Page 12 of Off Limits Silver Fox

“I’ve noticed,” I reply in a wry tone and enter with my hand in my trouser pocket. “When will the trigger software be ready?”

“Er… um… soon.”

“You said that yesterday. It needs to be test run. Why the delay?”

“The delay is because you gave me something else to work on, and I couldn’t complete it yesterday,” she retorts testily.

I don’t like that tone. “Need I remind you that we have a fast-approaching deadline?”

She snorts, and her straight nose flares. “Need I remind you that I’m a human being with only two hands and one brain? If you would stop distracting me with demands, stop breathing down my neck, and reminding me of the deadline every minute of the day, perhaps I would have finished by now!”

My face constricts with rage at her audacity in speaking to me like that. My lips tighten into a straight line as I regard her with eyes glowing with fury.

Sheer horror fills her eyes seconds later, and she raises her hands to her mouth.

To avoid saying things I’ll regret later, I turn around to leave the office.

“Gareth, please! I’m sorry.”

I pause and whirl around. My anger dissipates instantly when I see her crumbled face and her lovely eyes shimmer with tears.

“I’m exhausted and hungry because I missed lunch. I wanted to finish the program at all costs.” She comes around her desk. “I’m sorry for pouring my frustration on you and—”

She stumbles over a carton of stuff, and I catch her before she lands on the floor. It’s a grave mistake because having her in my arms has me drawing in a sharp whiff of her scent, with waves of lust shooting up my body at being so close to her. My arms curve around her to pull her closer into my embrace. Her heavy-lidded eyes have me fascinated as they darken with passion.

She’s breathtaking.

I cup her chin and caress it with my finger. So soft! Her lips part invitingly, and it’s all the encouragement I need. For a moment, the voice of reason tells me that if I touch her lips with mine, it will be a big mistake, and there’ll be no return from it. I’m about to gently push her away even as my rock-hard erection rises between us, but I feel the tremors pulsing through her body, and I know I can’t let go, whatever the consequences.

My arms tighten around her, and slowly, my lips descend towards hers as she stares at me as if all her Christmases have come at once. When my lips brush against hers, a sharp knock sounds on the door, and we jerk apart, breathing heavily.

“Gareth?” Susan questions outside the door. “Chicago is ready for your 4:00 p.m. meeting.”

“I’ll be right there,” I respond in a strangled tone.

Hailey’s face has gone pale, and I curse myself for almost getting carried away. She wraps her arms around herself like a lost little girl, making me feel even more like a jerk for taking advantage of her tiredness.

I clear my throat. “I owe you an apology.”

She shrugs and resumes her seat.

“I’m sorry for what almost happened and for being short with you earlier. You work hard.”

She nods without looking at me.

Guilt plagues me for working her to the bone. I see lines of strain on her forehead. I rub my hand across my jaw. “Take a break. Susan will order your lunch. When you’re done eating, take a walk around Union Square Park and take in the sights. It’s what I do when I need a break. It will relax you.”

I should fire her for my peace of mind and to avoid temptation, but I can’t. Hailey has become an asset to my company. I’ll have to do everything I can to not be slammed with a sexual harassment lawsuit if I dare to give in to my temptation. I’d have to make sure it’s kept a secret, both from Amber and from that slimeball Hunter.

Outside her office, I tell Susan to order lunch from Nobu for Hailey. I stroll back to my office for my next meeting. I’ve had to delegate a lot of responsibilities to my executives so I could see the election project through. This meant no more traveling for now and speaking with heads of my other branches across the country through video calls.

As I wait for the connection, my thoughts filter back to when I had Hailey in my arms. The memory of almost kissing her will stay with me for a long time. It’s something I’d love to experience again, by accident or by design. I wonder if she felt my arousal. Surely she must have felt it and guessed what I want to do to her.

A grin spreads across my face as my secretary informs me that I’m connected to my meeting. Maybe I’ll give in to the temptation of tasting her succulent lips someday. Only a taste. Maybe.

CHAPTER7

HAILEY

---