Page 8 of Flirting with the CEO

We walked side by side, and for some reason, his presence overwhelmed me even though he wasn't antagonizing me right now. In fact, he wasn't saying anything, but he was simply an intimidating man. He was much taller than me, at least six feet two or more.

All I could think about as we went into his office was that he simply didn't look like a scientist. Or like a CEO, for that matter. Although the suit would trick you into thinking that. Even through all the layers of clothes, the muscles in his arms were defined. I was certain that his entire body was equally toned. His features were handsome but also rugged. His jaw was angular, as were his cheekbones, and his eyes were downright hypnotizing.

His office was a clinical white space. It looked almost like a lab too.

“Why do you have a whiteboard in here?” I asked.

"I do a lot of work on it. I have one in the lab too. Math and chemistry are my bread and butter. I figure out the formulas, and my team does the rest."

"Then why do you need the coat?"

"Sometimes I work with substances myself. Mostly when the math isn't lining up."

"You don’t have an ongoing project now?" I asked, pointing at the whiteboard. It was empty.

"I wipe it clean when I'm done."

"Afraid someone might steal your secrets?" I taunted.

"I just like to start with an empty whiteboard. It stimulates my brain."

"You're working on something new right now?"

"Always. I've been here every evening this week. I've got some new ideas."

"Wow," I exclaimed. "But you just developed a new immune-system booster that’s hitting the market next year. Do you ever take time to relax?"

To my astonishment, he smiled, and let me tell you, it was something to behold. Did he know how seductive his smile was? Was that why he flashed it so rarely? Was he trying to spare those around him from falling at his feet?

"Sometimes, but not for long. When an idea nags at me, I go to the lab and work it out. Sometimes it ends up being nothing, but most of the time, it evolves into something my team can work on."

"You do have a brilliant mind," I murmured. I couldn’t even imagine developing or thinking to the level he apparently did. I mean, I wasn’t an idiot, but his brain was performing miracles, more or less.

"What's that? You sound surprised."

I laughed nervously. "Never mind."

"Ms. Thomas."

I rolled my eyes. So formal. "I only answer to Zoey, okay? 'Ms. Thomas' makes me feel like my mom. I love her, but I don't want to be her."

He chuckled.

"It's just that everyone told me Colton Whitley is an extremely difficult man, but he's got a brilliant mind," I continued. "Almost like one thing excuses the other."

"Who told you that?" he asked, seeming a tad affronted.

I cleared my throat. "Never mind." Shit. It was Sandra who'd mentioned it, and I liked her. I didn't want to throw her under the bus.

"Zoey?" he urged with a firm tone.

"I'm not at liberty to say."

"Yes, you are. It was someone from my team."

"Now, now, Colton. Don't jump to conclusions."

"Zoey." His voice had an edge to it. It sounded 5 percent dangerous and 150 percent sexy.

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