Page 8 of Catalyst

“I think you’ve read too many romance novels. Wait, there’s no such thing as too many romance novels. Never mind.” I wave my hand in the air, moving on to my point. “I did catch him checking out my ass once or twice. Honestly, it felt more like a man noticing I have one than actual attraction.”

“So you’re saying there’s a chance?” She waggles her eyebrows.

“I can’t deny he’s drop-dead gorgeous in his three-piece suits, but even though I’d love to know what’s under those suits, he’s my boss. It would be monumentally stupid to go there.”

“Fine.” She heaves out a disappointed sigh. “I guess that’s the responsible thing to do.”

“Yes, it is. I’m trying to be good this time instead of jumping in without looking first.”

Katie nods, an amused smirk on her face.

“What’s that look about?” I wiggle my pointer finger at her. I don’t like the scheming quality of her expression.

“Oh, nothing. I’m proud of you for making the smart decision.”

“Mm-hmm, bullshit. You don’t believe I can keep my hands to myself.”

“Well, you’re both hot as hell and seem to be attracted to each other. Wouldn’t it be more fun not to?”

“You don’t know he’s attracted to me. A couple of looks doesn’t mean a thing.”

“Oh, yes, it does, my friend.”

I roll my eyes at her. Adam has been nothing but professional since the first day we met. Has he checked out my assets a couple of times? Sure, but it doesn’t mean he wants in my pants. Or skirt. I’ve worn a lot of dresses this week.

Our food arrives, giving me the perfect opportunity to steer our conversation in another direction. I don’t know how much longer I can discuss Adam without showing all my cards. Not only is he beautiful to look at, but he’s also competent and arrogant while being extremely kind and moral at the same time. He’s starting to get under my skin, and I think I’ll keep messing with him so he’ll stay on the razor’s edge of angry with me. Then I won’t have to worry about him returning my attraction.

Because if that man started flirting with me, I’m pretty sure I’d spontaneously combust.

“IfAdam’sstaring means something, why don’tyoudo something about all the ones you get? In fact, there are plenty of options in this bar right now,” I sass her, picking up my cheeseburger and taking a huge bite. I’ve always loved bar food. Well, any food, if I’m honest. It doesn’t really matter what it is; if it’s cooked well, I’m going to eat it.

“Just because I get the looks doesn’t mean I want the attention. I’ve got way too many things going on to entertain the idea of a man, even just for one night. You, on the other hand, are free as a bird. If given the chance, I think you should jump on that sexy suited man.”

In any other circumstance, I would probably listen to Katie’s advice. I tend to be the kind of person who makes a decision without thinking through all the consequences.

A tattoo at two a.m.? Let’s do it.

A road trip to the Florida Keys on a Tuesday? I’m down.

Sleeping with my boss? Horrible idea.

Jeopardizing my position at the temp agency would be stupid by itself. Add in the fact that I genuinely respect Adam and the job I’m doing, and I’d be the biggest idiot in the history of idiots.

It doesn’t matter how hard he makes my heart pound when I’m in a room with him or that he’s become the star of every one of my fantasies.

This is one impulse I can’t give in to.

CHAPTER5

Adam

“Fuck, it’s hot,”Matthew groans, picking up another box from the stack. Sweat is beaded on our foreheads as we continue unloading boxes from the truck. It’s the beginning of September, and the humidity feels like it might drown us before we’re done helping my sister, Sara, move in with her boyfriend, Ben. He found a fixer-upper in Sonoma, where we all grew up, and the builders just finished remodeling it. I hate to admit it, but the house turned out great. The contractor did a phenomenal job fixing it up.

I wasn’t fully sold on Ben until I found out he was the one who saved Sara’s life from a kidnapper and then helped her learn self-defense to better prepare her in case it happened again. Which it did. The fucking worst day of my life. Thankfully, we caught the guy, and she’s safe, but I’d never felt so out of control in my life. All I could do was sit on the sidelines and wait for the police to handle it. I hated not having the skills to bring her home myself.

After the whole mess, Sara’s become an even bigger badass than she used to be. She stuck with the self-defense classes and is working toward being an instructor. She can take down Matthew in only a few minutes, which I thoroughly enjoy watching every time he challenges her.

The rest of us have learned not to go up against her. Matthew is just too competitive for his own good. Being two years younger than me, I can understand his need to win. Nolan also likes to challenge her, but it’s more because he enjoys the game, not because he wants to win. He knows he won’t.

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