Page 73 of Holly versus Mr. Ivy
“What about work?” she asked breathlessly.
I cocked my head to the side, studying her. “What about it?”
“How do we act normal around one another?”
I repeatedly raised my brows. “Worried you won’t be able to keep your eyes and hands off me?”
She frowned. “I’m serious.”
“So am I.” It would be very difficult for me to treat Holly as only a coworker from here on out. Even now, all I wanted was to kiss this woman. To feel more of her under my hands. To claim every inch of her delicate skin with my lips. To get to know every little thing about her.
She pushed my hand, still on her jaw, away. “No one at work can find out,” she said, panicked. “I’d rather we ignore each other completely than give anyone even ahintthat we’re spending time together outside of work.”
“If we ignore one another, people will think something already happened.”
She cocked her head to the side. “True. So we have to keep our interactions status quo at the restaurant.”
Did I have enough restraint for that? “Yes, we need to figure out a way to treat one another as we always have at work. Can you do that?”Could I?
She slowly nodded. “Ithinkso.”
“Does this mean we’re going with Option C?”Please pick C.
“If I say A?”
I sighed, hating that both options A and B made more sense. Blasted Jack. If he hadn’t talked to me about Meg, I’d still be keeping my distance from Holly. But even Uncle Anthony’s warnings meant nothing when it came to the woman sitting next to me. I needed her in my life. Needed to see if we had the potential for a deeper connection. I was determined to find a way for us to be together. Having a partner to rely on, knowing they wouldn’t walk away at the first sign of trouble. I wanted that so badly, it physically hurt to think Holly might say Option C wasn’t on the table when I wanted it now, even if it meant we could only meet in secret. “I’d do my best to keep my hands, mouth, and eyes in the appropriate lane.” Although that feat of patience may prove to be my undoing.
Her lips twitched. “What about B?”
I growled, not liking B at all. Why had I even given her that choice? November was already difficult as I tried to stay away from her. Waiting until I started my own company? Not likely.
She chuckled. “So plan B gets a hearty no from you?”
I nodded once.
She smiled shyly. “And C?”
Balloons, confetti, and sparkles burst within me. Yes, that one.Pleasechoose that path. “You’d better have a stockpile of lip balm at the ready because every spare moment will be spent with my mouth on yours.”
Her brows rose at the same time as her lips.
I slid my fingers to her chin, guiding her to look at me. “What will it be, Holly?” My voice came out gruff.
She squeezed her eyes shut.
My heart clanged against my chest as I waited an eternity for an answer.
“The smart answer is B.”
I groaned. Stupid, responsible choice. “You’re right. It is.”
She snapped her eyes open, meeting mine. “But I choose C,” she whispered.
Relief washed over me as if I were standing under a waterfall. Sliding my hand from her chin to the back of her neck, I closed the distance between us, placing my lips on hers. The second my mouth made impact, heat raged throughout my body and my stomach swooped. Holly leaned toward me, her lips moving against mine, like she too had been anticipating this kiss ever since October when we had been in her office.
Holly’s lips tasted like sweet cream, happiness, and our future. Tilting my head to get a better angle, I parted my lips, coaxing Holly’s open. My fingers played with the hair at the base of her neck. My ministrations were slow and thorough, like I was a scientist about to discover the next breakthrough in making out. My examination went through a checklist, ensuring every item passed inspection.
I started with Holly.
