Page 13 of Mated To My Boss

I tear it open to reveal a small note inside. It's handwriting I don’t recognize, leaving me with even less to go on. All I can work with is the message on the paper.

“You looked extra beautiful today. I love the outfit.” I frown, despite the compliment.

What the hell is this?The fact that I know this isn't from Nate makes it feel creepy. I tear the paper and crumple it into a ball. I take it with me as I go inside and dump it in the trash can.

By the time I went to bed that night, I had forgotten everything about the envelope. When I woke up the next morning, it was to start another day of work.

My tired eyes open slowly, and I get up with a groan, upset that my alarm has loudly interrupted the amazing dream I was having.

Unlike what happened in real life, Nate and I were enjoying ourselves and I woke up when I was so close to climax, but I know a wonderful dream is no substitute for the real thing.

I walk mindlessly to the kitchen and start the coffee, watching the ebony liquid of life fill the pot. My gaze drifts and somehow rests on the trashcan in the corner of the kitchen.

I look at the little bits of brown and white paper, promptly remembering the envelope under the door last night.

Who was that from?

I can’t come up with any reasonable theories before my coffee is ready, so I push the question to the corner of my mind once more, leaving it there to be forgotten.

Chapter 5

NATE

“Hold the door!”

I remain still, but one of the other three people in the elevator steps forward to stop the doors from closing. I sigh, already knowing the next face I'm about to see.

Madeline appears with a smile that feels like a ray of sunshine. “Thank you,” she says to no one in particular before scurrying over to me. “Good morning,” she murmurs.

“Morning,” I respond.

We stand side by side, saying nothing as the elevator climbs. The three people with us remain completely unaware of our presence. They don’t notice that Madeline is inching closer to me ever so slightly.

The door opens once more on our floor where we’re the only ones to get off. I walk toward the cubicles with Madeline in tow. She walks right behind me, not saying anything but keeping herself close enough for our scents to mingle.

It's been three days since the incident in my office, and I still find myself replaying moments from it in my mind. Not just the physical intimacy, but seeing that adventurous part of her that I once fell in love with. Can I really trust what I see?

“Hey, boss man.”

I turn to see Olivia walking over to me, and Madeline's expression changes.

“Good morning, Olivia,” I return.

“Good morning. Did you get the sample I sent? I thought about drafting another one, but I'm not sure how many is too many.”

“It was fine,” I assure her. “If I need any help, I'll let you know.”

Olivia replies with a nod and a smile and walks away. I continue on to my office with Madeline trailing me. I expect her to go to Cora's office, but she ends up coming to mine instead.

“Madeline—”

“Good morning, Olivia,”she mimics. “Do you go around flirting with everyone in the office?”

I pause before bursting into a short laugh. “Are you crazy? Olivia and I aren't like that. We're barely even friends, she just works for me.”

I go to my chair and sit, booting the computer immediately. Madeline walks around the office like this is her first time in it. Her eyes wander to everything except me.

“You were so concerned about whether I'd been with anyone. What about you?” Madeline stops at the window, admiring the view.

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