Page 21 of When Hearts Ignite

My heart spasms and I let out a rough chuckle. “Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.” My fingers twitch with an impulse to do something, but I don’t know what.

“What do you do for fun, sir?” Her voice is sweet, a refreshing morning breeze against my skin.

My cock twitches at the word “sir” coming from her lips. Looking up, I find her once again smiling. “Why do you ask?”

“I have a hypothesis…”

“I’m beside myself with anticipation,” I reply, twisting my lips to the side as a spark of amusement makes its way back inside me.

Grace squints, her full lips pursed as if deep in thought. “You’re young, but you’re in the office before anyone else, and I always see the light in your office on when I pack up for the evening. You don’t seem to have any crazy gossip about you in the news. My guess is, you don’t have any hobbies, really enjoy work, and are a complete bore, or…”

She pauses for dramatic effect, and I feel my eyebrow lifting. “You’re using work as an escape from something. And since the wind keeps you up, and you have dark circles under your eyes, my bet would be the latter. But I wonder, what would keep someone like you up at night? And don’t you have friends to hang out with?”

Her words are metal bolts to the chest, the arrows hitting much closer to the bullseye than I’d expect, and I still my body, fighting all impulse to move, to flinch, to give anything away.

Chuckling halfheartedly, I murmur, “Are you sure that’s how you want to talk to your boss? You know you have to please me and make me happy in order to get a full-time offer.”

Her eyes widen and I realize how my phrasing sounds.

A bolt of heat rushes south at the thought of her pleasing me, her knees on the floor, those big eyes staring at me as she calls me “sir” before choking on my cock, and I nearly groan out loud at the lurid direction of my thoughts. Something tells me she’s not going to be obedient.

A pretty flush travels up her slender neck to her face and once again, I find myself wishing the lights were turned on so I could see the exact shade of pink and whether it extends all the way to her ears.

This shouldn’t happen. I already had my session with Liesel. I should be able to hold these useless impulses in for another few months. I gnash my teeth as frustration claws inside me. Fucking biology.

“I mean,” I mutter and clear my throat, “well, you know what I mean.”

She wets her plush lips and gnaws at her tempting bottom lip again. I want to tug it from her teeth with my fingers and soothe the bite marks. My nose flares and my breathing ratchets up.

Grace lets out a nervous chuckle as her chest seems to lift and fall in rapid succession. “Well, it’s not eight yet. So, you aren’t my boss.” She swallows and swipes her lip with her tongue again.

My eyes are glued to the motion, the way her lips glint under the soft light, looking so lush, so pink, so inviting. Dragging my eyes back to hers, I find her pupils dark. “You’re right about that.”

I shift my stance on the floor, thankful the space is dark so she can’t see the inappropriate bulge in my pants. I’m going to regret this, but my mouth can’t seem to stop the words from tumbling out. “How about this? Outside of work, you can call me Steven, and I’ll give you a pass on all the crazy ideas from your mouth.”

Her lips tip up into a bright smile and she nods before stepping forward, the sweet floral fragrance drifting to my nose again. I resist the urge to close my eyes and inhale deeply.

Grace extends her hand toward mine and says, “You got yourself a deal. And I’ll do you one better. Since you look like you’re a loner and don’t have any friends, I’ll even be your friend. I’ll be team Steven.”

She smiles at me and my heart spasms. “Hi, I’m Grace Peyton, future financial rock star on Wall Street.” She throws me a wink, the beguiling gesture causing my heart to skip another beat, and I can’t stop the smile from appearing on my face.

“I’m Steven Kingsley, the King of motherfucking Wall Street,” I reply, and clasp her hand tightly in mine.

The simple touch sends a sharp jolt to my system, much more alarming than the boiling hot water in my shower or the chilly breeze of my colder than normal air conditioning. But I ignore the warning bells in my mind as I stare at this alluring woman in front of me, watching her smile widening, the whites of her teeth blinding.

“Team Steven, huh?” I whisper, looking down at our hands.

I revel in how small her hand is compared to mine and now, standing a few feet from her, I realize she’s much shorter than me, completely at odds with her colorful personality, and my nostrils flare as I’m hit with another whiff of her intoxicating scent.

“Yep. We’re a team. You’re stuck with me now.”

I drop her hand and clench mine into a tight fist, wanting to keep the lingering warmth in my chilly palm.

“So, what now, friend?” I ask, unable to stop the smile from seeping into my voice.

She gnaws on that plush lip of hers again, but this time, it doesn’t seem to be from nervousness. Her eyes take on a mischievous glimmer and she replies, “It’s my personal mission to make sure you get a life outside of work, friend.”

I arch my brow. “And how are you going to do that?”

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