Page 43 of Runaway Bride for the Boss

“If it does, we can just reapply it,” I point out, and she extends her hand.

I hum as I clean her nails first with a cotton ball and polish remover and then apply the first coat. I wait for it to dry a little then go in with the second coat.

“You enjoy this, don’t you?” Andrea observes.

“Yeah, ever since I was in foster care, it was a way to get out of my head. I’d steal some polish from whomever I was with at the time and go outside to apply it – sloppily, I might add, getting the polish on my hands and fingers, so it would dry faster. When I was done, I’d admire my nails while daydreaming about Prince Charming finding me and slipping a ring onto my finger to whisk me away from my reality.” I chuckle at the confession.

“That sounds so sweet. When did you enter the system?”

I shrug and admit, “I was young. My biological mom had me when she was about seventeen; and when I was four years old, she took me to child protective services herself. I guess she didn’t need a child weighing her down.”

“That’s…I’m so sorry.”

I shrug again as I close the cap of the polish, now done with the second coat. “I don’t remember her, so it’s not like I miss her or anything. I just wonder about her from time to time. Hold your hand still so the polish doesn’t smudge before it’s fully dry.”

We’re silent as I arrange the polishes back into the bag. “I forgot to tell you earlier,” Andrea starts, waiting for me to meet her gaze before she continues. “Alex said he’s sent someone over to fix my place.”

My stomach churns, and for some reason, anxiousness sinks my heart into my stomach. “Really, are you sure?”

She smiles, wiggling her fingers at me. “I didn’t believe him either, especially after last night’s storm. I’m sure Beaufort Construction has quite a bit of work on its hands. But I swung by the bar to check it out.”

“You drove to Alex’s officeandto the bar? I thought the roads were closed.”

“They were. But people know me and have a tendency to do what I say when I ask nicely.” She winks.

“So, they just opened the roads for you to pass through? That was very dangerous. The roads were closed for a reason.” My anxiety spikes as I imagine what could’ve happened if she had lost control of her car on the slippery road.

“Relax. My car has all-wheel drive, and I was extra careful. I’m back safely, aren’t I? Gosh, you sound just like Alex.”

I clear my throat. “I just got a little worried is all. So, you went to the bar?”

“Yes, I did, and guess who will be able to move back to their apartment tomorrow?”

I swallow. “It’ll be done by tomorrow?” So quickly? Don't these things take time?

“Yes, by tomorrow evening, we’ll be back in my apartment, wellourapartment. Isn’t that exciting?”

“Yes, exciting,” I murmur feeling the exact opposite of excited, which is crazy. This isn’t my house, and the arrangement has always been temporary. Even my stay at Andrea’s is temporary…a few months at best, until I can scrape together enough money to get my own place.

That night, for the first time since we had moved in, Alex joined us for dinner. I was startled when Mrs. Staten said dinner would be served in the dining room. Andrea and I never eat in there, preferring the island in the kitchen, although we rarely have dinner at home because we’re usually at the bar by this time. I was even more shocked when I saw Alex already at the head of the table.

As soon as I walk in the room, he looks up, and we lock eyes. My heart starts racing, and I know I’m in big trouble. I momentarily think about feigning sickness to get out of dinner, but then I realize that this will be the first and last time we’ll eat together, since we’re leaving tomorrow.

I try my best to ignore the excitement buzzing in my veins at the sight of him. I say a murmured thanks for the polish and sit down across from Andrea. I can’t focus on the conversation or the delicious meal placed before me. All of my attention is consumed by his presence, by the power he holds over me. Why won’t he stop staring at me? The sharpness of his gaze is like fire licking at my flesh. His obsessive attention on me is intoxicating and makes me feel like the only person in existence.

He stares at me hungrily, while spooning food into his mouth and sipping red wine. My core clenches when his tongue dips to lick a lingering drop off his lip, all while staring into the depths of my eyes. The look promises his intentions, which I can only assume to be equally as sensual and decadent.

My heart is pounding so hard that I half expect it to jump out of my chest. It wasn’t this bad when I first met him, was it? I don’t remember being so viscerally affected by this man.

“Autumn.” I freeze when he purrs my name.

CHAPTER 25

ALEXANDER

“Autumn,” I say to catch her attention. She’s been studiously avoiding my gaze since we started eating. She looks incredibly uncomfortable in my presence, and a blush is creeping up her neck. Seeing the physical effect I have on her is only further stoking my need to have her again. I want to taste every inch of her and study every inch of her body – the way such a masterpiece deserves. I want to bring her so much pleasure that the mere memory of our time together will bring her half way to climax. My eyes burn into her throughout the entire meal, as images play in my mind. The meal is over, and very soon, Mrs. Staten will come out to clear the plates. She’ll leave after that.

For some reason, she goes deadly still and then slowly raises her head to stare at me like a deer caught in headlights. “Yes?” Her voice is husky. She couldn’t have said more than two words since she sat down.

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