Page 52 of Resisting Fate
“What’re you smoking?” he asked her. “Get over here and have the good stuff.” He didn’t wait for a reply, just kept walking. “Logan, coffee!”
She drained her cup, washed it out, and met up with him in her office. He sat in his usual chair, jacket off, making himself right at home. She fought the sudden urge to sit in his lap, running her fingers through his soft hair—
Nope. He’d been much too distant for her to risk the rejection. Besides, she was a professional. Hadn’t she just been offered a fabulous job opportunity on the basis of her professional qualifications? Her stomach rolled and she ignored it. She continued on to her chair and accepted his offered coffee. “Thanks.”
He lifted his coffee in acknowledgment before taking a sip.
“Logan offered me a full-time job.”
He straightened, eyes wide. “He did?”
“Obviously he didn’t check with you first.”
“When did this happen?”
“Just a few minutes ago. I guess when you were out getting coffee.”
He slowly nodded. “Logan!” he barked. And when he didn’t get an immediate response, he grabbed the phone and called him. “You making job offers without my say-so? We’re partners.” There was a long pause. “True. Yeah, okay.” He hung up.
“What did he say?”
Ben cocked his head. “He said and I quote, ‘Get your head out of your ass. We agreed she’s been a great help and does impressive work. I’ll work out the parameters with you later.’” He sipped his coffee, his gaze on her. “I could see it, actually. You in?”
She gripped her coffee cup with both hands. “I don’t know. I already have a good job working for good people.”
“What’re we? The bad guys?”
“No, not at all. You guys have been great.” She swallowed hard. “He says my position could grow with the company, beyond admin, whatever I want.”
His lips curled up in a small smile. “That’s a sweet offer. He knows talent when he sees it and he wants to reward that.”
She flushed, uncomfortable with the compliment, her second one today. Brilliant and talented. She told herself not to let it go to her head, but an unusual pride filled her. Recognition of her hard work from her two gorgeous bosses. Uh-oh.
She leaned close to whisper, “You would be my boss.”
“And that would be bad because…”
“You know.”
His dimples appeared briefly before he got serious. “No, I don’t know. Tell me.”
Because we hooked up! Because I still want you, and I have no idea if you still want me.“Don’t play dumb.”
He leaned back in his seat. “You want to work here, you can work here. Absolutely nothing is standing in your way.”
Her stomach dropped. He really was over her. He sipped his coffee, quiet and cool, which got her more agitated.
She swallowed hard. “You’re just trying to make me say something inappropriate.”I hope.
He raised a brow, still staring at her, completely composed.
And then she knew how to solve all of her current problems. She’d make her move on Ben now, and whether or not he responded, it would shut down the job opportunity with all its complications. She had a brief moment of hesitation where she considered if there was a better way, but the last week and a half of Ben frustration pushed her forward. She glanced out to the main office area. No sign of Logan.
She leaned across the desk and whispered, “After hours, when Logan is gone for the day, we’ll fuck.”
He stared at her mouth. “We will?”
She leaned back in her seat, pleased with her elegant solution. Screw professional boundaries, give in to overwhelming lust, and close the door on the job opportunity.
