Page 28 of Stranded for Christmas with my Boss

“That’s not the point. I promised him that nothing else is going to happen between us. It puts us both at risk,” I tell him before looking down at our joined hands. Even this is wrong, but it’s the only thing keeping me somewhat steady.

“Look, I don’t want you worrying about anything else, okay?” Jensen says with a stern look on his face as he steps closer to me. “You have too much on your plate. Do you want to take the day off?”

His surprising kindness tugs on my heart so much that tears well up in my eyes again. I look away from him and trap my trembling bottom lip under my teeth, wishing I could stop myself from falling apart.

This is what I get for not getting my emotional breakdown out of the way last night after leaving my parents’ house.

When I don’t answer because I’m struggling to withhold another sob, Jensen lets go of my hands. At first, I think he’s going to ditch me and wait for me to gather myself before having a levelheaded conversation with me. Instead, his strong arms wind around my body, drawing me against his.

My eyes widen as his warmth envelops me. Austin’s words slice into my mind, reminding me that this is completely forbidden. Even something as simple as a hug.

Yet, I can’t bring myself to pull away. Something about being held, especially by a man who has made me feel such a range of emotions, breaks down every wall I have left. My composure shatters, prompting me to shove my face against his chest as more tears leak from my eyes.

I just need to steal this one moment with him. One moment where I can forget he’s my boss, and I can just see him as a guy who I can briefly trust with my fragile heart. That’s all I need to get me through today.

Jensen rests his hand on the back of my head, cradling me close in a motion that steals my breath away. It’s so…unexpected coming from a man who can be so rigid and cold emotionally.

But it’s not unwanted.

Far from it.

Chapter fourteen

Jensen

“That’s perfect. Great. Thank you for your help again.”

The sound of approaching footsteps makes my eyes shift to my office door just as Alyssa arrives for work. I clear my throat and look away from her, tucking my phone even closer to my ear. “I need to go. Call me later with an update.”

Alyssa stands in front of my desk, looking a little less anguished than yesterday. She tucks her hair behind her left ear and straightens up, offering me a small smile. “Everything okay? Anything I need to take care of?”

She seems like the type to throw herself into her work to distract herself from other problems. I would personally know how that coping mechanism works. Or doesn’t.

Unfortunately for her, I don’t actually plan on packing her to-do list today. After she unloaded all of her worries on me yesterday, I was hit with quite a bit of guilt. All this time, she has been struggling to help her parents with their debts, and I’ve been stressing her out since her first day.

I need to let up. I need to… hell, I need to change a lot.

“I’ve got it taken care of,” I assure her, not wanting her to worry about my phone call. “How are your parents?”

Alyssa’s face softens, but I don’t miss the flash of surprise in her eyes. “Oh, they’re doing fine. Just a little sore.”

I’ve shown her that I’m very devoted to family, but she doesn’t know where all of those complicated feelings come from. My understanding behavior probably seems very strange to her.

“Feeling up to going out today?” I ask her as I stand from my desk, checking the time on my watch. I only have one big task planned for today, and we’re going to tackle it together.

Alyssa lifts an eyebrow at me. “I’m down to do whatever you need me to do. You don’t have to ask.”

I smirk a little as I walk around my desk toward her. “Am I some sort of dictator to you?”

A hint of a smile teases her lips as she shrugs. “Sometimes.”

Cute. She’s lucky I’m quite fond of her, even when I shouldn’t be.

“Come on. We have a photo shoot to attend,” I reply as I motion for her to follow me out of my office.

“A photo shoot?”

I take her to the elevator, heat burning within me as the doors slide shut. This reminds me of a certain time not too long ago. My eyes shift to hers, a crackle of tension igniting in the air.

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