Page 119 of All the Ugly Things
I grinned and slid the folder from her fingers. She wore a soft look when we were alone in the office, making not kissing her a difficult task.
“We host it in January. It’s a night of dinner and dancing with a silent auction where we raise money for homeless shelters. Then we provide them with everything they need before the worst of winter hits.”
“Oh.” She wrinkled her nose in a way she didn’t approve.
“What? And don’t say nothing,” I said when she started shaking her head. “What don’t you like about that?”
“It’s a good cause.”
“But?”
She laughed, with a throaty, frustrated, and absolutely adorable chuckle. “You’re pushy today.”
Probably because being around her was giving me a massive case of never-ending blue balls.
“Just tell me.”
“I just never understood why people with lots of money to give have to get dressed up and spend thousands on dinners and wardrobes when they could give that money instead.”
I agreed with her, but playing the game brought us more money.
“Because they like to feel important and when they’re all in one room, they become competitive. Their egos won’t allow them to be the smallest contributor. And I agree with you, but this will give shelters millions spread throughout the nearest four counties. Last year we were able to fund an expansion project as well on the south side.”
“Oh.” She blushed as she shrugged. “I suppose that’s worth it then.”
“It is. Are you almost done for the day?”
“Almost. I have to go do a few more things for Sandra before I leave.”
“Let me take you to dinner again?”
She grinned, easy and wide. It wasn’t the first time since last week that it seemed her smiles came quicker, bigger. “I’d love that.”
“Good. Now get out of here before I kiss you and have Brandon know exactly what we were doing when you return to your desk with smeared makeup.”
I was rarely this bold with her. That was the thread unraveling on that tether, but sometimes, like now, I liked the way her mouth formed an O in surprise and her already round eyes went even larger.
Teasing her turned me on.
“Well.” She brushed her hands nervously down her dress and bit her bottom lip. “We wouldn’t want that, would we?”
“I wouldn’t mind…” I let that linger. I didn’t care if everyone in the office knew we were together, because wewere, even if we hadn’t had that discussion yet. But Lilly had made a mention of not wanting people to know so I was trying to give that to her.
She already had enough problems with getting the job because she needed help, I figured she didn’t want people to think she got it because she was sleeping with the boss.
Which, after last week, she now was. At least, I was hoping I’d get to wake up again with her in my arms.
The conversation with my dad earlier still settled like a lead balloon in my stomach.
“Are you okay?” she asked, and I relaxed my tightened features.
“Yeah. Just, busy day is all.”
“You sure? You look… tense. Or worried.”
“No.” I smiled, fake as it might be but I hoped like hell it looked normal and kissed her cheek. “Everything’s fine. I’ll see you in an hour.”
She pulled back, grinning up at me, inspecting me but finding nothing. “I’ll be the girl waiting for you in the lobby.”
