“You won’t hear me say no. Want to take a bath in the tub?”
“Sure.”
“Awesome. That way I can get you to relax. I’m seeing some broody lines I don’t like again.”
I swallowed. “That obvious?”
“A little.”
“I’m just thinking about the best way to secure everyone’s jobs. But I don’t want to ruin our mood with business talk.”
She rose on her toes, lacing her hands behind the back of my head. “You’re not. You can talk about it all you want.”
This woman got to me in a way no one else did. The sincerity in her eyes slayed me.
“So, mister. Get in the tub. I’ll give you a massage while you tell me everything that’s on your mind.”
She started by massaging my shoulders, but her hands kept slipping on my chest while I spoke.
“This massage is more for you than me. You’re feeling me up.”
“I’d deny it, but it’s true.”
“Maybe I should teach you a lesson. Feel you up. Tease you, drive you crazy for me.”
“You took me to a tree-lighting ceremony. You can get away with so much right now. Right...probably shouldn’t have given that away.”
I pulled her in my lap, splashing water everywhere, wiggling my eyebrows. “Probably not.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Sienna
On Monday, the celebratory vibe from the Christmas party seemed to carry on at the office. There was some leftover punch in the kitchen, though no one was starting to drink that early. Someone was listening to carols.
I smiled to myself, imagining Winston’s expression when he heard it. Just at the thought of him, my palms grew sweaty. My cheeks and neck felt on fire.
It was only after I unpacked my bag at home last night that I realized we hadn’t spoken about us—specifically, about how things were going to be between us from now on.
Had it been only a weekend thing? My entire body felt icy cold at the thought. It couldn’t be. He’d been so sweet and loving, and the way he’d spoken had sounded as if he considered this more than a fling.
The more I thought about it, the giddier I became. When Winston arrived, the entire floor gathered for the monthly goal-setting meeting.
I worked “Mr. Statham” into my sentences as many times as possible. Perhaps a few too many, judging by Winston’s amused glances, but I tried my best to be as professional as always.
It quickly became obvious we weren’t on the same page. Winston wasn’t even trying. He wasn’t being smooth at all.
He replied with “Sienna” to my every “Mr. Statham,” and the way he looked at me was downright shameless. Every time our gazes crossed, I felt as if he was physically touching me. Could anyone else feel this energy between us too?
Once the meeting was over, a few of us gathered in the kitchen for a cup of coffee.
“Anyone notice the boss smiling?” one of my colleagues asked.
“I thought I was imagining it. I didn’t even know Winston knew how to smile,” Mara said.
Half the team turned to me. “Sienna, what do you know?”
My ears felt on fire. “What do you mean?”