Page 37 of Worth Every Risk

Wow.This man is something else. What does he mean by ‘these scenarios’? “Do you often drop your towel in front of people you employ?”

Not even a hint of a smile.Bloody hell.

“No. That’s never happened before. I’m navigating an unusual situation here. Is there anything else you want to say about it before we put this topic in a box we never discuss again?”

“Oh.”I need to wind this up. What else can I say?I’ll apologise. That’s a safe option. “I’m sorry I pulled your towel off and saw… all of you. But honestly, I don’t mind. I can forget about it, if that’s what you want. Okay, maybe not forget because that was kind of unforgettable. You’re unforgettable, especially without your clothes.”

I’ve totally lost control of my mouth-to-brain connection. The words are pouring out as if someone else is talking. Inside my mind, a small, horrified version of me is listening, begging me to stop.

Mr Hawkston’s lips are tight, but I’m sure it’s humour compressing them rather than anything else. In fact, I’m certain of it, because his gaze is dancing with it. If I didn’t know better, and he wasn’t so good at locking down any emotional response, I’d say he’s on the verge of bursting into raucous laughter.

I’m unbearably hot. My tongue runs riot when this man is near. I fan my face with my hand and try again. “I mean… fuck. It’s just… I really like saunas.”

“You aren’t in one now, so you can stop fanning yourself.”

My stomach takes a dive off a cliff as I force my hand to still and slowly lower it to my side. Mr Hawkston watches every movement I make, his focus so intent it’s as though he doesn't want to miss a thing.Too hot. I’m too hot.

“You can use it,” he says.

“Excuse me?”

“The sauna. If you like them that much, you can use it when I’m not home.”

“Oh, right. Thanks. That would be great… amazing. So hot. Shit. No. So generous of you.” I’m barely concentrating when I answer him. I think I’ve died and my soul is floating up into thecorner of the room, looking down at the poor human version of me trying to dig herself out of this sewer of verbal shit.

I hold both my hands up. “I’ve definitely said everything I need to say now.”

He stares at my arm… no, mywrist, and the tortured look on his face wipes away the hint of amusement. “What’s that? It wasn’t there earlier.”

I turn my palm over and stare at Alec’s number, scrawled in black marker pen on the inside of my wrist. I blink as if I’m not sure how it got there. “It’s Alec’s number.”

“I thought he wasn’t interested?”

My heart thuds.Why is he asking?“He’s not. At least, I don’t think so. He wanted me to have it in case anything happened.”

“In here? If it wasn’t on your skin before I came into the kitchen, and it is now, was he worried about what might happen to you in here, with me?”

This man is too sharp. I make a mental note that I can’t hide anything from him. “No. Nothing like that,” I lie. “He meant in general. Like I told you before, I don’t know anyone in London.”

“You know me.”

I say nothing, because I have no idea what response he’s expecting, and I’ve already made enough of a fool of myself. Also, he explicitly drew up the drawbridge on any potential friendship between us. He must know he’s talking shit. Knowing my boss is not the same as knowing another member of staff. There’s a hierarchy here I can’t climb. Me and Alec have a shot at being friends, whereas me and the man before me… I don’t know what we have. A screwed up employee-employer thing, where I’ve already seen his huge, hard cock.

I haven’t had that many jobs in my working life, but I’m fairly certain that’s not the basis for a healthy working relationship.

“I want you to call me if you need to.” He opens a drawer in his desk and pulls out a brand new iPhone, still in its box,with a matching set of wireless headphones. “I know you prefer your old phone, but I want you to use this. If you’re navigating an unfamiliar city, and you’re looking after my daughter, you’ll need it. And if you need anything, call me. Anytime.”

He appears totally in control, and he sounds so confident that he could handle any problem I might have that my chest heats.Could I rely on this man?My heart thrums at the thought, but I keep my gaze on the new phone, worrying that if I look at him right now, I’ll reveal how intensely his casual offer of assistance affects me.

Clearly, I fail at hiding how unsettled I’m feeling, because he adds, “It won’t explode. And if you don’t want to keep it after you leave this role, you can leave it here.” He taps his desk.

“Okay.” I grab the phone and headphones. “Thanks.”

“Set it up tonight.”

I wait for him to add something else. He doesn’t, so I say, “Okay…” trailing up at the end of the K. It sounds like a question, and part of me hopes he’ll answer it, so I can stay here with him for a few minutes longer.

He stares, tapping his index finger on the arm of his chair.

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