Page 45 of Forbidden Grumpy Boss

“Silas—”

I meet her eyes. “Are you over your mom’s death?”

Leah looks like I just slapped her across her face. I feel bad almost immediately, but I know I’m not wrong. Grief. There’s something about it that just makes everything else pale incomparison. Some days, you think you’re over it, and on some days, it just hits you out of left field.

“That’s unfair, Silas.” Leah shakes her head. “That’s really fucking unfair.”

She’s right. “Look, I didn’t mean it to come out that way.” I put a hand on her cheek. “I just . . . I don’t know. I’m just not in the mood to discuss it.”

She removes my hand from her face. “You’re never in the mood, Silas.”

“We’re gonna have to talk about this later.” I swing my legs out of bed, hating the distance I’m putting between us. “I have to get ready for work. I have a bunch of meetings regarding the Caldwell deal.”

I can feel her eyes on me as I walk to the bathroom. Each step away feels like a mile, but I need the space. The last thing I want to do is talk about Ezra; I’m not ready to face it yet.

I catch my reflection in the mirror, wondering if I should’ve kissed her before I left the bed. Too intimate? Probably. Things are already messy. A kiss might just tip the whole damn thing over the edge.

I shower quickly, letting the hot water scorch away the remnants of the nightmare. By the time I’m out, Leah’s already gone.

***

The conference room is stifling.

Lawyers drone on about contracts and terms, but my mind’s stuck on Leah. Specifically, Leah in her office, right across from mine. All morning, I’ve tried to focus on the contract discussion of the Caldwell deal. But every time I glance at the damn clock, all I can think about is her.

What we did last night. What we said. What we didn’t say.

“What do you think, Mr. Waverly?” one of the bespectacled lawyers asks.

I rub the back of my neck, annoyed with myself. “Let’s take five,” I say, standing abruptly.

The lawyers blink at me, confused, but I don’t wait for their response. I’m out the door, heading straight for her.

Her office door is cracked open enough for me to see her. She’s on the phone, but her eyes flick to me the moment I step in.

“Join me in my office,” I say, my voice low. She reads my tone instantly, raising an eyebrow, but she finishes up her call and follows me.

As soon as the door closes behind us, I’m on her. I push her up against the wall, my hands already tangling in her hair, lips crashing into hers. God, I’ve been craving this all day. The tasteof her, the feel of her body pressed against mine. She moans into my mouth, and it sends a rush of heat straight through me.

Thank God my walls are soundproof.

Her hands are all over me, fingers tugging at my shirt, her hips grinding against mine. “You’re supposed to be in your meeting,” she whispers breathlessly, but I can hear the smirk in her voice.

“Screw the meeting,” I growl, nipping at her neck, trailing my lips down to the curve of her collarbone. “All I’ve been thinking about is you.”

True. She’s all I could think about.

I grab her hips, lifting her skirt with one hand. She gasps as my fingers slide up her thigh, teasing the edge of her underwear.

“Silas,” she moans, her voice a mixture of frustration and need. It’s enough to drive me crazier than I already am.

“You’re already so wet for me,” I murmur, my fingers slipping under her panties. “You’ve been thinking about this too, haven’t you?”

She bites her lip, nodding, eyes dark with lust. “Shut up and do something about it.”

I smirk, sliding my fingers inside her, feeling the way her core responds, tightening around me. She gasps, her head falling back against the wall, eyes fluttering closed. “Oh, God.”

I keep my hand moving, steady, watching her as her breath quickens, as she grips my shoulders, trying to keep herself grounded. “Look at me,” I command, and her eyes snap open, locking onto mine. “I want to see you come.”

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