I sat at my desk the next morning with a big grin on my face. My thoughts were dominated by Scott at the present moment. When Paul appeared in front of me, all big smiles and pleasant words, my heart melted once more at the sight of him, all thoughts of Scott vanishing into nothing.
“What are you grinning about so wildly?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “Nothing. I’m just happy.”
“Are you talking to me today?”
“It would appear so.”
He chuckled before disappearing into his office.
Before I could even move to grab my cup of tea, Molly burst through the office door, squealing in excitement. “He wants your number.”
My cheeks rose to new temperatures. “Shhhh,” I said, motioning my head towards Paul’s office.
She threw a look of scorn towards the open door. “So what? At least Scott isn’t afraid of relationships.”
I resisted the urge to facepalm myself as a groan full of dread seeped through me. “Molly…”
“So, can I give it to him?”
A cough emanated from the open doorway. I squeezed my eyes shut before daring to turn my head and open them. Paul leaned against his doorframe, arms crossed, a hint of a smile tweaking up the edges of his lips.
“Don’t stop on my account.”
Molly glared at him. “We’re not.” She turned back to me. “So, can I?”
Heat burned through every fibre of my body as two sets of eyes awaited my answer. Neither answer I could give would satisfy them both. I dared to glimpse at Paul for a brief moment before remembering his words on where our relationship stood. I wanted him in ways he said he couldn’t contemplate. Perhaps Scott was the thing I needed to help me fizzle out my fear of commitment.
“Sure.”
Molly clasped her hands together before running back downstairs in a whirlwind of shrieks. An awkward silence fell between Paul and me for a few seconds before he spoke.
“So, who is after your number, may I ask?”
I smirked. “Why so interested?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “I’m not. Just a general wondering, considering her little dig at me.”
I remained silent and turned my attention to my work.
“Okay, let me put this another way.” He paused for a second, catching my attention as I lifted my gaze to see his face edged with a serious tone. “You tell me who wants your number or I’ll discipline Molly for her disrespect towards a director.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Wow. Really? You’re going to pull rank now?”
“No. I’m merely offering to exchange…information.”
“Exchange information? Well, I already know what Molly said to you so there’s kinda nothing for me there.”
He smiled and stepped forwards, dropping his arms to his side. “Well, she’s got a squeaky clean record. Wouldn’t want it tarnished with any formal warnings, would we?”
I narrowed my eyes at him and I spat my words out with venom. “Her fiancé’s brother wants my number.”
His facial expression changed to one of surprise. “Oh.”
“Have you finished?”
“And you agreed for him to have it?”
I stood up, making it obvious I was less than amused. “Well, you just heard that for yourself, did you not?”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I just—”
“What, Paul? We’re not in a relationship, remember? This is one of the reasons you spoke of as to why you don’t do them. If someone wants to take me out and potentially take things further, then I’m not going to say no. Not when I have little else to keep me from doing so.”
I winced as the last sentence flowed past my lips. I wanted to take the words back as soon as they came out but I couldn’t. The effect they had on him was obvious. He nodded, a flash of resignation settling in his eyes before he retreated into his office in silence.
I sighed and flopped down into my chair, biting back tears of frustration. He meant more to me than what I let on. I wanted nothing more than for him to stake his claim on me but I knew it wouldn’t happen. I had to make this the final cut despite my heart tearing into pieces at the thought of losing him.
“Kyra?”
I snapped my head up, my heart filling with hope. He motioned for me to step into his office. Every cell in my body trembled with apprehension as I ventured inside.
His blue eyes caught my vulnerable stare, captivating me in a split second. “I’m sorry.”
I ran a hand over my face. “No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that…”
“I shouldn’t have made you tell me.”
“I just…you’re the first man who has made me want more, Paul, made me realise that really, I need that and now, now you tell me you can’t give me it.”
“I know.” He reached out, brushing my cheek with his hand. “I’m sorry, Kyra. I really am.”
I shivered from his touch and sighed. “So where does this leave us?”
He grinned, pulling me into his arms. “Well, until you’re officially someone’s girlfriend, it leaves us wherever we want to be…”
He crushed his lips to mine, sweeping me up in his comforting embrace. His tongue played with me, each movement shooting throbs straight between my legs. I searched for the edge of his shirt, crawling my hands along the inside in their desperate need to feel him bare.
He pulled away just enough to ask, “Can I take you out for dinner tonight?”
I smiled and nodded.
Dressing myself later on for our dinner, I began to wonder if the little hiccup earlier had been down to his jealousy. Perhaps he just might change his mind after all.