Page 11 of Phishing for Love
“Look, I learned my lesson,” I say, making an effort to be civil, even though it’s killing me. “No more clicking on cat videos.”
He gives me a pointed look.
“Fine! No more clicking onanyviral videos.”
Unless it’s a video of the Hemsworth brothers running shirtless on a sandy Australian beach. You’d have to be a corpse not to click on that.
“Good.” His eyes land on my laptop, which I’ve decorated with rhinestones, patterned washi tape, and flower stickers. He winces, looking mildly revolted. “It’s like you’re pimping out your laptop.”
It’s too delicious a temptation. “I have extra sheets of stickers and rhinestones if you want. Like my seven-year-old niece says, ‘sharing is caring.’”
I see one corner of his mouth twitch. “As if I’d desecrate my laptop like that.”
Well, well, underneath all that starched conformity, the man has a sense of humor.
Unfolding his arms, Aaron makes to leave. In an absent-minded move, I cross my legs and his eyes flick to my suede ankle boots. They linger there, almost unwillingly, almost as though he cannot, for the life of him, drag his gaze away.
I feel a burst of retaliatory elation. Slowly, I stretch out my legs and watch closely as he swallows. I hide a smile. Oh, yes, my sexy boots do the trick every time.
With great effort, Aaron manages to tear his attention away from my shoes. His eyes travel up my long legs (admittedly, my best asset) in their form-fitting jeans to my chest (unfortunately, not as impressive). Then his gaze hits my face, and his eyes meet mine.
This is the moment my ploy backfires dramatically because...those eyes. They seem to see right through me, stripping me bare.
All at once, I’m the one who’s deeply uncomfortable.
“Hey, babe,” says a familiar voice.
Nathan.
I jump to my feet, looking swiftly away from Aaron to focus on Nathan stepping around Aaron as he squeezes into my cubicle and stands by my side, snaking a proprietary arm around my waist, staking his claim.
I watch surprise crawl into Aaron’s eyes.
“Nathan, hi,” I say, kissing his cheek. “This is unexpected.”
“Thought I’d say a quick hello to my girl.” Nathan looks from me to Aaron and back again to me. His eyebrows rise expectantly.
I clear my throat. “Uh, Nathan, this is Aaron. Calvin’s brought him on to straighten out our cybersecurity.”
Nathan waits for at least three awkward seconds before he hauls out a pleasant smile and extends his hand. “Pleased to meet you.”
Returning his handshake, Aaron responds with an unconvincing “likewise.”
I can’t help automatically comparing the two men. Aaron is taller and wider in the shoulders, his face guarded and his eyes watchful, while Nathan possesses an open, boyish face, his brown eyes warm and friendly.
“I’ll leave you two to it,” Aaron says, his tone abrupt, and I watch him walk away.
When he’s gone, Nathan turns to me. “Well, he’s a bundle of laughs.”
“Forget about him,” I say, as much to myself as Nathan.
“Gladly.” He keeps his arm around my waist. “You seeing Sofia and Kenzie tonight?”
I shake my head. “Ladies’ night is off. Sofia has something on.”
He stiffens. “I’ve arranged a gaming session with the guys tonight, but I can cancel if you want to do something?”
I know how much Nathan loves gaming, so his willingness to cancel for me is sweet. “No, it’s fine. I’ll pop round to see my folks.”
