Page 31 of When I Found You

I hold the paper up, bitter at his ability to ruin the moment. “Yes.”

He takes the letter and leans down until his breath brushes my ear. “Is my portfolio ready?”

My fingernails dig into my palms. If I turn my head, I could easily press my lips to his. I could take what I want. But I don’t. He’s toying with me now. Testing me. I refuse to play his game.

“Is the day over?” I snap under my breath.

“I want it on my desk by five.” His voice burrows beneath my skin infusing me with heat.

“Yes, sir.” I couldn’t stop the sarcastic bite to my words.

“Don’t test my patience, Kate,” he growls.

I close my eyes and the heat of him disappears. When I spin around, his door closes with a forceful thud.

Whatever battle began last week, Arthur seems determined to win at all costs. Is he trying to break me? Trying to get me to admit something?

I have no idea what his problem is, but if he persists, I’ll have no choice but to call his bluff.

Victor saunters back into the office and knocks on my desk. He’s beaming with optimism, bouncing on the balls of his feet. “Smile, Kate. It’s a good day to be alive.”

His grin infects me with hope. “Yes, it is.”

Once he disappears in his office, I slump in my chair. I should be happy for my parents, but I know what’s coming. All I can do is pray I haven’t caused a fracture in the space-time continuum or a paradox or some insane butterfly effect.

Pushing the existential crisis aside, I focus instead on finishing the portfolio for Arthur. The insufferable ass won’t let me hear the end of it if I don’t meet my deadline. I will not let him win.

Not this round.

Chapter Fourteen

Arthur

The moment I close the door to my apartment, the infuriating woman cloisters herself away in my bedroom. The only words she spared during the ride home after work were directed at Cyril. She treated me like I wasn’t even there. Each passing moment grew heavier with the weight of our silence.

Part of me wanted to grab her by the shoulders and kiss some sense into her. I swore to show some restraint. One of us needs to act with some sense.

She claimed she had no romantic interest in Victor, but I saw the way they interacted at the office. All week they worked together, laughing and talking. I wanted to say something, but their actions never broached the boundaries of propriety. No one would even suspect Kate and Victor of crossing that line. And yet, like an insatiable itch, it festered in my mind.

When I saw her talking with Victor and Nora, my curiosity commandeered any rational thought. Even though she thought no one noticed, I saw the shift. The sadness beneath the smiles. There was something there, and Kate was determined to hide it from the world. From me.

Over the last week, I did my best to give her a wide berth. The kiss seared me like a brand. Every time I close my eyes, I can feel her in my arms, taste her on my tongue. She wants me, just as I want her. But it doesn’t feel right. With her still recovering her memories, I would only be taking advantage of her vulnerability. At least that’s what I tell myself.

What if she’s already taken? She said she wasn’t married, but that doesn’t mean she’s not in a relationship with someone. The thought haunts me. I can’t admit it aloud, and I’m terrified to ask for fear it may trigger a memory.

But we can’t avoid each other indefinitely. There needs to be a compromise if we’re stuck together.

I cross the room and knock on the door. “Kate. We need to talk.”

She opens the door and I’m distracted by the skin tight leggings and a loose sweatshirt draped precariously low on one side baring the creamy expanse of her shoulder. Kate eyes me as she pushes past, heading directly for the kitchen.

“Goddamn it. Kate, you can’t ignore me forever.” I follow trying not to catch a glimpse of her ass when she bends over to grab a bottle of wine from the refrigerator.

“I’m pretty sure I can.” She spins around and grabs the corkscrew off the counter beside me before heading for the living room.

With a muttered curse, I find her curled on the couch drinking directly from the bottle.

“How classy.” I cross my arms and shake my head. “Would you like a glass?”

---