“You. Specifically. You always seem to have such a good grip on life.” I shake my head and smile slightly. “Or does that come with age?”
“Pushing the age card now, Sophia?” He shakes his head and steps closer to me. “That’s low.”
“I’m kind of serious. I barely feel like a real adult most days. I know I am one, but I still feel eighteen and unprepared a lot of the time.”
He nods and thinks about that for a second. “I can tell you that we wouldn’t be confident having you in this position if that was the case. You do know what you’re doing. You doubt yourself, but that’s a good thing in moderation. It will keep you pushing to be better, stronger, more eager to move up in the world while also keeping you humble at the same time, and that’s a good thing, Soph.”
“Thanks.”
“I mean it.” He takes both my hands. “I do. You’re so good at your job, Sophie. You’re good at managing people. You are an asset to our team. Here and at home.”
I smirk slightly and shake my head. “Of course you bring up home.”
“Everything will be okay with your dad. He has the best doctors there. And we’re here for you.” His fingers lace through mine. “However you need us.”
Nick clears his throat, then laughs softly. “Look at this. Head of H.R. riding the line on work place appropriate things.”
“Seems like you’re giving up the high ground, Nick,” I murmur.
“Only if I kiss you.”
Our eyes meet, and it takes actual effort to keep from doing exactly that. I’m starving for distraction, but even more than that, I want him to know how much I appreciate him. I want all the guys to know that what we were doing in Italy, the conversations we shared, how close we got, that doesn’t disappear now that we’re back home.
Even if the dynamic shifts because work is a big time commitment. I rub over his chest. “Well, Mr. H.R., how much trouble would it get me in if I kissed you.”
He considers that, tapping his jaw. “Depends on who sees.”
I laugh and shake my head. “You’re ridiculous.”
“I’m honest … but they overlap sometimes.” Nick chuckles.
I lean forward, my nose brushing across his as I struggle for control. If we weren’t at work, I’d already be on top of him. Nick’s magnetic, sweet, gentle, and I love taking control with him. I take a deep breath and peck his lips quickly.
He shakes his head. “I don’t need to be worried if that’s what you consider a kiss.”
“Is that a challenge?” I ask.
“Did it sound like one, Sophie?”
I jerk him towards me by his shirt and really kiss him, sucking his bottom lip between mine before licking into his mouth. He holds the back of my head as I jerk him tighter against my body. Nick tastes like coffee and something sweet and his tongue massages mine so perfectly that I moan.
He tightens his hold on me, and I draw him into another kiss, pushing the limits on what we should be doing at work, but I can’t help it. I can’t help myself with any of these men. They broke whatever restraint I had long ago.
When I do pull back, I lick across my lips, wanting to taste more of Nick even though I know we have to stop. He exhales slowly and takes a step back. “You are pure temptation, Sophia.”
“Funny, I was thinking that about you.” I run my fingers down over his buttoned-up shirt. “If only your office didn’t have people running in and out every day.”
“That’s a tease.” He grumbles.
I laugh softly, then look past him and see Sasha with a vicious smile on her face. She turns, and I grab Nick’s hand. “So remember that thing you were worried about? Someone seeing us.”
His face pales. “Yes.”
“Sasha just did, and I think she’s on the warpath.” I take his hand and lead him after her. “I shouldn’t have kissed you. I’m sorry.”
“I’m not.” He chuckles. “But we should be more careful at work.”
“Especially in that elevator if memory serves.” I wink at him.
He shakes his head. “Well, we had some privacy there. It’s better than your office.”
“Especially considering Sasha walked in yesterday and interrupted ….”
“Oh, I’m well aware of that,” Nick says, releasing my hand. “I got an earful.”
I feel my face get hot and shake my head. He hums in his throat. “Shame, I think I misplaced that paperwork, though. I was too busy working on another project involving Sasha.”
He winks at me, and I chuckle. Before we can catch Sasha though I run into Holden. Nick continues on, but Holden steadies me as his eyes flick all over the room, taking it in. He actually looks professional, a nice white shirt and black slacks.
“What are you doing here?”
“I um …” He glances at the crowd of people again, all loud and talking over each other. I pull him to the break room that’s currently empty. “I need to talk to Gunner about a few charges I noticed on the main account since they don’t line up with previous months.”
“Oh. Okay, let’s get you there in one piece.” I offer.
Nick is more than capable of taking care of Sasha. So I’ll invest my time where it can do more. I rub Holden’s arm. “He’s close, don’t worry, and none of those salesmen will bother you.”
I’m going to make damn sure of that. I owe him some bodyguard skills.