Page 7 of Perfidious Passion

Before I grab a breadstick, I eye my hands. I've touched a lot of door handles and shit coming up to his swanky office. I guess this is going to be one of the times that the germs gross me out.

Aaron gasps. "Don't push that! Oh my god. It's an emergency button."

Sighing, I kiss Caleb on the cheek and let him know I'm going to the ladies’ room quick. He nods and draws me back down by the back of my neck to sweep his tongue through my mouth.

"Like it automatically calls the cops?" Dean's voice sounds curious behind me, but I'm too lost in the feel of his brother to pay him much attention right now.

All too soon, Caleb releases me with a grin. Pouting, I stick my lip out. My panties are wet. He chuckles and taps my hip. "Go to the bathroom. If there's no swearing allowed in here, then I'm betting Aaron won't let me bend you over the boner desk."

Giggling, I step back and head for the door as they begin their argument over the fact that Aaronabsolutely does nothave a boner for his desk. He totally does. I bet he will caress that thing until the wood wears down.

Soft chatter fills the halls as I distance myself from Aaron's office. I tilt my head down to hide my goofy smile in case someone sees me and thinks I'm crazy. At the same time, I study the gold swirls on the carpet while wondering how expensive it must have been. This building really is beautiful.

Turning a corner, I raise my eyes to make sure—"Oof!" I bounce off a chest, making my left tit pulse uncomfortably. Refraining from rubbing the sore spot, I apologize instead. "Oh my goodness, I'm so, so sorry."

Hands reach for me as I continue to stumble back, but they don't just steady me, they pull me forward once again. Confused, I blink up at the solid man that hurt my boob and recoil slightly. His jaw is square, giving him a harsh look beneath his perfectly gelled salt and pepper hair. The suit he wears is immaculate, but it's not his obvious attractiveness that gives me pause. It's the odd glint in his eye and the grin that edges on the side of sleazy.

"My apologies, ma'am. Are you alright?" he asks, voice dripping with far too much care.

"Fine, thank you," I reply curtly and try to pull away from his lingering touch. He holds me for another beat, making me significantly more uncomfortable, but he finally releases me.

Taking two large steps back, I squeak when I run into someone else. "Easy, baby." I relax immediately as Dean slides his arm around my waist.

"Oh, Mr. Andrews!" Aaron greets happily, coming around the corner with Caleb in tow. He shakes the creepy guy’s hand like he doesn't see anything wrong in his eyes. "I see you've met one of my partners."

"Please, your family can call me Brett. And not really, just caught her from taking a tumble to the ground is all," Mr. Andrews explains, glancing at me.

I didn't need to be caught, I want to declare, but he's Aaron's boss. I'm just hungry and feeling weird. Maybe I'm projecting my need for pasta and imagining the hungry look in Brett's eyes when he looks at me.

"Lillia," I whisper once the guys have also made their introductions. Forcing my throat to clear, I try again. "My name is Lillia. Nice to meet you, Mr. Andrews."

His eyes narrow so slightly nobody notices the warning look he shoots at me. "It's Brett to you, hun." I can feel my nose turn up at the name but swallow the urge to run. "It's nice to meet you all. Aaron has mentioned your family, and rest assured, this is a very inclusive office, but should anyone make you feel uncomfortable for your lifestyle, please let me know."

What? So who the hell do I talk to ifhe'smaking me uncomfortable?

Dean shifts a tad next to me, and I kind of hope he's picking up on the weird vibe from this guy too. "That's very kind, Brett. Thank you," he says instead, and I kind of want to cry.

Caleb nods, and Aaron and his boss exchange a few more pleasantries before he leaves us to go about our lunch hour together. In a trance, I follow the guys toward the bathrooms and wash my hands. No idea why since I've lost my appetite.

"Here you go, my love," Aaron says, handing me my favorite fettucine and kissing my shoulder.

I pick at my meal while the guys chatter about what Aaron's duties will be in his new position. The whole time I'm wondering how one guy can make me feel so gross in a pair of jeans and a nice baggy sweater.

Surely, I'm just being weird. Sometimes my anxiety flares up in the form of stranger danger, but this is Aaron'sboss. I'll be better next time.

Lilly

FEB. 11TH - TUESDAY

Determined not to be a pain in everyone’s ass today, despite logging off for an extra-long lunch two days in a row, I march my way to Aaron's office. Dean and Caleb kissed me goodbye and told me how sweet I was for bringing my man lunch two days in a row.

I wasn't to worry about work for a bit they said, which in turn made me feel guilty. Not only because it meant they knew I was feeling off, but because it means Caleb would have to pick up my slack today.

We're both equally talented with our marketing skills, but he mainly focuses on the client side of things while I get to stay behind my laptop and create everything Dean uses to promote our clients on social media. Like Aaron, we're in the book business. Instead of editing people's work, we help promote their work and get their names out there.

It's fun, and it's what brought me to them all those years ago. I love our roles and our business has been booming for a while. I think we might need to hire a few more people.

My strut through Aaron's building turns timid far too soon, so by the time I'm on his floor and turning down his hallway, I'm practically tiptoeing.

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