Page 43 of Protected By the Elf Prince

Things were all smiles and laughs and soft words between us—until we reached my office building, because I’d suddenly wanted to kiss him goodbye right there in front of everyone outside my workplace.

Where coworkers could potentially see.

And as soon as that thought had crossed my mind, panic immediately punched me in the face.

Yes, I wanted to kiss him, but I wasn’t quite there yet. I wasn’t ready to shout to the world or the people I knew that his man had tipped my world upside down, shook it around, and reset it in a way I never thought I would have considered allowing.

Apparently, my realization had been written all over my face, since Dashiel had noticed. But he didn’t show disappointment or look upset about it. Instead, he’d reached for my hand and briefly brushed the back of it with his fingers in a silent reassurance.

It also felt like a promise that he would wait for when I was ready.

The memory made me damn near giddy.

After that, he’d walked away, and I had immediately wanted him back.

Wanted another conversation.

Another walk.

Another excuse to spend time with him.

And like an idiot, I hadn’t asked if I’d see him tonight.

The regret hit me all over again. “Damn it,” I muttered to the screen.

A few heads turned, and I quickly pretended to be frustrated with my computer by rolling my eyes and waving a hand toward it.

They went back to whatever they’d been doing.

Which helped me hide the fact that I was not getting a lot done.

Dashiel was all I could think about, and I was ready to accept these feelings I had for him.

Maybe not publicly. But definitely privately.

I really wanted to see where this would go and whether what was growing between us could be forever.

When a shadow fell across my desk, I looked up to see Janice wearing a look of amusement. “You’re smiling at spreadsheets.”

I blinked. “No, I’m not.”

“You absolutely are. But I doubt that’s what’s actually got you grinning.”

Damn it.

She folded her arms. “Are you seeing someone?”

I nearly choked. “What?”

Her grin widened. “Oh my God, you are.”

“No.”

“Landon.”

“Yes?”

“You’re blushing.”