He knew he had to make a comment sooner or later but he was still too close to grabbing her out of the chair and making her forget any other man but him. He was imagining throwing her over his desk and ending the torture for both of them. He could brand her his and she would have no thoughts of any other. The thought of her crying out his name was almost his undoing.
“Did you finish that Nielson report I emailed?” He finally spoke and was satisfied to see her jump at the sound of his voice. For some strange reason her reaction relaxed him. He liked how he made her nervous. He wondered what else would make her jump.
Lucas stood up, walked around his desk and sat on the edge of it, their legs only inches apart. He noticed she sat up even straighter if that were possible. Her legs were locked so tightly together he was surprised she didn’t cry out suddenly from a muscle cramp.
After what seemed like hours, but was in fact only seconds, Amy handed him the file wordlessly, having anticipated he would be asking for it. He took the folder from her, making sure their fingers brushed. He noticed goosebumps appear on her arm.
He started feeling much better, knowing he was back in charge. He pretended to read the file, taking his time, enjoying the close proximity. “Very good,” she once again jumped as if she’d forgotten they were sitting in the room together.
She was far too strong to admit he was making her feel anything and there was no way she would cry mercy. He’d figured out that much about her from the first day they’d met. If she’d looked upset in any way then he would’ve found the will power to pull away but he could see the passion shimmering in her eyes.
Lucas shifted his weight, causing his leg to press against hers. She sat frozen. It was obvious she wanted to move but didn’t know how to do it without his notice.
He was getting way too hot sitting so close to her so he gave them both a break and started pacing the room to create distance. “Very good work,” he finally said regarding the file. They got into a comfortable routine after that and the rest of the afternoon they worked well together. The air was filled with tension but they made a good team when they both focused.
He didn’t want to let her leave. He was enjoying the intoxication of her smell. He took pleasure in the way her eyes would dart to him and then look away. Her seductive curves made his body tighten.
She didn’t understand her attraction toward Lucas. She had to continually tell herself she couldn’t stand his type. She didn’t need, nor want a man to make her whole. She liked her life just fine and wanted no one to step in and tell her how to live. He was just another guy, like so many other men she’d been around.
She would never go for a rich, egocentric billionaire like her boss. She prided herself on the wise decisions she always made and the fact that she was careful to stick with her goals. She couldn’t mess up all her carefully laid plans by having a meaningless affair.
At five that evening, there was a knock on the door. “Come in,” Lucas spoke up.
Tom bounded into the room. “Hello Mr. Anderson,” he spoke, before turning toward Amy. “You ready to head out? I got the phones switched over and I’m dying for a Bloody Mary and some hot wings.”
Lucas glanced at the clock and then narrowed his eyes at the unwanted intrusion. How had the day gotten so far away from him? He certainly didn’t want Amy rushing off with Tom for drinks. He wanted to keep her with him.
Amy started to get up from her seat when Lucas spoke. “We have too much work to finish tonight, Tom. Amy will have to miss out on happy hour,” he said rather rudely, in her opinion.
“It’s okay, Tom, I’ll catch the bus home tonight. I appreciate the ride in today, though. I’ll see you on Monday.” She gave him an apologetic smile before going back to work on her laptop.
“Okay, Hun, see ya Monday,” he winked.
“Have a great weekend, Mr. Anderson.” Tom breezed out quickly and once again Amy was alone with Lucas. She stared after Tom for a few minutes with longing. She would love to just sit down and have a drink. Her nerves had been on edge all afternoon.
Lucas’s mood seemed to deteriorate after Tom left. “Why didn’t you take your own car into work today?” He finally asked, ending twenty minutes of awkward silence.
“I don’t have a car. I usually just ride the bus into work but Tom doesn’t live too far from me so the last couple of days we’ve been carpooling. I have no problem riding the bus, though.” She resented having to explain things to him.
“I’ll give you a ride home tonight since I’m keeping you late,” he said as if the matter was instantly settled. He didn’t expect anything but her compliance.