Page 6 of Lies (Wicked Empire 1)

“What are you doing here?” I asked a little later.

“Why not be here? There are things I can knock out that may help me start tomorrow with a clean slate.”

“You mean there’s no one waiting for you to come home?” I asked, giving in to an urge I hadn’t even realized I’d had.

He didn’t answer immediately, and I felt the heat of embarrassment starting to rise.

“Ignore me. I’m being nosy.”

I chuckled softly and then smiled at him, though I didn’t make eye contact.

“No, it’s not a problem,” he said. “And no, there’s no one waiting. And you?” he said after a beat.

“Me what?” I asked.

He looked at me like I was silly. “No one’s waiting for you?”

“Well, that cactus you gave me for Christmas last year probably needs some water, but other than that…”

He smiled, and I returned the expression.

We’d never had a conversation this personal, instead keeping things at a friendly but respectable distance.

I guessed the late hour and the emptiness of the building was making my tongue loose.

Something I’d have to correct.

I looked at him for a moment, and he looked at me, and the atmosphere in the room was…different.

Almost like…

I shook my head.

It wasn’t that.

Whatever it was, it wouldn’t possibly be that.

Josh was so far out of my league he was in a different galaxy. And only a fool—which was something I prided myself on not being—would go down that road.

So, I wouldn’t, no matter how much I might be tempted.

“Well, thanks for the sandwich, Josh,” I said, standing, feeling my expression tighten.

“No problem, Amy,” he responded, though I noticed his voice was slightly deeper.

That sound stirred something in me, as did his overwhelming presence, his soft-looking lips, eyes that seemed filled with promise.

No, I wouldn’t let myself go there.

“Uh…I’ll let you…”

I trailed off, then quickly cleaned the conference table and gathered the remnants of our dinner.

“See you soon, Amy,” he said, his voice still deep, sending a bolt of desire shooting to my core.

Determined not to make any more of a fool of myself, I waved and rushed out of the room before I said—or did—something stupid.

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