Page 32 of Christian Clause

“I had a fantastic time. We’ll do this again soon.”

My heart leaps with joy. I open my mouth to tell him I’ll look forward to it when he steps forward and gently takes me into his arms. With my heart thumping, I wait for the kiss that is bound to leave me feeble in the knees. Christian doesn’t disappoint as he lowers his head and seizes his lips with mine. His mouth explores mine, moving over it like a prized possession. When he finally lifts his head and smiles at me, I cling to him for support. I like that he’s breathing heavily, making me know I’m not the only one affected by the kiss. After standing there, holding each other for what seemed like ages, I pull away and clear my throat.

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight. See you at the office on Monday.”

He walks away and I long to invite him up to my room to continue from where we stopped.

I watch until his car is no longer in sight. Suddenly, the front door opens and Debra drags me into the house. Her eyes narrow and her lips twitch.

“So, Clause is the ‘some guy at the office,’ huh?”

I release a sigh. I didn’t want to tell her about Christian because I was afraid she would say it was a bad idea.

Folding her arms across her chest with a twinkle in her eyes, she says, “Tell me all about the date.”

I groan.

Chapter Sixteen

Hope

I arrive at the office on Monday almost late because I don’t want to chance another encounter with Christian in the elevator. Fortunately, he’s already in his office when I walk in. He’s talking to Clara about some files. He coolly greets me, but I read the male appreciation in his eyes. We work as if nothing hot is brewing between us.

A few minutes before my lunch break, Christian tells me I need to sit in on an important lunch meeting with a prospective client. I enjoy the meeting as, once again, I’m reminded of how brilliant Christian is with business. I love the way he pulls back his hair from his forehead when he’s deep in thought and the narrowing of his eyes. I also love the way his suits fit him to perfection, drawing attention to his muscular body and the sheer masculinity that is Christian Clause. The confident way he speaks about the business and the aura of power he exudes send warm flushes through me. I feel his eyes on me during the meeting and he surprises me with a sensual wink. I drop my pen and quickly bend to retrieve it.

After the meeting, Christian walks out with his new business partners while I sit at my desk wondering what gifts to buy for Debra and her family for Christmas. I also wonder if I should get Christian something. We’re not officially dating, but it would be nice to buy him a gift.

I’m on the phone attending to an issue when he walks back into his office. Clara goes to him when he buzzes for her while I continue with my work. I’m focused on typing my boss’s dictations when someone walks into the large office. I catch a whiff of the person’s perfume before I lift my head. My lips slightly part when I see Katherine standing before me, looking like a million dollars in a silver sequin dress.

“Is Chris in?” she asks without so much as a greeting, staring down her nose at me with cold eyes. I feel a chill from the icy gaze she fixes on me.

I nod. Without even waiting for me to inform him of her presence, she walks toward his office. I don’t make any move to stop her. Why bother? I don’t think Chris will be upset with me for allowing her into his office without prior notice.

Clara comes out of the office a short while later and she leaves for the second floor to attend to something.

Jealousy burns inside me, but I control myself. Christian isn’t dating her. If he was, he wouldn’t be all over me. I’m silently happy that we already had lunch so he won’t take her out on a lunch date.

I struggle to focus on what I’m typing as I don’t like that woman in there with Christian. He might not be my man to the entire world—yet—but I can’t help being protective of him. I force myself to concentrate on my work as it’s what I’m being paid to do, not fantasize about the boss. As I’m typing, I discover a part I don’t understand in the notes I made earlier.

As Clara isn’t in the office, I decide to ask Christian and quickly return to my desk in case a visitor walks in. Hurrying, I raise my hand to knock on Christian’s office door but the door is partially open. I push it open further and walk into the room. My steps grind to a halt when I see Katherine in Christian’s arms. It looks as if they were about to kiss before I came in. My jaw drops and I can’t help the look of betrayal that reflects in my eyes as they pull apart. Christian turns away while Katherine looks at me with fury.

“How dare you barge in here like that? Chris, is this how uncultured your employees are?”

Expecting Christian to defend me, to tell Katherine she’s out of line for accusing me of being without manners, my eyes widen when he looks at me coldly.

“What do you want, Hope?”

I’m shocked at the iciness in his tone.

“Are you deaf?” Katherine asks and draws closer to Christian who had moved away.

I struggle to keep back the angry retort that comes to my mind. My eyes shift from Katherine to Christian. I’m disappointed at the indifferent way he stares back at me. Gone was the way he looked at me that morning and during the meeting.

“Keep whatever brought you here for later,” Christian aloofly says. “I’ll attend to it later. I won’t need you for the rest of the day.”

As it’s obvious he wants to be alone with his mistress, I nod.

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