Page 101 of The Reluctant Hero

I startle back in my seat, almost tipping it over. My reaction makes him start laughing as he glances around.

“Told you she was zoned.”

“If I have a heart attack in this office, I’m coming back to haunt you,” I glare at him as my heart slowly calms down.

“I’ll know when highlighters start appearing out of nowhere,” he assures me, trying to look solemn.

I grumble under my breath and rub my breastbone, fixing them all with a sneer.

“If you could manage to pay attention, you wouldn’t have this problem,” Gabriel tells me in a silky tone.

The taunts are the same, but his voice has changed into a seduction that’s almost irresistible. I know I can fit under that desk. Where there’s a will and all that.

I come to after my eyes glaze for a second to tell him sweetly, “That’s above my paygrade. If I get a raise, I’ll make more of an effort.”

Mikael scoffs and Ace grins at me.

“I don’t think that would work for you, darlin’.”

“It’s like you can’t help yourself,” Cade agrees with a light laugh. His face is relaxed for once. I’m used to seeing the morose glare. He’s having a good day.

“What are you thinking about over there that takes you away from us?” Jake raises his brows, his innocent smile in place.

I am not admitting that. Never.

“Maybe I’m dreaming of a house on the shore. A raise would help me get that,” I pout at Gabriel.

“I doubt she knows what she wants to eat today any more than yesterday, get whatever,” Gabriel smirks at me.

“Donuts.” The word falls out without a thought. Whatever works. At least I said a food and not a random object.

“It’s almost two o’clock, darlin’,” Ace says with a chuckle.

“I know,” I tell him stoutly, even though I didn’t. I’m sticking to this if it kills me. “They’ll have to enter a different time zone to get them. Imagine all the peace we’ll have here.”

“Fuck you,” Cade says with a laugh. He braces both palms on the desk and leans in so I can get a close-up of his wide smile. “You’d miss us if we were gone too long. Admit it.”

“What’s to miss?” I snark back haughtily.

“The ass you stare at constantly,” he jibes, leaning even closer. “Need me to do a spin up close?”

Damn. Busted. How the hell did he notice? I’ve been subtle. I can’t deny the man has a great body. His personality is looking up, too.

I hurry to snark back so I can suppress that thought.

“No, your face is enough. All of you is made up of ass, there’s no missing it.”

“Sure,” he pretends to agree with a knowing look. “I’ll let you have that one for today.”

“Sushi,” Jake slaps him on the bicep, and Cade withdraws.

“Sound good?” He asks me, his smile never wavering.

Not only am I busted, but he’s taking advantage of it to worm his way behind my defenses. Damn it.

“Meh,” I go back to my paperwork like I don’t care. On the inside, I’m squealing because I love sushi, and I haven’t had it in forever. Loser hated the thought of it, and he would complain about a nonexistent smell no matter where we went.

They leave with happy smiles, and silence falls again.

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