Chapter 2

The meeting ended and everyone bolted.

I hung back, laptop pressed to my chest, watching Adrian at the head of the table. He hadn't moved. Just sat there, eyes on his phone, completely unbothered.

Then my pocket buzzed.

I made it to the break room before I looked.

Three messages from Ash.

"Breathe, baby. Your boss sounds like a total psycho. No woman would ever love a man like that. Don't let him ruin your day."

"Poor thing. Sending kisses."

"I saved that picture of your legs, by the way. You're making me blush."

I almost spit out my coffee.

The man who'd spent the last hour making grown adults want to cry was out here calling himself a psycho — and blushing over a girl's legs like a lovesick teenager.

Once the shock wore off, something else crawled in.

He didn't scare me the same way anymore.

And I really, really wanted to see what I could get away with.

I leaned back against the counter and typed slowly.

"I'm still upset, Ash. Not sure I can keep doing this job. A picture in that white shirt — three buttons undone — might help. But don't worry if you can't. I should get back to work anyway."

Send.

I hit send, pocketed my phone, and drifted toward the corner where I could just barely see the corridor.

Twenty seconds. Maybe thirty.

Adrian walked out of the conference room. Expression locked, jaw set, heading somewhere with purpose. Two people tried to say hi. He walked straight past them.

I knew exactly where he was going.

I pressed my lips together and counted down.

Three. Two. One.

My phone lit up.

He'd taken it in the restroom mirror, cut his face out of the frame. White shirt, top three buttons open, collar falling loose around his chest. Under the harsh bathroom lights his skin looked — god, it looked really good.

"Three buttons. That count? Feel better, baby? Don't leave me on read."

Pleading emoji.

From the CEO of a multinational company.

I stood there for a second, just holding my phone against my sternum, collecting myself.

Then I picked up my mug and walked out into the hallway.

Adrian nearly walked into me coming out of the men's room. His hand shot to his collar — one button undone, tie crooked. He saw me and went still.

It lasted maybe half a second.

"Maya." He snapped, "Why are you wandering the halls? Do you not have enough work to do?"

I bit the inside of my cheek hard.

"Sorry, sir. I'll get right back to that proposal."

He made a short dismissive sound and walked away, fixing his collar as he went.

I watched him disappear around the corner.

Then I laughed so hard I had to put my mug down.

Sure, Adrian. Play it cool.