Breaking up with My Boss - Alexis Winter Page 0,16

not.

“So, where were we on getting to know each other?” she asks with a flirty smile.

I can’t help but play along, pretending it’s real. I smile at her. “What are your favorite kinds of movies?”

“Hmm,” she says, thinking it over. “I guess I like scary movies. It gives people the excuse to get close.” Again with the teasing grin.

I chuckle. “You’re good at this.”

“Good at what?” she asks, batting her lashes.

“Flirting. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you actually liked me.”

She shrugs one shoulder. “I’m a good actress. Plus, getting to know you a little better does help. You’re not entirely the fuckboy I thought you were, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement.”

I laugh. “Are you trying to train me?”

“Nope. I’m just trying to make this as smooth as possible.”

The waiter comes out with our soups and salads and she releases my hand to eat. I already miss it there. I wish I could treat her like I would any other girl I’d normally date, but that’s not how we are and that’s not the type of relationship we have . . . although she is a good actress and she even has me wondering if it’s all acting or if she could be feeling the same for me as I am for her.

The workweek goes by without a hitch. She’s completely different now that we’re living together. She’s never late and she seems to have her shit together at work, though I suppose I’ve also been trying to take it a little easier on her.

Friday after work, I present her with a dress for dinner with my grandmother. It’s a black number that’s made out of thin black material covered in sheer lace. It’s a form-fitting dress with tiny little sleeves. The dress ends just below the knee, but the tightness of the dress leaves very little to the imagination. I give her a pair of matching sky-high black heels that give a nice shape to her legs. I’ve also included a matching purse and jewelry.

“So, what do you think?” she asks, spinning in a circle before me.

I wet my lips, ready to eat her up. “I think you look great,” I say, not wanting to give her too much to have her worrying about the meaning behind it. I pull the ring out of my pocket. “Here’s the engagement ring I promised. I went ahead and took care of it without you. Now, this is only a loaner and it’s worth about $20,000, so do not lose it. In fact, don’t even wear it unless we’re going to a family function. Got it?”

She nods but rolls her eyes like she can’t believe I don’t trust her with such a priceless item. I open the box and show her the ring, causing her eyes to widen in shock. It’s a platinum halo with a pear diamond in the center.

“This is gorgeous,” she breathes out.

I take it out of the box and slide it onto her finger. “Will you be my pretend fiancée?” I smirk.

“Yes!” She plays along, jumping and wrapping her arms around my neck. I laugh at her theatrics, but place her on her feet.

Even though she’s standing on her own now, her arms don’t pull away from my neck. I pull back, putting us eye-to-eye, and we both freeze.

Her red lips are glistening and parted as her breathing picks up. I can feel the charge of electricity bouncing between us. I wonder if she can too, but then I remember how breathless she seems, so I think it’s safe to say she does. That or this is just a little too close for comfort and she’s feeling worried or scared. I wish I could read her mind. Maybe then I’d know what to do. I’m torn between leaning in and kissing her, and pulling back and keeping this game going between us.

Part of me knows, though, that if I do lean in and kiss her, I won’t want to stop. And even if she lets it go on, we won’t make it to dinner. If she stops it, dinner will be unbearable until we can finally clear the air. So I clear my throat, breaking the moment between us. Her arms fall back to her sides and I’m finally allowed to take a step back.

“We should probably get going,” I say, holding out my elbow.

“Of course,” she breathes out, nodding her head. As we make our way to the door, it seems like she’s