Page 10 of Secret Santa

“Again?” I glanced at my watch and sighed. It was nearly noon, and I knew she’d been here since before the doors were unlocked for the day. “Can I see you in my office, please?” She hesitated before grabbing that damn notebook she always carried around.

I followed behind her, feeling too helpless to do anything else. She was potent—too sweet and too rich smelling. If I was a smarter man—a stronger man—maybe I’d fire her. I’d never touch her without consent, and I wouldn’t push the boundary between boss and employee, but I was tempted, so fucking tempted. Unfortunately, I’d learned my lesson—don’t get involved with women you work with.

But things with Danica felt different. The spark between us was instant, and I knew she felt it too. It wasn’t just me. I knew I couldn’t fire her because I wanted her. That would be fucked up on a million levels. Still, I wanted her, and I was trying to figure out a way to have her without taking away her livelihood.

I knew Sadie wouldn’t care. She’d let us fill out the paperwork for an office relationship and call it a day. What I didn’t know, however, was how the rest of the office would treat Danica, and that’s what I was more worried about. It was hard enough being a woman in a corporate setting; I didn’t want everyone assuming she was getting special treatment for sleeping with her boss.

“Please,” I said, gesturing to the chair she usually sat in. “Sit.” She gave me a strange look but obeyed.

After closing the door, I rounded my desk and sank into my chair. I took her in, soaked up all her soft features—her round, rosy cheeks, that dimpled chin. Her up-turned nose and pouty lips. She had an innocence about her that drew me in, but there was fire beneath the surface.

“What is it?” Her voice pulled me from my thoughts. Blinking a few times, I leaned back in my chair.

“How are you liking your time here?” Her dark brows pinched together, and she shifted in her chair.

“I like it fine,” she said. It wasn’t much of an answer.

“You’ve been here a week?” She nodded, looking more uncomfortable.

Dark marks were smudged under her eyes, and, not for the first time, I wondered how things were at home. Why wasn’t she getting enough sleep? I knew she took work home with her, even though I told her not to. She was always the first to arrive, the last to leave. If she kept this up, she’d work herself sick.

“Yes,” she drawled out slowly. “Today is a week.” Her eyes narrowed, confusion flickering over her face. “Why?”

I didn’t know how to bring it up without sounding like a dick. I wanted to know if the job was too much for her, if that’s why she was so run-down, but I couldn’t outright ask without offending her.

“There’s no easy way to say this,” I started, and her face paled further.

“Are you firing me?” My eyes widened and my head reared back.

“God, no. Why would you think that?”

“What else would be hard to talk about?” she muttered, her voice small.

“Danica, you look exhausted,” I said as gently as I could.

“Oh.” She tilted her head to the side. “Is that all?” She waved dismissively. “I don’t sleep well, and I had a long weekend going over files. I’m fine, Aiden.”

“Maybe you should leave early today,” I suggested. She shook her head as I spoke.

“I’m fine,” she said again. “I worked longer hours at my last job, and it was a lot more taxing than this one. I promise, I’m fine.” I let out a breath. I couldn’t argue with her or force her to do anything she didn’t want to do. “Was that it? I have a lot of work to do.” She threw her thumb over her shoulder.

“Is everything ready for the meeting with Mr. Lewis this afternoon?” I asked, and she stiffened.

“I’ll have the conference room set up—”

“I want to see him in here,” I interrupted, tapping my fingers against my desk as I thought. “Maybe a more casual setting will give him the push he needs to give us the funding.”

“Is there anything specific you’d like me to prepare?” She slid her hands under her thighs as she watched me.

“Make him feel welcome,” I said. “Anything he needs, give it to him.” Her jaw tensed, and red crept from her chest up her neck.

“Anything he needs,” she repeated, and I scrunched my brows together.

“Yes,” I said, and she lowered her eyes to the floor. “Unless there’s a reason he shouldn’t get what he needs?” I dipped my head, trying to put myself in her line of sight.

“No reason,” she mumbled. I knew he could be demanding, and a bit of an asshole to women, but I didn’t think he’d do anything other than make a few sexist comments.

“Did something happen at the last meeting?” She looked up at me through her lashes. She hesitated again, a pause just a tick too long that told me yes, something had happened. Instead of telling me, she sighed and shook her head.

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