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I managed to swallow the word before it slipped out of my lips.
“Nothing. I was just checking in on you.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“I wouldn’t want you starving yourself and getting sick,” I joked. “What’s going to happen to my free stay and job if you do?”
Humor filled his features, and my God, how I ached.
“You’ll still have it.”
“Not the same if you’re not around.”
His brows furrowed at the words. It was crazy how I was toeing the line between wanting to be concerned and wanting to jump him. I suspected releasing all my emotions in that car freed me up and made me see the world better. In turn, it made me see this man better, and I longed for everything I saw of him.
“Right,” he mused. “Because you wouldn’t have a shoulder to lean on.”
“That’s right.”
I was such a coward.
I left the office before I could say something I would regret, trying to keep myself together. Thankfully, Sebastian was the first person I spotted, still going at it with Charity. Just as I was about to approach them, the swinging door off to the side opened.
Rupert was there again to deliver goods, his shoulder pushing the swinging door. I reached over to help him keep the door in place and met his gray eyes when he looked up.
“Thanks,” he said. Gruff, but at least he was no longer glaring at me. I nodded, unsure what to say. So, I didn’t say anything.
He wasn’t inclined to talk to me, either. He was too busy with the crates he was carrying. I looked out to the truck where his men pulled more crates of ingredients out and carried them inside, too. But my gaze kept returning to Rupert, who insisted on helping.
I shouldn’t be noticing him like this, but it was hard not to notice Rupert. I was aware of the way his muscles bunched every time he lifted a crate, then the way he grunted when he lowered it. I was aware of the hardening thighs when it was particularly heavy. My pulse skipped a beat when he lifted a crate and the hem of his shirt glided up, showing hard, glistening abs. There was that trail of hair again, teasing me. Tempting me.
I frowned, not liking how compelling he was. It was agitating that I found it hot, my body reacting to the way he moved and the way he took command. Finally, they were done and I could step back again, but when the swinging door closed and his men were on the other side, we ended up alone in the narrow, private hallway leading to the storage rooms. I expected him to leave quickly, but the truck engine had started and he was still standing inside.
“Are you not done yet?”
His gaze flicked up. “I’m done with deliveries. But I came in a separate car and I need to talk to Matthew later.” There was a pause. It was hushed but not awkward. “How’s work?”
Surprise bloomed at his question. “It’s fun. The staff’s awesome and very helpful. It’s also decent work and I get to practice my social skills.”
“Social skills?”
“I’m not the best at talking to people I don’t know. My old job involved me not talking except to sayyes, ma’am,andI’ll get it done right away.”
Was it my imagination, or did his lips quirk?
“Secretary?”
“Management assistant. I worked directly under the CEO.”
He raised a brow. My spine stiffened, braced for a scathing remark. It had been a big deal that I got promoted quickly, but that was because they didn’t see my sleepless nights perfecting reports and doing everything to increase the quality of my work. They only saw me, a young, sometimes shy woman, and couldn’t comprehend it.
“I’m sure you were brilliant if you managed to snag that position at such an early age.”
I blinked, trying to find the sarcasm and finding none. I stared at him.
“I… Thanks.”
“Hmm.”
