Lesley

 

 

“So this part is where we’ll put the squeakers, and this part will have some rope attached to it. And we’ll use this fabric here to cover it all up.” I grab his hand. “Here, touch it.” I let him feel the material I bought, but his hand immediately pulls away.

“You don’t like it?” I ask.

“It’s great. Love it,” he says, grabbing his rum and Coke and taking a sip.

“Aren’t you even a little bit excited?”

“Oh yeah, very excited.” He smirks, taking another sip.

I squint. “Then why do I get the feeling you’re not even listening?”

“You’re making a squeaker with a rope attached to it. It looks fantastic. I can’t wait to see the finished product.”

“Finished product? Isn’t that what your production department does?”

“Yeah, of course. Don’t sweat it.” He laughs it off and takes another sip.

I grab his glass and pull it my way. “Why aren’t you taking this seriously?”

“I am,” he says.

“Doesn’t look like you are,” I say, frowning. “I did my best.”

“Looks can be deceiving …” He winks. “You of all people should know that.”

My eyes narrow. “What?”

He shrugs. “Never mind.” He clears his throat. “So tell me what you wanna do when you finish this internship.”

“What I wanna do?”

“Yeah … you mentioned a business of some sort,” he says.

“Oh …” I laugh it off a little, feeling like this suddenly veered into the dangerous zone. “That’s nothing. Just a dream.”

“Well, tell me then,” he says with a smile, leaning on the palm of his hand. “I’m listening.”

“Uh … I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do.” His eyes are all over me, and for some reason, it freaks me out a little.

To ease the tension, I quickly take a large gulp of my drink, barely able to swallow it.

“I think I already know.”

I sputter from shock, spitting all over the table. “Fuck.”

TJ laughs. “Well, that was quite a show.”

I snatch some of the napkins and dab off the table, trying to clean the mess I made. That’s when I realized I spat half of it over his shirt. “Shit, I’m so sorry.” I dab him with the napkin.

His fingers graze over mine as he grabs the napkin and says, “I got it. Don’t worry.”

I nod, still a little mesmerized from his touch.

He gets up from the stool and walks off.

“Where are you going?” I ask.

“Bathroom, obviously. Why, wanna come?” he muses.

The words ‘wanna come’ resonate in my ears because they sound so dirty when coming from his mouth, even if it still doesn’t mean the same thing.

But the prospect of going into the men’s bathroom isn’t exactly enticing.

That, and I really shouldn’t go into a bathroom with him. Alone.

“Um … no thanks,” I reply, taking a sip of my own drink.

“Suit yourself.” He shrugs and walks off.

I shake my head at the sight of him, jazzing off to the music as if he’s walking and dancing at the same time. He’s such a strange person. Just like me. We have some kind of connection that I can’t explain, which is exactly why I can’t take my eyes off him.

Stop it, Lesley. You’re here for work.

Why do I have to keep reminding myself?

The beat drops and the music becomes louder, and I find myself swaying along on my stool, wondering when TJ will be back so we can continue talking about this new toy I made. I mean, even though the music is great and the drinks are awesome, we’re still here for business, after all.

Suddenly, someone taps on my shoulder, and when I turn around, TJ’s holding out his hand. “C’mon.”

“Where?” I ask.

He grabs my hand anyway and pulls me off the stool. “Dance.”

“What? But we’re here for work.”

“Who cares?” He smirks. “Let’s have some fun.”

“But—”

He twirls me around so hard I can barely talk. Instead, he makes me squeal with his antics, flipping me around the floor as if he’s trying to show me his best moves. They’re playing “Swalla” by Jason Derulo, and TJ’s arms and legs are going everywhere. I’m not sure whether to be impressed or to burst out into laughter, but I love it.

He holds me and forces me to dance along with him until I finally let my hips loose and just dance along to the beat. It’s fantastic to be able to let off some steam and feel free while doing it. Although I have to say … it is weird when you realize you’re dancing with your boss. Then again, he’s never acted like one to me either.

And damn … he’s wrecking the floor, making other people look at us like they’re watching a show. It isn’t because he’s such a great dancer, but because he honestly does not give two fucks about what anyone thinks of his dancing. He’s just having fun, and it’s so damn infectious. I can’t help but smile and dance along with him.

When the beat changes into something softer, he pulls me close and dances with me, placing his hand on my waist. He leans in and whispers into my ear, “Told you it’d be fun.”

“I never said it wasn’t. But I assumed we were here for work,” I reply.

“Oh, we are. But we all need a break sometimes.” I love feeling his hot breath near my ear. “You need to relax more. Dancing does just that.”

“You seem to know everything about relaxing,” I jest.

“Oh yes, I’m an expert in the area. Wanna know more?” he says with a smug smile.

“Actually, I’m much more interested in why you’re avoiding any talk about work,” I ask, narrowing my eyes.

He twirls me around and almost lowers me to the floor. “Has anyone ever told you how cute you look when you’re sassy?”

“Yes. You.” I smile deviously, but then he pulls me back up, making me lose my breath again.

“You should definitely keep that up,” he muses.

“Is that a threat?” I ask, licking my lips. “Or a question?”

He spins me on my heels, so my back is against his waist. He sways his hips against mine slow but steady.

And I can feel his cock right through his pants.

Holy fuck.

That shut me up all right.

“I think that’s obvious,” he whispers into my ear, setting my body on fire.

Goddamn, why does this man have to be so fucking hot and forbidden at the same time? He’s my boss, for crying out loud, but it so doesn’t feel like he is. Or like he wants to be.

If we keep this up, there’s no question we’ll end up doing something we’ll regret. I mean, god, I’d pretty much adopt ten dogs if that meant I could jump his bones. But if our co-workers find out, they’ll accuse me of trying to get ahead by sleeping with the boss. I can’t let it happen.

I push myself away from his delicious grasp and clear my throat to compose myself.

“What’s wrong?” he asks.

“Nothing,” I say. “I just remembered I … uh … forgot to take Pepper out for a walk. I should go home.”

He frowns. “Okay, sure. I’ll call a cab.”

I nod, trying not to allow his sexy face to distract me as he pulls out his phone. Dancing with him was like taking a hot bath after a long day … so relaxing and definitely the best way to initiate some sexy time.

But we can’t. I have to keep telling myself this, or I’ll really let myself go next time he touches me.

And holy shit … did he touch me good.

I can still feel his fingers on my waist; his lips barely inches away from my skin … his cock against my ass.

I almost wished we were naked when he did that.

God, I really have to stop thinking about that.

“Cab’s out front,” he says after a while, and he grabs my coat and helps me put it on.

“Thanks,” I say.

“Don’t mention it.” And even though he sounds nice, his eyes are almost spitting venom.

Tension hangs in the air around us, and I don’t know why. It’s like he’s hiding something from me. That, or he was really looking forward to more dancing. Whatever the case, I can’t let it get to me.

We walk outside, and the cold breeze makes me shiver. He wraps his arm around me and rubs me a little. “You must be cold,” he says. “Do you want my jacket too?” he asks, offering it, but I decline.

“No, I’m fine. Let’s just go home.”

“Do you want me to go with you?” He perks up immediately. “I mean, your neighborhood felt a little bit … unsafe the last time I was there. I don’t want something to happen to you while you’re walking back.”

“Right. The building’s no different. Lots of bad folk live there.”

“Why don’t you move?” he asks as the cab drives out front.

“Can’t afford it,” I reply.

“Hmm …” He opens the door for me and waits for me to sit before he closes it and runs to the other side himself.

I tell the cabby where to go as TJ climbs in, after which the car begins to drive. I stare out the window, trying not to pay too much attention to the fact that TJ can’t seem to keep his eyes off me.

Every time I glance his way, he looks away, pretending he wasn’t, and it makes me blush. I don’t know what it is about this guy who makes me turn into a giggling schoolgirl, but he does, and it’s dangerous. Why? Because he’s irresistible and funny. Two things any girl would murder for. And he’s sitting right next to me.

The ride feels long, like seriously Mount Everest hike long. So long, I can feel my own body tingle at the thoughts of being so close to him.

The air is thick with desire and unspoken thoughts, and I can’t help but wonder if I’m the only one feeling this. When I look at him, his hands are running up and down his legs, fidgeting with the fabric. It’s as if he doesn’t know what to do or say either. Like neither of us knows how to break the uncomfortable silence.

And before you know it, we’ve arrived at my home, paid the cab driver, and walked up the stairs. We’ve not said a word since we left the Lagoon. And to be honest, I wouldn’t even know what to say.

He was right. I am a bad liar.

Why? Because I only wanted to leave so we wouldn’t actually go to third base, and I told him something completely different. I bet he knows.

I can see it in his eyes, in the way he looks at me. They’re … different. Insatiable.

And the moment I stick my keys into my lock and open the door, I sigh and turn around, opening my mouth to say something.

“Thanks for coming to the Lagoon with me tonight.”

“Thanks for showing me your awesome design tonight.”

We spoke at the same time.

I snort and hide a laugh in my hand while he shakes his head, muffling a laugh.

“You’re welcome,” he says.

“I had a good time,” I say.

His hand rests on the doorframe as he says, “Me too. Even if it was supposed to be all work, we’re allowed to have fun every once in a while.”

“We are?” I raise a brow.

“Anything I say goes,” he muses, winking.

I grin, clutching my purse close, not wanting him to leave.

“You did well, Lesley. I can’t wait to see more.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

I bite my lip, looking down at my feet and wondering if I should invite him in.

“I’ll see you at work then?” he says, licking his lips in a way that makes me want to grab him and lick them too.

“Uh, yeah,” I say, gulping up a short breath. “Of course.”

He smiles, his eyes so warm and … seductive. “You looked lovely tonight.”

My cheeks turn red, and I want to smack myself for being so shy all of a sudden. This is so not me. I’m not the girl who fawns over a man and look at me now, turning into a puddle.

I don’t want to admit it, but he is seriously the funniest, sexiest man I know right now.

And the way he’s looking at me right now makes me wanna pull him inside.

Maybe he’s thinking the same thing because he’s not leaving.

“Good night, Lesley,” he says, and my heart drops into my shoes.

He turns around. “Good night,” I reply, wishing he’d touch me one last time. Maybe then I’d finally be able to stop.

But I can’t.

And neither can he.

Because before I know it, he’s spun on his heels, grabbed my face, and kissed me hard and wild.