Page 56 of Only ever you-Ana & Byron
He snorted and slouched against the edge of her cubicle wall, arms folded. "You are just jealous of my exploits. When are you going to admit you want me?"
"What I want is caffeine and silence."
"So, still in denial, then."
They'd fallen into a rhythm of dry humour, late nights and professional respect with a pinch of wary competition . He didn't ask what she was really working on. She didn't ask why he kept hovering after hours.
Then a long shadow stretched across her monitor. Harben went completely still as he looked up.
Ana turned and saw Byron looking like he was chewing on shards of glass.
In a pink t-shirt.
God help her.
The man had the audacity to make it work. Paired with black athletic shorts and trainers, he looked like he'd wandered off the cover of a fitness magazine. His hair was damp at the edges like he'd just come from a workout. Every woman in the vicinity was pretending not to stare.
Ana blinked once she stopped drooling. "What are you doing here?"
But Byron wasn't looking at her.
He was staring straight at Harben, jaw tight, lips thinned out, hazel eyes sharp enough to cut glass. A vein pulsed on his temple.
Harben glanced at Ana, then back to Byron with a faint smirk. Because he had a death wish and obviously did not know how to read the room.
Byron's gaze finally slid to her. "Brought you something," he said, holding up the brown paper bag. "From that place on Wilton Road. Your usual."
Ana smiled, couldn't help it. "You're the best." She turned to Harben. "Want some?"
Harben didn't move. "Aren't you going to introduce us?"
There was a beat.
Ana cleared her throat. "Right. Harben, Byron. Byron, Harben."
Byron gave a tight nod. Harben nodded back, just as tight.
"No food for me," Harben added. "I'm good."
Ana thought he murmured," I would like to live a little longer."
Byron tilted his head, voice smooth. "Alright then. Time for bed."
She blinked. "What?"
He pointed at her screen, and he whispered in her ear. "Save your data, love, or your mates here are gettin' a live show."
Heat flooded her face as she yanked the laptop shut.
"Subtle."
"Wasn't tryin' to be."
The moment the elevator doors slid shut, Byron had her pinned to the mirrored wall, mouth hot and claiming, one hand gripping the nape of her neck, the other squeezing her arse with firm, unapologetic intent.
Her toes curled.
When he pulled back, she could barely think.
