Page 71 of #Bossholes

My heart hammers in my chest, my skin breaks out in goosebumps, and I need space. He’s still several feet away, butit’s too close. I stumble back against the counter, gripping it for dear life, needing the cool granite to ground me, to keep me sane.

He cocks his head to the side and takes a step toward me. And then another.

Something flashes across his face, something dark, and there’s something in the way he walks that makes me think of a predator stalking his prey. He looks like he’s on the verge of losing control, and I want to be the one to send him plummeting over the edge.

I tighten my fingers on the counter, the stone digging into my fingers. He stops right in front of me, his chest nearly brushing mine. I should look away, break this connection between us, but I can’t. I’m completely frozen; well, except for the tremble working its way through my body.

He leans toward me, a riot of emotions crossing his face. He wants this, me, but he doesn’t want to.

His gaze flicks to my lips. He raises his hand but hesitates, his fingers inches from me. He blows out a breath, closes his eyes for a few seconds, and then tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. His touch is light as his fingers flutter down my neck, his thumb running along my hammering pulse.

I want—no, I need him to kiss me. I need it more than the oxygen filling my lungs.

I tip my head back, my lashes closing, ready for what’s inevitable.

Only it never comes.

A hum of displeasure is the only warning I get before Brantley steps back, grabs a few bottles of water, and leaves.

It takes a minute for my heart rate to return to normal, for the daze to clear from my head. He wanted to kiss me, I’m sure of it, but then his words echo through my brain.

It’s going to be because you beg me for it.

And I’m not ready to beg, so I pull up my metaphorical big girl pants and make my way into the living room.

Maverick and Colin have taken up residence in the loveseat, and the only vacant spot is on the couch.

In between Brantley and Wyatt.

I can do this, right? I can be a grown up. I can sit between my two gorgeous twin bosses, no problem. It’s no big deal.

Except, it is. One of them almost kissed me a minute ago, and I’m going to have a panic attack the second I sit down.

Keep it together, Kins. You’ve got this. It’s just dinner. A completely innocent dinner.

It would be great if I believed a word of it, but I don’t because apparently I’m a terrible liar. And despite the fact I keep telling myself my night with them was a one time only opportunity, I want more.

Which is silly.

I can’t lust after my bosses, and I sure as heck can’t risk my job. Oh, and let’s not forget that I just got epically dumped not that long ago. Sure, I’m not heartbroken or anything, but the man’s guitar is six feet from me. You can’t move on when you still have your ex’s stuff, right? Isn’t there some kind of rule about that?

Wyatt glances back at me and pats the cushion next to him, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “I saved you a seat.”

Of course he did.

We all fill up our plates, and Brantley turns on Thor: Ragnarok after a brief conversation with Colin, making sure the subtitles are turned on.

It’s a simple gesture but one that has my breath catching in my throat. Most people don’t even think about it; they just let the movie play until we ask for the subtitles to be turned on. No one asks. No one double checks. But Brantley just did it.

Dang it. Now I really wish he had kissed me in the kitchen.

Do you like your nuts?Wyatt signs, and I nearly choke on my BBQ chicken. One, because that seems like a rather personal question and two, when the hell did he have time to learn ASL?

Colin’s eyes widen as he looks down at himself then back at Wyatt.Nuts?

Brantley’s shoulders shake with laughter, but he doesn’t say a word to clarify.

“Did you mean to ask Colin if he likes his nuts?” I ask, my voice cautious.

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