Page 37 of The Physical Attraction Seminar
Barrett nods to himself. “I don’t make a habit of showing up to my employees’ apartments on theweekends, but I found this on the floorboard last night after we dropped you off. Thought you might need it.”
I can hear the jingle of coins jostling around as he holds up my tattered leather wallet. I was in such a hurry to get out of the car that it must have fallen out of my bag.
“Thank you,” I whisper with a grateful smile as he hands it to me.
Barrett looks down at my shirt, his eyebrows furrowing as he examines it with a head tilt. “I don’t see any coffee stains.”
“I changed.”
With a hint of a smile playing on his lips, he carefully sets a large takeout bag on our coffee table. “I can’t stay long, but I brought this. There’s more than enough for Camila in there, too.”
“That’s really kind of you. Thank you.”
In just two steps, he closes the distance between us and stands right in front of me, invading my personal space.
“Lyla?” He wraps one hand around my waist, and a wave of heat skates across my skin.
“Hmm?”
“I have something to say.” He cups the side of my jaw with his free hand. His fingers intertwine with my hair, and a rush of warmth spreads from my jaw to my stomach, where butterflies come alive. “But first, I want to make it abundantly clear that I’m not telling you this with the aim of hearing you say it back.”
I pinch my eyebrows together, unsure of where he’s going with this.
His eyes meet mine and then trail downto my bottom lip, and his attention lingers there for an extended moment. The temptation to bridge the gap between our lips and indulge in the sweetness of a forbidden kiss has never been stronger. With every inhale, my breath feels like it’s getting caught further in my throat.
The touch of his lips against mine sends a shiver down my spine as he leans in to kiss me.
I gasp. “What are you doing?”
“Something I should’ve done yesterday.”
Barrett gently presses his lips against mine, leaving me stunned and unable to respond. When he pulls away, I swallow, unable to form a single word.
“I like you.” His tone is firm and confident. “Far more than I should. And far more than a boss who simply appreciates his assistant.” He presses his lips to mine again; this time, I find the boldness to kiss him back. The softness and familiarity of his lips make my heart race as his tongue slips gently into my mouth. A few seconds later, when he finally pulls away, I’m breathless and desperate for more. “I don’t expect you to feel the same way, but I couldn’t go another day without letting you know how I feel.”
Barrett’s thumb gently caresses my cheek while studying my face for a few moments.
Kiss me.
Just lean in and kiss me again, damn it.
Pick me up, carry me over to the couch, and kiss me wherever you want, however long you want. I don’t care.
Just keep kissing me.
I expect him to read my mind. To close the gap again,then whisk me off to my bedroom. But much to my surprise, he maintains his distance.
“I’m not going to tip-toe around my feelings for you, Lyla. Or pretend like I don’t lie in bed at night, replaying the night we met on a continuous loop.” My heart is pounding so hard in my chest that I can feel the pulse in my ears. “All I’m saying is that if there’s any chance that you feel the same way, I’m willing to keep looking for loopholes in the company policy. If that doesn’t work, I’ll go straight to the board myself and beg them to change it.”
“I—”
“I don’t want you to say anything back right now. Just promise me you’ll think about it, okay?” As I nod, a soft kiss lands on my forehead. “Goodnight, Lyla. Enjoy your dinner.”
The next thing I know, the door closes with a soft click. I collapse against it, my knees too weak to stand, and I feel the weight of it against my back as I slide down.
If kissing him is supposed to be wrong, then why does it feel so right?
FIFTEEN
