When I breathe, I’m sure something strange is happening to me, the way my body starts warming up, like there’s a tremoring bomb inside of me just waiting to explode.
“Ah,” I murmur, staring up at him.
His lip twitches. It’s like he’s mocking me. Or maybe he’s just amused by how awkward I’m being.
I only realize I’m twirling my hair around and around my finger when I see his eyes – hissteady, unchanging eyes – flit to the movement.
My hand drops, and I laugh, though nothing funny is happening.
“Do I need to give you a pass?” I ask.
It’s the first time I’ve seen him at this gym. He walks even closer, so close now he could lean across the desk and brush his powerful hand along my cheek, could hold me gently then bring his lips to mine, could…
I stop it. Again. The crazed flow of impossible thoughts. It can’t keep happening.
“No,” he says after a pause.
My heart’s beating far too fast. My panties are suddenly the most freaking uncomfortable things in the universe.
It’s that scent, thatfeeling.
It makes my whole body feel ready...but for what?
Look at him, tall, broad, handsome, and completely in control of himself. He’s probably got a new woman every week, all of them tall, sexy, and glamorous.
All of them very clearlynot me.
Which is fine; I need a job, not a lover.
Liar, a voice hisses.You need him. Only him. Always him.
“Okay.”
I trail off, waiting to see if he’ll say anything else. His eyes are fixated on me as though nothing else exists.
He stares at me,intome, and through me, and I gaze back, telling myself his eyes are blue, only blue, and there’s never been a hint of red in them.
“Is everything going okay?” he asks, taking a step back.
I get the sense something’s happened, as though he’s purposefully distancing himself from me.
It’s like he’s decidedit’s time to stop flirting.
Except we weren’t. This is all in my head.
“Excellent, thank you,” I say, doing my best to beam.
Mom needs money. Employers like happy workers, and this man is my boss.
That’s the only thing I should be concerned about, not imagining what it would be like if he wrapped those solid arms around me, hugged me close to his chest, and let me feel his firm body pressed against mine.
Then I’d never have to worry about Master Pete or anybody else coming after me. My man would protect me.
He turns, shattering the illusion I never should’ve held to begin with.
“See you soon, Ruby,” he says, walking through the reception toward the gym.
“See you soon,” I whisper, hoping it’s true.