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“That night when I thought I’d lost Lucas, when you consoled me and held me tight, I knew I was doomed. Because I liked it a lot more than I should have.”
“I liked it too.” The words slipped out of me automatically. “And in reality, I wanted to do a lot more.”
She bit her lip. “After tonight, well, I’ll be seeing you at work tomorrow. And outside of work to help you with Lucas. We keep running into each other a lot.”
“What’s wrong with that?” I growled, suddenly angry that she was threatening to take away what had been the highlight of this week. Seeing her after work.
She gave me a frustrated sigh. “There’s plenty wrong with this, and you know it. Even if I desperately want to wave those problems away, I can’t.”
I reached for her, putting my arms around her back and drawing her closer. Her feet met mine, and she looked up at me, vulnerability written all over her face.
“You’re right when you said earlier that I need to be in control, Chloe. And I think I found a way to be in control and for the two of us to still get together.”
She raised her eyebrows while I grazed my hands up and down her arms.
I was furious that Will had ever had a chance with her. I was seething at the idea that she would give someone so unworthy of her a shot.
And while she could never be mine, I knew I could do a far better job of worshipping her, both inside the bedroom and out. Even if she wasn’t meant for me.
“I know you said you don’t date,” I began. “That you want to give Henry a lot of your time. As it is, I don’t have the emotions for a serious relationship, and you don’t have the time for a serious relationship.” I looked at her, her gaze curious and waiting. “But what if this was about having fun?”
She frowned. “Fun?” she asked while my hands stopped at her wrists.
I took her palms in mine. “Yes, nothing serious. But we see each other outside of work, when we can. I promise it isn’t going to affect our working relationship. And, yes, we can keep it to Thursdays if that’s the only day you can give me.”
She drew in a deep breath as she considered it, her fingers intertwining with mine. The movement was trusting and comforting, a gesture that said she was in this with me. I was sure she wanted it, too, despite a hundred reasons, not the least of which was her need to give her brother her completeattention. For a brief moment, I felt torn, wishing I could have her complete time and attention before reminding myself this wasn’t a competition.
I gave her another kiss, lingering on her soft lips, enjoying the feel of her breath on my skin. Her scent was so seductive that I wished I could stay.
I could see the longing in her eyes, too, but mixed in with some restraint. I ran my thumb down her neck, and she shuddered against me before I reluctantly stepped away.
“You don’t need to answer right now. As you know, I’m leaving for DC for the Global Innovation Summit tomorrow morning. Just think about it while I’m away, Chloe.”
She hesitated and then nodded. “I’ll think about it, Sean.”
36
CHLOE
When I woke up the next morning, I felt amazing. It took me a while to place the source of my happiness, and when I realized it was because of Sean, my smile spread even wider. When I made to stand up, I realized the bed was wobbly, leaning to one side. Easing out of bed with as little movement as possible so as to not hit the creaky leg, I stood up and surveyed the wooden frame.
This bed was easily thirty years old.
Thank goodness it hadn’t given way last night.
My face flaming red, I walked over to my desk and sat down, trying to think of how I could answer Sean’s question. I very much wanted to, but I was reluctant to take my attention away from Henry. The only good thing I could think of was that I didn’t have to lie to Sean about my anxiety.
I walked out to the kitchen and made a cup of coffee for myself while noting that Henry was still asleep. I went back to my room, and after shutting the door, I sat down at my desk. Needing to talk this out with someone who wasn’t Henry or Sean, I picked up my phone. In a minute, Tess answered the video call. Going by the brown coffee cup on her counter, shewas getting ready for work, just like me. Her hair was in a side part with soft waves, and I noticed a new nose ring on her today.
“You did what?!” she exclaimed when I told her my situation after we’d spent a few minutes chatting about her nose ring—a new gift from her fiancé.
“Tess, I made out with Sean, my boss,” I explained, feeling embarrassed.
I leaned forward, noticing Tess’s light-green eyes flickering with confusion. I couldn’t hide the romantic details of my life from her; the woman knew how much I hated going on dates. She’d been rooting for me to get out there and see someone. I owed her the truth.
“I had a wonderful evening with my boss, and I don’t know what to make of it.”
Tess swallowed and stared at me.