Page 36 of Manhattan State of Mind

“Taylor,” Wolfe’s deep voice booms from behind me, making me sweat instantly. “Lucy’s been through a lot. Our staff’s needs are more important than the deadline. Push it back.”

Taylor looks surprised, almost offended. “Of course, sir,” she says, her tone hesitant. “But… The casinos… They’re waiting. We’ve already sent out company-wide notifications—they’re all geared up.”

“Let me worry about that.”

Taylor nods quickly. “Of course.”

I stand rooted to the spot, each shallow breath a struggle. The heat snakes its way from my ears to my neck. I know it’s his glare that’s causing the fire. I want nothing more than to shrink away into nothingness.

Slowly, I swivel to meet Wolfe’s dark eyes. “Thank you,” I say quietly.

His lips give the faintest quirk before he nods, acknowledging my gratitude.

“Like I said, Lucy,” he says, his tone measured and steady, yet there’s a slight clench in his jaw. “Your well-being is my chief concern.”

It is?

The statement hangs heavily between us, charged with an intensity that feels exclusive to us, oblivious to the other thirty occupants of the room.

My gaze drops to his lips. Full, manly lips in rough, sexy stubble. They part just a fraction, seemingly in response.

I quickly refocus on Taylor before my shaky legs give out completely.

What the hell was that? Was Wolfe being… nice to me?

Maybe he feels sorry for me because I fell down the stairs, or he’s concerned I’ll sue the company.

I guess he is a man made of real living DNA but it’s hard to see past the cold-hearted boss who cares only for his bottom line. You don’t become a billionaire casino mogul without being some degree of an asshole.

But he has to have some human feelings under that power suit.

And unless my senses are playing tricks on me, he’s edging closer.

The heat that originated in my ears is now trickling down, settling in places it has no business being. When he innocently clears his throat, I have to clamp my legs together to force down a wave of tingly excitement.

Taylor’s voice fades into white noise. She might as well be speaking Klingon.

“Lucy,” comes that rich, deep voice from behind me, right as Taylor’s wrapping up.

Crap.

I swivel, half-hoping I misheard.

No such luck. Wolfe stands behind me, fixing me with his intense glower. “Could you stick around for a moment?”

His request reverberates around the room, loud and clear.

“Sure,” I respond with feigned nonchalance.

Suddenly, the IT team collectively decides to move in slow motion. Matty, the usual front-runner for the door, is now grappling with the concept of walking.

Wolfe releases a sigh laced with obvious irritation, like he’s gearing up to tear them a new one.

And then, as the last one shuffles out, it’s just him and me. Alone.

A nervous knot forms in my stomach, making it difficult to swallow. Now what?

“Are you managing all right, being back at work?” he asks, his voice dipping lower.