Mira

The curse of my childhood. I lift my chin proudly.

"Actually, I haven't thought about Elliot at all since the kiss. I'm even glad he left for the week."

His trip gave me time to secure my place with the other Creators while reinforcing my mental defenses against him.

Even though his absence was a blessing, I can't help worrying that he disappeared because he thinks I might do something crazy, like report him to Human Resources. I considered it for two seconds, I'll admit, before deciding that wouldn't be fair. It's true he initiated the inappropriate physical contact between us, but I was a willing participant. A very willing one, if I'm being honest.

"So what's the plan? What are you going to do about being attracted to him?"

I sigh.

"There is no plan."

"Just like there was no kiss?" Elise shoots back, grinning from ear to ear.

"Exactly," I say with a wink.

My friend rolls her eyes.

"How big was his penis again?"

I slowly spread my hands apart to estimate the size, only for a pillow to smack me in the face.

"I hate to break it to you, but if you remember the size of his dick, you're still thinking about him, girl."

I answer with an exasperated groan.

"I don't believe it!" I exclaim in surprise.

Elliot is perched on the corner of my desk as if he owns the place. After a week without seeing him, I let my guard down too much. I thought I had everything under control. But the second our eyes meet, my legs turn shaky and my body temperature spikes.

The memory of our kiss forces its way into my mind. The way his tongue dominated mine. The feel of his chest, firm and solid beneath my palms. The wave of heat that traveled straight toward one very specific part of my body...

Yep, it's official: I'm screwed.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, hurrying into my chair so he won't notice my buckling knees.

"I'm checking in with everyone to make sure everything is going well."

I cup a hand to my ear and pretend to listen for the sounds of my coworkers. Silence reigns because the whole team has already left for lunch. I intended to use the time to catch up, considering I'm already behind the other Creators, but it looks like Elliot intends to get in my way.

"And you decided my desk was a good place to start?"

"I'm starting with the employee who causes me the most trouble."

"I'm flattered I've earned such a reputation."

Elliot gives me such a tiny smile that I barely catch it. My heart squeezes, and I can't help panicking over how attracted I am to him.

He's the devil himself, Mira!

Well, that explains why Eve fell for his bullshit.

If Phantom were half as handsome as my boss, I would've taken a bite of that damn apple too, consequences be damned.

The implication in his heavy gaze steals my breath. A gentle warmth washes over me, quickly gathering low in my belly.

"When you blush, it brings out your freckles."

Elliot traces the bridge of my nose with the tip of a red pen. His eyes flick from my face to his hand, as if he can't believe he just did that. Neither can I.

I brush my fingers over my nose as though he burned me.

Get a grip.

He opens his mouth, but I rush to beat him to it.

"I have a lot of work to do."

He frowns as though my reaction puzzles him. I suppose he doesn't get rejected every day. Acting as if he didn't hear me, he walks toward the partition at the back of my workspace, which I've covered with rough illustrations of my ideas.

When he runs a hand over my sketch of Princess Nyra, I turn red as a tomato.

"What's this supposed to be?"

"A new float idea I came up with."

"That's obvious from the shape," he replies, glaring at me. "But what is the float supposed to celebrate?"

"Are you making fun of my drawings again?"

"No. Answer the question."

"Would it kill you to say 'please' once in a while?"

Elliot stares at me, dumbfounded.

"It's a traditional Hindu wedding," I add.

He rubs his jaw thoughtfully as he studies my work.

"Interesting. When do you plan on presenting this project to the team?"

"Friday."

"Hmm."

He traces my failed attempt at a mandap. My effort to recreate a flower-covered canopy makes me wince when Elliot's hand passes over the crude stick figure standing in for the prince. At least the rest of my presentation makes up for the visuals. I even included real photographs of Indian weddings, since my sketches are anything but professional.

Elliot's stare puts me on edge.

"What? If it's a bad idea, just tell me instead of standing there like that! I'd rather not embarrass myself in front of my coworkers again."

He shakes his head as if returning to the present.

"No, it's good."

Good. The word repeats inside my head, ricocheting around my skull. Victor always said everything was good. Our sex life, our relationship, our plans for the future: good, good, good.

It isn't enough for me anymore, and it certainly isn't worthy of the team either. I stand to take the picture down from the wall.

Elliot's massive hand covers mine to stop me from pulling out the thumbtack. Last week's current of energy surges between us again. I gasp when his thumb strokes my fingers.

His hand disappears far too quickly, and the wave of desire retreats with it.

"I'm sorry. That was inappropriate."

I let out a soft laugh.

"I think touching my hand is pretty tame compared to... other things."

His entire body goes rigid.

"What do you want?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you trying to get money out of me?"

"What? Money?"

Holy crap. Does he really think that of me? I might not make an incredible income, but I would never do something like that! Especially after encouraging him.

"It wouldn't be the first time it's happened to me."

Oh no! Does he regularly have this problem with other women?

"So you kiss your employees often?" I murmur.

"What? No!"

My muscles relax at his obvious surprise.

Oh. Maybe I am special after all... The thought makes me smile.

"It's just that I'd rather you name your price directly than go complain to Human Resources. But if that's what you want to do, I can't prevent you. I won't prevent you," he corrects.

The breath leaves my lungs.

"I have no intention of going to Human Resources."

The way Elliot scrutinizes me makes me feel as though I'm in court, facing a lawyer trying to determine my weaknesses.

"Okay," he says, then pauses. "Your idea is good. Excellent, actually."

Okay, apparently we're changing the subject without warning. I need a moment to recover from the emotional whiplash. Elliot gives me an annoyed look.

"Take a deep breath. I'm not in the mood to call an ambulance if you faint and crack your head open."

"How dare I consider for even a second that you might catch me before I hit the floor!"

"That would require me to care."

I burst out laughing, and once again he looks at me strangely.

"I should get back to work," I say.

Since I'm not sure my legs can keep supporting my weight, I sit down. Elliot pulls my drawing from the partition and sets the thumbtack on the corner of my desk.

"I'm taking this."

"But why?"

"Because this scribble isn't going to improve itself."

"You're going to improve it?"

An emotion flashes through his eyes. Anger? Sadness? Fear? None of them feels right.

"No," he answers, crumpling the paper in his clenched fist. "I don't draw, but I know someone who can take care of it."

"Really? You have friends?"

Stunned, he eventually grumbles.

"I don't consider my employees friends."

Okay... Moving on, then.

"And you think this person will help me?"

His eyes, which had settled on my lips, rise to meet mine.

"Yes, if it saves me from witnessing your embarrassment again."

I can't help snorting.

"Fine, that works for me. But... do you trust him? Will this person keep my idea to himself?"

"Why?"

"I just want to make sure it stays secret until my presentation."

"I trust him," he replies curtly.

Yet I get the feeling he wants to ask me something else.

"Thank you!"

Grinning from ear to ear, I can barely stop myself from bouncing in place. My skin turns pink beneath Elliot's unrelenting stare.

Without warning, he turns on his heel and takes my sketch,and what's left of my sanity,with him.