Page 6 of Consumed By You

His full brows rise with intrigue. “Seven years. How old are you?”

“Twenty-three.”

“So you moved here at sixteen?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you live with your family still? Boyfriend?”

“No, no boyfriend. I live by myself.”

“You movedoutat sixteen?” he asks, his voice a low and captivating rumble. I could listen to him speak all day.

“Yes.”

His chin sets, his eyes ardently sweeping over my features in study. I’m barely breathing.

“You must be brave.”

In a disjointed moment of panic, I notice his hands crossed on the desk and feel myself blurt out the first thing that pops into my head. “You don’t have a ring on. Girlfriend?”

He noticeably pauses and I instantly want to fling myself out of one of these spotless windows. My face heats with the force of ten thousand fiery suns.

I can’t believe I just asked my boss that. He’s going to fire me.

“Uh, no. I don’t date, Darcy.” His forehead creases as he inspects me closely.

“Oh.”

“I date, but I don’t dateexclusively.”

“Ah, I get it.”

Of course he’s a player. Why wouldn’t he be? With his looks, he could play any field and score. Neither of us says anything else for a while, which leaves us sitting in muted thoughtfulness.

“Is that all you wanted to ask?” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

His pupils darken a shade, making the green hue seem almost gray as they inquisitively slide over my face, the simple necklace dangling from my throat, the belt hugging my waistline, ending on the angled slit that’s widened on my thigh, revealing pale skin.

When they dart back up to my face, they burn right through me.

“Yes. You’re free to go.” He rises from his seat of commanding influence. I stand with him.

“Have a good night, Mr. Scott.” I pivot toward the large double doors.

“Good night, Darcy.” I glance back at him once more after hearing his warmer goodbye, pushing the door open to begin my long trek home.

Doris is sitting on the chair in his lobby when I get down the hall. I resist pressing my hand to my forehead to check for perspiration. “Gosh, you didn’t have to wait for me!”

“I was dying to know what that was about,” she whispers, pressing the elevator button.

“It was strange. He didn’t ask much. He said he wanted to know a few things about me since I was his new assistant. Did he do that with you?”

She shakes her head. “No, but then again I have known him for ages. It’s a good sign. He must have liked you.”

My heart involuntarily leaps at just the mere thought of that being true.

CHAPTER TWO