At first, he ignored the question. He sorted through papers on his desk as if looking for something important. She used his distraction to move about his office without being watched. If she accepted his earlier offer, the room would soon be hers. She weighed her options.
On one hand, she could quit her job and start over at another firm. She was young enough to make it work. On the other hand, she could stick around and gain a new office along with a junior partnership that could lead to more opportunities. Skylar being her boss put a damper on things, sure, but she could find a clever way to get around him.
She walked by his packed boxes in the corner. It looked like he’d already cleaned out most of his client’s files. Other than the boxes, the office was clean and clutter-free. Well, except for his desk. Scattered papers, office supplies, and framed photos created a big mess on the surface.
“He’s upset with me for taking the Jensen case back.” Skylar left his chair and crossed the room to stand in front of her. He cleared his throat and shifted from one foot to the other. Whatever he wanted to say, it was obviously difficult for him to put it into words. He sighed. “I never should have taken the case from you. If you stay, I promise it won’t happen again.”
She folded her arms. “What changed your mind?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “If you must know, my mother informed me that if I wouldn’t take the case from a different lawyer, I shouldn’t take it from you.”
“That’s what I said, but you wouldn’t listen to me.” She made a mental note to thank Joann for talking sense to her son. At least he listened to one of them. She wasn’t sure she could trust him to keep his word though. “Would you be willing to put that in writing?”
His hands cupped her face, and he stroked her cheeks with gentle fingers, making her forget everything that was on her mind. She stopped thinking and started feeling. She marveled at how a single touch from him could turn her into a sensual creature she didn’t recognize. For the first time in her life, she was sexually attracted to a man enough to set everything else aside. She might even be willing to risk her heart.
“Come to my place for dinner tonight,” he said.
She nodded, mute.
“Do you want me to pick you up at your house?” he asked.
“No. I’ll drive myself so I can leave when I want.”
“Or so you can stay for as long as you desire.”
He grinned, and his dimples deepened, taking him from handsome to irresistible. His mouth descended for a breath-stealing kiss that pushed everything else from her mind again. It didn’t even matter to her that they were in his office where people could see them through a glass pane above the couch. She melted against him.
The kiss ended.
They stared into each other’s eyes.
Anna suddenly realized Skylar had become one of the most important aspects of her life. She couldn’t imagine living without him now. Somewhere along the line, she had fallen in love with him.
Her eyes widened, and her jaw dropped.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“N-nothing. I have... work to do.”
She raced from his office, terrified by her own thoughts. Being in love scared her more than the blasted elevator. The last thing she wanted to do was fall in love with her boss.
And what would Skylar do if he found out his plan had hit another snag?
He wasn’t the type of guy who’d want a workplace liaison.
If he found out she had feelings for him, he’d dump her like a nasty habit.