Page 69 of Worth the Fall

"The merger can wait," he says, but we both know it can't. His new position at the firm means more responsibility, more pressure. We're both building our careers, trying to balance ambition with this thing growing between us.

He pulls back just enough to look at me, his dark eyes full of heat. "It's going to kill me to not see you tonight." His thumb traces small circles on my hip, making it hard to think straight.

My cheeks flush at the intensity in his gaze, but I manage a teasing smile. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder, doesn't it?"

His brow lifts, and a slow, dangerous grin spreads across his face. "Is that right?"

I nod, trying to sound more confident than I feel. My heart is racing beneath my blouse, and the way he's looking at me makes me want to forget about work entirely. "That's what they say."

"You know what else they say?" He leans in, his lips brushing my ear, his voice dropping to a deliciously wicked whisper. "Anticipation makes everything… better. Then I'll make sure you feel very fond of me next time."

A shiver runs down my spine as he pulls back, his grin turning into a wink that makes my knees weak. Every time I think I've got a handle on this attraction between us, he says something that makes me feel like I'm falling all over again.

"See you later, Mia," he says, his tone full of promise. His fingers trail down my arm before he steps back, and the loss of contact feels almost physical.

"Miguel—" I start to say, but he's already gone, the office door clicking shut behind him. The scent of his cologne lingers in the air, making it impossible to focus on anything else.

I stand there for a moment, my breath coming faster than it should. My skin feels too warm, my pulse racing, and I have to press a hand to my chest to steady myself. The ghost of his touch still burns against my skin.

"Get it together," I mutter, fanning myself with a case file. "You're a professional. A lawyer. Not some lovesick teenager."

"Talking to yourself again?" Linda's voice makes me jump. She's leaning against my doorframe, a knowing smirk on her face. "I saw Miguel leaving. He looked… pleased with himself."

I feel the blush creep up my neck. "Just discussing a case."

"Uh-huh." She crosses her arms. "Must have been some case. Your lipstick's smudged."

I quickly wipe at my mouth, earning a laugh from her. "I hate you sometimes," I tell her, but we both know I don't mean it.

"No, you don't. I bring you coffee and keep your secrets." She winks. "Speaking of which, Becca called. She wants you to call her back ASAP. Something about drinks tonight?"

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder," I mutter to myself, rolling my eyes as I sit down at my desk. "What was I thinking?"

"You were thinking that man is sex on legs and you're completely gone for him," Linda offers helpfully from the doorway.

"Don't you have work to do?" I ask, trying to hide my smile.

"Always. But watching your love life is so much more entertaining." She pauses, her expression softening. "You deserve this, you know. To be happy. To be loved like that."

Her words catch me off guard, making my throat tight. Before I can respond, my phone buzzes with Becca's text about drinks. The timing couldn't be better—I need a distraction fromthe way my heart keeps doing backflips every time I think about Miguel.

Becca

Drinks at my place tonight? You need it.

I laugh softly, already knowing she's probably bursting with questions about everything that's happened. I quickly text back.

Me

Absolutely.

"Tell Becca I say hi," Linda calls out as she heads back to her desk. "And that she owes me twenty bucks. I totally called the whole Celine situation."

"You two need to stop betting on my life!" I shout after her, but she just waves me off with a laugh.

By the time I arrive at Becca's apartment that evening, my emotions are all over the place. The day has been a roller coaster—from the heated moments with Miguel this morning to the lingering tension about Celine at the firm. Becca opens the door with a glass of wine already in hand, her smile bright and welcoming.

"You look like you need this more than I thought," she says, pressing the glass into my hand. "Rough day?"

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