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“W-we shouldn’t be doing this.”

For a brief second, doubt flickers across his face.

It’s reckless.

Idiotic.

His lips are a hairsbreadth from mine. “I enjoy breaking rules now and then.”

And utterly, deliriously appealing.

His mouth is right there, full and tempting, and all I’d have to do is tilt my head to close the scant distance between us. My tongue darts out to wet my lips, and his eyes track the movement, darkening with undisguised hunger.

I should go. I should push him away and remind him of the boundaries that should exist between us. Just as I’m about to give in to temptation, Connor draws back, releasing me from whatever spell had been cast.

What? Why?

Fuck him. “You know I have a boyfriend, right?”

He chuckles. “Ah yes, the fictional boyfriend you’ve reminded me of five times already.”

“His name is Chris. He’s not fictional.”

“Don’t you have a meeting to go to?” He turns away, grabbing his stuff.

I glance at the clock on my phone. I do.

“See you around… Blue.” He brushes past me.

Chapter 13

Mary

Why does him leaving make me wish he would come back? Every time, Connor manages to leave me flustered and confused. I don’t know how to read him or his intentions.

No. I got what I wanted. He’s gone.

With a deep breath, I smooth my clothes and head out the door. I can’t focus on Connor now. I have work to do.

But every word spoken during the meeting becomes background noise as I try to understand what transpired earlier. I can’t even stalk him back because he’s a ghost. There is no social media or anything about him on the internet. After the meeting, I head back to my office. I need to keep busy and not let my thoughts stray to those intense eyes, that crooked smile.

Why does he still have this effect on me? I wish I could just ignore him and everything he stirs up because, somehow, he’s gotten under my skin again, making me obsessed.

Hours tick by without notice until darkness eventually falls outside my window. Only then do I realize how late it is. This time, Connor didn’t write me, to remind me to go home. Is he busy?

I glance at the camera. Is he not watching?

Don’t care, I’m outta here. I grab my bag and jacket and sprint out of the office, not bothering to say goodbye to anyone. All I want is to get home and curl up on the couch with a glass of wine and forget this entire day ever happened.

As soon as I step through the front door of our apartment, I kick off my heels and let out a long sigh, leaning back against the door. The space feels hollow and empty. Just me and these blank walls.

I head to the kitchen, dumping my purse on the counter. Looks like it’s ramen night again. As the noodles simmer, I scroll mindlessly through social media on my phone, liking photos of people I barely know.

Photos of happy couples at restaurants, group shots of friends at parties, and highlights of lives that seem full and connected. I slam my phone onto the kitchen counter and pour myself a generous amount of red wine into a glass.

Screw it, I deserve this after the day I’ve had.

Taking a long, indulgent sip, I let the familiar warmth spread through me, easing some of the tension in my muscles. I close my eyes. His face, his voice and his touch, it’s all burned into my memory.

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