Page 7 of Flirting with the CEO

Chapter Three

Zoey

Over the next week, I saw very little of Colton, but I was buried in prep work. Now that I’d gotten a sense of the ongoing projects and to-dos—with the help of his assistant—I was making headway.

I didn't typically like to work late, but in the very beginning of a project, I put in as much time as necessary to be on top of everything. It only made my work easier later on. That was why, on Friday evening, I was the only person left on the floor. At least that was what I thought. The last time I'd heard a noise was probably an hour ago or so.

I yawned and checked the time. It was eight o'clock now. I could still get drinks with Alex and sleep in late tomorrow.

As I got up from my desk, I heard a sound in the corridor and panicked for a brief second before realizing it probably just meant I wasn't the last one here.

I walked out with my jacket on my arm and came face-to-face with Colton.

"Ms. Thomas," he said. "I didn't know you were here."

"I thought I was the last one in the building too," I replied.

"If I knew you were still here...”

"You wouldn't have come out of your office at all?" I finished for him.

He narrowed his eyes. "I appreciate your commitment to our collaboration, but I'm not expecting you to work late."

"You know, I was wondering if you'd been avoiding me on purpose."

He had a white coat on, which only increased his sex appeal. The stark white contrasted with his blue eyes. I couldn't believe this hot-as-hell man was Colton Whitley.

"It's been a busy week, Ms. Thomas."

"Yes, I know. For both of us." I narrowed my eyes too. "So, do you usually stay holed up in your office, or is it just because of me?"

"I figured the less we interact, the better," he said without hesitation.

"Ah."

I liked honesty, only now that he'd owned up to it, I wasn't sure how to react. I'd had difficult clients before, but I wasn't used to this level of antagonism.

"Mr. Whitley, I know it must not be easy for you to have an outsider practically take up residence in your building."

"No, it's not," he replied in a cutting voice.

"Still, it would be in our mutual best interest if we were on good terms." It was on the tip of my tongue to sayamicable, but no matter how much of an optimist I was, even I knew that was a stretch when it came to Colton. “We’re going to have to work together at some point.”

The corner of his mouth twitched. "I suppose we will."

"How come you're here so late?" I asked.

"I was actually going into the lab."

He tugged at his coat, and I saw his dress shirt underneath. The mix between scientist and CEO was off-the-charts hot.

"May I join you?" I asked before I could help myself.

“No. I don’t allow many people in the lab.” He looked like he was searching for the right words, then said, “Safety hazard.”

“Then may we talk in your office?”

He didn't say anything for a few seconds, and I was sure he was going to shut me down, but then he surprised me. "Sure, why not? Come in."

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