Page 162 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 1

Bending sideways, I take in the sight before me. I’m pretty sure, judging by this cactus, Juni thinks I’m an asshole, or a dick more specifically, by the shape of it. Getting the only plant in the office that can stab you is not a good sign for our relationship.

I drop my stuff on the desk and head for the door with the yellow pot in hand. But as soon as I open it, I find Juni standing there, ready to knock.

“I was just coming to see you,” I say.

“Jinx, you owe me a coffee.”

I can’t even say my patience is worn thin because it’s nonexistent this morning. “You got me last time, but this time, I have to say something. That’s not how jinx works.” My tone is short, and when I see Mary watching our exchange, I whisper, “May I speak with you in private?”

With a simple nod, we move into the office, and I close the door. Despite my irritation, she looks like a movie star ready for her close-up, and I’ve known a few, even dated one. Her hair flows over her shoulders in soft waves. Soft pinks highlight her cheeks and lips while black lashes bring out her eyes. The short-sleeved black sweater has a rounded neckline, and the pleated black skirt flares out.

I triple-checked the dating policy yesterday. Dating her wouldn’t break any rules, but as Nick pointed out, there is an “expectation” of upper management, and you can’t get more upper than me. A friendship with Juni isn’t prohibited, but these thoughts I’ve been having would not go over well with our board members if they found out.

They won’t find out.

I’ll make sure of it.

Breaking my train of thought that was fixated on her, she asks, “What is it,Mr. Christiansen.” She’s going to do that every time, isn’t she?

I thought the formality of the name was a good way for us to remember the parts we play in each setting of our day. Apparently, I thought wrong. The way she’s taking her anger out on me has twisted, and it’s sounding dirty coming from her lips.So fucking hot.

Forming a T with my free hand and the plant, I call a time-out. “Okay, okay. Point taken. We can drop the mister part. Ow—shit!”

She moves quick, taking the plant from me and setting it down. Turning back, she says, “Let me see.”

“I’ll be okay.”

Taking my hand anyway, she analyzes my open palm as two tiny blood spots appear. “Do you have a first-aid kit?”

“It’s no big deal. I don’t need tending to. I’ll survive.” Green. That’s the dominant color of her eyes in this light as she looks up at me under the aforementioned dark lashes. Even the diamond stud earrings she’s wearing can’t compete with the sparkle in her eyes.

“I know you will, but I can clean the blood. That way, it won’t get on your contracts.” I hadn’t thought of that.

“There’s a small plastic kit in the bottom left drawer of the console.”

Moving around me, her skirt balloons over her legs as she kneels. “Found it.” She returns to where she left me standing with the kit already open. Setting it aside, she rips the foil packet of the alcohol swab. “I was having fun with the cactus.” Although she was smiling when we started this conversation, it’s now faded. “I’m sorry you got hurt.”

“It’s nothing.”

She dabs not just the two spots where needles got the better of me but my entire palm, taking her time. “It’s a joke gone bad.”

“I’m going to live.”

Dragging the swab slowly across my palm with care, she says, “You have a long lifeline.”

“My mom’s always been happy about that.”

“And you’re not?” she asks, a smile playing on her lips while holding my hand like it’s precious cargo.

Standing this close to her as she cares for me, I find my breath deepening. While she gazes at my hand, I stare at her. She raises her chin to look up at me, and whispers, “Drew?”

She’s too close—the floral scent of her perfume is delicate like her, those lips pale pink and so damn kissable, but it’s her proximity, the feel of her pressing her body just shy of mine that has me pulling my hand away and returning to my desk. “I think . . .”

I don’t know what to think, but the thoughts I do have are fucking with my brain. Juni confuses me. We say we’re one thing, but I’m starting to feel very different about her, and that makes me question everything.

What the fuck am I doing?

I have a Fortune 500 company to run.My employees—my family—depend on me to be focused.Deep breath.

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