Sweet Love - Mia Kayla Page 0,20

marketing gurus learn, but sometimes, it’s as simple as knowing what people want, what people like. And you know what looks good.”

I pressed one hand to my chest. “Listen, I’m flattered. Really. But I just can’t accept this offer.”

“I’d pay you overtime.”

Tempting, really tempting, as I needed the money, and if I were sure I could do the job and be successful at it, I’d take him up on his offer. Though overtime would be really nice, that wasn’t the issue. Simply said, I wasn’t qualified to take this position when so much was riding on the line.

“I just can’t.”

He pinched his chin, never breaking eye contact. After pressing his lips together, he tipped his head, nodding. “Okay, I know this is a lot to take in, and I understand where you’re coming from, but from our brief conversations and the little that I’ve seen of your work, I believe you can really help us.”

His compliment made my stomach flip and then flop.

“Thanks,” I said, shifting in my seat, hating his fierce stare locked on me.

After a beat, he picked up his cup. “I have to get to a meeting, but, Charlie … please don’t deny me just yet. You’re talented, Charlie. Don’t try to hide it. And I’m sure it’s just not me. I know some artists who would think the same thing. I know quite a few people in the industry that I could introduce you to.” His gaze was firmly fixed on mine. “Just think about it, okay?”

The idea of helping Colby’s with this rebranding initiatives was tempting but scary as hell. “Okay.”

His smirk had me looking at what his eyes had flittered to.

“Sexy Filthy Boss?” He lifted a curious eyebrow.

Great. He had seen the title of my book.

When he reached for the book, I grabbed it and chucked it into my lunch bag.

“It’s a romantic comedy by one of my favorite authors. Okay, I guess I’ll see you later.” I waved a hand and tried to tame the heat on my face.

“Give it here …” He motioned with his fingers, beckoning me, my diversion tactic failing.

“What?”

“Your book. I want to see it.”

“Are you into romance novels now?” The heat of my cheeks rushed to my ears.

“Come on. I want to see it. I promise I won’t make fun of you.”

My face scrunched, and I pulled it out of my lunch bag. With a big pout, I plopped it on the table. When he reached for it, he flipped to the back cover to read the blurb. And I wanted to crawl under the lunch table and die a fast, easy death.

His eyes seared through me, and we were locked in this sort of no-blinking contest. “Do you fantasize about this sexy, filthy boss?”

The heat on my face turned from tamale hot to caliente hot. If I’d had any doubt I was beet red, there was no doubt now. I widened my eyes.

Honest to goodness, this could be classified as sexual harassment. But I knew he was just trying to get a rise out of me.

“I’m totally kidding. I shouldn’t have said that.” He pushed the book back in my direction and rubbed at his brow. “I’ve taken enough training to know that was totally inappropriate. That was actually random.” He tilted his head from side to side as though there were a crick in his neck. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it.”

He locked eyes with me, and I swore it was as if he had secret powers because it stilled me in my spot, to the point where I couldn’t even move, let alone breathe.

“You just turned bright red. It’s … cute.” He shook his head as though he were clearing his focus and cleared his throat. Then, he rubbed at his brow again. “Anyway …”

Is Connor flirting with me?

But there was no way. He was beauty, and I was the blonde beast. I couldn’t fathom him actually flirting with me.

“Yeah, that’s my God-given talent. My face can turn so red that I look like one of those cartoon characters with their heads ready to blow. It’s a gift of mine that I’ve had ever since I was younger.”

He laughed. “You’re funny. I like that.” There was that weird staring contest happening again until he cleared his throat for what seemed like the millionth time and stood.

I wonder if he was coming down with something. Did he need a cough drop?

He knocked on the table twice. “I have a meeting in about ten minutes, so I’ll