don'

e along my bottom lip. Emma let out a soft, inv

edible," she said,

" I replied, giving

mind. There was an unexpected sexiness to it-almost too intimate, even though she likely hadn

rked like this before. Suddenly, desire crept in, catching me off guard. Maybe being single has made me notice things I ignored in the past

ention. My focus was entirely

hering you?" she asked, br

?" I replied, biting my tongue before I

astic. You really know your way aroun

n it coming," I said, letting out a sigh and sinking further into the chair. "A few months before she finally left, she seemed determined to tear down whatever confidence I had left-especially when it came to the bedroom or the kitchen. She used to love it when we made love or had spontaneous, passionate sex. She'd complain about everything, said I was boring, claimed I'd lost my spark. For a while, I actually believed her. Then,

t, honestly. You shouldn't let her words

sometimes. Back then, I just took it all in

's supposed to care about you-spends their energy making you fe

ke made me wonder if she was sp

to you?" I asked, curios

uel, always putting me down, and it escalated until he hit me. That was

s like that are just pathetic. I'm

talk about something else. How

e made sure I learned it too. He passed away three years ago, and I still think about

ter, but he understood how much I cared for her. Maybe I should've ta

. I'm sorry for your

e been part of my team for over two years, and I

up felt easy when she was nearby. Whenever I needed to let off steam or deliver a speech meant for no one in particular, she

, Brandon. But getting to know you? That's definitely

m the office, feels good. Let's finish dinner, pour ourselves some wine, and se

not a lot to tell, honestl

lot you're not saying, Emma.

about her that hinte

eating." She rolled her eyes, laug

she asked. She laughed again, and the ai

o my face. But every little sound of pleasure

if we finished eating quickly, I'd have a chance to calm myself

laimed, setting her silverware

But, fair warning-you're on dish duty

ile, scooping up the dirty plate

g." I laughed, fol

that? Washing up is

you wash everythi

to start scrubbing. Typica

and started scrubbing away. I stepped behind he

Her hand shot out

dishwasher, right?" I co

me take care of this," she said,

s made m

n us shrank to nothing. She didn't seem fazed by how close we were, but I felt every inch of distanc

her gaze, and I found it im

ace, I'll splash you with water."

said, placing my hands on th

With that, I leaned closer, shrinking the space be

hat I wanted to test the air between us-to se

eally wou

" she said, lips twitching into a secre

probably shouldn

a bit too much, woul

y close to longing, though maybe I was just seeing what I wanted to see. I caug

a word, her focus fixed on the task. Dragging my f

'd end up making a mov