Page 62 of Melted by a Man

My shoulders slumped a bit, disappointment making my stomach feel tight. Leo said something, his eyebrows raising and a smirk tugging on his lips as he engaged in the conversation.

And I felt like the biggest ass.

Why I thought a stupid flirty text from me would maybe help lift his spirits was silly.

I had just stood off from the wall, ready to sulk back into my office, when the older man laughed loudly and turned to say something specifically to Brandon. When the attention was no longer on him, I saw Leo flip his phone back over, keeping it close to his thigh as his thumbs tapped over the screen.

I froze, holding my breath.

Leo settled back in his chair, keeping his phone out of sight and face down when he was done, and locked his gaze on the men in the room with him.

My phone buzzed in my hand. I stepped back to lean against the wall once more and opened the message, my heart racing in my chest.

My nerves were so frantic, like I was a teenager texting her first crush again.

Leo: I was deeply serious.

My cheeks heated. I glanced up at him again, surprised at how he looked so professional and unphased. He even laughed at something Brandon said, multitasking like a pro.

Me: What would that look like for you, exactly?

I watched as he waited for the attention to be off of him again before he flipped his phone over and read my message. His face didn’t change at all. Leo had an excellent poker face as he tapped his response.

My phone vibrated against my chest right when he leaned back in his chair, looking a little more alert than he was before.

Leo: However you want it to look. You can call the shots.

I fought against a smile at that. My heart was still racing, because I couldn’t remember the last time that I had a discussion like this over text messages. It was fun, being able to have a secret conversation with him like this during the workday. Watching him play the role of a professional CTO while also discussing the terms of a sexual relationship with me.

He yawned a bit, covering his mouth with his hand as he nodded at something someone said in the room.

So I decided to kick it up a notch.

Me: I thought it was obvious how much I liked it when *you* called the shots.

I inhaled a breath and held it until I saw him flip over his phone again to read my newest message.

He stilled in his seat, before I saw him lift a hand and mindlessly drag his thumb back and forth across his bottom lip.

He focused on this message for a few seconds longer than the others. I could see a pinch in his brow as he stared at his phone. Forcing myself to release my breath, I tried not to spiral about how I may have made this a little too forward. Perhaps there was subtlety etiquette when it came to having text conversations like this that I didn’t know about.

Trust him to tell you when you cross a line,I silently reminded myself.

Finally, Leo thumbed away on his phone again. Mine buzzed in response, but I took a moment to watch him adjust in his chair. How he shifted his position so he wasn’t laying back as much. He was sitting straighter, and I thought I saw him quickly adjust how his pants folded in his lap.

I finally made myself read his newest message.

Leo: Be careful what you ask for, Jacqueline. I have quite an appetite when it comes to you.

Me: I know. I can still feel your tongue.

Leo glanced up at the ceiling after reading my response. The way his head tilted toward the overhead lighting let me see a very, very faint flush on his cheeks. I saw his chest expand as he inhaled through his nose before he dropped his head again to reread my text. As he thought about how to reply, I watched how Brandon and the other old men were deep into their conversation. Paying little to no attention to Leo during this part of the meeting.

Then I decided to send another text before Leo had the chance to respond.

Me: Let me know when and how you want me, Mr. Turner. I also have an appetite. One that only you can satiate right now.

Me: In the meantime, I can enjoy watching you get flustered during your meetings.

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