Page 45 of Fate's Unseen Shadow

She looked over her shoulder. “From protective to bossy? I thought I only had to do what you said when it’s for my safety?” She pressed her back against his chest and crossed her legs.

He slid his hands from her hips down her thighs. “This is me being your boss.” Giving into the temptation, he kissed the top of her bare shoulder, keeping eye contact for any rejection. “And it’s time to work.”

“You don’t seem in a hurry to let me stand,” she whispered.

He kissed her shoulder again, feeling his sense of control drifting away. “Of course, I’m not.”

“The boss feeling up the employee. Classic. This is the biggest sexual harassment case I’ve ever witnessed,” Slater said, breaking the tension. He laughed behind his beer before taking a drink. “She can report you to our HR department, you know?”

“No need to report either one of us. I’m going.” Ella rose, looking down as she adjusted her skirt. “Do you know thetechnical definition of sexual harassment, Slater? The one we use whenever we litigate a claim within our company?”

“Pretty sure Damon ticks every box.”

She tipped her head to the side, focused solely on Slater, like they were having a one-on-one conversation. “To be classified as sexual harassment, it has to beunwelcomesexual advances.” She turned on her heel and sauntered to the bar, her hips swaying with sexy confidence.

Slater cleared his throat. “Uh, my friend, I truly hope you plan on doing something about that. Or else, I may have to take you to the ER to check your pulse.”

Xavier and Ryker both nodded in agreement.

“I shouldn’t.” Damon shook his head, trying to talk himself into staying on this side of the line. “I shouldn’t go there. I’m her boss.”

“That’syour reason? A hot woman just let you know that your advances aren’t unwelcome after happily sitting in your lap and accepting that, what? Platonic kiss you planted on her shoulder?” Slater clasped his hands on the table. “After all of that, you still think you shouldn’t make a move? I even called it out in front of her, gave her a chance to tell you to back off for your own sanity, and she double-downed!”

“She’s in a mess, and I should focus on helping her. She’s confused right now.”

“That’s what a good man would do. Not let her make her own decision and pretend to know her thoughts and feelings,” Slater shot back. “Have youeverbeen around a woman?”

He licked his dry lips. “Whatever started would only end once we clear her name. She’d go back to her life, and I have mine.”

“Three for three. You’re on a winning streak with your critical-thinking skills. Now, let’s try not to think with that side of our brain.”

“And ignore all of that and admit out loud that you want her.” Ryker chimed into the conversation. “And not as an upstairs neighbor.”

Damon picked up his bourbon, murmuring, “You’re right,” before taking a drink. “I do want her.”

But he wouldn’t have her in his bed until he was certain that’s what she wanted. The stress of her situation and of being alone for the past month would skew anyone’s judgment. He had no interest in becoming the next Matteo in her life.

“Then what’s your next move?” Xavier asked.

But he wasn’t Matteo. There’d be nothing casual between them. That was one reason he wasn’t like Slater or Xavier. He didn’t do casual relationships. If he was going to make his move, tonight was it. Slater was right about the signals. And it was time to do something about it.

“I think I want to play pool.”

Xavier’s grin said he knew exactly how that would go. “Good choice.”

“The crowd isn’t going to let up.” Slater drank his beer. “Lacy won’t be happy if you leave her there alone.”

“That’s why you and Xavier can play bartender and flirt with the women. Is that a bachelorette party that walked in?”

“Well, damn. It is our lucky night.” Slater followed Xavier out of the booth. “We’re going to go mingle and then I’ll send Ella back to the pool table. The rest is up to you. Don’t screw it up.”

“Why are you so worried I’ll screw it up?” He stood, finishing his drink.

Xavier grew serious for the moment. “Because you’ve never been interested in a woman like Ella.”

Ryker pulled out his laptop. “What does that mean?”

“It means that Damon has limited himself to dating women that he’d never be interested in long-term relationships with.And Ella, even with an outstanding warrant and a murderer out to get her, checks nearly every box for him.”

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