Page 106 of Guarded King

He scrubs his hand through his hair. “In that case, would you like to go out to dinner with me Wednesday night?”

It’s been a long time since I’ve been on an actual date. Carol has already mentioned she’s happy to stay later with Dad if I ever want to go out. She’s divorced, and now that her daughters are grown and out of the house, she swears she has too much time on her hands. So I have no excuse not to. And there’s nothing holding me back except a pointless crush on my boss.

Except it’s much more than a crush.

I shove that thought down. The label I assign it makes no difference.

With a deep breath in, I will myself not to look at Roman. “That would be lovely.”

Grinning, he whips his phone out of his pocket and hands it to me. “Great. Give me your number and I’ll call and organize it.”

Awareness shivers over my skin as I plug my number into the device. A hot, prickly sensation that makes it feel as though what I’m doing is wrong.

It’s not. This is exactly what I should be doing—not letting what happened between Roman and me change anything.

Ethan takes his phone back and gives me a parting grin before heading for the elevator.

Avoiding Roman’s stare, I turn away and walk briskly back toward my desk outside his office. The whole way there, I sense him behind me. His presence a heat against my back, a pressure that makes the hairs rise on my nape. It feels ominous in the best possible way. Like he might grab me at any moment, push me against a wall, kiss me, touch me.

But as I reach my desk, he stalks past me into his office and slams the door behind him.

Heart stuttering, I blink. I’ve never seen him lose his cool at work like that. The meeting went well, so I can’t imagine that’s what’s put him in this mood. Maybe something happened beforehand. That would explain his odd agitation during it.

After a moment of hesitation, I walk to his door and knock.

“Yes?” He barks.

When I enter, he’s standing with his back to the window, hands on his hips, and staring straight at me. “What’s the problem, Miss Callahan?”

I almost flinch. Are we back to that now? Even with the distance between us over the last week, I didn’t expect we’d revert to last names. I study the tight set of his jaw. Is it possible he has a problem with me talking to Ethan?

“You seem angry. I thought I should check to see if there was an issue that came up during the meeting that you need me to deal with.”

“The meeting was fine,” he bites out.

His tone has me pulling my shoulders back and tilting my chin up to meet his guarded gray gaze head-on. “Then is there something else I can help you with?”

Jaw working and nostrils flaring, his eyes trap mine with a force I can’t ignore. Then, with a harsh exhale, he scrubs both hands through his hair. “No, Chloe. You can’t help me with anything.”

He turns his back, the muscles of his shoulders taut.

The desire to help him is fierce, but it’s obvious he doesn’t want anything I have to offer.

I let out a breath. “Okay, then. I’ll let you get back to… uh, work.” Considering he’s staring out the window, I don’t know what work he’s actually doing. But I’m sure it won’t take himlong to get over whatever’s bothering him. “Let me know if there’s anything you need.”

I turn to slip out, but his low voice stops me before I can turn the door handle. “Thank you, Chloe.”

I look over my shoulder, surprised by the almost hollow tone of his words. He’s facing me again, watching me with an intensity that leaves me breathless.

“For what?”

His chuckle is dry. “For being you. For caring, even when you shouldn’t.”

An ache throbs beneath my ribs. I have no idea what he’s trying to say, but I dip my chin in acknowledgment. “You’re welcome, Roman.”

Then I leave, closing his door softly behind me.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

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