Page 22 of Worth Every Risk

Aries turns down the duvet and I tuck my daughter into bed, still fully dressed.

God, I messed up today.This was the first day I’d had penciled in for over two weeks that I was going to spend with Lucie. I’ll make it up to her. I kiss her forehead and stare for a few moments. I love her so much that it hurts. It sounds trite, but it’s true. I felt the same about Charlie when he was little. Now that he’s a teenager, he annoys me more than I’d like, and he can’t stand me. But he still owns part of my heart, even if I do want to throttle him more often than not.

I stand and turn towards the door, only to find Aries leaning against the frame, her arms crossed. I don’t know when she moved from my side, but our eyes clash and hold. I have time to take at least two full breaths, which is longer than I usually hold a woman’s gaze. It’s intimate and sensual and it feels like I’m opening a portal, not knowing what the fuck is on the other side.

With one hand, I wave her out into the corridor and follow her out of the room, closing the door softly behind me.

The silence that envelops us begs to be smashed into pieces, exposing unspoken words beneath the surface that hum like the drone of far-distant traffic. I have no idea what they are. I just know that they’re there, right below the surface.

This woman has worked for me for all of two days, and I haven’t been this attracted to anyone in years. Not since before I met Gemma. Standing near her is like being plugged into an electric socket; there’s a power surging through me that has been dormant, and a desire to see how far and how fast I can go throbs beneath my skin.This is definitely not sustainable.We’re heading for a high-speed crash.

Unable to bear the potent silence any longer, I speak. “In the gym, you said you were sorry. About the museum.” I hesitate, unsure exactly what I intend to say, but I forge on anyway. “I’m probably the one who ought to say sorry.”

Why the fuck am I apologizing?

Aries pauses, like my apology is something precious she needs to soak up. When she replies, her voice is soft. “You don’t need to apologise to me. There’s a little girl in that room who needs to hear it much more than I do.”

“I know. Thank you for being there for her.” There’s more I want to say, but, for some reason, it’s hard to admit. The words cling to my throat and I have to cough to release them. “Today… when you spoke to her, and she stopped crying… it was like magic.”

Long red hair curls delicately over Aries’ shoulder. She twists a lock around her finger and I’m mesmerized by the motion. “Not magic. Empathy. You should…” Her voice trails off.

“What?”

She shakes her head like she’s decided, for once, to filter her thoughts, but I’m not satisfied with that. “You were going to insult me.”

She smiles, looking cautious. “I don’t want to overstep.”

“That’s an affirmative then.” We hold eye contact a few moments longer. “If you don’t tell me, I’ll be wondering all evening what you were about to say.”

A tiny laugh tinkles from her lips. “It wouldn’t kill you to be kinder. That’s all.”

My mouth opens and closes. I must look like a fish that someone removed from its tank. I can’t remember the last time an employee called me out. In fact, I’m not sure it has ever happened. Aries smiles, lips closed.

“Good night, Mr Hawkston,” she says. And without waiting for a reply, she turns and paces towards her bedroom. Then, with her hand on the door handle, she pauses and looks right at me. I haven’t moved an inch. “Oh, and just so you know, my personality is fully intact. I haven’t dropped anything.Yet.”

6

ARIES

My heart is thudding when I enter my bedroom. I close the door and lean against it, letting my head rock back.

Was that a step too far? Too suggestive?I’ve only just arrived. I really need to tone down my Aries-ness. But he was the one who dropped the underwear bomb into conversation. A sign of what was going through his mind...Surely?

Or maybe the man is just that awkward.

But he didn’t look awkward… a little bit surprised, maybe. But not embarrassed. In fact, there’s something so un-awkward about him that it doesn't fail to be reassuring. Like he could handle any situation. He’s… unflappable.

I take a deep breath. Even if the underwear thing was nothing more than thoughtlessness, or the verbal association of words… things youdrop… the way my heart is still crashing against my sternum is enough to let me know there’s definitely something happening here. Even if it is wholly one-sided.

I have a crush on my boss.

Out of nowhere, my mother’s words pop into my mind.You don’t like men. You don’t trust them.And I realise it verysuddenly. Not only do I find Mr Hawkston attractive, but there’s a depth to him that pulls me in. He feels…safe. Sturdy. Like he’s part of the building itself. Like there’s no chance he’s going to run away in the middle of the night and desert his home and kids. He’s a man you could lean on if you needed to, although he’d probably have to grant you permission first. He’s a tad frosty, and even though I don’t know him that well, my overwhelming gut instinct is that Ilikehim. And I’m not entirely sure it’s a good thing.

My stomach rumbles, drawing my attention to more bodily concerns. I haven’t eaten anything since the popcorn I had during the movie, but I can’t go back downstairs.Not now. Not after the underwear comment. I hold my breath, listening for the sound of the lift that will take Mr Hawkston back downstairs, but it doesn’t come. Instead, I hear muffled footsteps pass my door.

He’s taking the stairs.

My stomach rumbles again. I’m not just hungry… I’m starving.Crap.I’ve also left my handbag in the cinema room.

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