Page 53 of Kisses and Paperclips

“Neither do I.”

But even as I said it, I knew this was bigger than anything I’d dealt with before. This wasn’t a hostile takeover or a backdoor deal.

This was something darker.

And the woman I couldn’t get out of my system?

Might already be in the middle of it. How much were my mother and Serena hiding from me?

???

Security let me right in; the building was empty except for them. I texted Serena to meet me here before the staff so we could get some time alone. With everything Kameron laid on me last night, I figured it was time to put a lid on whatever was brewing between me and Serena. I told myself that on the drive over. Said it again walking into the building. I even halfway believed it.

I don’t chase women. Never had to. And wanting someone who keeps making it clear she doesn’t want me back? Yeah, that shit gets tired real quick. Her push and pull had me on the hook longer than I care to admit, but I’ve got bigger things to figure out now, like whatever she and my mother are wrapped up in.

Then I heard sharp tap of heels on polished floors, steady like a metronome. She walked in like the office belonged to her. Like she built it from the ground up and dared anyone to say otherwise.

She didn’t even glance my way.

She just floated in, her dress capris hugging those legs like they were tailored in sin, and that white blouse unbuttoned just enough to tease. She wore her hair down again, loose curls grazing her shoulders. Lips slicked in that shiny pink gloss that had me thinking things that’s definitely illegal in a professional workplace.

She dropped into her chair like I wasn’t sitting there waiting for her. Like she hadn’t left me thinking about her half the damn night.

Yeah… maybe I’ll put a lid on us after just one more taste.

Her chair creaked as she leaned back, elbows draped over the armrests like a queen surveying her kingdom. The open V of her blouse shifted, teasing me with a glimpse of smooth brown skin and cleavage she knew she was flaunting.

I had no choice but to look.

“Good morning,” she purred, spinning her chair in a slow half-turn before resting her chin on her hand. Those glossy pink nails tapped against her cheek, bold against her rich complexion. Her eyes are dark, and full of mischief and locked onto mine like she was daring me to make the next move.

“What can I do for you, Mr. Brooks?”

She said the words, her voice low and sweet, like she already knew the answer and was just waiting for me to crack.

Purgatory. That’s what the hell this was.

I leaned back, matching her energy, my years of poker coming in handy. “Good morning, Serena.” A slow smirk. “You’re late.”

She shrugged, unbothered. “You’re early.”

“And you’re trouble.” My gaze dropped to her mouth for half a second, just long enough to let her know I remembered how she tasted.

A faint smirk curled her lips. “Funny. I was just thinking the same thing about you.”

The air between us thickened, charged with everything we weren’t saying. She exhaled, stretching her arms above her head like she was putting on a show just for me.

“You seem… better,” I said, my voice rougher than I intended.

“Thanks to someone who gave me a very motivating pep talk.” Her eyes flicked to mine, a challenge in them. “Right when I needed it most.”

Her words caught me off guard.

“Thank you for that,” she said, her voice softer now, like it had been wrapped in velvet. Those sharp, always-on-guard eyes softened just enough to make something in my chest shift.

I waved it off before that feeling had a chance to dig in. “It was nothing.”

But she wasn’t the type to let anything slide.

---