Page 17 of Hooked on Dallas
“Apology accepted,” I say. “I understand this job can be stressful. Perhaps we can start over?”
I extend a hand across the desk. After a brief hesitation, he clasps it in his own forceful grip, the ghost of a smile lightening his features. “A fresh start would be most welcome. I look forward to a more harmonious working relationship, Miss Stevens.”
“As do I, Mr. De La Cruz.”
As I leave his office, a warm glow suffused my limbs. The beast had been tamed, and the adventure is only just beginning.
After our heart-to-heart, the animosity between us has vanished, replaced by a newfound understanding and camaraderie.
Mr. De La Cruz greets me with a nod and a “Good morning, Miss Stevens,” his tone friendly instead of brusque. I smile at him, noticing again the gold flecks in his eyes.
“The Anderson files for the merger need to be reviewed by this afternoon,” he says. “Would you join me for lunch so we can discuss the details?”
My heart skips a beat at the invitation. “I’d be happy to.”
Over sandwiches from the deli down the street, we talk and laugh like old friends. The chemistry between us is undeniable, a crackling energy that leaves me breathless with delight.
When he reaches across the table to brush a stray crumb from my lip, the simple touch sends a jolt of electricity through me. I freeze, catching in his smoldering gaze, my lips parting in invitation.
For a moment we stay there, poised on the edge of something new, full of promise and passion. Then he pulls away, a flush staining his cheeks, and clears his throat.
“We should, um, head back. Much work left to do.”
I blink, struggling to regain my composure. “Yes, of course.”
This is inappropriate. Mr. De La Cruz is my boss. No matter the attraction between us, a relationship can never happen.
I take a deep breath and steady my nerves. Back to business as usual, though the memory of almost-kiss will linger, a bittersweet taste of what might have been.
As we leave the cafe and head back to the office, a new tension hums between us. Things have shifted, a line crossed that can’t be uncrossed, though we didn’t speak of it.
When the elevator doors slide shut, trapping us in the small space, my heart stutters. I stare at the floor numbers, hyper aware of his body mere inches from mine.
The doors open, releasing the pent up energy between us in a rush. I hurry to my desk, burying myself in the stack of files that awaited.
Through the rest of the afternoon we dance around each other, the memory of that charged moment as an elephant in the room. More than once I glance up to find Mr. De La Cruz watching me, an unreadable expression in his eyes.
I leave work that day feeling off balance and confused. Never did I experience such a visceral reaction to someone, and to have it be my boss, of all people!
Yet there it is, this undeniable attraction I can’t ignore.
11
Laura
I arrive at the office to find Dallas already immersed in paperwork. Dark circles hung under his eyes, and his usual impeccable grooming was slightly unkempt.
“Rough night?” I ask gently.
He blink up at me, eyes clouded with pain for a moment before he schooled his features into their usual stern mask. “I’m fine. Just have a lot of work to get through.”
I hesitate, then say, “I know it’s not my place, but if there’s anything you want to talk about...I’m here to listen.”
For a long moment, he is silent. Then, gaze fixes on the papers in front of him, he speaks in a low voice.
“Today would have been my wife’s birthday.” He swallows hard.
My heart aches for him. I can’t imagine losing someone so close, especially not after so long together. “I’m so sorry,” I say.
