Page 67 of Worth the Risk

“Good.” He is looking at my lips again, his tongue darting out to lick his lips at the same time. “Mmm.”

That moan does it to me every time. I don’t think he even realizes he does it when he’s holding back from kissing me. The thing is, I think he’s looked at me like this more than I realized over the years, holding himself back far longer than I realize.

“Something on your mind?” I tease, cocking my head to one side. The flirtatious glimmer in his eye has turned dark in a second, his brow furrowing as he slides his hands into his pockets.

“Get to your office before I do something we both regret.”

His tone lets me know he’s not kidding. And judging by the way this man doesn’t seem to give a single fuck what anyone thinks about his feelings for me, he’ll act on the threat without a second thought.

I’m halfway through shutting down for the day when there’s a soft tap against my door, Austin casually leaning against my doorframe.

“Heading to yoga?”

“I was considering skipping tonight.”

“Any particular reason why?” He pushes away from the doorframe and that’s when I notice he has his suit jacket slung over his arm, his keys in his hands.

“Thanks to averydemanding workload from my business partner last night, I’m pretty exhausted.” I can’t keep the sillysmile, that same one that seems to stretch my lips to their limit since last night, off my face when I flirt with him.

“He sounds like a dick.” He loops his arm around my waist. “The kind that will only add more to your workload if you skip your class.”

“Ugh,” I groan, burying my face in his chest.

“It’ll keep you limber,” he whispers. “Come on, we’re going to be late.”

“We?” I pull back to look at him.

“Is it okay if I go with you?”

“Oh, yeah, I didn’t realize you’d want to.”

“I enjoy spending time with you, Taylor,” he says, his expression sincere. “Not just when we’re having sex.”

I tense against him, the mention of us sleeping together while he’s holding me in our workplace still making me uncomfortable. He must see it on my face because he releases me and steps back.

“Apologies.” He smiles. “I forgot your rule.”

“Now we both have one.” I smile.

“Yes, well, you never respect my no work talk after four thirty on Friday rule so on second thought…” He reaches out to grab me again, but I jump out of his reach with a laugh.

He doesn’t keep his hand from the small of my back in the elevator, though, another intimate gesture I’m not even sure he’s aware of that he does. But my body is always fully aware, every single time.

We make a quick stop at my apartment, Austin already having a spare workout outfit in his office that he keeps there.

“Ugh, I can’t go like this.” I shake my head, tugging at my top to try and cover the marks on my neck. “I’m going to have to change into leggings and a long-sleeved shirt.”

“What’s wrong?” He reaches his hand out to stop my hurried attempt to pull the shirt off.

“Look at me.” I gesture to the bite mark that is more pronounced today, the bruises really settling in on my upper thighs and knees as well. “I can’t hide this.”

He steps behind me, turning me in the floor-length mirror so that I’m looking at my own reflection. His fingertips gingerly trace the mark, his eyes following.

“What bothers you about them being visible?”

I tug my shorts down, the marks on my inner thighs only visible if they ride up.

“It’s obvious what they’re from.” My exasperation is evident in my snippy remark. But Austin remains calm, his hand pressing me back against him.

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