Page 50 of My Forbidden Boss

Smoothly, his face turned into mine. My lips withdrew just in time, only out of reflex, just barely keeping me from grazing their brush over his skin. My breath fell away as he whispered, filling the space between us.

“I heard you the first time. I was just looking for the excuse to move over here and sit a little bit closer.”

He was so near, his warmth flooding over me, fueling my own growing within me. The beat of my heart drummed in my ears as I struggled to swallow the sudden apprehension from my throat.

“Is that alright?”

My eyes danced down, and Hollis’ followed. With the slightest shake in my wrist, I retrieved my fresh glass and swirled the wine high up the glass walls. My eyes turned to Hollis and his gaze locked on mine. I brought the glass to my nose and inhaled deeply, breathing in the fragrance. Subtly tilting the crystal stem, Hollis took notice, then glanced back at me. I nodded, watching as he leaned in and smelled.

When he straightened, I tasted it, letting the lines of fruit, minerality, and alcohol slide over my tongue from front to back, side to side, covering the interior of my mouth as I silently whistled inward, adding more air to enliven the mixture.

Hollis watched, only moving his eyes. Our thighs slid into contact beneath the table as I shifted my weight, arching my back. Neither of our faces reacted. Neither of our legs retreated.

As I swallowed, considering, he spoke softly, breathing the words between us.

“Your verdict?”

I dropped my eyes, wondering if I could maintain my composure. Slowly, I lowered the glass to the table and slid it out of reach.

My eyes flicked up, fixing on Hollis through long lashes.

He waited.

I waited.

I kept my expression vacant, devoid of all clues, evidence, hints, inklings, or intimations.

“Tisha?”

Hollis squinted.

I seemed more to feel, rather than see as the vein in his temple darted into life, pulsing.

“Tisha, come on. You’ve got me on pins and needles here.”

I waited, serene as a sphinx.

Hollis waited, seconds away from starting to perspire.

We were close, so very close, face to face, and could be much more with the easiest of motions.

Still, I waited, patiently preparing for the moment when again he finally opened his mouth, this time to offer surrender, anything to ease his utter suspense.

“Tisha, I…”

Sharply I leaned back, spreading my palms on my covered thighs.

“I think that I’ve decided.”

Hollis froze, searching my eyes with his own in the failing attempt to read them.

“You… have?”

I nodded conclusively.

“I think I have.”

I looked down, seeming to struggle with the notion one last time.

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