Lillian
“All right, then,” he agrees, but doesn’t move from his spot. “Where shall we do this thing?”
In the lobby.
I should say, “In the lobby.”
I should say we’ll do this thing in a place where anyone could see, where anyone could walk in at any moment. That way, things can’t possibly get out of control. That way, things can’t possibly get crazy.
“In your office,” I say instead.
“My office?”
“Yes.”
“Let me get this straight, just to be sure we understand each other,” Owen says in his deep voice, but doesn’t move. “You want to play Truth or Dare with me in my very private, very isolated office? Alone?”
“Yes,” I squeak out the word, but it sounds a little slutty or a little crazy to me. I can’t tell which. I can’t tell whether I’m being seductive or just weird, but I try not to worry about it too much.
I can’t over-think this.
Then again, hasn’t that been the story of my life?
Over-thinking?
It explains how I ended up here, working at Westerluck Law, P.C., as a 25-year-old virgin.
It explains how I have never had a serious relationship in my life.
It explains how I haven’t got a clue.
I don’t have life experience because I haven’t really lived. I’ve been too busy worrying about what’s right and what’s wrong and whether I’m going to regret the decision.
Then I pick the safe choice.
It’s not always the easy choice, but I always, always pick the safe choice.
Maybe it’s time to change.
Maybe it’s time to be brave.
Maybe it’s time to be just a little, tiny bit crazy.
And maybe that all starts with Owen.
“All right, then, darling,” Owen says. “Lead the way.” I swiftly move down the hallway toward his office. I hear him close my own office door behind us, but I’m too busy scurrying down the hall to pay attention to anything else.
I’m too busy to see something that’s right in front of me.
Like the stack of boxes sitting in the middle of the hall outside his doorway, the ones Jill was supposed to move earlier.
I hit the boxes and fall, landing on a pile of papers and files.
Maybe Owen didn’t see.
“Are you okay?”
Yep. He definitely saw.
“Fine,” I manage to say, but I struggle to get back to my feet. Maybe it’s because I’m embarrassed or maybe I’m just bad at being an adult female, but I can’t seem to get up. Then he helps me.
Owen slides his arms under my own and lifts me, helping me to my feet.
“Thank you,” I say when I’m right-side up.
“Any injuries?”
“I’m fine.”
“You should let me check.”
My back is to him, but I turn now and look at him. Suddenly, Owen doesn’t look so intimidating. Suddenly, he doesn’t look as scary as he usually does. Suddenly, he just looks like some guy. He just looks like some guy who wants to impress a girl he likes, and that girl is me.
Does he like me?
Is there a chance?
“Yeah,” I agree. “You can check me over.”
We ignore the boxes and files, which is strange enough on its own because Owen is the tidiest man I’ve ever met. Then we head into Owen’s office.
The familiar scent of pine and whiskey fills the room.
“Been drinking?” I ask.
“No,” he says with a smile.
I look toward the table where he keeps his Johnnie Walker. There are two glasses out, but they’re empty, and I raise an eyebrow.
“Looks like you were thinking about it.”
Suddenly, he’s right behind me, and his breath is hot in my ear. Owen has never stood this close to me before and suddenly, I can’t breathe. Suddenly, my stomach tightens and arousal fills my body. Suddenly, I’m not quite ready for what’s about to happen.
“Maybe I was just hopeful I’d get you in here for a game of Truth or Dare.”
“Did you plan this snowstorm?” I ask, keeping my voice level and serious.
“I may have done a rain dance or two today.”
“And why would you do a silly thing like that?” I ask.
“Oh, Lillian,” he whispers. “You really don’t know how beautiful you are, do you?”
“I’m average,” I say.
Then Owen does something I don’t expect, something I wouldn’t have thought he was capable of. He bites me.
He bites me right on the fucking neck.
“Ouch!” I screech, jumping forward and out of his reach. “What was that for?”
“You’re in my office now. That means my rules. Rule number one is don’t talk bad about yourself, Lillian. You’ve never been average in your life, but then, I think you know that. Don’t you?”