I'd wanted to cry as I accepted the bag but held it together. Her kindness surprised me, especially from a woman I barely knew. My own mama wouldn't look twice at me anymore since she was too busy out living her own life. I haven't seen her since I graduated high school and she'd only come for the ceremony before she left again with her boyfriend. And my grandma would rather give me crap than a present.
It was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for me before, besides Matt repaying our bounced paychecks.
Now the dress is ready to be worn, sitting in my nearly empty closet. I can't wait. I absolutely cannot wait to put it on and see what Matt does when he gets a gander of me.
Probably nothing. He'd probably say, "You look nice, Miss James," and leave it at that.
My fist curls of its own volition, and I thump it on top of my desk, making everything sitting on the surface rattle. No. I refuse to accept another non-reaction from Matt. I know he's my boss. I know I shouldn't be doing anything like this. It's risky, stupid, and I could potentially lose my job or at least ruin it forever.
I still want him. The consequences be damned. I want Matthew DeLuca.
And I'm starting to think I'll do anything to make it happen.
Chapter Four
Bryn
"YOU WORK TOO hard."
Matt glances up, his dark gaze meeting mine. Lines of exhaustion are around his eyes, his normally lush mouth turned into a slight frown. His dark brown hair is in complete, sexy disarray and his shirtsleeves are shoved up almost past his elbows, as if he'd done it impatiently.
Which he probably had, knowing him.
For the past two days, he's been working constantly preparing for the grand reopening. Considering it's already Wednesday, and we only have two days left to prepare, I've been here right along with him helping wherever I can.
He's beautiful despite the air of tired frustration that hangs over him, and I realize in that moment that I'd love nothing more than to grab him. Slip in between his chair and the desk, settle on the edge and pull him into me by his tie. Kiss him until he forgot all about the winery and the grand reopening and the party and everything else.
Until all he could focus on was me, a more than willing woman with her tongue in his mouth and her hand in his hair, her other hand gripping his tie so he can't get away. And he wouldn't want to get away. He'd kiss me harder, grip my waist, push my skirt up and . . .
Yes. I want to kiss his troubles away. And he'd probably think I lost my mind if I even attempted it.
"I have to work hard," he says with this rueful smile that doesn't look real. No, it looks as tired as the rest of him. "Trying to make sure this all comes together properly, you know? We only have a few days left and it's crunch time."
That's his new favorite phrase-crunch time. He's been saying it since Monday, when he had a staff meeting and told everyone we needed to basically get our asses in gear and get this place in tip-top shape.
I've worked past six the last two evenings and tonight it's almost seven. I'm starving but trying to ignore my growling stomach. I'm also wishing for my drab uniform of old because hey, dressing like you don't care also means you dress comfortably.
Today I'm wearing a new black pencil skirt that makes it hard to take wide steps and a pretty, delicate white shirt that makes my boobs look huge, not that boss man has noticed. Oh, and I'm wearing the new damn shoes I've worn all week that I've somehow gotten used to-sort of.
My toes scream with joy every night when I slip the shoes off, and I might have Band-Aids on the back of my ankles, but I'm making them work. Matt's appreciative looks every time his gaze drops to my feet for even the briefest moment make all the pain worth it.
Despite parading the new wardrobe in front of him for the last three days, it's like he's hardly noticed. I know Matt's distracted, his brain completely preoccupied with this grand reopening party. It's so important to him, for the winery to be successful, for him to do something other than play baseball. I think he's afraid no one takes him seriously, and I totally get that.
But I'm dying for him to notice me. Really, really notice me. I've done just about everything I can to get him to see me, but it's like he looks right past me.
Rather frustrating.
And I want him to like me for more than my looks too. I know he appreciates the work I do for him and admires "the way I handle things so efficiently"-this is a direct quote, one he said to me only yesterday. But what about me? Bryn James, the woman? I may be just some hick from Texas at the mere age of twenty-two who's hardly lived, and I'm definitely not sophisticated like the women he probably prefers to date or screw or whatever, but damn it, I want a chance.
If I were bold and brave, I'd demand a chance.
I take care of the man, and he doesn't even realize it. I make sure he eats. I make sure he goes home. I handle his schedule, knowing where he needs to be or what he needs to be doing at all times. I make sure all the little details that he might've missed are handled. I'm here for him always. Always.