Page 44 of The Christmas Trap

I’d be lying if I said I haven’t imagined a scenario where I could be married to her—to have her in my bed, and make love to her, and wake up next to her, and discuss work challenges with her.

It's the first time I’ve met someone who I like spending time with…no, who I look forward spending time with.

Too bad, she’s engaged. She still doesn’t have a ring on her finger though.

Surely, it doesn’t take that long to have a ring resized. Which means, I was right thinking she was lying. Her loser fiancé didn’t buy her a ring in the first place.

So why the hell is she marrying him?

She should be marrying me.

Whoa, hold on. I can’t be seriously thinking this?

“Hello, are you there?” asks the woman on the line.What’s her name again?I've forgotten it despite being on a date with her last night.

"I’m not interested." I hang up and place the device on my desk.

That’s when the door to my office opens. My EA walks in. "Thesales reports you asked for are in your inbox. Marketing has put in their expense forecast, which is too high, and?—”

“Is everything okay?" I take in the harried expression on her features.

She’s handled every challenge I’ve sent her way. Never once, has she backed down.

The more I hand over to her, the more she seems to thrive. In fact, it’s occurred to me that she could well fill in for me as CEO on the occasions I’d rather be off working on initiatives related to veterans’ affairs, which I find more satisfying.

In fact, I’ve handed over so much of my workload to her, I have more time on my hands than I’ve ever had before.

Not once, has she flinched at the projects that I’ve tasked her with. So, to see her stressed out today, for the first time since she came to work for me, gives me pause.

“I should be asking you that question.” She glances at my phone, then back at me.

The fact that she doesn’t answer my question right away confirms to me that she’s under some kind of strain.

“I had to make it clear to the woman I went out on a date with last night that I'm not interested in seeing her again.” I raise a shoulder.

She firms her lips. “You were on a date last night.”

“How else am I going to find someone to marry?”

Her shoulders stiffen.Interesting.

“I’ve been on a date every night since we met Arthur.”

“You have?” She recoils, then seems to find her composure again. “I mean, of course, you have. You’re single and, as you say, you need to find a wife.”

She spins around, but not before I see a flash of what I swear is jealousy cross her features. Unable to stop myself, I rise to my feet.

I am around the desk in a flash, but by the time I grab her wrist, she’s already opening the door between our offices.

“What?” She turns on me with such anger in her voice that I stare.

I’m also aware of the electricity zipping up my arm. The airbetween us buzzes with that awareness which has only grown since the day we met, and my groin hardens with pure lust. While my heart… My heart stutters.Fuck.This is getting bloody complicated.

Especially when I spot the naked agony in her eyes before she blanks it. I wasn’t imagining it. She's definitely upset that I was out with a different woman every night this week.

She looks down at where my fingers are wrapped around her wrist. Instantly, I release her.

“Did you want something?” Her voice is cool.