Okay then, I’ll see you in a bit.”
His grasp only tightens when I try to tug my hand away from his hold. “I’ll drive you. Then we don’t have to wait for our discussion.”
We should not be alone in a car together, but I’m not sure how to argue with him without seeming insubordinate. Before I can develop a reason to protest his suggestion, Bree’s anxious voice calls behind me.
“We’re heading to Kendall’s. Are you coming?”
She tries to sound calm, but I know her too well. From her tone I can tell she thinks that Mr. Wiseman touching me is worse than Casey. Surprisingly albeit confusingly, his grasp exhilarates me more than any man’s ever has. Including the one who wants to be so much more than friends.
I shake my head once she and Alex are next to me yet try to send a message with my eyes not to create a scene. As appreciative as I am of her protectiveness, I don’t want her to anger him any further. I try to soothe the uncertainty with introductions. “Mr. Wiseman, these are my friends Bree and Alex.”
Casey, Kendall, and Megan keep walking toward the parking lot. Obviously, they are avoiding us. Not that I can blame Casey for being disappointed, but I wish they all wouldn’t be upset at me. I can’t help it.
All I can do is fix the problem tonight when I get home. Right now, I have to smile and nod. “Mr. Wiseman came to get me for work. I need to go back to the office.”
Alex digs his keys out of his jeans pocket. “No problem. I’ll run you over there right now.”
He’s a genuinely good guy who won’t leave me stranded since Casey’s apparently abandoned me.
“No need. I’ve got her. That way we can work in the car on the way.”
I’ve got her.
I don’t know why Mr. Wiseman’s simple assertion excites me but butterflies flicker in my stomach. The first time ever in twenty-two years I’ve experienced the sensation.
Alex and I exchange glances, attempting to read each other’s thoughts regarding Mr. Wiseman’s assertion. Neither of us can seem to challenge his dominant tone or come up with a reason why I shouldn’t ride in his vehicle with him.
“Okay, then I guess we’ll see you later.”
Despite Alex’s reluctant acceptance, Bree still double checks, giving me a hug and whispering in my ear.
“Are you sure?
No, not at all but I’m somehow going with him anyway. “Yes.”
“Call me when you get home.”
Her brow still furrows as she steps back and releases me. Disappointed with this unexpected ending to our evening, she accepts Alex’s outstretched hand, only tearing her gaze from me when they have to pause for the traffic cutting off their path to his truck.
There’s no turning back now.
