Page 103 of The Reluctant Hero

A knock on the desk comes from in front of me. My surprised gaze travels up to take Gabriel in as he stands at the other side with a raised brow.

“Stop ignoring me.”

“If you weren’t so boring, I might be able to pay attention.” My immediate comeback makes my heart sink. I’m leading this along like a champ despite all the warning bells ringing everywhere.

He sits down in a chair across from me, and I want to smack myself for not noticing he dragged one over.

“I’m here to work, not fraternize,” I try to keep the desperation out of my voice, but I’m panicking.

“Right,” he gives me a mocking look.

“Are you saying I’m not working?” My irritation rushes back in to save me.

“You should be done with this already,” he gestures to the box. “You’re riding the clock to get more money.”

I gape at him while he smirks.

“I am not!”

He nods slowly as if he’s accepting the denial while mocking me at the same time.

“You dick,” I start scowling. “I’ve started dreaming about dancing highlighters and random names. If that isn’t a sign I’m working my ass off over here, then I don’t know what is.”

“If you stop drinking at night, your dreams might get better.”

“It was one night!One!” I practically scream. “Maybe you need to get out there and party for once. The experience might take the stick out of your ass.”

“I have liquor here,” he leans back with a satisfied smile.

My expression drops into disgust. “Of course you do. Go get some now and save me the headache.Please.”

“You want to know where it is that badly? Should I be concerned?”

I close my eyes tightly and try to breathe in and out to seek some kind of inner peace. It’s not working.

“What’s wrong, Mana-chan?” He cajoles with honey-covered seductive tones. “Are you feeling ok?”

“No. Do you know what an aneurysm feels like? Oh wait, you’re frozen solid, so you wouldn’t. Let’s call Mikael instead. He should be an expert after dealing with you-”

I’m not paying attention when the chair creaks but I am definitely paying attention after warm lips meet mine. My eyes snap open as Gabriel moves back a bare inch. The smile on his face wavers for a second and then drops to become intent. Hiseyes flick to my mouth, and he leans in again. He’s slow enough that I could put a stop to it. I don’t.

A brief press of lips. I press back. And then it’s on. My breath escapes me, giving him a chance to slide his tongue inside. I make a choked sound that spurs him on. His hand moves to my jaw, keeping me in place as the kiss deepens. Every time we separate, it’s to catch a quick breath and dive back in.

What am I doing? This is a horrible idea. What about Ace? Mikael? Hell, even Cade. I’m not the type of person to throw myself at anyone that looks twice. At least, I wasn’t.

“Stop thinking,” he mutters hoarsely.

“Shut up,” I weakly snap back before he takes my mouth over again.

I feel dizzy the next time he pulls away.

“You are the best distraction.”

My body stiffens as he presses another kiss to my suddenly slack lips.

What the fuck does that mean?

I’m about to ask when he lurches away from me and sits down at his desk. He snatches up the pen with his face down in paperwork.

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