Page 28 of Surprise Me Tonight
It’s been years since I’ve felt a kiss like that — sharp, urgent, like a live wire under my skin. For a second the whole bloody pub disappeared. No noise, no eyes on us, just her lips, soft and unsteady against mine, and the rush of heat that went straight through me.
Fuck, I wanted more. Still do.
I hit stop and the treadmill slows beneath me. I step off, panting, drenched in sweat, absolutely no closer to a solution than when I started.
If she doesn’t quit, I’ll be amazed.
If she complains, she has every right.
And if she doesn’t say anything at all?
That might be the worst outcome of all.
The shower is scalding, yet it doesn’t help either. Nothing seems to be able to erase that kiss from my memory. Iwas hoping the shower would at least loosen the tight coil in my chest.
It doesn’t.
By the time I get downstairs, dressed in a clean shirt and jeans, I’m still wound too tight. Still playing back last night like some hungover idiot who can’t believe what he said. What hedid.
I should check in with Jess to see if she’s heard from Stella. But as I near the office, I hear the familiar sounds of someone working in the small conference room, the space that also serves as Stella’s office.
Stella is at the meeting table, her laptop open, mine set up in front of the monitor. She’s efficient, focused, like nothing happened yesterday. Maybe that’s her decision right there — to put it in a box, keep working, and not let me be the reason she walks away.
I stop in the doorway.
She doesn’t look up.
She’s wearing simple black trousers. A white blouse. Cardigan over the top. No form-fitted dress. Just efficient, clean lines. Professional. Untouchable.
Is that the message? Loud and clear? Back off?
She finally glances my way, calm as you like.
“Good morning,” she says with a smile.
I pause. “Morning.” If she thinks her mumsy clothes are enough to put me off, she’s wrong. I’ve seen what she’s hiding, and I can’t forget it.
I also can’t let it go. We need to clear the air. I need to know where I stand. Is she about to cause a scene on our call with Jess? Is she planning to resign?
I clear my throat. “About lastnight—”
But the monitor pings and the team starts appearing on screen… Luciana, Jess, two of our project leads, everyone smiling and ready to dive into the week.
I bite the words back.
“Callum,” Jess says, nodding. “Morning. Looks like we’ve got a full house.”
“Yep,” I mutter, sinking into my chair, eyes flicking to Stella as she quietly shifts to the far side of the desk, just out of camera shot.
Her fingers fly across her keyboard, already taking notes.
I try to focus. I try to listen to Luciana’s update on some prototype snag, but my eyes keep dragging back to Stella.
The way she sits. The line of her jaw. The calm, careful way she never once looks at me directly.
The cardigan is soft grey, buttoned high. The trousers are neatly pressed.
Yesterday she was all soft curves in that green dress, flushed cheeks and parted lips.
