Page 16 of Guarded King

And as far as I’m concerned, it didn’t.

Because I’m not the kind of man who lets himself get distracted by a pretty woman. Not anymore. Especially not when that woman is my employee.

Potential employee.

Hell, If I need to remind myself of that, then subconsciously, I might already be leaning toward a decision.

I’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge. I’m just not sure if the real challenge in keeping Chloe will be proving to the world that I’m not my father.

Or proving it to myself.

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHLOE

Stomach grumbling, I stare at Roman’s door and tap my fingernails on my desk. I haven’t seen him since he disappeared into his office after the meeting. After he pinned me with his cool gaze and told me to check over his schedule for the upcoming week, highlight any conflicts or issues, and be ready to brief him at three o’clock this afternoon.

I’m still not sure if he’ll let me return tomorrow, or when he’ll decide. I’ve spent the last hour going through his emails, flagging priority messages for action, and listing meeting requests so I can confirm which ones he wants added to his calendar and which I should reject.

Now I’m starving.

According to today’s schedule, Roman has a late business lunch with his brothers, but he didn’t mention when I should have mine. Should I put on my away message and grab something? Or wait to be given permission?

Nibbling on my lower lip, I peer down the corridor toward Sophie’s desk. Is she still there? Tate and Cole have corner offices too, so I can’t see their assistants from here. Sophie’s dropped by a couple of times to check on me, and her encouraging smile has brightened my spirits. The last time shecame around, she reiterated her offer to join me for lunch, and I’m desperate to take her up on it.

Suddenly annoyed with myself for letting my boss’s intimidating manner bother me so much, I shove my chair back and stand. After blotting my damp palms on my skirt, I head toward his office.

Just as I raise my arm to knock, the door opens and Roman strides out. I take a quick step back to avoid crashing into him, but my heel catches on the plush carpet, throwing me off balance.

Before I can topple embarrassingly to the floor, large, firm hands grip my upper arms and yank me upright, the sudden overcorrection bringing me against his chest. His very hard chest.

I inhale sharply on impact, and an intoxicating scent floods my senses. A mixture of expensive soap, citrusy cologne, and a hint of something that practically screamshot, sexyman. I almost take another breath to fill my lungs with it, but before I can, I realize that I’m inappropriately plastered against my boss.

When I lift my face to his, my next inhale is a little shaky and far less distracting. I’ve managed to keep my awareness of how good-looking he is out of my mind while he’s been hidden behind his office door, but now it hits me full force.

His wolf-gray eyes, framed by those dark lashes, are fixed on mine. From this close, the silver flecks in them are visible, along with the fine lines extending from their corners that only make him more attractive. My focus drifts to his seductive lips, which somehow look both firm and soft at the same time.

What would it feel like if he lowered his head and pressed them to mine?

Strong fingers flex around my arms, applying the slightest pressure, almost as if he’s about to draw me closer.

Just as the thought registers, he lets me go.

I wobble a little at the abruptness of my release but quickly steady myself. When I look up, he’s already several feet away.

“Is there something you want from me, Miss Callahan?” There’s a rasp in his voice I haven’t heard before.

I blink. Oh god. Does he know I was wondering what it would feel like to have his lips on mine?

He frowns. “You were about to knock on my door.”

Oh. I duck my head slightly, hoping my warm cheeks don’t give me away. “Uh, yes. I was going to ask whether there’s anything you need me to do right now, or if it’s okay to grab some lunch.”

With his brows still pulled together, he checks his watch. “That’s fine.”

Then he strides off.

Okay, then. I guess cultivating social niceties isn’t high on the priority list for a man who’s as gorgeous as sin and intimidating as hell.

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