Elliot

Me: Is that how you treat someone you want a favor from?

Mira: I'm glad you asked, because I'm ready to make you a new offer.

Of course. I expected nothing less from her.

Mira: If you help me, I'll buy you pizza and a six-pack of your favorite beer. Help me, I'm BEGGING you.

Right afterward, she sends a photo of her work. She's right: the diagram she created is truly hideous. I can barely make out her original idea.

Me: Is that a dying cat? A little morbid for a children's amusement park, don't you think?

Mira: Ha ha ha. It's supposed to be a menacing dragon, for your information.

Me: At least you got the scary part right.

She replies with a dagger emoji.

Me: Is that a threat? Human Resources wouldn't like that.

I'm making Human Resources jokes now? What the hell am I doing? I'm doomed. Completely doomed.

Mira: My finger slipped. I meant to send this.

A row of praying hands follows. My smile widens.

Me: Liar.

Mira: Okay, you're playing hard to get. Here's Plan C.

Me: Only two more before you sell a kidney.

Mira: Wow, you really pay attention!

Mira: But I don't think you'll be able to resist this offer, so my vital organs should be safe.

Mira: I'm offering beer, pizza, and unlimited access to my streaming accounts for a year. I won't even change the password in a few months to spite you.

A soft laugh escapes me. Her proposal is ridiculous, especially considering I own every streaming service worth having. They're my pride and joy. Still, I'm impressed by her persistence.

Mira: Do you accept the challenge?

Me: Tell me more about your idea, and I'll consider it.

Every alarm in my head screams in unison, warning me to keep my distance from this woman. Yet I can't find the will to turn her down.

She sends a barrage of texts describing her idea for a new roller coaster featuring Princess Aveline. Her messages radiate such intriguing passion that I lose myself in her world for a little while.

Mira's dreams are intoxicating to me. She makes me want to create with her, to bring her vision to life. That alone is terrifying.

I should push her away once and for all... but I like that she thinks I'm simply a man who enjoys drawing. Despite the risks of growing closer to her, my alias is becoming an addiction. I can't hand the work off to someone in the animation department, even though that would be the wisest choice. When I talk to her, I forget my last name for a little while.

Because she has no idea you're her boss.

The thought knots my stomach, but I can't find it in me to change the circumstances and admit who I am. I don't feel that guilty.

When I stop by to deliver Grant's work, my professionalism immediately goes out the window, and Mira's rounded ass is entirely to blame.

I should clear my throat to get her attention. Hell, I should come back later, when she's no longer typing on her keyboard from the floor, her ass in the air as if it needs a blessing from God himself.

Heat rolls from my chest to the area beneath my belt buckle. I adjust my jacket to make sure nothing shows, but that does nothing to resolve the strange sensation spreading through my body.

When I call to her, her head keeps moving to the music in her earbuds.

I crouch as if I'm not wearing pants worth an entire month's salary. Mira's eyes remain closed while her lips shape the song's words. I don't know what possesses me, but I pull the earbud from one of her ears and bring it to mine. ABBA.

Oh. That isn't what I expected.

Her eyelids suddenly open, and my gaze falls to her parted lips. I'm drawn to her like a moth to a flame. The image is fitting, considering I act like a complete idiot around her,an idiot willing to risk everything for a moment in her light.

The way she looks at me makes me want to kiss her again. We could test whether our first scorching kiss was a fluke. What harm could it do? Maybe it was only the result of built-up adrenaline and a fierce desire to break the rules.

I lean forward. Though I've moved only a few inches, it feels as if I'm wading through cement to reach her.

Since when are you attracted to the forbidden? I stare at her mouth again. This woman is the reason for the change in me.

"Elliot?"

When Mira closes her computer, I come to my senses.

I try to extinguish my desire as I stand and offer her my hand. She takes it, and the same energy sparks between us again. She gives a little gasp. I tighten my hand around hers before letting go.

"What's that?"

Mira points to the leather portfolio I'm holding. I open it and pull out the illustration.

"It's for you."

She takes it eagerly. Her entire face transforms as she studies the image. Her radiant smile makes me feel as though I'm looking at the sun, beautiful and blinding at once. I can't stop my body from reacting.

How can one look from her affect me this much?

I frown. The prospect of losing control again makes me step back. When she grabs her phone and wakes the screen, I blurt out,

"Does it meet your needs?"

Her smile dims.

"Yes. Is Grant a friend of yours?"

My back stiffens at the question.

"Why?"

"Because you don't seem like the kind of man who has time to deliver documents that don't concern you. Aren't you supposed to be very busy?"

"Oh, no, I'm only the director," I reply sharply.

Smiling, she rolls her eyes.

"You're so touchy."

The insult makes me clench my fists.

"You're right. I have better things to do than act as your personal courier. If Grant doesn't have the courage to face you, that's his problem, not mine."

The lie comes easily.

"Oh, of course. No problem. I'll text him."

Even though her smile is less radiant than before, it strikes me straight in the heart.

I need to get the hell out of here. Keeping my eyes fixed on the exit, I leave Mira with nothing but a string of lies to keep me company.