Page 7 of My Forbidden Boss

»It’s good to see you, Bri,« I said, playing along with the game. Damn it, I was a jerk, but the last thing I wanted was drama at the dinner table.

»Likewise,« she replied and took a seat opposite me. »You’ve grown,« she teased, and I was immediately delighted to see the old Bri showing herself again.

»Getting taller than you isn’t exactly an art.«

»Here it is.« She tapped her forehead, and I had to laugh.

Elliot sighed. »Here we go again. I feel like a teenager.«

»So do I,« she said, her gaze fixed on me. I knew exactly what she was referring to, and suddenly I had an irresistible urge to continue our encounter from that day in her kitchen.

But her parents interrupted us by bringing in the food. The evening was exceptional, everyone was interested in each other, and for the first time in a long while, I felt like part of a family. I’d always loved being at the Sullivans‹ house, and not just because my household was a stark contrast to theirs. Everyone was relaxed, eating, laughing, and I relished the atmosphere. After dinner, I helped clear up the dishes, while Elliot and his dad set up the patio where we wanted to eat a homemade tiramisu. I had just placed the last plate in the dishwasher when Brianna suddenly stood beside me.

»Come with me,« she said softly and disappeared into the hallway. Her mom appeared in the kitchen.

»Everything alright? It’s really lovely to see you again, Wesley.«

»Thank you, Mrs. Sullivan. The food was absolutely fantastic.«

She laughed. »You’re not teenagers anymore, call me Giulia.«

»Thank you, Giulia. I’ll be right back to help with setting the table.«

»You don’t have to.« She made a dismissive gesture. »That’s quickly done.«

I gave her another smile before heading into the hallway, where Brianna was waiting for me. As I rounded the corner, I was immediately pushed roughly against the wall. I raised my hands, laughing softly. »So impetuous? I wasn’t expecting that, Miss Sullivan.«

»Stop it,« she hissed. »What’s this performance you’re putting on?«

»What performance?« She pushed against my chest with her small hands as if she could actually keep me in place. An urge to show her otherwise, to push her against the wall instead, awakened within me immediately. But we were still in her parents‹ house, and Elliot was not far away. It was too risky, and the mere thought of it was thrillingly intense.

»You know exactly what I mean!« She released me and folded her arms over her chest. »Elliot has no idea you’re my new boss, does he?«

»I don’t know why you’re so angry about it. I thought it would be in your best interest not to publicize that.« Her breathing was heavy, and her stubborn gaze was still focused on me like a weapon.

»Possibly,« she retorted defiantly, and I bit back a laugh. »But you could have told me you’d be here tonight,« she said, a little softer. I wished I could have pushed off the wall and closed the distance between us. The desire to kiss her, just like before, was overwhelmingly powerful.

»You would’ve talked me out of it.«

»Of course, I would have! You’re my boss,« she whispered.

»And Elliot’s friend.« She had no response to that. »Plus, I was looking forward to seeing your parents again.«

This time I did take a step toward her. Her breath hitched. »Being your boss doesn’t matter here. Here, we are just Brianna and Wesley, okay?«

She slowly nodded. It was a foolish idea, but I couldn’t resist lifting my hand and placing it on her cheek. My thumb grazed her soft lips, and my body reacted instantly when she parted them slightly. We could be caught at any moment. I knew Elliot wouldn’t take kindly to Bri and I being together. Despite his constant pretense to the contrary, his sister was the most important person in his life. More than once during our school years, he’d gotten into fights over her, and she was oblivious, thinking she meant nothing to him because she was the unpopular little girl. But the opposite was true. He loved her, and she was extraordinary, evident to anyone who met her. Elliot would kill me if I mistreated her. And I wasn’t the type for relationships; I didn’t even know what it felt like to commit to someone for a long period. I knew sex, I knew fun, but I didn’t know love. At least not the deep, intimate connection one could feel for a real partner.

I lowered my hand, and Brianna exhaled shakily. I had been wrong in what I just said. We would never just be Brianna and Wesley. We would be a boss, an employee, a little sister, a best friend.

Despite everything, there were so many things I wanted to tell her, but if I voiced even one, it would complicate everything. And I wasn’t a fan of complications.

»Wes?« Elliot called from the garden.

»I’m coming!« After a final longing look at Bri, I turned away and walked outside. Yet, throughout the rest of the evening, I found myself wondering if Brianna would have kissed me back if I had crossed that boundary.

8

Brianna

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