Watch Me (Private Listing #1)

We? As in all of them again? My brain might short circuit and go to fantasyland. Maybe I should be honest about my attraction up front. Because I’m going to say something awkward, or blush when they say something that could be taken the wrong way, and accidentally flirt, and get fired. I can tell them that I never intend to act on it. But if they wanted to…

“Friday at four?” I say instead.

“See you then.”

* * *

Friday seemed forever away on Tuesday night, but now at three forty-five, I stand at the same desk with the same judgmental woman behind it. Hopefully, she doesn’t realize I’m wearing the same skirt. Everyone here seems so fancy and well put together.

I’ll get there after a few paychecks, but until then, she’ll just have to deal with me wearing the same skirt a few times this week.

“Madison Harris to see Blake Wagner.” Not even a slight quiver in my voice.

She holds out the access card and gestures toward the elevator as she talks into her headset.

Okay, I know the drill apparently. I walk over to the bank of elevators and hit the button on the far one. As I step inside, I hear someone call my name.

“Hold the elevator, please.” I think it’s Noah’s voice.

I press the button to hold the doors open, and Noah rounds the corner into the elevator and gives me a broad smile.

“Thanks,” he says.

“You’re welcome,” I reply and swipe my card as the doors close us in.

“You’ve decided to join us?” Noah’s voice is deep but almost scratchy. His dirty blond hair is particularly messy today. Almost begging me to run my fingers through it to tame it. His brown eyes meet mine. He smells like the outdoors on a sunny day.

I want to lean into him and feel his warmth.

“Yes, I’m meeting with Blake to go over some paperwork.” I clasp my hands behind my back. This guy is about to be my boss, even though he can’t be much older than I am. And on second viewing, he’s still very attractive. “I start on Monday.”

“I’m sure the others will have tons for you to do, but I have a few special projects for you to work on.” Noah dips his head a little and gives me a smile that makes my breath catch and my heart quicken. His brown eyes never leave me.

He slips his hand into his pocket, and I barely resist glancing down at the front of his pants. My cheeks heat as the elevator reaches the top floor. That would have been so inappropriate. He holds his other hand out when the doors open to allow me to go first.

Thanking him, I walk into the office for the second time and breathe in. I’d hoped it was just the first meeting with my heightened nerves that made me so attracted to them, but apparently not.

I try to focus on my new workspace. It’s just as gorgeous as I remember. I’m going to work here. I can’t wait.

Noah’s hand goes to the small of my back as he draws me forward. His touch floods me with sparks. “Blake’s office is this way. And please call me Noah and not Mr. Burns. I always feel like the old man from the Simpsons when someone calls me that.”

I smile. “I can’t imagine anyone comparing you to him.”

He flashes me his dimples when he smiles. My heart skips a beat. His hand barely touches my back, but I can feel the heat of him through my clothes, seeping under my skin.

When he looks away, I resist the urge to fan myself. If I’d met him in college, I would have flirted and invited him back to my place.

After knocking on the door, he turns to me. His eyes darken as his gaze drops to my lips. “I hope everything goes well, Madison.”

“Me too, Noah.” My heart ratchets up a beat as he dips his head slightly. My lips part in anticipation.

The door opens, and we both turn to see Blake. It feels like we’ve been caught doing something we shouldn’t, but Blake doesn’t seem put off.

“Early,” he says. “That bodes well.”

Noah touches my arm, and little ripples surge under my skin from his fingertips. “I’ll see you Monday morning.”

I nod, still a little breathless. “Okay.”