Page 66 of Assistant to the Billionaire CEO

“Hmm,” he said, arching a brow. “You’re not trying to butter me up, are you?”

My cheeks burned. “No, of course not. I would never.”

“Well, I think you owe me an embarrassing childhood story of your own now that you know mine.”

“I’m willing to bet I havewaymore of those than you do. Give me a moment to think.”

“Give me a good one.”

Pensively, I tapped my index finger against my chin and stared upward. Then it hit me. “Ah, I think I’ve decided on a suitable embarrassment.” I looked back at him as he watched me intently. “It all happened on Valentine’s Day, just before my tenth birthday. I had my first ever crush.”

“Who was it?”

“It was a cute boy named Mikey. Mikey was always caked in mud, but I thought he was justeverything. I knew he didn’t like me back because I was this chubby nerd with thick glasses. Anyway, on this particular Valentine’s Day, I decided to slip a Valentine’s card into his locker. And I did, I committed the deed, with all my courage! I swear I almostdied. I waited until recess to do it.”

“How gutsy. I’m impressed.”

“Well…I realized I’d forgotten to sign the card, but it was too late. It was already in his locked locker. I thought, ‘Maybe this is for the best.’ Like I said, I wasn’t exactly the girl of his dreams—in fact, he thought I had cooties, so I told myself it was better that the card remained anonymous.”

His eyes widened. “Did he find out it was you?”

“Nope. But he loved the card. He laughed and said it was hilarious. Which was a pity.”

“A pity? So what happened? Why didn’t you just tell him it was your card?”

“Because when he was going on and on about how it was the best Valentine’s card he’d ever received, a pretty girl named Becky took credit for it, and Mikey gave her a peck on the cheek and asked her on a date. She said yes. At that point, it was too late to claim copyright without looking like I was desperate for Mikey’s attention. So, I just let him believe she had made it for him.”

“That’s heartbreaking.” He grimaced. “Ultimately, his loss.”

“Yeah, oh, well. Don’t be so sure about that. Imagine if I’d left the card inyourlocker. Ha-ha.” An awkward laugh escaped my throat.

Ace didn’t laugh. “You know, if you had left a Valentine’s Day card in my locker, I would’ve been happy about it. Surprised, but happy.”

“Really?” I knew he was just messing with me, but my heart was pounding against my rib cage like a trapped animal trying to make an escape. My eyes dropped to his lips—his beautiful, manly, kissable lips.

“Really,” Ace grumbled firmly, nudging my chair in his direction. He started leaning toward me, his lips coming closer and closer to mine.

All I could think was:finally.

Goo. I was gonna be goo… I wanted nothing more than to be kissed by those lips.

Now.

“I’ve got so much tidying up to do,” I squeaked, chickening out at the last moment. I jumped out of my chair and made my way around the table, collecting all the cups and saucers the clients had made use of, dropping a few and collecting them back up again as I went. I could feel Ace’s gaze following me.

“You all right there?” he asked. “Did I do something to offend you?”

“No, not at all. I just thought I’d better get this boardroom back in tip-top shape before it gets too late. Tomorrow’s another busy day.”

Was there amusement on his face?

I bent over to pick up a plastic spoon I had dropped on the floor. When I was getting back up, two hands firmly gripped my waist and spun me around so I was facing him. The impact almost made my contacts pop out.

“Oh,” I exclaimed, feeling his muscular frame against my body.

“We have some unfinished business,” Ace growled. His eyes radiated a bright light of their own. Despite the intensity of his gaze, there was something icy about it.

“Bu-ut,” I stuttered, unsure what to make of what was happening.

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