No Kissing Allowed (No Kissing Allowed #1)(10)

“So, was that all?” I asked, eager to get out of there so I could breathe again.

Aidan considered me. “Yes.”

“Good. Then while we’re discussing appropriate, I’d like to make a few requests.”

“I’m listening.”

I squared my shoulders and lifted my chin. “None of those half-laughing smiles.” The corners of his mouth twitched, and I pointed at him. “See, that. That right there. None of those.”

With obvious effort, he relaxed his face. “All right. Anything else?”

I stared back at him, watching as his eyes traveled over me quickly before returning to my face, like he couldn’t control himself. Fresh rage burned in my chest. Damn if I was going to come to work every day and stand here while he imagined all my parts. “Just one.” Drawing a breath, I leaned over his desk, inches from his face, “No picturing me naked. Not even a little. To you, I’m forever clothed. Got it?” Then I turned and bolted out of his office, sure I could hear his laughter long after the door closed behind me.





Chapter Six


Lunch consisted of a dry turkey sandwich from downstairs at my desk so I could continue my research for Gayle, and before long the office had grown quiet, the day coming to a close. I quickly texted Lauren to meet me at the Irish pub just down from my office, knowing she wouldn’t be able to refuse.

Stuffing my phone back into my bag, I peeked slowly over the top of my cube, hoping Aidan had gone home for the day, but his office was lit. He sat at his desk, focused on his Mac, working away as though it were midday instead of night.

I tried not to watch him as he worked. The way his hair fell into his eyes after a while and how he left it that way for several seconds before sweeping it out of his face. Like he was too focused on what he was doing to care. He sat in perfect posture, and every few minutes he would stare at the wall across from him before diving back into whatever he worked on. I wondered what was on that wall, if there was a photo there or a painting or maybe his favorite magazine ad. He picked up his phone a few times, but he never took a call, like he wanted to reach out to someone or maybe he hoped the person would reach out to him. And then finally, it was past seven, and I signed off, packed up my laptop, and went for the door. My gaze landed on Aidan again before I left. I couldn’t help it. Something about him kept me coming back.

Like always, I chose a different elevator from the one I took this morning, forever hoping to find some superfast elevator that traveled at near light speed. So far no luck. I drew a long breath and stepped into my choice, my eyes widening as the doors closed, and then I hummed “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep” until the doors popped back open and my breathing returned to normal. I pushed out of the building toward the pub, drawing in the night air as soon as it hit my face. My shoulders were tight and my feet were sore and my brain felt like it already needed a day off.

The Irish pub was smaller than most bars we frequented, with ten or so tables and then the bar. The Giants were on the wide-screen, and besides me, there was only a handful of people there. I imagined within an hour it would be packed, but for now, it was nice.

Securing a table away from the door, I laid out my notes from the morning meeting and then the research I had found for Gayle. I’d emailed her my findings before I left for the day, but I’d also printed a copy for myself.

“Vodka tonic,” I said to the waitress, just as my phone buzzed with a text from Lauren saying she’d be late. I slid my phone back into my bag and dived into the notes. I was reading over Brody’s idea of colored water dripping like sweat off the top players in any given division, which had been done, when the door to the bar opened. My gaze lifted, curious if Grace had been able to join us after all, but it wasn’t Grace or Lauren.

It was Aidan.

I slumped down in my chair and raised my notes up to hide my face. Why didn’t I choose a bar away from the office? I peeked over my notes. He was at the bar in just a few steps, laughing with the bartender, and I thought of how freely he had laughed with me on Saturday night. It was a different look for him. Laughing. A good look.

He ordered something I couldn’t hear and turned around to watch the game, when his eyes locked on mine. I ducked back down, praying he hadn’t actually seen me, which was maybe my stupidest thought all day, and then I heard the screeching sound of the chair across from me being pulled away from the table.

“Is this seat taken?”

I closed my eyes and dropped my notes at the sound of his voice. “I suppose not. Is there something I can do for you?” My voice held a hint of agitation that I couldn’t push away. He might be my boss, but I was still annoyed at his I don’t date BS. As though I expected a date. As though I wanted a date. Like every woman he passed by longed to go out with him, which likely they did, but gah. People didn’t admit that crap out loud.

Instead of answering my question, he picked up my notes and turned them around so he could read them. “Hey,” I called, before I could stop myself. “Have you ever heard of asking?”

Fantastic, Cameron. Go ahead and get yourself fired on the first day.

But he only smirked as his gaze dropped to the notes, UT Guy reappearing before me. “Detailed. Good.” His eyes lifted, and the intensity in them made my heartbeat kick up. I knew the look had less to do with me and more to do with his passion for the job, but still, why did he have to be so hot? It’d be so much easier if Aidan were the sixty-year-old with back problems I’d envisioned.