Page 46 of Cocky Choices: Zoe Cocker

A coffee spill shouldn’t lead to this kind of tension. I’m engaged! Can’t believe it, but I am committed to someone else, and being alone with Tom feels like stepping into a tornado of temptation.

But he’s my employee.

My friend.

That’sall.

These feelings I’m having are one-sided. He was only joking about taking off his pants slowly. Nothing was behind it, of that I’m sure.

Opening up a can of cat food, I steal a glance toward the bathroom door, imagining him removing his pants, the muscles in his back flexing as he bends. He has a very cute ass. Is he wearing boxers? I’ve only ever seen my brothers in them.Twisting the manual can opener, I shake my head, trying to dispel the image.

This is wrong.

Stop it!

I hear him call out, “Hey, do you have a towel? Something I can use that you don’t care about?”

“Yes, hang on, please!” I call back, removing the tin lid and unloading Ralphie’s food into his waiting bowl. “Here you go, handsome,” I murmur, and leave him to it, hurrying to a cupboard where I keep ratty towels for just-in-case moments, like cleaning up after my cat, or when I’ve got a tall, hot, naked guy in my home.

Zoe!

Stop it.

“Coming!” I call out, and run to my bathroom, fingers trembling slightly as I do.

I have to get a hold of myself.

He cracks open the door enough where I can see his naked chest again. The sight sends a wave of heat coursing through me.

“Thanks. Just want to wash this off before I put on your sexy relic.”

Forcing a grin, I hand him the towel. “Relic?”

Tom holds my gaze, his eyes pure electricity. “Be right out.”

He retreats into the bathroom again, and I retreat to be closer to Ralphie, my furry little reminder of normalcy to help me maintain a semblance of sanity. Leaning against the counter while he eats to his heart’s content, I try hard to gather my thoughts.

And fail.

Tom emerges moments later, tying the silky belt around my pink robe. Because of his height it rides higher on his thighs and forearms than it does on mine. His crooked smile tugs and I can’t help but crack up.

“You like it?” he winks.

“You look amazing!”

He joins me in laughing, and glances down to the skimpy getup. “I think it’s my size.”

“When you were in middle school!”

Tom walks over to me, “I’d like to see this on you,” and I notice as soon as he stops how close we are, and how I wish we were closer, how his presence seems to pull me in. I want to reach out, close the distance, but the reality of us being nothing romantic to each other, and of my engagement weighs heavily on my mind.

“Zoe,” Tom begins, volume low, eyes growing serious. “Can I be honest with you?”

My heart races with surprise because I have no idea what he’s been dishonest about. “Of course.”

“I’m really glad we’re spending this time together. I know you’re my boss.”

“We’re friends, too, Tom.”

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