Page 91 of Dream Chaser

My heart thumped. “Is it?”

“Yes.”

It might have been. But he didn’t step back. Didn’t put distance between us.

“I’m not telling you this only because I’m your boss,” he said softly. “I’m telling you this because I’m a man.” Green eyes peered into mine. Soft. Tormented. “I can’t kiss you, Nova.”

My pulse thrummed under my skin. The air felt thinner. I shifted, stirring the water between us.

He exhaled slowly. Laced his fingers through mine. Then he turned my hand in his, and hot, wet lips pressed to my wrist, right over the vein throbbing with my irregular heartbeat.

“I can’t kiss you,” he repeated, “because if I do, I won’t want to stop.”

Heavy silence hung between us. The pool lights pulsed faintly, casting shifting bands of rose across his face.

He wanted me. I had doubted it before, but I didn’t have an ounce of doubt now. It was in his words, but also in his gaze. In the way he held my hand, smoothing his thumb over my pulse point. In the way his chest moved with his deep, uneven breaths. In how close he stood to me, but not even his remarkable restraint pulled him away.

And I wanted him just as much.

Alejandro’s throat moved with a swallow. He gently lowered my hand, fingers still gripping mine.

“I’m your boss.” He said the word like it tasted bad. “And I shouldn’t want these things with you. You work for me. I’m in a position of power. None of what I did tonight is acceptable. None of it is right.”

“Maybe.” I ran my thumb over his knuckles. “But why does it feel like it’s yourself you’re trying to convince?”

A long breath left his chest. “I don’t need convincing. Not when I know wanting you is wrong.”

“Only if I didn’t want it… But I do.”

Had for a while. More and more with every kind word, every thoughtful gesture. With every time he placed his trust in me.

He leaned his forehead against mine, sighing deeply. My fingertips buzzed with the urge to touch him. Instead, I just stared into his eyes, relishing our unguarded closeness.

“You shouldn’t,” he murmured.

Somewhere in the vicinity, the sound of a girl’s laughter snapped through the space.

Alejandro stilled. His head snapped toward the entrance.

Neither of us moved, but then Asher and Kaia entered the pool area, holding hands.

We sprang apart, creating a small wave between us.

Kaia bit her lip, an amused glint flashing in her eyes.

“Oops,” Asher said with a sheepish smile. “This isn’t the restaurant. Sorry, guys. Looks like we took a wrong turn.”

“We were just talking,” I blurted. “I need to check my equipment for tomorrow. The pool is all yours. Enjoy.”

Equipment? If this was a best lie contest, I’d place last. I swam toward the pool’s ladder, my cheeks on fire.

“I need to check your finances, mi niño,” Alejandro said behind me.

Asher’s finances? Good to know I wasn’t the only one affected by the interruption.

Kaia’s snort echoed off the tiled walls, followed by Asher’s laughter.

“Check them tomorrow,” Asher said. “I’m sure you can find better things to do tonight.”