I lean over the balustrade and watch Lesley play with Pepper on the work floor down below. I can’t take my eyes off her. I admit, I’m a little bit obsessed to the point that it’s becoming unhealthy, but I don’t wanna look away either.
It’s just too damn cute. The way she’s dragging the dog along with a makeshift toy, and how she tries to get her attention with a treat, or how she pets her and says, “Good girl,” after Pepper ran after the toy and brought it back to her. Or how she smiles so brightly when she sees how much Pepper adores her.
Lesley even managed to teach Pepper to raise her paw and give her a high five. The smile on Lesley’s face is infectious. I can’t help it. I think I’m losing the fight.
I should’ve stopped after buying her panties. Shouldn’t have looked her up. Shouldn’t have hired her. But it’s too late to turn back time now. She’s here, and I have to deal with that… and this rising urge to kiss her.
“You like her, don’t you?”
Beau’s sudden voice makes me jolt up and down.
“Jesus, Beau, why do you always sneak up on me like that?”
He laughs and places a hand on my shoulder. “You’re sexy when you’re terrified.”
“You know I don’t swing that way,” I say.
“No, you swing that way,” he jokes, pointing at Lesley, who’s still running around with the dog just below us.
“Don’t point at her!” I bark, swatting his hand down.
“Or what? Afraid she’s gonna notice?” He raises his brow. “Honey, that ship has long sailed.” He pats me on the back and says, “Good luck with that.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask as he’s already turned around to sashay off. “What ship?”
He stops in his tracks and glances at me. “Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed. She keeps looking at you with those sheepish eyes. Every time she’s near you, she can’t keep her eyes off you. She has the hots for you.”
My eyes widen. “What? How do you know?”
He points at his eyes. “Honey, I see things around here.”
“Right … because you’re the company gossiper.” I roll my eyes.
Beau laughs and says, “Oh, TJ … when will you ever learn?” He shakes his head. “Never mess with an employee.”
“I’m not messing around with anyone,” I hiss, trying to keep everyone else from hearing.
“No, but I know it won’t be long until you do,” he says, shrugging. “I’m just telling it how it is.” He waves. “Anyway, gotta go back to work.”
“You’d better show me that new design you’ve been cooking up today, Beau!”
“I know. It’s coming fast and hard!” he jests, making me chuckle.
With a soft smile, I grab the railing and peer down below at the girl waving a toy around. She chucks it far when the dog is all pumped up, causing Pepper to sprint off like a rocket. I love watching her play with Pepper. It’s like she’s really getting to know the dog. Getting to know how it works around here. Getting to know me.
I shouldn’t get so close. Shouldn’t get so lost in her beauty. But I am. And I can’t stop.
I’m becoming hooked.
And the moment she looks up and returns my stare with a smile, I know I’m in deep.
But when I realize what I’m doing, my eyes grow big in shock, so I look away and whistle.
Right. Because that’s exactly what you should do when you get caught staring at the girl you’ve got a crush on. You whistle.
* * *
When I’m finally home after a long day at work, I unwind by taking off my tie and jacket and pouring myself a scotch. Dozer’s already made himself a nice little bed on a pair of baggy pants I wear on the weekends, so I’d better not wake him up or face the whining for three hours while they’re in the washer.
I look around the room and take a sip of my scotch, but no matter how much I drink, the alcohol never out burns the need I feel inside me. Whenever I’m alone, all I do is think of her and how much I want to touch her, taste her, smell her.
I don’t know why. It’s just this … energy she’s got. It’s invigorating. It makes me smile. And worse. Her grin and brazen eyes make me wanna do bad things to her.
My cock springs up at the thought of grabbing her and taking her on my desk, but that would be so wrong. What if someone catches us? No, don’t even think about that.
I’ll just have to settle for giving myself exactly what I need. I just have to hope it’s enough to quench my thirst. But as I look at the bedroom, my eyes can only focus on one thing.