Page 58 of The CEO Enemy

Her eyes widen.

She studies me, her eyes searching mine for answers. The fake engagement, the shared intimacy, and the connection we’ve been building in the past few days hang in the air.

“I don’t want this to be just a moment,” I rumble, trailing my thumb down her chin. “I want it to be everything, but only if you’re ready for everything.”

“I appreciate you saying that,” she whispers, her body visibly relaxing. “I can’t deny that tonight was exhilarating, an all-time high. But you’re my boss…a CEO…well, and the emotions, they’re not quite there for me in the way they should be, and I suppose I’m not ready to peel back those layers again. I’m sorry, and I promise I’ll be more careful next time.” She leans in for a short hug, and as she pulls back, she says, “It was a glitch, a momentary lapse after the adrenaline rush of a successful evening.”

I nod, and my dick weeps.

I release her gently, allowing her the space she needs.

Every logical part of my mind screams that this is impossible, that emotions don’t just glitch into existence, but there’s no sense in pushing her.

Time is a small price to pay for something real, something worth waiting for. I reach up, brushing a strand of hair from her face, my fingers lingering against her cheek.

“I understand,” I say. “I’ll wait. As long as it takes.” I wink at her, “You and I both know you can’t help but fall in love with me.”

Shaking her head with a smile, she replies, “As tempting as that sounds, I don’t make exceptions. So, everything back to normal?”

I nod. “Sure.”

“Good. See you tomorrow, boss.”

“Wait.” I pull her back.

She gasps when I hand her back her thong, then enter my apartment.

Iwake up bright and early as usual, with one slight change. Ever since our kiss in the Presidential Suite followed by our date after the charity, my dreams have been plagued by images of my neighbor, and my dick is already at attention. Apparently, my imagination has decided to run wild with all the things I can’t do to Jess. According to her, we are a glitch. According to her, it was a solo act on the feelings front.

It takes an hour on the treadmill and a cold shower to calm myself down.

She’s right, of course. The more distance between us, the better. I am her boss, and she is my employee. Nothing can happen between us.

Fuck.

No woman has ever had this power over me, and there’s way too much on the line to rewrite the script.

The next few days, conversation is focused on work and work alone.

But physically? That’s a whole other ball game. Jess is no longer avoiding me, no longer hurrying out of the room with one excuse or another. In fact, it’s almost the opposite. When we’re talking or looking at paperwork together, she’s close and a bit more in my personal space, letting her perfume hang around me.

I’d be lying if I said it isn’t working.

Being that close and feeling her body heat draws my focus every time.

Each time I accidentally (or not) touch her, I hear her inhale sharply before slowly exhaling like she’s trying to calm herself down. I have an excellent poker face—unlike Jess, especially with the paleness of her skin. The flush easily spreads across her freckled cheeks, giving her away every time. It’s cute.

After a couple of days, it starts to feel natural. I don’t even notice the switch at first. Mostly, I want to keep touching her and being close to her because I know we both enjoy it.

Despite her denial before, I’ve caught her leaning into my touch on more than one occasion. A hand on my arm. Her body pressing into my side. Once, she even leans back against my chest when I glance over her shoulder to look at a document we’re reviewing.

My resolve almost slips—almost.

Nothing can and will happen until she’s ready.

19

JESS

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