Page 27 of Christian Clause

Brain, please start functioning again.

My mouth opens and closes without me saying anything. Two fiery kisses have turned me dumb?

“Is that a yes?”

I shake my head.

His brows shoot up, and amusement reflects in his gorgeous eyes. “Could you please say something? You’re kind of confusing me with mixed signals.”

Clearing my throat, I force my brain to come back to normal. In a husky voice, I reply, “I don’t have any plans for the weekend.”

Christian’s smile warms my heart. “That’s perfect. We’ll go out and see the city and have dinner.”

“Sounds like a plan,” I reply, trying to hide how excited I am.

“Great,” he remarks with a grin. He kisses me one more time before releasing me and turning to answer his phone that has been ringing.

I stand there twitching my hands like a kid caught being naughty. It takes me a few seconds to realize that Christian has dismissed me. I stare at him talking into his phone with his rich baritone voice, his back turned to me. Flushed, I turn away and walk on wobbly legs out of the office. I’m grateful it’s the close of work. Anyone who sees me at the moment will know what I have been doing with the boss. I get to my office, drop on my chair and put my hands on my flushed face.

What in the world has just happened?

One minute I’m thinking about getting a new job so I can stop thinking about my boss, and the next, I’m smooching with him in the office. I sit there dazed for a moment, stifling the flurry of feelings twirling in the pit of my stomach.

What is this? What’s going on? What about Katherine?

Afraid that I might give in to the temptation of going back to Christian’s office to demand some explanation about seeing him with Katherine at the restaurant and at the club, I quickly stand up. I rush to the restroom to put my dress, my hair and makeup in order before dashing out of the office to the elevator.

No way am I going to act like a jealous girlfriend over a kiss. That will make me look crazy. I need to go home to think about what to do. Away from Christian’s intimidating and intoxicating presence, I can think properly.

Is it wise to date my boss even though I want him?

I have a lot of thinking to do.

Chapter Thirteen

Christian

A smile curls the corners of my lips as I tread out of my office. Still smiling with thoughts of Hope filling my mind, I stride toward the elevators. The reception area is empty with the exception of the night security as it’s the close of work and most of my employees have gone home. I should have exited the building earlier. But after Hope left my office, I just sat there, recalling the beautiful moment I had with her.

My body hardens instantly as I recall how her body fit perfectly with mine. I let out a low whistle at the memory of my hand caressing her generous breast and my mouth devouring her full lips. Quickly, I place my briefcase in front of my midriff, thankful that no one is about. It would be mighty embarrassing for someone to see me with a hard on. Not that I care about what people think about me. But then, as this is my workplace and I don’t joke with my business, I see it as highly inappropriate.

But it’s not inappropriate to smooch with your PA in your office?

A grin covers my face at my inner voice. As long as we’re discreet in having an affair, I don’t see the problem. It is going to be inconvenient sneaking around with Hope, but the thought of it thrills me. I’m going to have to work very hard to hide the fact that every time I set my eyes on her, I want to tear her clothes off her and make passionate love to her. I successfully hid it these past weeks, but Hope left me weak in the knees this morning when I saw her in that wrap around dress that accentuated her figure.

All day, I struggle to focus on my meetings because all I have are thoughts about peeling her dress off her body and discovering the luscious flesh hidden underneath it.

“Sir, is there anything wrong?” A security guard asks as he makes his rounds.

“No, everything is fine,” I reply, and he walks away.

I blink, belatedly realizing that the elevator doors were open and I stood there gawking at it, motionless. The doors close, but thoughts of Hope still fill me.

How in the world do I hope to carry out a successful affair with my PA with no one finding out? It isn’t something I have done before, so I see it as a bit of challenge I’m looking forward to it. I have to think about Hope and how it will affect her, too. No one will dare say it to my face that I’m dating my PA. However, it might not be the same for Hope. I hate office gossip with a passion and want to shield her from it.

Maybe I should fire her.

The thought crosses my mind for a moment as I walk out of the elevator. The lobby is empty as I cross it to exit the building. The huge, colorfully decorated Christmas tree stands like an imposing giant in a corner of the place.

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