Page 15 of Bossalicious Bad Boy

"Thanks," I say, my heart still heavy but grateful for her support.

For the rest of the morning, I throw myself into my work, trying to forget about Alex and the turmoil he's stirred in me. But no matter how hard I try, his magnetic presence looms over me, impossible to ignore.

I take a deep breath and try to bury my doubts and fears, focusing on the tasks at hand.

"Clara, can you come into my office, please?" Alexander's voice startles me, his tall frame leaning against the doorway. My heart skips a beat, and I swallow hard before nodding.

"Of course," I say, grabbing my notepad and pen. With each step toward his office, I'm hyper-aware of my body language, determined not to give any indication of my inner turmoil.

"Have a seat," he says, gesturing to the chair opposite his desk. As I sit, he leans back in his chair, fingers intertwined, studying me. "I wanted to discuss some new projects coming up. I think you'd be a great fit for them."

"Alright," I say, forcing a tight-lipped smile. "What are these projects?"

He begins detailing the upcoming initiatives, and I scribble notes furiously. But as he talks, I can't help but notice the intensity of his gaze, his eyes occasionally flickering to my lips. My mind races – is he thinking about our connection too? Am I imagining things?

"Are you okay, Clara? You seem a bit distracted."

My cheeks burn, and I curse myself for letting my thoughts wander.

"I'm fine, just taking everything in," I lie, gripping my pen tighter. "What's the timeline for these projects?"

"Over the next few months," he replies, leaning in closer. "But I want you to know that I'm here to support you every step of the way."

"Thanks, I appreciate that," I say, my voice shaking slightly. The proximity between us is electrifying, and I fight the urge to reach out and touch him.

"Clara, if there's anything on your mind, you can always talk to me." His sincerity is disarming, making it even harder to keep my emotions in check.

"Thank you, Alex. I'll keep that in mind," I manage to say, focusing my eyes on the notepad in front of me. Our conversation continues, but unease settles over me – I can't ignore the undeniable pull between us much longer.

As we wrap up our meeting, Alex stands and extends his hand. "Great work today, Clara. I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with."

"Thanks," I say, forcing a smile as I shake his hand. My skin tingles at his touch, and I quickly pull away, cursing my weakness.

I make my way back to my desk, glancing at the clock on the walls. Only a few more hours. Can I make it?

The fluorescent lights of the office flicker above me as I sit at my desk, attempting to focus on the paperwork in front of me. The hum of the air conditioning system fills the room, but it's not enough to drown out the memories of my conversation with Alexander. My palms are damp with sweat, and I wipe them on my skirt, cursing my nervousness.

"Hey, Clara!" Alex calls from his office door, startling me out of my thoughts. "Can you come here for a minute?"

"Sure," I say, trying to sound relaxed as I stand up and walk toward him. My heart races in my chest, pounding like an overeager drummer. I take a deep breath to steady myself before entering his office.

"Take a seat," he says, gesturing to the chair across from his desk. His eyes search mine, seemingly aware of the tension that hangs in the air between us.

"Is everything okay?" I ask, gripping the armrests tightly, fingers digging into the padded fabric.

"Of course," he replies, leaning back in his chair. "I just wanted to check in with you and see how you're feeling about our last conversation."

"I appreciate it, Alex," I say, forcing a smile. "But nothing's changed since then. I'm still committed to keeping things professional."

He nods thoughtfully, running a hand through his dark hair. "I understand, Clara. But I want you to know that I meant what I said – if there's anything on your mind, I'm here for you."

"Thank you," I reply, swallowing hard. My throat feels tight, as though an invisible hand is constricting it, making it difficult to breathe.

Alex leans forward, resting his elbows on his desk. "I hope you know that you can trust me. I'm committed to creating a supportive and respectful workplace environment."

"Alex..." My voice wavers, and I realize that I can't keep up this charade any longer. "I don't doubt your intentions, but... there's something about our dynamic that scares me. I can't help but think about the power imbalances at play here."

"Clara," he begins, slowly pacing the room. "I want you to know that I've been thinking a lot about our conversation, and I understand your concerns." He stops in front of me, his eyes searching mine. "I'm not going to lie – I feel a strong connection with you, and it's difficult for me to ignore my growing attraction."

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