Page 25 of Heat & Deceit
Carmine
Hi. Is she okay?
Randal
They had to factory reset her, but she’ll survive. I’m pretty sure the nurses were laughing at her. I’m not even mad, though. This is hilarious.
Carmine
You’re such a good brother.
Randal
Squinting chicken gif.
Is that sarcasm?
Carmine
No.
Randal
How’s Daddy Javier?
“One specialty dark chocolate mocha for the best coworker in all of Museton,” Javier says, sliding up next to me.
I gasp and try to lock the screen but fumble, and the device ends up launching into the air. “Fuck,” I whisper and try to catch it. I miss, but Javier swoops down and snatches the phone before it can break on the tile.
His eyes drop to the screen as soon as it’s in hand. Oh no, no, no. Fucking Randal!
Heat flushes my neck. “Don’t read that,” I shout, reaching for the device, but his eyes widen, and he holds it above his head.
“Daddy Javier?” he asks with a dark laugh. “Should I be offended or flattered? I’ve never been a daddy. Is that your kink?”
“Javier.” I release a soft growl and attempt to grab the cell and end up smashing my front to his.
He sucks in a sharp breath. “I’m definitely not thinking thoughts a daddy should think right now.” A purr chases his words, but it abruptly cuts off. “Fuck. What am I doing?” he mutters to himself.
I seize his momentary distraction and lift onto my toes, ignoring how hard his stomach is and how good he smells, and take my phone back and quickly step away. “Reading someone’s text messages is an invasion of privacy.”
“I didn’t do it on purpose. I was trying to make sure the phone was okay, and the messages were open.”
What the hell were you thinking, plastering yourself to his body, Nova? You practically shoved your tits in his face.Though, if that purr is any indication, he didn’t mind.
“It was an accident.”
I avoid his gaze. “I know.” How do I explain the text? There’s probably some HR rule against sexualizing your boss, even if he is a handsome bastard. “Randal was joking and it was inappropriate. I’m sorry if it made you uncomfortable.”
Turning away, I grab a wet rag and begin wiping down the counters. They’re already clean, but I need a moment. I don’t want to mess up this job.
“Carmine.” His voice is firm.
Crap.
“I know, I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” I shake my head, wishing I never would have texted Randal to begin with. I scrub the counter a little harder, working on a stubborn mark.
Javier’s big hand drops on top of mine, those calluses roughly brushing over my skin. “Will you look at me?”
