Page 80 of The Forever Rule

“I sort of understood,” I said with a laugh.

“Anyway, I like the proposal, and I’ll send over these notes.”

“No problem.”

“And you don’t have to stay for the whole day you know. You already did the work that we wanted. You can just head home and do more work there, but we’re not going to force you to work late tonight.”

My teeth bit into my lip slightly, and I let out a breath. “That would be nice. Because I sort of have to get ready for a date tonight.”

James tilted his head, before he sighed. “I really hope it’s with my brother because I do not want to deal with his grumpy ass if it’s not.”

“And that’s not awkward at all,” I teased.

“What? He was a complete grump for more than one reason when the thing with you guys didn’t work out the first time.”

“For obvious reasons that had nothing to do with me,” I said, a little shocked about his words, considering his father had died as well.

“We Cages are doing our best about not actually leaning into our grief and pretending it’s not real. So you don’t have to worry about that. I’m pretty sure he was grumpy about the other thing.”

I shook my head, not knowing if he was telling the truth or not.

“But anyway, yes. It’s with him. And I don’t really want to talk about it at work.”

“No problem. I don’t want to have to deal with HR.”

“Anyway, I will go home and finish work. Thanks for the option.”

“It’s what we do. We want you to stay here, and not find a new job after we help you train up all of your skills.”

“Is that a problem often?” I asked, honestly curious.

“More than you would think,” he said, as Flynn called him over. “See you in the morning.”

And then he left me standing at my office door, wondering what the hell had just happened.

I probably shouldn’t be dating the boss’s brother, but here we were.

We had been on two more dates since that first one, and we had kissed, laughed, but hadn’t done anything else. It was like he was taking his time with me and stressing me out all at the same time. I just wanted to know what he wanted. Of course that meant I had to figure out what I wanted.

With a sigh, I pushed that from my mind for now, and packed up my things to go. I hadn’t seen Aston that day since he was working with a team on another floor. And for the past week to be honest, he had been in different buildings, meeting with potential investors, and doing things on his side of the business. Which meant that we had the space that we needed, and it didn’t feel overwhelming.

At least in that sense.

I made it home quickly, and while I put on a face mask to hydrate, I looked over the rest of my files and continued to work for a couple of more hours. All the while getting ready for this date.

I didn’t know why I was so nervous, but I really couldn’t help it.

At half past six, the doorbell rang, and I looked down at my wrap dress and heels and hoped that it was good enough. Or that I wasn’t overdressed. All he had said was that he was taking me to dinner.

And the fact that I had put on my laciest panties and bra set, notwithstanding. Because I had to decide tonight if I wanted Aston Cage to see my underwear or not. And frankly, with the way that I had to press my thighs together when I thought about him, I really wanted him to see my underwear.

And with that thought in mind, I opened the door, and nearly swallowed my tongue. He stood there, his hair brushed back from his face, and that chiseled jawline relaxing as soon as he saw me. He was always so tense, but it was nice to see him slightly softened. He had on a dark blue buttoned-up shirt, but he had rolled the sleeves up, and dark pants.

He looked edible.

And that was going to be a problem.

“You look amazing.” Then he shook his head, and I frowned. “Amazing isn’t a good word. Delectable? Edible? Fucking sexy as hell? How about that.”

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