Breaking up with My Boss - Alexis Winter Page 0,17

trying to keep herself under control. Her hands are shaking slightly and her legs are wobbly like they’re weak. I wonder if this is her natural reaction to being in my arms. The thought makes me smirk with pleasure. Maybe I’m not as far off from getting what I want after all.

Seven

Poppy

I don’t know what that was, but I nearly blew my cover. He presented me with the ring and I wanted to play along like it was a real engagement. I said yes and leapt into his arms. He laughed and hugged me tightly, but when he pulled away, I didn’t want to let go. Maybe I got caught up in the performance, but deep down I know it had nothing to do with that. My reaction was my natural reaction to him. Even though I’ve always been attracted to him, spending all this time together has only made that attraction grow. I guess if he brings it up, I could just play it off like it was just part of the game.

We get into the car and he addresses the issue more quickly than I thought he would. “What was that back there?”

“What was what?” I ask, pretending like I have no idea what he’s talking about.

“It . . . it seemed like you wanted me to kiss you.” His voice is soft, unsure, nervous. It’s so far off from the way he usually sounds—sure and full of authority.

I laugh it off. “It was just a quick thought. Caught up in the moment, ya know?”

“So you did want me to kiss you?” he asks, still confused.

“I mean, not for real. I was just thinking that it’s probably something we need to work on, you know? How will anyone buy us as a couple if we never touch or kiss? And if we do end up kissing in front of someone—you know, for the show of it all—they’ll know right away that we’re not really together if we have no chemistry and end up stumbling through our first kiss.”

“Oh, so it’s all in the name of research and practice then?”

“Well, what else would it be for? I mean, you hate me with a passion and I can’t stand you most days,” I lie. Well, I guess it’s only a half-lie. Before this arrangement, I couldn’t stand him most days, but now as we get closer, I find myself liking him more and more, especially after he asked his staff to donate the crystal. And it seems the more time we spend together, the more he’s working to control his tone of voice, his anger, and the way he words certain things. He hasn’t insulted me all day. That has to mean something, right? Thinking back on that almost-kiss, it seemed like for a split second, he wanted to kiss me too. But just as I was confused about it all, I think he was too.

We pull into the driveway of an unbelievably large house. This place has brick walls around it with an iron gate, a circle drive in front of the house, and a fountain in the center. The lawn is perfectly manicured and the walkways are lined with complementary flowers and shrubbery. Matthew pulls up to the front door and stops the car. I’m too busy staring up at the mansion.

“Poppy?” he says my name.

“Huh?” I ask, not pulling my gaze from the house. I’m almost expecting to see gargoyles perched on top. So his family does have a Bruce Wayne-style estate. Naturally.

“Poppy?” he says it again.

I turn my head toward him this time. I don’t know what’s happening to me, but seeing him in the darkness of the car, with the blue dash lights lighting up his face, he takes my breath away. His high cheekbones are prominent, his jaw sharp, and his lips plump and soft—teasing. His dark eyes are what really draw me in though. They’re wide and fully alert, but it’s like they hold so many secrets, and the only way to get answers is by diving into the murky water.

“I know you’re probably over there freaking out right now, but just try to relax. My father isn’t here tonight. It’s just my grandmother, and she’s always kind. Well, mostly. She can be a real spitfire when she needs to be,” he jokes, turning off the car and opening his door.

I’m momentarily lost. Did he just reassure me? That isn’t something he would’ve done a few days ago. Before, he would’ve enjoyed watching