Arrogant Boss

“Julian, honestly, you’re impossible.” Her green eyes were narrowed as they glared into mine. “I’m not jealous.”

“Great. Because I am.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “Of my dinner date?”

I ignore her question. “I’ll be straight with you. I told you why I had to cancel-a family emergency.”

“Yes, but I saw-”

“My step-mother. She insists on going to fancy places whenever we meet to discuss family business. It’s annoying, but it’s most certainly not anything you should feel threatened by.”

Emily glanced up at me through thick lashes, conflict in her eyes. The woman was a stunner. “Your step-mother?”

“Yes. I’m sure you could even look it up online if you don’t believe me. Honest.”

She laughed suddenly, and an unexpected thrill ran through me at the sound. “Wow.”

“Why didn’t you come over and say hello?”

“You two seemed to be arguing. And, well…”

“You thought I was taking another woman out to dinner?”

“Yes.””I have a suggestion, Ace.” I cocked an eyebrow and took a step closer, so that we were only inches from touching.

“I’m listening.”

“You’ve just established that you don’t want me to date anyone else. No, don’t object. Your jealousy did it for you.”

Emily pursed her lips. “I was just annoyed.”

I couldn’t help smiling. “Alright, we’ll call it annoyed. I haven’t dated anyone since I met you, and I won’t-if you won’t.”

“You want us to, what, promise not to date anyone? But we’re not dating each other either!”

I nodded. “Exactly. We spend time together, and neither of us gets jealous. Win-win.”

A slow smile spread across her features. “You’re were jealous of my date, too aren’t you?”

“Hell, yeah.” I wish I had seen the fucker, so I would have known what kind of guys she usually preferred. “Where were you sitting?”

“Near the back.” Emily inched closer and I had to tilt my head down to meet her eyes. I could feel the heat of her body, see the curve of her breasts. It would be so easy to pull her flush against me and feel her softness.

“We don’t see other people while we’re dating” I murmured. “That stops.”

“Indefinitely?”

“Yes. Until we’ve… figured out whatever this is.”

Emily leaned in, almost as if she was swaying. Her lips were open slightly. I couldn’t help it-I bent my head and touched my forehead against hers, our mouths so close I could feel the warmth of her exhale.

“Let me tell you a secret,” she breathed.

“What?””I was out with Denise last night, my best friend since middle school. Not a boy in sight.”

I smiled in relief. “You baited me.”

“Yes. And somehow, it worked.”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

I could kiss her like this, give us both what we clearly wanted. Her luscious, warm lips were only an inch away from mine. We didn’t break eye contact as Emily wet her lips, almost absently.

Fuck.

My entire body hardened in response to the subconscious invitation. But I couldn’t-we couldn’t-not here.

I stepped away. “No.

Her hand found my forearm, as if she wanted to keep me close. “Why not?”

“Not in here. It’s not a good idea.”

Emily’s eyes were still molten. “The door is closed.”

“Exactly. And if I kiss you here, it won’t stop with just a kiss.”

Emily rolled her eyes, the desire in her eyes now mixed with a familiar teasing glint. “You’re that sure of yourself, Hunt?”

I backed up towards the door even though it physically hurt me to move away from her. “I’ve never had any bad reviews. Meet me on Sunday. Midday. I have an idea.”

“What about tonight?”

I grinned. Now she was the one hungry for me. “I thought you had plans?”

“Yeah, well, plans change.”

“They do. Sunday. I’ll pick you up.”

“Text me,” she murmured.

“Oh, I will.”

“Wear something comfortable.”

That’s all the information Julian gave me for our Sunday date.

I didn’t ask for more details, but I did tell him to park down the street because I still hadn’t told Turner about us. It wasn’t like there was anything to share really, at least not yet. And at the moment I had far more pressing issues. What did comfortable clothing mean? Yoga pants and a sports bra? Sneakers and sweats?

I settled on a pair of dark-wash jeans, a white shirt, and a brown leather jacket. Looking in the mirror, shaking out my long hair, I thought I looked chic. Someone who might even be described as cool.