Page 8 of Everything She Wanted

“Sorry, I put my status on ‘Do not disturb.’ I really need to get this plan done.”

“Yeah, it’s just that Tom wants to see you stat.”

“Oh, okay.” I lock my computer and grab my notebook and pen. I saw Tom—my boss and the VP of Marketing, Investor Relations and AI Innovation—at our quarterly meeting last week, and we typically have minimal in-person interactions beyond that. My mind runs through everything I’m working on to see if there’s anything I dropped the ball on, but I come up with nothing.

It’s fine, I try to tell myself as my pulse beats rapidly in my ears.

I follow Jess down the hallway and out to reception where she sits back down at her desk, and I round the corner to Tom’s office at the end of the hall. The door is only slightly open, so I knock hesitantly.

“Come in.”

I poke my head in and he’s at the window. Out of the corner of my eye, I see someone sitting in his guest chair, but I’m not sure who.

“Oh, Jess said you wanted to see me, but if this isn’t a good time, I’ll come back.”

“This is perfect. Come in and take a seat.” He gestures to the other guest chair as he walks back and sits behind his desk.

I move toward the chair, and my breath catches when two sea blue eyes land on me as I sit. Bar Guy. He gives me an easy smile and heat creeps up my neck.

What the fuck.

I force myself to take a breath, return a smile, and then turn to Tom, but it takes everything in me not to gawk.

“Nisha, I want you to meet Nick Tremblay. He’s a consultant who will be joining us for a few months to oversee the launch of our latest AI product suite.” Tom grins over at him. “Nick’s worked with a lot of major players in the tech space and is making waves in the industry for being ahead of the AI curve.”

Sounds like he’s just as successful as I thought. Heck, maybe even more so, as Tom’s praise is usually minimal at best. Or maybe it’s that the accomplishments of men just don’t go unnoticed.

Nick holds out his hand, and I stare at it like an idiot, but I quickly recover and put my hand in his.

My skin sizzles as our palms touch, and I wonder if he notices, but I only see a professional look in his eyes and not a hint of recognition. It stings, but I try my best to ignore it. That night was nothing, probably just a standard Saturday night for him, but for me, it was something else. Later, I can over-analyze. For now, I have to make it out of this meeting without embarrassing myself.

“So great to meet you, Nisha.” His gaze lingers on me. “Tom’s been telling me such good things about your work here.”

“Thanks,” I manage.

I take my hand away after what I deem is an appropriate amount of time and try to forget the feel of his skin on mine.

I turn to Tom, and the confusion on my face must show because he says, “You must be wondering why I called you in here.”

“I’m curious,” I answer.

“Should we fill her in, Nick?”

He gives a nod.

If he was hypnotic in the darkness, he’s even more mesmerizing in the light of day. I know I need to focus. Instead, I’m calculating the distance between us. If I extended my arm just a little bit, my fingertips would caress his thigh just like they did at the jazz club.

I can’t help but notice how his pressed powder-blue shirt perfectly fits his solid frame and complements his eyes.

Those eyes.

Framed by brows with an enviable arch. With his lower lip just slightly fuller than his top, his mouth looks soft, inviting, and sensual. A face made to tempt, tease, and distract, and it’s doing all of that to me now.

Focus.

“You mentioned you wanted to expand your role here and help with Investor Relations.”

I give a distracted nod while my heart thumps wildly.