Page 5 of Strictly Business

“Thank you,” he murmurs, taking the coffee with a slight nod. He sips it, his eyes briefly meeting mine before he shifts his focus back to the screen in front of him.

“You’re welcome,” I reply. I can’t help but notice how the waistband of my pleated skirt feels tighter than usual, and I adjust it slightly, trying to make it more comfortable. I blame the emotional eating I did over the weekend.

“If this is about tonight, I’m so sorry for the delay, but I can assure you I’m almost done.”

He pulls his gaze from the screen, his thick brows furrowing as he focuses on me. “Tonight?”

I can’t help but take a second to appreciate the sheer perfection of this man. His strong jawline and dark hair give off a Henry Cavill vibe, effortlessly handsome in a way that makes you do a double take. His muscles are straining against the fabric of his shirt, and I can’t shake Jade’s comment about wanting to see what’s underneath.

I clear my throat, trying to push those thoughts out of my head. “Yeah, the… the date you asked me to set up.”

His brows relax. “Oh. Right.” He shakes his head, lips pressed into a tight line. “Sorry, I completely forgot.” He turns back to his computer screen. “You can send me her details once you’ve chosen.”

I blink. Normally, he has me narrow the list down to a handful of candidates, from which he picks his favorite. “You want me to choose?”

His eyes meet mine, and he gives a subtle nod. “I trust you.”

I swallow at his words. “Okay. I’ll take care of it.”

He nods, eyes already back on the screen. “Actually, I called you in here to let you know this week’s going to be a little hectic,” he begins, fingers tapping rapidly on the keyboard. “I’ve got a few things I need your help with for the board meeting, so I’m going to be working you hard this week.” He pauses, gaze locking onto mine with a focus which makes my heart do an involuntary flip. “I hope that’s okay.”

Jade’s teasing words echo in my mind, and a flush spreads across my face. “Yep,” I say, my voice cracking a little. “Not a problem.”

Nicholas narrows his eyes, studying me. “Are you okay?”

Crap. I nod quickly, forcing a smile. “Perfectly fine. I should get back to my desk.”

He leans back slightly, watching me with an intense, calculating look. Heat rises in my face as I turn and quickly slip out of the door, my heart pounding in my chest.

Once the door clicks shut behind me, I take a deep breath and square my shoulders, walking back to my desk where Jade and Sophie are deep in conversation. The moment they see me, their eyes lock on mine.

“So… what did the boss want?”

I narrow my eyes at them, the memory of my flushed face and their relentless teasing still fresh in my mind. “I hate you guys.”

Chapter two

Nicholas

Red eyes.

Red fucking eyes.

The door clicks closed behind Amara as she leaves, but the image of her face lingers.

I’m used to seeing Amara’s warm, green gaze, flecked with gold that catches the light. Used to looking away from those eyes before they make me think too much. But today, they’re dull, rimmed with red. Her lips look swollen, her whole expression shadowed by sadness.

She’s been crying.

I don’t make a habit of involving myself in my assistant’s life. Or anyone else’s here, for that matter. But the thought lingers, an unwelcome itch at the back of my mind. What happened to make her look like that?

My mind drifts to her boyfriend. Or maybe ex-boyfriend. The memory of him showing up at the office Christmas party two years ago comes into mind. He’d turned what should have beena good time into a public embarrassment for her. She’d been mortified, her face bright red as she apologized to everyone in sight, practically dragging him out of the building. I don’t even know if they’re still together.

A throat clears, and I’m startled to remember I’m not alone. Ethan’s still sprawled in the chair across from my desk, one leg crossed casually over the other, his smirk firmly in place.

“Forgot I was here, didn’t you?” he asks, the amusement in his voice grating.

“No,” I lie, dragging my gaze back to the papers on my desk.

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