Page 29 of Her Billionaire Bossholes

I reach out and gently place a hand on her arm, offering what little comfort I can. "I can't even begin to imagine how difficult that must have been for you. You're much stronger than I gave you credit for, Charlie Moore."

Her eyes finally meet mine, and in that intense moment, I see a mixture of pain, resilience, and longing. It's as if we are connected by an invisible thread, drawing us closer and closer with each passing second. I can feel the electricity in the air, the unspoken desire that hangs between us like a delicate web.

As our gazes lock, time seems to stand still. The weight of our shared experiences and unspoken words hangs heavy in the space between us. I can hear the rapid pounding of our hearts, synchronizing in this intimate connection we have stumbled upon.

With a trembling hand, I reach up to tuck an escaped curl back into her towel. My fingers brush against her soft skin, sending shivers down my spine. Her breath hitches at the gentle touch, and I can't help but wonder if she feels this same magnetic pull that has consumed me.

"Well, well. Good morning!"

25

LEO

"What the fuck...?"

The words tumble out of my mouth the moment I lay eyes on Charlie and Jackson in the dimly lit kitchen, sitting too close to be considered professional. What did I just walk in on? By the look on both of their faces, something that significant.

"Well, well," I announce as I stride in. "Good morning!"

Although Jackson doesn't move much, Charlie practically launches herself to her feet--and away from him.

"Good morning, Mr. Thompson," she greets.

Jackson looks at me, clearly unimpressed. "Leo. You're up early."

"Good morning to you, too, Jack," I say with a grin. "Oh, my, was I interrupting something?"

"No," Charlie jumps in before Jackson can say otherwise. "Just breakfast. Want some?"

Rather than waiting for my response, she busies herself with filling a plate and pouring me a cup of coffee.

"I didn't know you would become a personal chef," I tease, taking my seat.

She chuckles, obviously still nervous. "There's a lot of things you don't know about me yet, Mr. Thompson."

I arch my brow at her. "Yet? I like the sound of that."

Recognizing her little slip-up, she purses her lips and sinks into her seat, awfully focused on pushing her food around the plate.

Jackson glares at me.Stop that, he mouths.

I give him my best innocent expression.Stop what? She's cute flustered.

He rolls his eyes.She's uncomfortable.

I lean back in my chair, feigning surprise. "Uncomfortable? Why would she be uncomfortable? We're all just friends here, aren't we?"

Charlie's eyes dart towards me, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of red. Jackson shoots her a quick, reassuring glance before turning his attention back to me.

"Leo, I don't think it's any of your business," he says bluntly.

I raise an eyebrow, my playful demeanor fading slightly. "No need to get defensive, Jack. Just curious about what you two were up to in here."

Charlie finally finds her voice, her tone slightly shaky. "We were... discussing some work-related matters, that's all."

I narrow my eyes at her, a slow smile spreading across my face. "Work-related matters? In the kitchen? At this hour?"

"Yes, sir," she responds, quiet as a mouse.

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