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I straightened my posture, fixed my blouse, and marched out of the stall. That was just plain silly to think about. If it wasn’t his cologne, then what could it possibly be? Yeah, everyone had their own personal scent, usually a musk or something that indicated their sweat levels. Body odor was normal around these parts.
But scents like that, likehis…
I splashed cold water on my face, not caring how many of the droplets soaked through my shirt. It was just a useless thrift store top. It wasn’t even that professional for a PA to wear. My black slacks were tapered at the ankles, matching my black flats. I didn’t look the least bit presentable.
That made me wonder why Andres hired me at all.
You know why.
My brain was getting on my nerves. Maybe I was just overtired from spending the day going through the email list and collecting everyone’s availability. Maybe I was doing too much.
I snatched a few paper towels from the dispenser and dabbed my face. Most of the water had dried by now. Some of the drops had darkened the top of my blouse, but mostly it appeared like the usual forest green fabric. Wow, so this was what I had stepped out of my apartment wearing today, huh? I should have put more thought into it.
Laughter bubbled up through my serious expression. Alright, since when did I worrythatmuch about my appearance? Andres hadn’t been bothered by it, not enough to say so, anyways, and it wasn’t like dressing up was that important to my aerobics classes. Comfort was favored more than style for that. Today was just supposed to be a casual day.
So, why did it feel like I had to run home and change?
With a sigh, I balled up the paper towel and tossed it into the trash can. I went to the door with my head still floating in the clouds while that scent lingered. Every time I thought about Andres touching my knuckles, a cold shiver burst through me, hardening my nipples and causing me to stand still.
Any more rounds of thatwouldsend me home. I didn’t want to go back to Andres feeling like I was a dog in heat. It was too embarrassing to hang around another shifter when my hormones were going whacky. Sensitive noses could pick up that kind of thing. Though it usually wasn’t too awkward being that we were all partly animals, I wanted to retain a certain stasis around him.
I frowned at the door.
This is my chance to finally break the mold, I thought.I can’t ruin it. I can’t let myself break just because I haven’t had a guy’s attention in months.
Yeah, thathadto be the reason. I just wasn’t used to standing really close to men. The last guy I dated wanted to be my mate, and that just didn’t align with my goals. I didn’t want to mate or start a family. I wanted a career. That was why this PA thing was a miracle. It would give me everything I needed to make a place for myself in the world—both inside and outside of this pack.
So what if I had a little crush on my boss? He was attractive enough. But I wasn’t some horny teenager. I was a woman who wanted change. And I would be damned if I was going to let a small crush get in my way.
A few deep breaths helped me recover my senses. Soon, I was ready to walk back out into the hallway with my head held high. Professionalism was my strong suit, something I knew I could embody even if I wasn’t entirely feeling it. At least my mother instilled that in me at a young age:fake it till you make it.
Oh goddess, could I really fake not having a crush?
“Heads up!”
I ducked instinctively, covering the top of my head with my hands as I shuffled to the left. A pair of sneakers came into view, and then a pair of tattered jeans with all kinds of dirt stains and paint on them. The sneakers squeaked as the person came to a stop.
“Sorry about that, miss. You can stand up now.”
I raised my head slowly and carefully. And then I blinked a couple of times to be sure of who I was looking at. “Izdor? What are you still doing here?”
The muscular Elderling shrugged nonchalantly. “Oh, you know. This and that. We’re working on the hallways and other wings of the building now.”
“But it’s—” I glanced at my watch. “Wow, it’s like 5:30.”
“Yeah, what areyoustill doing here?”
Heat returned at full force, slamming my body like a wave at the beach. I stared at him for a moment like I had lost my marbles. Shoot, maybe I had. Maybe my logic had trickled right out of my ears on the floor of the bathroom while I thought about Andres and his hands so warm that I could almost picture them cupping my body.
I shook my head. “Just getting some work done for Andres—I mean, Mr. England.”
Crap, I never asked what I’m supposed to call him now, I worried as I rubbed my elbow.Maybe I should ask when I get back.
I hiked a thumb over my shoulder. “Actually, I should head back and—”
“Do you have a minute, actually?” Izdor interrupted. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”
My nerves flared up. It wasn’t like I was punched in officially, but I didn’t want to keep Andres waiting. Especially not after that little display of weirdness between us. I also didn’t want to be rude to Izdor while he was balancing a board over his shoulder.
