Page 41 of Ink & Desire

Her hands move in quick, sure strokes over the page as she speaks, drawing my gaze back to her against my will. It’s obvious that whatever she’s drawing doesn’t require much of her concentration. I’ve noticed she brings her sketchbook with her every day. Whenever there’s a few minutes of downtime, she’s got it open with a pen in her hand. My guess is that she does it just to pass the time. Or it’s a nervous habit. I wonder what she’s drawing in that book of hers. Not that I ever plan on asking her.

Today, she’s drawing on a single sheet of paper instead of in her sketchbook. In fact, I haven’t seen the book at all today. I wonder if she left it at home. She must have asked Noah to borrow some paper. I doubt she’d ask me for anything if she needed it. She hasn’t asked me anything that’s not related to her duties at the shop since she started. It’s clear she took my little speech about professionalism to heart. It’s a good thing, I know. So, why does it bother me that she won’t ask me for something simple like a pen and a few sheets of paper? It’s not like I’d bite her head off for asking. Unless I’ve done such a great job keeping things professional that she thinks I’m a total asshole now. Why does that thought bother me?

I should want her to think I’m a total dick. The more she dislikes me, the less likely we are to try and blur the lines between us. So, I ignore the way my eyes can’t seem to stop tracking the movements of her hands as she works. I ignore the way the little furrow of concentration between her eyes makes her look fucking adorable. And I especially ignore the way my hands itch to reach over and smooth it away.

“You should check out The Mint with me some time,” Jessie says. “It’s a great bar and it’s only a few blocks from here.”

“I’m not big on the bar scene,” Avery says with a smile.

“This place is pretty low-key,” Jessie says. “They make killer loaded fries, too.”

Avery laughs and points her pen at Jessie. “Now you have my attention.”

My mind goes back to the night I saw her at the club in that tiny red dress. She hadn’t looked out of place there. She’d looked like she belonged there, even in those heels she claimed to be an expert in wearing. In fact, she’d looked better than most of the other women there. Not that I’d even noticed anyone else after I saw Avery. I don’t like to admit it, even inside my own head, but she somehow commands my attention anytime she’s near. Which is another reason I need to keep her at arm’s length. But when I see her flip the single sheet of paper over to draw on the back, I realize she must have run out of space on the front. Without thinking, I reach into my desk drawer and grab one of the sketchbooks inside.

“Here,” I say, holding the book out toward her.

I’m hyper-aware that the room has gone silent. Even though I haven’t looked up to check, I know everyone is staring at me like I’ve grown an extra head. When Avery doesn’t take the book, I steel myself enough to glance up. I don’t look at Noah or Jessie. I have a feeling I know what expressions I’ll see on their faces. Instead, I meet Avery’s gaze. I expect to see surprise on her face, but she’s wearing a curious expression like I’m a mystery she’s trying to solve, and she’s just been given a new clue. I’m not sure what she hopes to discover, but there’s no great mystery here.

“Do you want it or not?” I ask, annoyed now.

Her mouth twitches with amusement and her face relaxes as she finally reaches for the book.

“Thank you,” she says. “I forgot mine at home this morning and drawing is kind of a compulsion for me.”

I fight not to smile at the accuracy of her description.

“I’ve noticed,” I say. “You can keep that one here if you like. Then you won’t need to remember to bring yours from home.”

She nods. “That’s a good idea. Thanks.”

I dip my head in a single nod before reluctantly pulling my gaze away from her face and back to the tablet in my hands.

“That’s nice of you, boss,” Jessie says.

Her words are innocuous enough, but something in her tone is accusatory. I look up at her, brows raised.

“I can be nice.” The words are at complete odds with my harsh tone, but I don't care.

Jessie’s expression is innocent, but I swear she’s hiding her laughter.

“Of course, you can,” is all she says.

I narrow my eyes at her. “Hmm.”

I don’t know why I spoke up. I should have just kept busy with my own work and let Avery doodle on that single sheet of paper until there wasn’t a speck of white space left. Now Jessie is studying me with that weird, amused expression on her face, and I don’t like it. I risk a glance at Noah and see that he looks amused but is keeping his gaze on his phone. It’s clear that he’s been paying more attention to us than I thought. Great. Noweveryone is going to read into me giving her a fucking sketchbook.

“I’m going to my office,” I mutter, standing.

“Is there anything you need me to do?” Avery asks.

There are about a dozen things I want her to do, but none of them are work related. And all of them would probably earn me a one-way ticket to hell for asking. I shake my head.

“I just need to check my notes on this piece,” I say holding the tablet up absently as I walk quickly toward the safety of my office.

“Let me know if I can help,” Avery says.

I give a noncommittal grunt as I pass her, trying my damnedest not to inhale her scent as I do. What kind of fucking weirdo tries to sniff their employees? I’ve got a problem, and I don’t know how to fix it. If she were any other woman, I’d avoid her until the urge to sleep with her dissipated. If she were any other woman, I’d have given in and fucked her already. But she’s not just any woman. She works for me. She trusts me to train her. I need to get ahold of myself before she realizes exactly what I’ve been fantasizing about when it comes to her.

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