Page 13 of Jealous Boss

“As if what?”

She shrugs and I try not to see the way the hoodie moves over the swell of her tits. “As if telling me not to worry about being in a strange city with strangers is as easy as snapping your fingers.”

“Maggie has been taking care of you, hasn’t she?”

She nods. “She’s nice, but I can’t help but feel I’ve been pawned off on her, you know?”

I know, sinceI’vebeen the one doing the pawning off.

A hint of unfamiliar guilt scratches at the back of my neck, which I’m sure is what prods me into saying, “And you’re not surrounded by strangers. You know me. We’re neighbors. I invited you to dinner.”

Her eyes darken and she’s trembling now. Butnotwith fear. She squirms in her seat, and I see the faintest points appear beneath her hoodie.

My mouth waters and I can’t take my eyes off her chest. Her budding nipples.

Fuck.

“Yes, you did. But out of obligation. You said so.”

It’s safer to leave her with that thought. And I do.

Turning away, I swipe her empty plate off the counter and stalk to the sink. Scraping it off, I shove it into the dishwasher, then straighten when I hear the squeak of her stool.

When I turn, she’s standing next to it, toying with the hem of her hoodie. “You didn’t even eat the dinner you prepared yourself.”

I frown. How the hell do I tell her my appetite is for a different meal altogether? The one between her legs?

I don’t.

Things have gone way off chart since she walked into the firm and onto my floor three days ago. The quicker I rein in this insanity, the better for everyone involved.

“I’ll eat later.” I make the point of glancing pointedly at my watch. “I have a call with Abu Dhabi in about ten minutes.”

Again a dash of hurt crosses her face and I want to kick my ass all the way to Florida. But I lock my knees as she nods. “I’ll go then.”

She heads for the door. My feet move after her before I clock what I’m doing.

I reach past her to open the front door, then shut it behind me as we step out into the hallway.

She blinks at me. “What are you doing?”

I catch her elbow in my hand and for a second I regret that her long sleeves prevent me from touching her skin. Then I wise up. “I’m walking you to your door, Pia. It’s the neighborly thing to do.”

I press the button for the elevator and it comes too quickly. Just as quickly as the ride one floor down and to her front door.

Her hand shakes a little as she holds the keycard to the electronic lock, and before I know it we’re back at the same position we were ninety minutes ago.

“Well…merci…umm, thanks for the dinner. And for checking up on me.”

I stifle a groan at another French slip. “Are you in the habit of doing that?”

“Doing what?”

“Slipping French into your conversations?”

Faint pink stains her cheeks. “O-only when I’m nervous.”

My heart and my cock kick again.Hard.

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