Page 51 of Hating the Boss

“What do you mean what?” she asked sharply. “You grabbed my ass.”

“It was barely a graze,” I said innocently.

“You had a handful.”

I definitely did.

I couldn’t help but chuckle, which seemed to piss her off more.

“You can’t do that.”

“Okay, okay,” I said, putting my hands up in defense.

She looked away, at anywhere but me.

“I’m sorry. Okay?” I said remorsefully. “I was just trying to be convincing.”

She rolled her eyes. She stayed quiet for a moment, still keeping her gaze on the window. Outside, the sun was beginning to lower slowly in the sky, casting pink and orange hues across the neighboring buildings. It was one of my favorite times of day, and I had the best view in this part of the city.

“Do you think it worked?” she asked, raising a brow when she finally looked at me.

“Yes. Though I think the ass grab was what sold him.” I smirked.

Her eyes were now flames as she took a step forward and shoved my shoulder.

“Ouch,” I exclaimed, even though it hadn’t hurt at all. I rubbed my shoulder dramatically.

“Oh, stop,” she said exasperatedly. “We need to talk about this.”

“About what?”

“What the rules are.”

“The rules?” I asked, tilting my head slightly, noticing that she still stood close after her attempt at a shove. I pressed my luck and closed the distance more by taking a small step toward her.

“We have to have guidelines in place,” she said, swallowing hard as she looked at me. She was trying so hard to stand her ground. It was cute.

“Guidelines. Right.” I nodded, taking another step.

“I mean it, Brad,” she said, voice wavering.

“Well, let’s get this figured out, then.”

I raised my hand and gently pressed it against her cheek, stroking my thumb against her smooth skin.

“Is this too far?” I asked, bringing my other hand to meet her other cheek. She looked up at me, the flames in her eyes watered down by something else. Nerves. Anticipation. Want.

“No,” she said, slightly shaking her head.

I moved my hand slightly, running my thumb over her bottom lip. She stopped breathing.

“Is this too far?” I asked.

She shook her head again as her eyes searched mine.

Pulling my thumb from her lip, the plump flesh bounced back into place and I wanted nothing more than to kiss where my thumb had just been. Instead, I trailed my fingers down her chin. Down her neck. Down the plunging neckline of her dress, feeling nothing but her bare skin. I let them linger there, trailing the curve of her breasts.

“Is this too far?” I asked, my voice husky.