Page 77 of Billion Dollar Dispute

He steps closer, still grinning. “You wouldn’t be saying that if you won. Better luck next time, buttercup.” He’s in my personal space, his finger lightly grazing my lip. My breath catches, and I freeze as he rubs his thumb over my bottom lip, and then slowly sucks it into his mouth, his eyes never leaving mine.

I’m speechless, standing there with my mouth hanging open.

“Aren’t you going to congratulate me?” he teases.

Oh, he’s really trying to fuck with me. I force myself to respond, my voice coming out breathy. “Congratulations.”

A spark lights up his eyes, and one side of his lip curls into that dangerous smile I can’t seem to ignore. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

I shake my head, trying to focus on something other than him. “I’ve got to go finish the baby shower preparations before my meetings with the mom-to-be.”

“Do you need me?” He steps back into work mode, which I’m grateful for.

“No, it's a small one. I’ve got it.”

“What do you want me to do, then?” There’s a tinge of disappointment in his tone.

I think about what new events he can handle without touching the finances. “Maybe you can call Oliver and get the next event’s date and location.”

“Done. Then if it’s okay with you, I’ll get started on new software.”

I nod. “Go for it.”

I walk out of the breakroom as Harvey calls out, “Molly, what's my prize for winning?”

A sense of dread washes over me. I hope his reward works in my favor.

“I need time to think about it,” Molly says back. “Let’s all meet up when Jem gets back from the meeting.”

I leave the room, taking my plate of cake with me. After an hour, I return from my meeting and head to Harvey's office, but he’s not there. I find Molly instead. “What’s the reward?”

“I haven’t decided.”

“Molly,” I warn.

“Fine, I’ve decided, but I’m not telling you.”

“I’m your boss.”

“Don’t?” Molly starts.

“What are we talking about?” Harvey strolls in and stands beside me.

I keep quiet and let Molly speak. “She wants to know if I’ve decided on your prize yet.”

“She does? So do I,” he says, leaning on the desk, his eyes gleaming with playful curiosity as he watches us, the corner of his mouth tugging into a faint grin.

Molly’s face brightens as she sits up in her chair.

“You two have to have dinner together,” she says, folding her arms with a knowing grin, chin tilted just slightly higher like she’s hit the jackpot.

Her eyes dart between Harvey and me with glee.

“I can’t?” I begin to deny as I feel my body flushing.

“I’ll have Chad for the night,” Molly cuts me off. She knows I’ll do anything to get out of this.

“Then I’ll organize the dinner,” I say, hoping for a low-key meal where I don’t have to dress up and we’ll be done in two hours. I don’t want him to read too much into this.

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