Page 220 of Worthy

“You’re a lifesaver.”

I smirk, waving him off. “Yeah, I know, you’d be lost without me. Now, I’ll vet your calls. Lunch?”

“Order whatever, you know what I like, and get yourself something too.”

As if I wasn’t going to do that already. It’s a part of our deal. Owen pays me very well, gives me mileage to help with my gas for my commute to work, and buys me lunch every day. Honestly, he’s the best boss I’ve ever had, and the most attractive. “Will do.”

“Thanks,” he calls to my retreating back.

“You know it,” I call back, pulling the door shut behind me when I leave.

A few hours later I decided on subs for lunch. I’m sitting across from Owen as we eat, using my phone to take notes since I forgot my tablet and he’s on a call.

Stupid Oliver is not getting the hint.

I’m checking emails and going to town on this Italian sub when Owen’s soft curse meets my ears. I glance up, watching as he puts his phone on speaker and stands from the desk. It’s then I notice a trail of mustard staining his white dress shirt. He walks backward to the rack of clothes, eyes zeroed in on his laptop as he spews numbers off to Oliver. He begins the process of unbuttoning his shirt and my throat goes tight when I see his chest.

Oh my God. He’s so perfect. Tan, abs, lean, not too hairy, a dark bit of hair going from his belly button and disappearing beneath the band of his pants. I wonder if he’s trimmed down there. I bite my lip, getting lost in the fantasy as he tugs the shirt past his arms. The movement causes my gaze to fly to his and I relax down into my seat when I realize that he’s not watching me, too focused on his laptop and Oliver. I’m thankful because I think a bit of drool just dripped down my chin.

It should be illegal for someone to be this attractive.

If I wasn’t attracted to this man before, I can certainly say without a doubt that I’m hooked now. All too quickly he’s pulling on his new shirt and buttoning it and I have to stop the pout from protruding on my lips. I want him to stay shirtless. Maybe we can make that a thing in the office.

Shirtless Wednesdays? Yeah, that’s not a PR field day.

He comes and sits back down, ends the call, and pulls out a napkin before tucking it into the collar of his shirt. “I swear that man is relentless. He just doesn’t get it. I’m not changing my mind.” I blink, because despite the fact that the last few minutes of that call was on speakerphone I didn’t catch what they were talking about at all. He eyes me and all I do is nod, stuffing a bit of food in my mouth so I’m not expected to speak, the thought of his naked body playing on repeat in the back of my mind. “Thanks for ordering these.” He takes a big bite, eyes falling shut as he chews and a small groan escapes his lips. Fuck, he’s going to kill me. “Subs were a good idea.”

I clear my dry throat before taking a long sip of my soda and then nod once more. “Yeah, we’re going to need to buy you some more shirts at this rate.” I release an awkward chuckle, then mentally scold myself. What the fuck is wrong with me? Why the hell did I just say that?So very stupid, Lance.Way to draw attention to the nonissue.

He freezes, his sub halfway to his mouth and his eyes widen as panic floods his features. “Shit. I’m—I didn’t even think. That was so unprofessional of me. I would never...” He’s babbling, cheeks pink, and I feel like shit for making him feel bad.

“No, really, it’s okay. I know you didn’t do it intentionally. You were busy. I was just… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought it up.” Now I’m embarrassed too. What a pair we make. I stuff the last bit of my sandwich into my mouth before gathering all my stuff together and standing from my chair. “I’m going to get back to it. If you need anything just let me know.”

I offer him one last smile before hightailing it out of there.

Owen is my boss. My very straight boss. Two things that make him completely unavailable to me. I need to go out, need to get laid. Sitting down at my desk, I pull out my phone and send a text to Jess, my best friend.

Me: Want to go out tonight?

Jess: Oh boy. It’s Wednesday. That means you’re having a bad day.

Me: The worst. It started with me being late for work.

Jess: Mexican, 6:30? I’ll have a pitcher of margaritas waiting on you.

Not quite what I had in mind, but I could use some friend time.

Me: On the rocks, extra limes.

Jess: You got it. See you then. Xx

Me: You’re the best. Xx

I put my phone away, then get to work knocking out the rest of my to-do list. Six-thirty can’t come fast enough.

***

“You took forever to get here!” Jess yells from a table in the back, causing multiple sets of eyes to turn in his direction.

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