Page 17 of For the Promise

“Not now.”

She bites her bottom lip. “But maybe later?”

“I’m extremely busy.”

“You have to take a break sometime,” she sings before skipping out of my office.

As soon as the door closes behind her, I release the breath I was holding. Blossom is entirely too tempting. Her presence plays havoc on my emotions. This won’t do.

I can’t afford any distractions, especially confusing emotional ones. I should avoid her. I nod. Good idea. I’ll avoid her and any distracting emotions I don’t have time for.

My stomach grumbles some time later and I check the time. It’s past two. Lunch has come and gone and I didn’t realize it. I make a few notes regarding where I am in the blending process before making my way to the break room.

I grab a yogurt, an apple, and some water. I’ll eat these in my office while I type up my notes.

“Aha! Found you!” Blossom hollers and I nearly drop my food.

“Um,” I mutter as I fumble with the containers.

“I hadn’t noticed your t-shirt before. It’s cute.”

T-shirt? Why is she talking about my t-shirt?

“Technically, the glass is always full. With air and water.” She giggles. “True.”

“Um.” I inch backwards until my back hits the wall. The door is too far away. I have to pass Blossom to escape.

“Are you trying to make yourself invisible?”

I don’t answer since making myself invisible is exactly what I’m trying to do, but it sounds silly when you actually speak the words out loud. I’m not a silly person. I’m a serious person.

“You do realize I can see you?”

I slam my eyes shut as embarrassment fills me. Social situations make me nervous enough but what am I supposed to dowhen I’m trying to avoid a person but she won’t let me? I have no experience with this.

“I can still see you even though your eyes are closed.”

Someone – anyone – interrupt us. I’ve never wanted one of my brothers to arrive and be annoying more than in this moment. Usually, I want to throw them in the ocean and dare them to swim to Europe. None of my brothers can resist a dare.

“Are you afraid of me?”

My body shivers at the close proximity of Blossom. I cling to the items in my hands despite wanting to drop them on the floor in order to touch her.

This is utterly ridiculous. I shouldn’t long to touch a woman I barely know. An outgoing, loud woman who is the complete opposite of my quiet persona. A woman who tempts and distracts me.

“What are you afraid I’ll do?” she whispers into my ear and I shiver at the feel of her breath touching my skin. “You didn’t seem afraid when you kissed me. When your tongue delved into my mouth to taste every inch of me. When you pressed me against the wall and shoved your hardness against me.”

My cock is hard and heavy. It wants to accept Blossom’s offer. It doesn’t understand. I can’t be distracted. I don’t have the time for an office fling.

And office flings are stupid anyway. When it ends – and it will since this woman could never be interested in boring me for very long – it’ll be awkward. And awkward is another distraction I can’t afford.

“Fine!” Blossom steps away. “I’m giving up.”

Relief hits me.

“For now.”

“What’s going on?” Kai asks and I open my eyes. He glances between Blossom and me with his brow furrowed.

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