5

“Fine, tomorrow we’ll eat burgers.”

“Yes!” I throw my fist in the air, a look of triumph written on my face.

“You totally manipulated me there, didn’t you?” He scowls, bringing his fork to his mouth, but I can see the amusement in his eyes.

“Maybe.”

He shakes his head with a ghost of a smile, and we continue our meal in silence. It’s not an awkward silence. If anything, it’s a comfortable one, one that feels good as we enjoy our meal, just spending time together as if we’ve been doing it every day for years.

“Why do you need a comfort read?” He puts his cutlery onto his empty plate, then leans back with his elbow propped up on the surface, his head in his hand.

“I just didn’t know what to read.” I move the last bite of my lasagna over my plate before putting it in my mouth.

“Bullshit. There is a huge bookcase taking up the entire wall of the room you’re staying in. There are classics, romance novels, thrillers, even sci-fi and Harry Potter. But I’m pretty sure I don’t have Fifty Shades of Grey on any of those shelves, so it’s exactly as you said. A comfort read. Your comfort read.”

“Oh, right,” I tease. “I forgot that was your bookcase.”

“Funny.” He pulls a face, but keeps holding my gaze in anticipation.

“What?” I finally screech.

“Look, I know our relationship is a bit—”

“Passionate?”

“No,” he scolds.

“Sexy?”

“Weird.” He pushes out just to taunt me, making me roll my eyes in response. “But I’m your friend if you need one.” His hand lands on mine and it feels like a lightning bolt moves through my stomach. The hairs on my arm pop up as pebbles appear on the surface. When his gaze intensifies, I know he feels it too, but he just casually clears his throat as he continues, as if he’s unaffected.

“I’m your boss, and we need to keep it professional at work. But while you’re staying with me, I want you to feel comfortable.”

“Thank you. But I am. Really.”

He nods, though disbelief flashes across his face, and he lets go of my hand. Instantly, I’m missing the warmth of his palm on mine, and I pull it back before letting it rest on my leg.

“Dinner was great,” I offer as I pick up the plates and start bringing them to the dishwasher. He follows behind me with the rest of the stuff on the table, putting the olive oil back in the cabinet next to me. He’s only an inch away and my body feels drawn to his, and without my control, I twist my body a little. Our chests are now almost touching, and I feel my heart rate speed up, keeping my eyes trained on his chest until I find the bravery to move them up to his face.

He exhales through his nose and his breath fans my face, making my lashes flutter while I wait for him to make a move.

To move closer.

To put his hands on my body.

To kiss me.

Anything.

I just want to feel his body against mine. I’m desperately craving to know if he’d still feel as good as I remember when we merged as one.

“What are you doing?” His voice is husky, sultry, showing the same desire as I feel inside of me.

“What do you mean?” I question innocently.

“Kayla.”

“Nothing.” A smile splits my face, loving the effect I have on him, and I turn around to put the salt and pepper back in the herb rack while he’s still breathing down my neck. “You want to watch a movie or something?”

“Sure,” I hear him mutter behind me. “Just give me a minute. I’ll be right back.”

I glance over my shoulder, watching him trot away toward his bedroom while I inwardly rub my hands together like a diabolical bitch. Bodi McKay wants me just as much as I want him.