Page 79 of The Boss and the Adoption Mess

“I just wanted to ask how your meeting went today,” I say, nudging the door open a bit more so I can step inside.

“Good. Really good, actually. I like the new varieties, and I’ll be bringing some of them back to England. A few more sample boxes for my clients to test will be shipped in the next few days. It used to take two or three days, but now it’s closer to two weeks. Customs has long delays at the moment with certain foods.”

“Okay. But if you’re satisfied, then I’m happy for you,” I say, trying my best not to stare at his bare chest. Not easy—when all I want to do is press myself against him and kiss him.

“I’m very satisfied. The oils are better than I expected. As soon as we’re back in London, I’ll cook for you and Rosie.” Gabriel steps closer. I can feel his appraising eyes on me—of course he notices that under my robe I’m only wearing a pair of panties and an oversized sleep shirt. I feel naked, even though I’m not.

“That sounds tempting,” I whisper, then quickly correct myself: “I mean—delicious.” I must not picture him in the kitchen, completely naked. I squeeze my eyes shut for a moment and force myself to focus. Stay calm. Be professional.

“I should hope so,” he replies, stepping even closer—so close I can smell his cologne. I swallow and turn my head slightly,needing a moment to gather my thoughts, to rein in the feelings bubbling up.

“Is there… anything else I can… do for you?”

Why those long pauses? What does he mean?

I look straight at him, right into his eyes, while he stands there, unmoving.

“No, I, um… I’m fine. I don’t need anything else.” I start backing away. “Tomorrow will be a beautiful day. Rosie’s so excited about the interactive museum. As a little artist, she wants to be just as famous as Leonardo da Vinci someday.”

“Yes, that will be exciting for her. You’re looking forward to it too, aren’t you?”

As I retreat, he follows slowly, until the doorframe presses into my back.

“Yes. Rome is really beautiful,” I breathe.

“Mhm, it is.” He stops when I can’t back away any further. My heart pounds in my throat, my body craving more. So much more. I don’t want to go back to my bed. Alone. Just me. Nobody else. Couldn’t I just stay here? With him. That would be so much better. Being with him.

“Kim?”

“Yes?” His voice snaps me out of my spiraling thoughts.

“It seems to me you don’t want to leave. Am I right?”

I feel caught. My hand slides blindly along the doorframe.

“Sorry. You must be tired and—”

“I’m not tired.”

“…want to sleep and—”

“Not at all.”

“…I’m just bothering you…”

“You’re not.”

“I’ll just… what?” Not bothering him? I fall silent as he steps even closer than before.

“Why do you think you’d ever bother me?”

A moment later, his hand finds mine. Gently, he holds it, and suddenly we’re so close our bodies almost touch. God, he smells incredible… I feel dizzy and intoxicated by him.

“I just thought…” I whisper, stumbling over my words, unable to finish my sentence.

“You overthink things when it comes to me.”

Gabriel closes the last sliver of space between us, pressing me softly against the doorframe, brushing his lips against my cheek. I gasp, surprised, and raise my free hand to place it on his back. Gabriel holds my other hand firmly and pulls me even closer, placing it on his back so that both his hands are now free to touch me.