Page 15 of Silver Fake

CHAPTER6

Lisa

My mouth falls openas I watch my boss stride across the matchmaking office with a thunderously possessive look on his face.

For a second, I feel like I'm hallucinating.

Did John Barton just call me his girlfriend?

Yes, that has to be it. I'm hallucinating. Or maybe having a hot flash.

Because there is no other explanation for what is going on here.

For the last eighteen months, John has always been the grumpy and emotionally unavailable boss. And now he's claiming me as his? This is the sort of thing that only happens in the movies, not in real life.

I feel a knot begin to form in my stomach. While the rational part of my brain is telling me I should correct him immediately and put a stop to whatever this is before it gets out of hand, another part of me is secretly intrigued.

So I decide not to say anything.

All too quickly, John steps between me and Nelson. Instinctively, I take a step back, but John steps forward and snakes his arm around my waist. My heart beats faster as I try to make sense of what's happening.

John brushes his lips against my ear.

"Trust me," he whispers.

Then his voice booms loud enough for Nelson to overhear us. "Hey babe. I missed you."

Even though I know it's probably just for show, my skin tingles at John's words. His voice is surprisingly husky when he says it. I look up, and he's staring down at me like I'm the most important thing in the world.

And then, before I even realize what's happening, John Barton, my crazy, grumpy, possessive boss, cups my face with both hands, bends down and kisses me.

At that moment, the entire world disappears.

His lips are firm and soft as he slants his mouth over mine. He runs his tongue along the seam of my lips, coaxing them apart. My legs have gone boneless at this point, but John just grips me harder, holding me firmly against the hard wall of his chest.

I'm pretty sure that Nelson's gotten the message at this point, but John just keeps going. Like everything else, his kiss becomes insistent and demanding, urging himself deeper until I hear myself let out a little moan.

After what feels like forever, John finally pulls away. I look up at him, searching his eyes for answers, but all I see is the familiar intensity that always seems to shimmer there whenever we're together.

Nelson, meanwhile, looks like a deer caught in headlights, his wide-eyed gaze darting between John and me as his hands start to shake. All of his bluster from earlier is notably absent, and honestly it's more than a little funny.

"Nelson," John says brightly in a condescending tone. "Good to see you. It's been a long time. How's your family?"

A mixture of confusion and panic crosses Nelson's face. I haven't known Nelson for long, but I get the feeling that John is the last person he wanted to see right now. He clears his throat and starts to stammer.

"I thought she was--I thought---"

"Glad to hear it," John interrupts dismissively before Nelson has a chance to answer. "But you'll have to excuse us for the moment." He beams down at me. "I've got a lunch date with this gorgeous woman and I don't want to be late."

The warmth in his smile makes my heart flutter. John takes my hand and leads me away from the lobby before Nelson has a chance to say anything else.

As we walk towards the elevator, John is silent and brooding. But he doesn't let go of my hand. The hotel lobby is also busy, with plenty of guests milling about. Multiple sets of eyes turn to look at us at once and I can practically feel the speculation buzzing in the air. I try to focus on the marble tiles beneath my feet, but his touch is electrifying and overwhelming.

Luckily, as we arrive at the hallway housing the elevators, we find ourselves alone.

I pull myself out of my haze long enough to snatch my hand out of his. "John, what in the--" I start to say.

But he cuts me off and takes my hand again.

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