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Chapter 5
Amara
For the third time today, I find myself staring out the window of my office. Ever since I started as Associate Director last week, life seems to be a little easier. A huge part of that is my job and getting to work on something I love. I actually wake up in the morning excited to go into the office.
I’d be lying to myself if I didn’t admit that Patrick has contributed to the pleasant experience. Gah. Even in my head I sound awkward about it. If I’m going to be honest, I may as well go all the way. He’s fine, like pour-some-water-on-me-because-he’s-hot fine. He’s also arrogant about his decisions, brilliant in business, and something I wasn’t expecting—surprisingly generous.
Several times a day, I almost pinch myself that this is real. I’m in a corner office, two large windows, a large desk that looks like it’s never been used, and a new laptop. When I objected to the coffee maker for my personal use, he said, “When we take care of you, you’ll take better care of the kids.” Then he proceeded to stock it with my favorite flavors of coffee.
It seems like every part of me appreciates every part of him. And that scares me a little—well, more than a little. I just got my dream job, the one that will allow me to do my best for Josiah, now and in the future. Starting something with my boss seems not just highly unprofessional, but dangerous.
Still, a part of me melts when he shows up in my doorway wearing a bespoke suit and holding a mango smoothie. “Hey, I noticed you didn’t take lunch today. While I was out, I thought I’d grab you something.”
“Thank you, Patrick.”
He hands me the smoothie. Slightly nervous at his attention, I take a long sip from the straw. My core tightens pleasantly as the tension builds between us.
His voice seems a bit lower than normal when he asks, “Do you have time to look at some paperwork with me?”
“Of course.”
If I expected us to meet in the conference room, I was wrong. He pulls a chair around my desk. The spaciousness I appreciated moments ago has entirely disappeared. With Patrick sitting next to me, it’s impossible to ignore his powerful presence.
Taking a quick breath to calm myself, the opposite happens when my senses fill with his cologne. He smells like peppermint, cool and sweet.
Patrick opens the file, pointing to various clauses, but I must be ovulating, because even though I pride myself on my professionalism, all I can focus on is how good he feels next to me, and how much better he would feel without his Armani suit between us.
“Amara? What do you think about that?”
“I’m sorry.” I turn my face to give him my full attention. “Can you repeat that…?” My voice drifts off when I notice our faces are just inches away from each other.
Slowly, giving me plenty of time to object, he presses his lips to mine. His kiss is a question, a compliment, and appreciation all at once. There’s no ravaging. Just a simple pressure that feels more meaningful than any elaborate sex-play I’ve experienced.
My eyes close softly. His hand raises to the nape of my neck, but he doesn’t get more aggressive. Instead, he holds me in place while we kiss. It’s like we’re at a fancy wine tasting, sipping, sampling, and tasting each other. Tingles spread from my lips and over my skin, congregating in my core.
Lost in the moment, I don’t realize I’ve clenched my hands on his shoulders until he shifts closer. The motion interrupts the moment, and my mind clears enough to wonder if I’m making a mistake.
“Should we be doing this?” I whisper against his jaw as his kisses move to my ear and down my neck.
“Professionally, no. Personally, I’ve been waiting for this moment since the first time I saw you.” His lips continue down my neck until he finds the spot that makes me gasp. “That said, tell me to stop and I will.”
Even though I know I should say something, I find my head tilting to the side, baring my neck for more kisses, more pleasure, more Patrick. He’s everything I ever wanted in a man, not just his good looks, though I certainly can’t complain about them. But the way he respects and supports me feels like a dream come true. When I think of how he gets along with Josiah, I feel like I’m in heaven.
When he moves back to my lips, fervently claiming them, I don’t object. His tender assault sends a growing heat through me, my body becoming extra sensitive and hungry for more. I kiss him back hungrily, moaning against his lips.
“You have no idea how beautiful you are.” Patrick pulls back, his gaze roaming over my face. His hands cup my cheeks. One thumb runs over my lips possessively, matching the fierce look in his eyes. “You have no idea how much I want you,” he growls.
Staring at him in somewhat of a daze, I shake my head. It’s not like men are lining up to tell a thirty-plus, single mom how attractive she is on a daily basis.
“You know I didn’t really need to discuss this today.” He jerks his head toward the desk where the forgotten file rests. “I just wanted to be closer to you.”
Patrick’s eyes crinkle when he notices the silly grin on my face. I swear, this man couldn’t be more perfect. And even with the risk, even though he’s my boss, I still feel better than I have in a long time. Maybe, just maybe, it’s okay to hope for something a little better, not just for Josiah, but for myself.
Just then my phone rings, interrupting my thoughts. It’s Shannon, from Josiah’s afterschool program. Rolling my chair away from Patrick, I explain, “I need to take this.” Then, into the phone, I say, “Hello, Shannon.”
“Amara, hey. I was just calling to double-check the schedule. According to my calendar, I’m supposed to be picking Josiah up from school today.”
“Yes,” I respond, a little confused. Since I’ve started working full time again, she picks him up every weekday. I check the time. Two forty-five. Right when school gets out.
