5

“You didn’t care about my age last summer,” she challenges.

“Last summer, you weren’t working for me.”

“Oh, please, Bodi. I’m staying with you. We flirt every chance we get. We can easily have sex when we’re not in the office, but you’d rather walk around the house with a sexual tension that’s suffocating both of us than just give in to it.”

“You really blurt out whatever you want, don’t you?” Her boldness keeps amazing me. I would’ve expected a nineteen-year-old to be more wait-and-see, a little more shy. But then again, it shouldn’t surprise me, since the only reason we hooked up last summer is because she made it no secret that she was into me. And the fact that she’s gorgeous as sin.

“No sense beating around the bush, right? I like you, Bodi. And I know you like me too.” There is more sitting on her tongue. I can see it by the look on her face, but she presses her lips together.

“I’m not looking to date anyone, Kayla.” I’m not. I won’t deny I want her in my bed. But I also know we can’t be more than just that. An innocent office flirt.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Here comes the ‘I-don’t-date-and-you’re-to-young-speech, right’?”

I stay quiet, holding her fearless gaze while licking my lips. I’d expect her to be disappointed, maybe even mad, but instead she just gives me a dull look like I’m boring her.

“It’s weird because you are ten years older than I am, yet I’m the one who doesn’t want to beat around the bush. I’ll tell you what. You can fuck me.”

My eyes widen at her cavalier delivery of those crude words.

“But you also have to date me.” I want to kiss away the smug look on her face, but I’m very aware I’d be playing in her hands if I do that.

“You’re too young,” I tell her.

“I knew it!” she yelps in victory of her being right, before she adds, “But that’s a bullshit excuse, and you know it.”

“It’s not. We want different things in life due to the simple fact that you are a teenager and I’m a grown ass man.”

“Like what?” she dares, leaning forward.

“You want to party.”

“I’ve partied enough over the last year to last a lifetime.”

“Your parents would never approve.”

“Don’t give a shit if they do,” she counters, like it’s the damn Australian open.

“You’re not even allowed to drink.”

“That has nothing to do with it. Besides, I’m allowed in Europe.”

“We’re not going to Europe.”

“You’re such a buzzkill.”

“I am a buzzkill,” I throwback as an argument.

“Smooth.” She chuckles, rolling her eyes. “Just stop, McKay. I’ll change your mind in five dates.”

I shoot her an incredulous look. “I just told you I don’t want to date.”

“And I’m telling you, you’re full of shit. This lunch is proof of it.”

“What?!” I screech. “It’s a business lunch.”

“Really? Because so far, we’ve discussed my academic life or lack there off and us becoming a thing. Not really business-y, is it?”

“We’re not a thing,” I grunt, holding on to my point of view.

“No, but we will be. This is date number one.” I shake my head at her cheerful face. I want to be mad at her, scowling at her for not keeping this professional, but I simply can’t. I will admit I like being with her, and I don’t want to stop that. But I can’t date her. That’s crossing a line we’ll never come back from, and I have a feeling it won’t end well.

And it will end.

It always ends.

“Friends. We can be friends,” I suggest.

“He’s putting me in the friendzone.” She brings her eyes up to the ceiling while dramatically throwing her hands up.

“It’s the only way we can still work together. I’m not going to sleep with one of my employees.”

“Fine, you stubborn Australian son of a bitch. You can call it friends if that gives you peace of mind.” She rests her elbows on the table, giving me a determined look. “But I’ll be telling you ‘I told you so’ when you decide you’re going to keep me in your bed when we are way past the friendzone.”

“Just friends, Kayla.” I laugh, but it’s really not funny. I’m losing my resolve here.

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, a spark going through my muscles while I hold her gaze, trying to convince myself I can do this. I can ignore my want for her and be her friend.

That shouldn’t be too hard, right?