Page 88 of Holly versus Mr. Ivy
My leg bounced under my desk as I silently yelled, “Get out, get out, get out!” to the last few dishwashers cleaning in the kitchen. Seriously, did they always take this long? We hadn’t even been that busy tonight. How many plates did they have left to clean?
The second the last employee left the building, I scrambled out of my chair and trotted—who knew I was a trotter?—to Rhett’s office. Once inside, I slammed the door, leaning against it. “Are there security cameras anywhere in the building?” I panted out between breaths. The twenty-foot dash into Rhett’s office, and the anticipation of being alone with him, made my lungs labor for every inhale and exhale.
I should know by now after working here for three years if there were cameras or not. But I’d never really cared one way or another before.
Rhett’s pleased smile greeted me. “There’s just the alarm when we lock up the building for the night. No cameras, as far as I’m aware.”
My chest deflated. “So there could be hidden cameras that Anthony just hasn’t told you about?”
“Slim, but yes, still a possibility.”
That was not what I wanted to hear. “I’d better go, then, because today was harder than I thought it would be, and if there is even a slight chance of”—I pointed to the corners of the room—“I can’t risk what I’m dying to do. So…um…I’ll see you tomorrow?” I fumbled with the doorknob between my forearms.
Rhett, ever the gentleman, stayed seated in his chair. I loved that he understood if he came close to me, my ability to maintain control would vanish, but I also hated that he hadn’t pushed himself up against me and shown how much he loathed the distance between us.
“Would you like to come over to my place in the morning and watch a Christmas movie?” Rhett asked.
Absolutely. But what about Mom? I’d already ditched her this morning to attend the festival. “I do, but…”
“It would be easier if we watched it at your house.” His smile turned sad, resigned.
I slowly nodded. “Yeah.” Alone at Rhett’s house with no interruptions? I leaned my head back against the door, closing my eyes. “I’m sorry. Maybe weshouldhave waited until things won’t be so complicated.”
The noise of Rhett standing had me snapping my eyes open and tracking his movements. Aminimumof six feet was required between us at all times. If he crossed the boundary, I was not liable for damages incurred.
Rhett moved right in front of me, stuffing his hands into his pants pockets.
Good idea, keep those limbs locked away, buddy.
“Do you want to wait?” he asked. “Retract your choice?”
I swallowed at his nearness, at the hint of his cologne teasing my nose. It was laughable he even considered I’d be able to wait until he left Anthony’s company to kiss him again. “I said I was all-in, and I meant it. No takebacks. No waiting. Just…control. That’s all we need.” It should be easy—I’d been doing it for a while now.
His eyes flared with desire. “You severely overestimate my ability to stay away from you.”
Ditto.My legs trembled, dying for him toshow me. “We have to. Just until morning.” A length of time that never stretched so blasted long before.
Rhett’s jaw clenched. He bobbed his head once. “Until morning.”
Morning. A word never so distasteful, yet tantalizingly sweet.
I squeezed my eyes shut, mentally preparing myself for walking away from him when that was the last thing I wanted to do. When I opened my eyes again, Rhett’s torn expression mirrored how I felt.
“Goodnight, Rhett,” I said, full of longing.
He groaned. “You can’t say my name like that when I’m not allowed to touch you.”
Flutters rippled around in my stomach. “Like what?” I asked innocently.
He scrubbed a hand over his face. “You know,” he growled.
I liked seeing him struggle just as much as I did. Of course, teasing him sounded even better. “Rhett,” I said seductively.
“Holly,” he growled again, his eyes dark and warm.
Holy. Moly.I understood why he’d asked me not to do that as my heartrate sped. Heat sizzled in my stomach. This fine line we straddled barely kept my pinky toe in the safe zone. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.
He let out a shaky breath. “Please leave before I do something that risks your job.”
