Page 20 of My Billionaire Boss Crush

A second later, his large hand slips into mine, completely engulfing it. With a smile, he nods fervently. “Friends.”

I still can’t deny my attraction toward him, but I’m well aware that pursuing it could jeopardize both our jobs. So, if it’s friendship the both of us can offer each other, then I will hold on to it and cherish it as much as I can.

We let each other go, and I gasp out a breath. “You know, for a billionaire, you’re way too dramatic,” I joke, a further attempt to ease the crackling tension left between us.

Alex, sensing what I’m getting at, shrugs with one arm. “How do you think I became a billionaire? You need to have some flair of drama to be able to handle all of this,” he smirks arrogantly, waving a hand around the room.

I snicker, rolling my eyes at his antics. “You really were going to have me transferred when you can barely function without me,” I smile smugly, preening with as much confidence as I can muster. “Poor thing, what would you have done without me.” I press my lips together to keep my laughter at bay. Although, I don’t doubt that there’s stark amusement glinting in my eyes.

Alex folds his arms across his chest, his own amusement mirroring mine. “You know, now that I think about it. You probably wouldn’t have survived in Finance or any other department, really. One day and you’d be begging to return to my side. You know, considering the perks of being the CEO’s personal assistant and all?”

The laughter bursts out of me. “Perks? Oh please. I think I’ll be glad to have gotten out of bringing you that ghastly coffee mix of yours every morning. I don’t know how you stomach that thing.” I frown, the memory of the strong, dark coffee I got Alex this morning and every other morning since I started working for him resurfacing.

Alex scoffs like he can’t believe his ears. “Says the woman who dumps a ridiculous amount of sugar into her mostly milk coffee.”

I mirror his stance, my own arms folded. “It’s sweet, a concept you may have no idea of.” I narrow my eyes at him, and he looks like he’s about to keel over in laughter.

“It is abominable,” he retorts.

Completely out of snapbacks, I do the most childish thing that comes to my mind. I stick my tongue out at Alexander.

In a matter of seconds, his eyes darken as they follow that movement, and time seems to stand still. I stiffen, wondering if I’ve gone too far, when Alex shakes his head and chuckles.

“Why do I feel like being friends with you is going to take a huge toll on me, Miss Osbourne?”

I flash my teeth at him. “I guess you’re just going to have to find out.” Then, I say, “You know, now that we’re friends and all, I think you should start calling me by my name. I mean, it’s only fair since that is how you practically forced me to refer to you on my first day here.”

The smile that erupts from Alex’s face is a sight to behold. It completely transforms his face, highlighting his attractive features, but I refuse to dwell on it. “Very well,” he responds. “I guess I’ll call you by your name from now on… Blair.”

Nothing prepares me for it. Nothing prepares me for the way the sound of my name on his lips makes my breath catch.

The butterflies in my tummy take flight, erupting in a thousand wings, and I wonder if being friends with Alexander Graves is truly something that I can do.

Chapter twelve

Just Friends?-Alex

I never anticipated that being friends with someone so much younger than me could be this enjoyable. Yet, here I am, caught up in the whirlwind of emotions, the unexpected camaraderie that has developed between us.

Blair, with her youthful spirit and infectious laughter, has carved a special place in my heart, a place I never imagined anyone could occupy.

It’s been weeks since she extended that hand of friendship to me, and our friendship has flourished, the boundaries blurring as we spend more and more time together. The teasing banter, the shared secrets, the moments of vulnerability, all of it adds fuel to the fire that smolders within me. I can no longer deny the depth of my attraction to her, and it's becoming something far more dangerous.

Every time we're in each other's company, my heart races, my pulse quickens. It's not just the playful exchanges and the magnetic chemistry that ignites between us. It's something deeper, something that speaks to the connection of two souls yearning for each other's presence. It's a dangerous dance on the edge of desire, and I'm finding it increasingly difficult to resist.

Still, I find it hard to walk away and let her go as I had initially planned. Not when she’s already becoming a constant part of my life.

I catch myself stealing glances at her when she's not looking, admiring how her eyes light up when she's passionate about something and how her laughter echoes in the air like a melody. I am drawn to her energy, her zest for life, and the way she challenges me to let go of my inhibitions.

But I know the risks that lie ahead, the consequences of crossing that line. The age difference, the potential judgment, and the impact it could have on our friendship and the dynamics of our professional lives. It's a labyrinth of complexities I'm not sure I'm prepared to navigate.

I find myself grappling with conflicting emotions, wanting to preserve what we have, our cherished friendship while yearning for something more. It's a battle of the heart and mind, a relentless tug-of-war that threatens to consume me.

I try to remind myself of the reasons why this is a dangerous path to tread, the potential for heartbreak, and the potential damage it could cause to both of us, personally and professionally. But logic falters in the face of raw emotion, and the attraction that simmers beneath the surface refuses to be quelled.

I find solace in our friendship, the shared moments of laughter and support, yet the desire remains, an ember burning bright within me. I fear that if I don't confront these feelings, they will continue to grow, threatening to unravel the delicate balance we've created.

As I wrestle with my internal turmoil, I'm left with a choice—a choice to confront the dangerous currents of desire and risk it all or to suppress my feelings and preserve what we have. Whatever I decide, I know it will have far-reaching consequences, and I must tread carefully, aware of the fragility of the line we walk.

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