Flawless Desire

JULIET

By the timeMonday rolls around, I’m more determined than ever that my erotic night with Caleb was a mistake. A delicious, mind-blowing, orgasmic mistake, but a mistake nonetheless.

And it absolutely can’t happen again.

Still, I know that Caleb isn’t the type of man to give up so easily, so I’m not surprised when he calls me into his office as soon as I arrive at work.

Squaring my shoulders, I walk in. “You wanted to see me?”

Caleb’s at his desk with a pile of paperwork, but he sets it aside when I walk in. “Juliet. Good. I need to apologize for leaving so abruptly the other night.”

“No problem.” I manage a casual shrug. “These things happen.”

“You’re not mad at me?” He seems surprised.

“Not at all.” My tone is cool. “Oh, that reminds me.”

I reach into the pocket of my sweater, pull out the necklace, and set it on his desk. “Thanks for loaning it,” I say casually.

“You should keep it.” Caleb smiles. “Wear it to dinner with me tonight.”

“No thank you.”

He blinks. “You have plans? Break them.”

“No.” I meet his eyes. Stay strong. “I’m not going to dinner with you. In fact, I won’t see you outside the office again. Friday was… A mistake. Going forward, I’d like to keep things professional. I’m sure you understand.”

If he’s disappointed by that, he doesn’t show a ripple. “Of course.” His eyes snake down my body. “So you’ve recovered?”

His gaze is locked on my ass. So, that’s his way of being professional? “Absolutely. It isn’t even a memory.”

I turn to leave. He says, “So let me know when you’d like to pick up where we left off.”

I stop and level my most unaffected gaze at him. “Believe it or not, I don’t want to. This… Thing between us is not of interest to me anymore.”

“Is that so?” Caleb smirks.

He’s not buying it. And for good reason. I’ve never told a bigger lie in all my life.

Somehow, I manage to nod. “Yes. Will that be all, Mr. Sterling?”

“For now.” He’s still smirking, like my determination is amusing to him. Like it’s funny that I’ve just told him to go screw himself.

My scowl deepens. “I’ll be at my desk if you need me.”

I manage a step before he says, “Juliet?”

I freeze but don’t turn this time. I’ve had just about enough of this. I’m going to hide out in another department so he won’t bother me—

“Victoria called in sick today. So you’ll need to make yourself available to me.”

I grimace. Make yourself available to me. I plaster a bland smile on my face. “Whatever you say.”

I stalk back to my desk, preparing for war. Hardening myself for the torture. Thankfully, though, he doesn’t toy with me like I thought he would. Sure, every time he leaves his office, I feel his eyes on me, and it’s like walking on eggshells. But by the end of the day, he’s simply sending me curt, professional emails. At first, I’m happy.

Then I realize that if all I do is interact with him via email, I’m never going to have any opportunities to get a closer look at his schedule.

Or look for that second burner phone.