AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I know which corner is just out of sight, so we can kiss for a moment—torturously short moments—without documentation. My personal favorite is the janitor’s closet on the top floor. We don’t actually go in the closet, although I would kind of love to try that out. But if we open the door wide, there’s a perfect little spot behind it where I can kiss her and no one is any wiser.
It’s been wild. Elianna is filling up every thought, yet somehow, we’re still able to get the work done that we need. Most of the time.
She is . . . quite the woman. She’s exactly what I never knew I needed. That feels cliché, and I hate walking around like one big cliché. But Elianna is simply incredible, and there’s no other way to say it.
My whole plan, of not continuing these irrational feelings for her after eating the meal she cooked for me, obviously got derailed fast. I hadn’t planned on kissing her, but now, I can’t imagine not kissing her. She’s making me want something more than just getting more and more properties. She’s helping me rethink my priorities.
And? I’ve noticed a strange phenomenon these last few days since we started dating. There’s something about being with Elianna that is motivating me even more to get on the Deca Arete list. I can’t describe it. It’s almost like she’s relying on me to do this, even though that’s never been stated. This crazy dream of mine used to be for me, and me only, but now? It’s like it’s for her, too.
Which is blowing my mind a little. The thought of dating someone was always itchy, like I would fail them, so why even try?
So much can change in such a short amount of time.
Before we leave for our business forecasting meeting, I pull Elianna aside near the door of the office.
“I have something for you,” I tell her, hiding a package behind my back.
Her mouth drops open. “A surprise? I love surprises.” She reaches around my back, and I’m enjoying her pressed up against me so much that I don’t mind her snatching it from my hands.
She stares at the brightly colored gift wrap. “I might know what this is.”
“You do not.”
Tearing the paper off, she gasps. “Romeo and Juliet.Ididknow it. I love this vintage cover. Thank you!” She almost knocks me over with a hug.
I want to kiss her. But I can’t right now, especially here in my office where so many people walk in and out.
We’re not supposed to be together. Workplace relationships are a no-go—always. Yeah, my brothers have done it, but that doesn’t mean I can. I could ask her to fill out the proper paperwork for Human Relations, but every time it crosses my mind, I can’t get the words out. And . . . I don’t know. The whole dating-my-assistant thing just doesn’t sit right in my brain.
But Elianna herself? She’s starting to sit right in my soul. I love being around her. I love everything about her.
I’ll figure out how to handle this—eventually. Right now, though. I’m stalling.
We pull apart just in time. Maggie from HR breezes through the office doors, and Elianna and I exchange a look. That was a close call. We need to be careful.
We cannot get caught.
As the forecasting meeting begins, there’s a sense of concern in the air. I know our numbers have been lower than we’d hoped. We’ll see what the predictions look like now.
I introduce everyone to Rowena, my new business coach. I think she’s going to help me make the Deca Arete list, since she’s guided several other companies to do the same over the years.
A few minutes later, Elianna meets my gaze, a sly smile spreading across her face.
I text her.
Me:You can’t distract me like this.
Elianna:I’m not doing anything that could be misconstrued as distracting!
Me:That smile wasn’t?
Elianna:It’s a smile. Now I can’t even do that? Everyone smiles . . . you going to accuse Mr. Riddoch there of distracting you with his smile? And actually, I take that back. Everyone smiles except you.
Me:I painfully acknowledge that you’re right. However, your smile is the only one that distracts me.
And when she meets my gaze, I offer her the biggest, most cheesy smile I can manage. It’s painful. I hope to never do it again.
She snort-laughs and all eyes turn to her.
