Page 68 of By the Fae

I didn’t let myself think about it.

Chapter 23.

Holly

August slammed her papers down onto the conference table. “Three weeks, people. And you’re all sleeping on the job. Wake up! There’s tenure on the line here. Or do I need to up the ante?”

The designers shared resigned frowns with each other. Under the table, Goldie knocked his knee against mine. Seth, who sat between August and Greyson, kept shooting me little glances, causing my heartbeat to continuously spike.

“Perhaps the thought of a guaranteed position for life isn’t enough for you guys,” August continued. “Come on, lads, some of you have millennia left on this planet, you’re really going to throw an opportunity like this away? Give me the same old crap I’ve seen a hundred times before?”

Unbidden, I reached my hand across for Goldie’s, and found it right next to his thigh, palm up, almost waiting for me. Without looking at me, he twisted his ring and baby fingers into mine. Electricity shot straight up my arm, into my chest. I wanted to pull my hand away from the shock, but I also wanted to never let go.

“So, if tenure doesn’t get you moving, then perhaps we ought to bring in the collies.”

“Huh?” Seth said, echoing my thoughts.

“Those dogs that bite the heels of cattle to herd them. Anyone?”

Heads were shaking, brows furrowed.

“Right-oh, let’s just say anybody found not meeting the brief by the time the games expo rolls around will find themselves nipped in the heels,” August said. “Fired. I’ll fire your sorry asses, okay?”

Quiet chaos broke out. People talked over one another. Demanded my attention. Mine, Holly’s. Asking me to play-test their games or listen to their, no doubt endless, riddles.

“Oh good, that got your attention,” August said, calling everyone to silence. “Just so we’re clear, best game wins tenure, anyone not meeting expectations will be sacked. That’s it. Meetings over. Have a good weekend, guys.” And with a brilliant final flourish, she winked at me.

Okay, I wanted to be August when I grew up.

Goldie leaned over, taking me by surprise, and buried his lips into my curls. “I’ll do it. I’ll make the game about love,” he whispered.

“You just don’t want to be fired,” I said, trying to excuse the manic skittering of my heart.

“Obviously.” His breath tickled my cheek, wrapping me up in that familiar scent of him, and for a moment, I forgot we were in a room with seven other fae.

“Holly, can I steal you for a second?” Seth’s sexy baritone rolled through me, splitting Goldie and me apart. He loomed over us. We both stood. “Accompany me to the water cooler, would you?” Seth held a bent arm out for me, like a duke from a steamy period drama escorting a lady into a dance.

I glanced at Goldie, looking for . . . I didn’t know, reassurance maybe. He said nothing. That too familiar brow crease made its reappearance.

“Sure,” I said, wrapping my hand around Seth’s elbow, because I was pretty sure that’s what he was going for there. If not, I probably looked like a right idiot.

He led me out of the boardroom and down the corridor. When I shot a look over my shoulder, it was to find Goldie following us, scowling, as per. Goldie stopped in his tracks and pretended he’d been reading theHealth and Safety in the Workplaceposter on the wall. I fought a smile.

“Holly, it really is a crime that I have not been able to spend more than a few seconds in your company outside of these Friday meetings,” Seth said.

I didn’t know how to respond, so I nodded. Was he going to ask me to help him with his game? Finally? I swallowed the building nerves.

He stopped in front of the cooler and manoeuvred in front of me.

His eyes! How had I never noticed before? Or maybe I did, but I hadn’t properly paid attention. They were the most beautiful shade of green. At once entirely alien and overly familiar. My stomach bubbled with something new, and I couldn’t decide if it was a pleasant bubbling, or a slimy one.

“. . . that’d be good with you?”

I pulled myself back to the moment, realising Seth had spoken, and I hadn’t caught a word. “Can you repeat the whole thing? Sorry, I drifted off for a second.”

From down the corridor, Goldie snorted.

“I was wondering,” Seth said, straightening his suit jacket, “If you wanted to come out to dinner with me?”

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