Page 4 of The Billionaire Touch

“I’m not taking off my shirt.”

“Just don’t think I’m copping a feel or anything.” Kate shrugged, but she was far from the calm bravado she projected. Her skin tingled, and her mouth was so dry her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. She cleared her throat. “At the very least untuck it from your pants.”

He stared at her for so long Kate didn’t think he would do it. But he surprised her, slowly untucking the front of his shirt. He thrived on order—if his appearance was anything to go by—but it was a relief to know he was capable of coloring outside the lines too. More so, the action made him the type of guy she wanted to know better.

“Is this enough?”

Not nearly.“I’ll make it work.” She gripped the end of his shirt and her mouth watered when her knuckles grazed the muscles along his stomach. It could have been her imagination, but she was positive he shivered from the contact.

Here goes nothing.Starting from the center of the spill, she used a wet wipe to soak up as much coffee as she could. The wipe came away with brown smudges after each pass.That meant she was doing it correctly, right?Her fingers inched up his shirt as she picked a new area to clean.

“How d’you know about this?”

She smiled. “Do you know how many condiment stains we get on our shirts?” She kept her eyes averted from his piercing gaze, lest he realize she had never successfully removed a spill larger than a quarter of ketchup from her clothes.

“I mean, how did you know to come to this bathroom?”

“Oh, that.” She risked a glance at brown eyes the color of whisky. Kate cleared her throat. “It’s no secret. All the executive assistants know you’re a germaphobe.”

“Me? Nah.” He chuckled.

Kate rolled her eyes. “I’ve seen you on our floor at least twice a month and every time you get out of the elevator your routine is the same.” At his cocked brow, she said, “You take a huge hit from the wall sanitizer.”

“You make me sound like a drug addict.”

She laughed. “Trust me, I’ve learned to order extra refills.”

“Now you’re exaggerating.”

“A little,” she teased. “I am sorry for spilling my drink on you.”

“You surprised me earlier, that’s all. People don’t usually get close enough to bathe me in coffee.”

She noticed. Not knowing how to approach Spencer without scaring him off was the reason she’d waited so long. Also, him being the boss’s friend would make working in the building awkward if things went south. And she hoped their meeting didn’t go down in flames.

“About that.” She gnawed her lower lip between her teeth. “I was about to say hello when you turned around and crashed into me.” Kate laughed when his eyes widened in disbelief. He was flustered by her accusation and she found it endearing. “Kidding. About theyoubumping intomepart, not about wanting to meet you.”

The tips of her ears stung. The skin around her neck and chest heated under his regard.Why did she ever think this would be easy?

“I’m Kate Martinez.”

He stared at her oddly, as if she was a strange creature. “I’m Spencer Tr—”

“Yeah, I know who you are.” She flushed.Great, now he was going to think she was a stalker.

“Your accent…”

“You don’t like it?” The tread of vulnerability she’d tried to hide earlier rushed forward.

“It’s not the Texan drawl I’m used to.”

Kate chewed on her lower lip.

“But I like it.” His voice was a seductive low purr she wanted to hear over and over again.

“Born and raised in Maryland,” she confirmed, her gaze snapping to meet his. “It’s the first time I’ve been this far from home.”

“Bourbon is friendly, you’ll like it.”

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