Page 10 of Grace

“Still here,” I say, hating that it’s all I can come up with.

“My dad probably feels sorry for you,” Sebastian sneers as he stalks closer. Hurt and disgust shake me, and I can’t stop the tear from rolling down my cheek.

Sebastian leans closer. A smirk tilts on his lips as he flicks my tear from my skin. “If you'd put out more, we wouldn’t be here.”

Nothing comes out of my mouth as he continues to stare me down. I wish I had the courage to bite back, spit in his face and show him he’s the one that’s nothing.

The door handle slips through my fingers as Mr. Brooks’s office door slowly opens. A shadow casts over me, and Sebastian edges back, swallowing thickly as he peeks up. His cocky demeaner disappears like snow on a sunny day, and I can’t help the soft smile that tugs on my lips.

“Get inside, Grace,” Mr. Brooks says, and I do so without thought, walking under his arm as he holds onto the door tightly. I don’t reach his desk before the door shuts behind me.

I can’t make out an argument or anything else, no matter how much I strain my ears. No words filter through the door as I set up Mr. Brooks’s lunch on his desk. Without meaning to, I nudge the mouse and the computer screen lights up. My eyes flick, andmy breath hitches as I see the same naughty tab in the corner, almost shielded by his work.

My throat dries and my heart stammers as I struggle to continue setting up his lunch.

Maybe Mr. Brooks is just testing to see if I’ll snoop. Or I was right and it was just a heat of the moment thing. He isn’t truly into petite redheads. He just forgot to close the tab. A nervous laugh bubbles up my throat as my gaze flickers to the door and the screen. Nibbling my bottom lip, I dare to hover the mouse over the tab before I click.

And then I freeze.

I was wrong. No, I wasn’t wrong. This means nothing.

I stare at the woman on the screen, a small redhead spread out on an office desk as her man is buried between her legs. His frame is much larger than hers as his hands easily wrap around her thighs. Heat swirls low in my stomach, my thighs clenching on their own as my breathing shallows.

The sound of the doorknob moving snaps me awake, and I reopen the other tab as if nothing happened.

“Got everything you wanted?” Mr. Brooks asks as I hurriedly set his lunch up, not even daring to look at him when I sense my cheeks burning.

“I did, sir,” I reply and clench my eyes shut.

“Grace,” he says, his voice dropping. “Please, do not use ‘sir’.”

“I’m sorry,” I whisper and scoot to the side as he comes around his desk.

“Where are you going?” he asks.

I clear my throat, unable to control what simmers inside me as I dare to meet his intense stare. “I’ll eat at my—”

“Here. You’ll eat here.” He pauses, the corner of his lips curving slightly. “With me,” he adds as he takes his seat. His eyes snap briefly to his screen, his brows twitch, and I curse myself for snooping.

“I’m sorry, I nudged the mouse when I set everything up,” I say lamely.

He hums. “I have no secrets from you, Grace.”

I know I’m crazy for thinking his words mean anything beyond work, but my throat tightens all the same. Is this really happening? Am I attracted to my boss, my ex’s dad?

No, that can’t be. I’m just fragile after the breakup and eager for someone to want me. I’m clinging to the first person who shows me some kindness.

six

We eat our small carpaccio salads in silence. My mind is a mess. I wonder if Bash was right, if I’m only here because his dad has taken pity on me. Stacy clearly wants me gone, but Mr. Brooks was direct about my taking over her position, and that can’t be just because he feels bad for me. Not after what he said about needing professionalism in the office. And then we have his taste in porn…

“Have you found someone to help rent the apartment?” Mr. Brooks asks, catching me off guard.

My brows draw together as I take the last bite of my salad and move to the next bag. My stomach is still rumbling since I forgot to have breakfast this morning.

“Should we be talking about this?” I ask while opening the container. The scents of steak and sweet potato tickle my nose.

A dark chuckle lures my gaze up.

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