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The tall, elegant blonde, with legs that appear to be endless, a slender waist, gorgeous, plump breasts, red, luscious lips, perfectly curled lashes, curvy hips, and a perfect smile, is still dancing with Nico.

I’m trying so hard not to watch them, but my heart is aching with jealousy as they move around the dancefloor together.

She’s gorgeous. Like, proper, crazy beautiful. She’s exactly the type of girl who would attract a man like Nico because of her sophistication and confidence. She didn’t hesitate to ask him to dance. I wouldn’t have had the guts to do that. I was thrilled when he asked me.

And—I could be wrong, but I am sure he was about to kiss me on the dance floor.

I huff out an annoyed breath.

If he were about to kiss me, that would be insane.

I guess it’s more insane that I was going to let him.

I didn’t even try and stop it when I thought it was going to happen.

That is not the image I want my work colleagues to have of me, messing around with the boss—they’ll all be talking about how that’s the only reason I got the job I the first place.

Ugh. I don’t need this kind of drama in my life.

If Miss Perfect over there hadn’t interrupted us, things could have gotten really bad, really fast.

Maybe Nico’s had a few drinks?

He doesn’t look tipsy. Not in the slightest.

But that would explain his forwardness.

He was very quick to get me away from Lucas.

Lucas was creepy, though. I’m happy he stepped in to put an abrupt end to that.

I would have lost the guy, but it would have taken time, because I don’t know his business relationship with Nico, and I would have had to keep it diplomatic and polite, when really, I wanted to tell him to jump off a cliff.

My eyes drift back to Nico.

Oliva is pressed against his chest, looking up at him with a radiant smile on her face. He’s smiling too, his eyes turned down to her.

If he kissed her now, I’d die.

I’d crumble to the floor and curl into a ball, and cry.

I’m so pathetic.

Still crushing on my boss because I haven’t figured out a way to control myself around him.

I roll my eyes.

Justin chuckles next to me. “Why the face?” he asks.

Oh, shit. I didn’t realize he was here. He is our team manager—my other boss.

I giggle nervously. “I was just thinking about something silly,” I say, brushing it off as best I can.

“Can I get you a drink? That one looks finished.”

I glance down at my vodka and orange juice, which is basically just melted ice at this point. All of my attention has been on the dancefloor—not where it should be.

“Yes, thanks,” I smile.

“You’ve been doing really well at work. I know Nico is impressed with you,” he remarks, waving the bartender down to get his attention.

“Vodka orange, and a beer for me,” he says.

“Yes, sir, right away,” the barman smiles.

Justin leans against the bar and tilts his head to the side as he looks at me. “Are you happy with the company?”

My eyes drift again towards the dance floor while I answer.

“I love it. Seriously. Not a day goes by when I don’t wake up excited to come to work.

My job is incredible. There are new challenges every day, and I get to push my own limits, learn new things, and enjoy the process.

” I smile, a genuine, happy smile. I mean every word of it.

I wouldn’t want any other job. And I love working with Nico.

Nico is laughing with Olivia. I look back at Justin. Why is it bothering me so much to see him happy with another woman?

“And Nico?” he asks, his brows rising.

“What do you mean?” My eyes turn back to the dancefloor again. Why am I putting myself through this? Maybe I need to leave? Watching them move together, his hand on her lower back, I wonder if they have a history together? Maybe he dated her. Maybe he’s still involved with her.

“Serafina?”

“Mm?”

Justin is looking at me expectantly, and I realize he’s asked me something.

“I said, you and Nico are very close,” he repeats.

My thoughts race in panic. What does he mean by that?

“We work well together,” I say, straightening my back.

“But I think it’s more than just professional—you two get on very well. You’re closer than most of the people in the office…“

His words trail off as he studies my face. I’m not sure what exactly he’s getting at, but I don’t like it.

If he’s thinking this, then other people are, too, and that means that rumors are already starting.

I giggle and wave my hand in the air. “I’ve just learned how to communicate with Nico in the best way to get work done faster.”

“Mm. Is that what it is?” Justin laughs, not convinced.

Shit.

Will something like this get Niko in trouble? Or me? Would they move me to another part of the company, or fire me completely?

I’m really playing with fire here. I have to refocus.

I move my body so that my back is facing the dance floor. I will not watch him anymore. He can do whatever he wants. I’ve got to be strict about this now before I sink my own ship.

I can’t be involved with my boss. I can’t be attracted to him and cause other people to notice.

I definitely don’t want to be standing by the bar with one of my bosses questioning why I’m so close to my other boss.

Biting my lip with worry, I try to focus all of my attention on the conversation with Justin. He chats about the projects we’re doing and the new offices. I listen, sip my drink, and wait for the moment when I can escape. I want to go home.

***

It’s almost midnight when I step out of the extravagant venue and into the cold night air. It’s actually a beautiful evening. It’s not as cold as it has been these last few weeks.

I glance down at my high heels. Thank goodness it’s not far to walk. The party was right by the office, so I’m right around the corner from home.

I got cornered by Justin tonight, but at least it was an eye-opening moment for me. I can’t keep risking my career over a silly crush. It’s time to put walls up, block out whatever I’m feeling, and focus on my work. Nothing else.

My heels click as I walk along the sidewalk. The shoes are starting to hurt, but it’s not far.

The road is still busy with people coming and going, wrapped warmly in long coats.

I shove my hands into my long gray coat and smile as a couple walks past me with their dog. The little furry ball of happiness pauses to sniff the corner of my coat, and I lean down to tickle his soft fur.

“Hey, cutie,” I smile.

The couple moves on, wishing me a lovely evening.

“You can’t walk in those heels.”

His voice sends a delightful shiver down my spine as the car comes to a stop on the road next to where I’m walking.

“I can, actually,” I grin at him as he leans out of the window.

“Get in. I’ll drive you.”

“Nico, we’ve been through this.” I shake my head, still smiling. Stop smiling. Be professional.

“Serafina, get in the car and stop being so difficult. It’ll take me two minutes to drive you home.”

I glance down at my feet.

They hurt. I don’t want to admit it, but I would love a lift.

“Serafina, get in,” he says more sternly.

I give up.

Inside Nico’s car, the heat is on, and my entire body relaxes into the warm seat. It’s cozy and comfortable.

“It was a good party tonight,” Nico remarks, a little stiff.

“It was great. Successful,” I say, just as stiff.

Why is this so difficult?

“The music was nice.”

Is he serious? Are we really talking about the music?

“And the catering,” I agree.

Oh my word, this is hell.

I glance across the car towards him. He looks at me, briefly, a tense smile on his face. Then he quickly looks forward again.

I chew the inside of my cheek.

It doesn’t matter whether I am attracted to him or not, and my silly little crush is pointless. I know how this goes. I know because I’ve been there, done that, and got the T-shirt. Whether I wanted it or not.

Brandon Plume. My boyfriend at the beginning of college. I was so in love, head over heels for this complete douchebag. Of course, at the time I had no idea he was a douchebag.

He was my first boyfriend, and I thought I was the luckiest girl on the planet, because all the girls thought he was amazing—the hottest guy in our year, and friends with everyone.

He was fun, charismatic, and outgoing, and he loved to party. I was shy and quiet, but he took me everywhere with him, and I started making so many friends. It was the first time in my life that I had that many people want to get to know me.

Brandon didn’t know that I was a virgin, and I was nervous to tell him. There were a number of times he was pushing for sex, and I got really nervous, but managed to get out of it without confessing my secret.

But as we got closer and we were dating for longer, I got to a point where I wanted to lose my virginity to him.

I was actually excited about it.

I started flirting with him, making naughty, suggestive comments, getting more confident, trying to let him know I was ready.

The night came, and we arrived back at my dorm room after a really amazing dinner together, and I invited him inside, knowing my roommate was staying over at her boyfriend's. Brandon didn’t hesitate.

And as soon as the door closed behind us, he was all over me.

Yes, I wanted it, but I was nervous and wanted to go slower, savor the moment and understand what was happening. But he was kissing me and pushing me onto the bed, practically ripping my clothes off.

It got to the point where he was about to push his cock into me, and I froze up and very quickly scooted away from him.

“What now?” he huffed in annoyance. I remember the tone of his voice, cold and agitated. It made my anxiety ten times worse.

I sat with my back against the headboard and my knees curled against my chest. “I want to do this—I really do—but I want to go a little slower, because I’m nervous,” I confessed.

He glared at me before his mouth dropped open in shock. “Wait—are you a virgin?” he blurted out. And before I could answer, he was laughing.

Proper, cold, nasty laughter.

“You’re a fucking virgin?” he continued to laugh, and I pulled my knees tighter against my body.

“So?” I mumbled.

“So, you have no idea what you’re doing? You wouldn’t even know what to do with my cock if I waved it in front of your face.” His laughter got louder and louder until I couldn’t take it anymore.

With tears running down my face, I kicked him out of my room.

He wasn’t even upset. He told me he didn’t need an inexperienced girl. I broke up with him. I never spoke to him again.

But he told everyone.

And the rest of my college experience included my ‘friends’ constantly teasing me about how I’d never had sex before. They never missed an opportunity to bring it up, and despite asking them to stop, telling them that it hurt me, they continued to do it.

So I stopped hanging around with them. I hunkered down, focused on my studies, and longed for the day I graduated.

And of course, I left college a virgin.

And I started this job a virgin.

And now I am a virgin with a crush on Nico, a man who would never want a girl without any experience.

I can’t go through that again. It was so painful, and I’m still scared and hurt from what happened.

I’m still chewing on the inside of my cheek when Nico pulls the car to a stop outside my house. But now I’m also fighting tears; flooded with those memories, I’ve come to realize that my crush is even more pathetic than I thought.

I look towards Nico and smile tightly.

“Hey, Sera—what’s going on?” he asks.

I’m clearly not doing a great job of hiding my emotions.

“Nothing. Thanks for the ride,“ I blurt out, hurrying to push the door open. I stumble out of the car in a rush.

“Serafina,” he calls my name.

“Good night, Nico. I’ll see you on Monday,” I say as cheerfully as I can.

I shove the key into the lock and fumble with opening the front door. In relief, I push the door open and step inside. When I turn to wave to Nico to let him know he can go, he’s standing next to the car, his hand resting on the open door. His brows are furrowed.

“Bye,” I say loudly, waving and plastering the biggest smile on my face.

Then I close the door, not daring to wait another second in case he starts walking towards me.

I lean my back against the door, and the tears flow over my cheeks.