think, above all else, we can keep it professional. Anya will be happy to hear that we’re working together.”
She nods. I have to stop myself from telling her how much I’ve actually missed seeing her around these last few days.
Blaire stands up from her chair and extends her hand to me.
“I guess we should commemorate this moment by shaking hands.”
Our hands meet, and they linger for a moment longer than necessary. Is she thinking about that night too? When I touched her neck. Her mouth had parted that night like she was hungry for a kiss. Maybe it was just my imagination.
When she pulls her hand away, I smirk at her.
“You can call me boss now,” I say, and she rolls her eyes.
“Watch it, Trevor Davenport; I haven’t actually signed the contract yet.”
She picks up her bag and walks to the door. I can’t take my eyes off her. The way her body moves in that form-fitting dress she’s wearing. She looks over her shoulder at me, and I still don’t look away.
Then she’s gone.
I should call Calvin. I should share the good news with the rest of the team. Everyone knows this is going to be a profitable step for us. We have all been waiting to hear Blaire’s decision.
But I need a moment for it all to sink in. I need a moment to myself.
I sit at my desk and stare at the picture of Anya that rests there.
This is it. I could have Blaire if I tried hard enough. That electrifying moment that night was proof she wants me too. She may not like me, but she wants my body like I want her.
I can’t have her. I need to keep reminding myself what that would do to Anya. The longer Blaire is in our lives, the more attached my daughter will get, and the less my chances will become of having Blaire in my bed.
10
Blaire
I’ve signed the contract. It’s official. We’re moving out of this office and into a swankier, more luxurious one at the Habitat building. What’s more, I know I have to work seriously hard on myself and my self-control.
I tried to leave my attraction for Trevor out of it when I made my decision to take the offer. I did my research. I spoke to everyone who could give me good advice. My legal team did the groundwork.
So now that I’ve finally signed the contract, I can safely tell myself this is the right business direction to take. However, there is also that part of me that knows Trevor’s undeniable desirability has a play in this too.
No. I’m going to keep my hands to myself and our interaction minimal.
I had the chance to tell Anya yesterday that her father and I will be working together, and she has been over the moon. She’s already made plans to visit us at the office. Even though I genuinely enjoy spending time with her, I don’t want her to be misguided by our relationship.
I can sense her growing more attached to me by the day, and I’m not sure where to draw the line. After all, I am just a neighbor. Her father and I don’t even get along.
Eventually, there will be other women in the picture. Women her father dates, maybe even marries…what happens then? Where do I fit into that narrative?
There are a lot of things to consider and I wish I had all the answers.
Within a span of eight months, I am packing up another part of my life. This office has stood me in good stead the last three years, but it is time to move on.
My team is out there, packing up their stuff while I look around my office with a smile. Right here, I achieved my dreams single-handedly. The only way to go from here is up.
There’s a knock on the door behind me. I’ve left it open because I’ll be dragging boxes out of here in a moment. When I flip around and see Stephen standing there, I feel my throat clamp up with shock.
I haven’t seen him in many years. The last time I saw him was across the hall at a conference. That was three years ago, when I was just starting off this business. We didn’t speak to each other.
“Stephen!” I exclaim, and a hand rises up to my chest.
“They told me to just knock on the door, that you wouldn’t mind,” he says, tipping his head backward towards my employees, who aren’t paying us