Page 50 of Second Chance at Love (Chance At Love Duet 1)

“Mmmm,” was all that came out. I knew I shouldn’t be doing this. The lines between play and work were getting blurry, and I was too comfortable with his touch.

Ignoring warning bells, I laid my head against his chest, enjoying his warmth and listening to his strong heartbeat. I heard the beep signaling the elevator door was about to open and I immediately stepped away. Kristoff almost looked displeased that I moved away from him but he didn’t say anything.

We went back to the same restaurant where we ate on my first day working for him. When we sat down at a secluded table, last night’s events played in my mind and I couldn’t help but think about Kristoff’s past.

I can’t believe he was married before. What shocks me even more is that his ex cheated on him.I couldn’t understand it, which made me paranoid. After Jack’s flip from a nice and easy going college guy to violent husband, my self-preservation kept everyone at arm's length.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t really pay attention to him or anyone else.

“Penny for your thoughts,” Kristoff spoke up.

I look at him pensively.I am not sure where I stand with him. I feel like he is holding all the cards. I work for him. I sleep with him. But I really don’t know anything about him. After all, didn’t his contract say emotional detachment. I feel like a butterfly that is attracted to the light, and eventually it’s going to burn me.

“I was just sleeping with my eyes open,” I said smilingly.

The waiter came over just at that moment to take our order. He turned to me first.

“Glass of water, and for the entree, I’ll have something quick. Surprise me.”

Kristoff jumped in and took charge. He ordered me a filet steak with spinach salad and asparagus. And then he placed his order.

“You still get your signature salad, and some meat with it,” Kristoff said when the waiter left.

“Too much food at this stage of tiredness,” I mumbled.

“So, will you tell me what you were thinking about?”

Ah, so he won’t drop the subject. I should have known.

“I wasn’t thinking about anything special,” I answered. Technically, it was not a lie. His ex-wife was not special.

The waiter returned with our drinks and then left again.

“Do you often have nightmares?” his question caught me off guard.

“No,” I replied unsure of what he was getting at.

“Gemma,” Kristoff leaned closer to me and asked, “...don’t you trust me?”

“What makes you think I don’t trust you, Kristoff?”

His gaze drilled into me before he spoke up. “Because you are holding back. Tell me...”

I shouldn’t open that door.I had another month left with him and then I would be his history. On the other hand, I wasn’t sure that I would ever be able to forget a man like Kristoff.

“There is nothing to tell,” I replied in a low voice. I could see hurt flash in his eyes but it was gone so fast, I couldn’t be positive. It was, however, enough to make me feel bad, and I reached out to take his hand. “I’m sorry. I was just thinking about the event yesterday, and I realized how little I was prepared.”

What I wanted to say is that I was scared. I knew nothing about him. But the fact was that he wanted it that way. That’s why he has a personal contract with his admins. More terrifying than anything was that I wanted more. I wanted more but was scared to ask for it. Eventually he’d get tired of my body and then there would be nothing left. How many times had I heard Jack tell me he didn’t want me? Kristoff hasn’t talked about his feelings at all.

Dinner arrived at that moment, and I was grateful for the interruption. I studiously ignored Kristoff looking at me. As soon as the waiter left, I started cutting up my food. I took a bite of my steak and Kristoff began speaking.

“I apologize about last night. I should have warned you about my ex-wife and that she was going to be there.”

I finished eating before I replied, trying to add some humor to the uncomfortable situation. “That’s alright. It wasn’t your fault. I guess I should have looked you up on the internet after all.”

“Don’t,” Kristoff answered seriously. “Just ask me. You should know the real me.”

He shocked me. For a reclusive man like Kristoff, that was a big deal. I just nodded and we both continued eating in silence. Dinner was delicious and we finished up quickly. Afterwards, he insisted that his personal driver take me home.

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