Page 20 of Take It Offline

I should never have agreed to his bet, but any time I think about him, every time he throws me a teasing wink, an inferno rises within me, urging me closer, to fight fire with fire. It’s like nothing I’ve ever known before.

Charlie wears a gleeful smile as I stalk into the office, those damn blue eyes dancing.

I’m tired, cranky, and fifteen minutes late.

I’ve never been late in my life.

I’m going to kill him.

“Morning, s?—”

I slap a hand to his desk, the sound loud in the quiet space. “Don’t even think about finishing that sentence.”

He smiles wider. “I keep telling you, you drink too much caffeine for your own good.”

If I plan it right, they’ll never find the body.

I cross my arms and attempt to glare, but it’s ruined by a long yawn. “I did it, all right? Proved your little point. Now hand over the beans.”

He leans back in his chair, legs spread and a pleased fucking grin on his face.I hate him I hate him I hate him.All James Dean swagger in a six-button waistcoat.

God, he’s gorgeous.

“I don’t know,” he says, rocking back. “It’s only been one day. Don’t you want to see how long you can go? Anticipation is the best part.”

Very carefully, I lower my foot onto his, slowly increasing the pressure until his smile falters. “Charlie.” My voice is low, sharp as a steel blade. “Hand it over.”

There’s a heated moment where our eyes are locked and I’m certain he’s going to make me suffer. But the way he licks his lips and flexes his toes makes me pause.

I press a little harder in challenge, and his eyes darken. It hits me like lightning, flashing bright and hot through me.

Oh.

He’s enjoying this.

Even worse, so am I.

With his focus steadily trained on me, he opens the drawer to his right and pulls out my bag of ambrosia. The instant he places it in my hand, I let out a sigh. I blame withdrawal for the way I snatch it up and immediately bury my nose in the package, moaning as the smell of sweet, sweet coffee hits me.

All right, I’ll admit it: I might have a problem.

Charlie says nothing, and his expression gives away even less.

I spend ten minutes slowing my heart rate down and the rest of the day trying to forget how much I wanted to crawl into his lap.

CHAPTER 10

IN THE ROBOT UPRISING, THEY’LL COME AFTER ME FIRST

EMMA

“What,” I grit out, clenching my hand, my nails digging painfully into my palm, “the hell is wrong with you? You heinous piece of programming… I hope you catch a virus.”

I hit save.Error.

I lean down to hiss at the machine. “I hope the guy who coded you never knows a moment of peace in his entire—” Again.Error.“Fucking—” Third time’s the charm.Error.The screen freezes. “Life. Ugh.”

I fight the urge to cry. I’m about to lose hours of work, and I really don’t think I have the energy to start over today. Not without a bottle of something strong.

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