Page 21 of Brighter Together

“There he is,” she says softly.

“Who?”

“The man everybody keeps telling me exists.”

I frown.

Ella grins and opens a drawer.

“The one who occasionally smiles.”

“Very funny.”

“I thought so.”

She pulls out the cream-coloured brochure and gets to her feet.

Black trousers today.

Not the pencil skirt.

Probably for the best.

I really shouldn’t have opinions about what my assistant wears to work.

She steps towards me and holds out the folder.

“Here.”

“Thanks,” I say has I take it from her.

“Wait,” she says, her hand lifting slightly.

Before I can ask why, she reaches for my tie.

Every thought in my head stops.

She straightens the knot, then gives it a small tug to centre it properly.

Her fingers brush the front of my shirt.

She’s close.

Far too close.

I can smell her perfume, something light and warm, and feel the heat of her body without touching her.

My dick reacts immediately with an enthusiastic twitch.

For fuck’s sake.

Her eyes lift to mine.

Neither of us moves.

Then she lets go of my tie.

“There.”