Page 12 of Rewrite the Rules

“Um…I didn’t meanget off…I mean get off work…let me start again. I simply meant I’m hungry and—”

“Joel,” she says and starts cackling as she buries her face in her hands. “I’m messing with you. Good grief, man. Look at your face.” Adler stands and grabs her purse. “Come on. Are you into Thai food? Because I know the best little place. It looks like a halfway house but I swear it deserves a Michelin star.”

“Lead the way.”

What the hell just happened?

Why is she bold enough to play with me like that?

She’sthe arsonist, over here playing with fire.What is the best way to explain to my assistant—who I’m secretly drooling over—that I am on a complete dating hiatus and as much as I’d been fantasizing about laying her tight little body across my desk…it can’t happen.

Adler is stunning top to bottom. It’s impossible not to notice every alluring aspect of her—especially those full cherry-red lips. They are always stuck in a sexy pout. Her long brunette hair is pulled back in a low ponytail today and I keep picturing how the long strands would fall across her face if I were to tug that little band out. I think about how my hands would feel running through her thick mane. I want to trace my hands around the perfect slight curves of her body.

Steve was very accommodating prior to my arrival. He asked me what I needed to be comfortable in the office and I gave him a very short list.

One. A mini fridge in my office because I’m adamant about only drinking frigid water. I can’t drink coffee. I’ve tried. It makes my arm hair vibrate right off. Cold water is the only thing that safely jolts me awake on really late work nights. Steve had one delivered on Tuesday.Check.

Two. A nice view out the window from my desk. Something more inspiring than another high rise because every once in a while, endless concrete walls can feel so soul crushing. The view from Adler’s old office is breathtaking with a perfectly picturesque mountain backdrop.Check.

Three—arguably the most important. An intelligent, proactive assistant who is already well-versed in business operations.Check.

But I failed to give Steve the fine print. I needed this assistant to be someone I definitelydon’twant to see naked. Adler is a special kind of sexy. The forbidden kind which means she’s through the roof, smoking hot. A blind man could see that. But the real problem is she’s also sweet and charming.

And shit, she makes me laugh.

Reallylaugh.

Not in the chuckle for her benefit kind of way, but the literal keeling over, grab my ribcage because the heaving hurts, kind of way. She should have her own comedy special. She’s too fun to be around, too easy to connect with. That makes a situation problematic for someone who can’t do relationships. I may need to strap a chastity belt on her to remind myself how very off-limits my assistant is.Empty box,un-checked.

I’m trying to maintain boundaries and be strictly professional, but it’s getting harder as my office life becomes more and more uncomfortable in the best and worst way. This was not the plan. I left Manhattan to leave the mess I caused behind. It haunts me every night. I had to put physical distance between my ex-girlfriend, Juliana, and me so we could both pick up the pieces and move on. I can’t afford to sonder my fresh new start by getting into another doomed situation, especially with a girl like Adler.

We emerge from the entrance of Marquis Business Tower and Adler turns to face me. The sun catches her from behind and blinds me. I plank my hand across my forehead to shield my eyes.

“Oh, come on, boss man. I’m not that harsh on the eyes, am I?”

She’s baiting me.Just tell her.She’s beautiful. It’s not flirting—it’s a fact.

“It’s just the sun.”

I won’t.I can’t afford to fall under her spell.

She nods to the left. “It’s this way.” I let her lead as I trail half a pace behind. I mull over this incredible woman who keeps me on my toes. She’s a myriad of contradictions. Sarcastic but sincere. Sassy, yet sweet. There’s not an overly ambitious bone in her body, yet I get the feeling she could take the presidency if she put her mind to it. I should leave her alone and quit toeing this line. I should just be her boss. But it’s getting harder to focus when I’m hooked on everything that comes out of her smart, pouty, lush lips.

Her very off-limits…lips.

five

Joel

Adler sits across from me on the opposite side of a wobbly diner table. She pushes the crushed peanuts off of her pad Thai, making a little pile and then scooting it to the edge of her plate.

“What, why are you looking at me like that?” she asks without looking up. She’s cleaning off the flat noodles with the expert precision of a neurosurgeon. Getting rid of the nuts, while sparing the sauce.

“Why don’t you just order it without peanuts?”

“That’s the thing!” Her bright blue eyes lift briefly to meet mine. “I do. Every single time. Without fail, they always put the peanuts on anyways. I’ve accepted my fate.”

“That looks tedious. Let me just order you a new one,” I say as I attempt to stand and head to the register. Adler reaches across the table like the Flash. I didn’t see her arm move, but suddenly her small soft hand is clamped against my forearm, causing goosebumps to raise on the back of my neck.

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