Page 10 of Tempting All The Way

My face heats up. I can’t hide the blush that creeps up my neck. The thought ofboningXavier should disgust me. I hate him. I can’t stand him. His face might be pretty but his personality is ugly. I’ve never known the man to do anything nice for anyone other than himself or Lucy. He is a good brother. I’ll give him that. But he’s always been rude and standoffish towards me. So why the hell would I get excited at the thought of having him on top of me? Having him slide between my legs…

“Hello, earth to Shar! Snap out of it.” Lucy snaps her fingers in front of my face. “Please, for the love of God, tell me you do not have the hots for my brother.” She scrunches up her face.

“What? Ew! Of course I don’t,” I lie.

“Oh my god! You totally do. You like Xavier!” she squeals.

“Ah, no, I do not,” I deny.

“You know what this means?” She smiles huge.

“Nothing, it meansnothing, because I do not have the hots for your brother.”

“It means we could be sisters for real.” She wiggles her eyebrows up and down for a second time.

“Nope, not happening. Ever, Lucy. Get those thoughts out of your head.”

“Never say never, Shar,” she repeats the sentiment with a grin.

“What’s number two?” I ask her, changing the subject.

“Huh?”

“The list, what is rule number two?”

“Oh, yeah. Rule number two: Always be ten minutes early. Tardiness will not be accepted.” She rolls her eyes. “Well, tomorrow, you’re going to make sure you step inside that office at precisely eight a.m. He can’t demand that you’re early,” she says.

“Actually, he can, because he’s my boss.”

“Number three: Personal calls and messages are not to be taken during work hours.”

This one has my eyes rolling. How is he even going to know if I check my messages throughout the day?

“Rule number four: You are never to eat garlic before or during work hours.”

“Wait, seriously? It says that?” I ask Lucy.

“Yep, weird.” She laughs.

I shake my head. “What’s next?”

“Rule number five: A tall black coffee with one sugar must be delivered to my desk at precisely eight a.m. every morning.”

“Well, that’s an easy one.” I shrug.

“Rule number six: Lunch breaks are to be taken between twelve and one only. Any and all tardiness will be deducted from your paycheck.”

Oh my god, is he serious?I don’t have to worry because I’m not going to be late. But still… the man is ridiculous! “Okay, just stop. These rules are ridiculous,” I say aloud this time. Snatching the paper from her hands, I shove it back into my bag.

“Just be your awesome self. You are going to rock this job, Shar. I just know it. I gotta get going, but call me if you need me to sort him out.” She assaults me with one of her trademark bear hugs, the kind that makes you think you need to visit the ER to check for broken ribs.

“Thank you for this, Lucy. I still want to kill you but thank you,” I whisper into her hair.

“You’re welcome. And if you do want to bone my brother and become my real-life sister, go ahead. You have my blessing. Who knows? Maybe if he gets laid, he won’t be so high-strung?”

“Mmm, somehow I don’t think your brother has an issue getting laid.” I laugh.

“‘Cause you think he’s hot.” She pretends to gag and then laughs.

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