Page 31 of Enemies with Benefits

The throb of shame was more powerful this time. I tried to hide it by taking a sip of my own coffee. Slightly more composed, I set the cup down. ‘I’ve had lot on my plate, as you know. This project with you isn’t the only thing occupying my time.’

He stared at me for another stretch of time before he nodded. ‘I’m not too fussed about losing that supplier, to be honest. His product was great but not spectacular. This new one promises to be rather exceptional. That’s why I don’t want to lose it. So, you’ll come with me on Wednesday, yes?’ he pressed.

A business dinner with him to secure a supplier wasn’t a complete concession. I’d been in this business long enough to know contractors came and went for any number of reasons. Even if Bingham Industries managed to pull out of the contract, I could at least help Jasper secure this small part of his project.

I shrugged. ‘Sure, I can do dinner. What time do you want me?’

His eyes darkened. ‘I’ll pick you up at seven at your place,’ he said, his voice deep and raspy.

It would’ve been far more professional to arrange to meet him at the restaurant. And yet, I found myself answering, ‘Okay.’

His smile grew warmer, his gaze several degrees hotter as it dragged over my face to rest on my mouth. Time stretched taut and charged with far too much sexual intensity, before he stared down at the paper. ‘What’s next?’

We worked through the next few items, and with each one I reassured myself that nothing was set in concrete. Sooner or later, once Jasper realised the futility of a Mortimer-Bingham deal, replacing me would be a simple matter of snapping his fingers.

And if he didn’t?

I dismissed the question. Just as I attempted to suppress the quiet excitement that was building inside me as we went down the list.

My head snapped up as Jasper abruptly rose. ‘More coffee?’

A small bolt of surprise went through me as I realised I’d finished mine. I nodded as he walked over to the buffet cabinet, glancing at me over his shoulder. ‘Are you sure I can’t get you anything?’

I was about to refuse, but my gaze went to the clock and I noticed we’d been working for an hour. As if on cue, my stomach rumbled. It wasn’t enough to get his attention but I knew it would eventually if I carried on working without eating.

Setting my pen down, I rose, rounded the conference table and joined him. Trays of warm, mouth-watering pastries were set out next to platters of fruit, juice carafes and assorted condiments.

Jasper grabbed two plates and handed me one.

Our fingers brushed as I took it from him. He heard my sharp intake of breath and stilled, staring down at me.

For several, electrifying seconds, we stayed frozen.

Then, as if pulled by invisible strings, I swayed towards him. At the very last moment, I caught myself, veering away towards the food.

Dear God, what is wrong with me?

He’d gone down on me in the maze and, somehow, I’d managed to work on and off with him for two weeks, but one little tumble on my sofa last night and my concentration was shot to hell?

A little bewildered, I randomly selected food while desperately attempting to downplay how badly Jasper affected me. How badly I wanted to lean into that strong column of his neck, breathe in the aftershave that had so tantalised me last night.

Of course he’d put the brakes on then, though. Which meant, like me, he probably didn’t think it was a good idea—

My thoughts stumbled to a halt when he laughed. ‘That’s the spirit. I love a woman with a healthy appetite.’

I blinked, then glanced down at my plate. My very full, very heaped plate of food. I cringed, aware of the flush creeping up my cheeks.

Then his words registered. Who was the last woman with a good appetite who’d occupied his attention? Did he have a girlfriend? It suddenly struck me that we’d had two sexual encounters without knowing the basics about each other. An uneasy, wholly unwelcome sensation tightened my chest. Surely, he wouldn’t do the things he’d done to me if was seeing another woman?

He’s a Mortimer, isn’t he?

The twisting sensation inside me intensified.

‘I guess you were pretty hungry, after all?’ Jasper continued.

I dragged my focus from his imaginary harem to the embarrassment of my heaped plate. ‘God, there’s enough to feed an army here. I don’t need all of this. Not really. I was just...’

Just wondering who else you were going down on when you weren’t turning me inside out with your tongue...

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