Page 44 of Sin

I force myself to look bored. “For the record, I don’t care.”

“No?”

“No.”

His gaze drops to my mouth. Just once.

Then he looks back into my eyes. “You cared enough to leave it on my desk.”

“I was being festive.”

“You were being a brat.”

The word lands between us and my stomach tightens.

I sit forward before I can stop myself. “Why, Mr. Sinclair. That almost sounded like a complaint.”

His expression changes and the office suddenly feels very small.

“It wasn’t,” he says.

For one second, neither of us moves.

Then Mason straightens and picks up the corn. “HR would have a field day with this.”

“Good thing your brother likes me.”

“Don’t test that theory.”

“I test everything. It’s literally my job.”

His mouth twitches. A real almost-smile. Then he drops the toy back on my desk. “Keep your corn, Ms. Cross.”

“I thought you said it wasn’t corn.”

“I meant because it had a suction base.”

“Most memorable things do.”

His eyes snap to mine and I smile sweetly. He stares at me for one long, heated second.

Then he shakes his head and turns for the door.

“Happy Thanksgiving, Laurel.”

The sound of my first name in his mouth makes my smile slip.

“Happy Thanksgiving, Mason.”

The office clears after that. When Mason sends the email wishing everyone a safe holiday, they all flock to the doors. Not me. I stay in my office, catching up on emails and messages. Then I organize my files. I’m in the process of dusting my bookshelf when I hear a clap of thunder. I move to the window, looking out. Chicago is blanketed in dark clouds and it’s pouring outside. Well, good thing I don’t have anywhere to be after this, because I’m going to be soaked by the time I get to the L.

I take my time finishing up. At seven, the rain still hasn’t let up, so I finally bite the bullet and gather my things. I’m almost to the elevator when Mason scares the crap out of me.

“What are you still doing here?”

I jump, putting my hand over my chest. “Me? What are you still doing here?”

“Working.”