Page 7 of The Substitute

I’m not the only one who feels the chemistry between us.

“What do you need?” I ask, my hands still shoved firmly in my pockets.

“I was just—” She licks her lips, and I have to restrain myself from pushing her against the window and plundering her mouth. “Just going to tell you to have a good weekend. It’s about time to go home for the day.”

“Oh.” I nod and step back so she can easily move past me. “Have a good weekend.”

“Thanks.” She smiles as she walks. “Do you have big plans?”

“That’s—”

“None of my business,” she finishes for me. “Yeah, yeah. It’s called polite conversation, Mr. Langley.”

“Derek,” I correct her, surprising both of us if the look on her face is anything to go by. I never tell my assistants to address me by my first name.

“Derek.” Shit, the sound of my name on her lips is sexy as hell. Why did I tell her to call me that? “I hope you have a good weekend, whatever your plans are.”

My teeth are clenched so tightly that I’m surprised they don’t break as I watch her walk to my door. She turns back and smiles.

“See you on Monday.”

“See you.” I nod once, and then she’s gone. I let out a long, slow breath.

I’m well and truly fucked when it comes to Maya Sterling.

Chapter Two

Maya

“Hey, guys.” I grin as I push inside my brother’s condo, carrying a chocolate cheesecake. It’s my contribution for tonight since Gray and Stella are making dinner. “I’m here! We can start the party.”

I kick off my shoes and notice that everyone is gathered in the kitchen, chatting while my brother and his gorgeous wife bustle about to finish dinner.

“Maya!” My sister-in-law’s best friend Olivia comes running over to wrap me up in a hug. “It’s so good to see you. I heard you moved to Seattle.”

“Guilty,” I reply with a grin and feel my stomach tighten at the sight of Olivia’s husband, none other than the hottest movie star on the planet, Vaughn Barrymore.

Olivia’s brother, Keaton, is also married to my sister, Sidney.

This whole family is a big, giant, tangled web of a family tree that I can’t figure out without a spreadsheet and a video tutorial.

“How’s the movie business?” I ask as Vaughn hugs me. I inhale his sexy, manly scent and feel the rock-hard muscles under his casual T-shirt. For fuck’s sake, he’s delicious. Not that I would ever do anything inappropriate. I’m just a living, breathing female and can’t help but notice.

There’s a reason Vaughn is the sexiest man alive, at least according to several news outlets.

“It’s busy,” Liv says with a shrug. She’s a costume designer for her father’s major production company. That’s how she met Vaughn. “Always busy. I guess that’s a good thing.”

“It’s a great thing,” I agree, circling the island to hug Gray and Stella. “Hi, guys.”

“I’m so glad you’re here,” Stella says, stowing the cheesecake in the fridge. “And not just because of dessert. How was your first week at work?”

“Wait,” Liv says, holding up a hand. “We’re jumping ahead. I have questions.”

I notice Gray and Vaughn share a look before they grin. They love their girls and can usually hardly get a word in edgewise.

“Okay, shoot,” I say, leaning on the counter and stealing a carrot from the salad bowl.

“Where are you living?”

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