It didn’t make sense that she was fantasizing and sometimes daydreaming about the man. Why him? Why did her temporary boss make her want to touch him all over and jump his bones? Sure, it had been awhile since she’d been with a man, but it hadn’t been that damn long. And sure, he was handsome in a sexy, geek kind of way with an intelligence that was as attractive as the rest of him. However, he was uptight, standoffish, and a workaholic.
So not my type.
Even with those negatives, the sexual tension that vibed between her and Harrison Grant was hot enough to leave burn marks. It was a good thing that her assignment would soon be over. She didn’t know how much longer she could pretend she wasn’t seriously interested in him.
Then again, who was she kidding? The man was so far out of her league, there was no way he’d be interested in her. It didn’t matter anyway. He seemed like the type to never step out of line. No way would he help her act out some of the fantasies.
Nyla snorted at the thought and shoved her bag into the bottom desk drawer. No sense in daydreaming about someone she could never…
The door behind her burst open, and she jumped, her hand flying to her chest. “What in the…”
Harrison.
“I told you to always get the caller’s name and tell me before transferring them to my phone,” he ground out, his chest heaving as if he was about to blow a gasket at any moment.
Nyla should be concerned, especially since he had never raised his voice at her, but all she could do was stare at him. The man was too gorgeous for his own good, and the fire in his eyes only made him look that much hotter.
Even his black, wire-rimmed glasses didn’t detract from his handsomeness. Smooth deep-bronze skin, a thin mustache and goatee, and eyes that were so dark, they almost looked black, made up his perfect face. Then there was the black turtleneck he was wearing. It molded over his muscular upper body, and the black slacks had to be tailored specifically for him to look that good.
Yup. Too damn fine.
“Did you hear what I said?” he snapped, and that shook Nyla from her thoughts.
“I heard you,” she said, though she wasn’t positive that she’d heard everything. Ignoring his rant and scowl, she said, “Good morning, Sunshine. Can I get you some coffee? Tea? Or do you need something stronger, like a shot of tequila, to calm you down?”
***
Stunned into silence, all Harrison could do was stare at the enticing woman who made him crazy. Not because she couldn’t handle the admin work. No, she was wonderful in the position. His issues stemmed from the fact that he was attracted to the unflappable beauty.
Not only was she beautiful in an understated way, but she was the most easygoing person he’d ever met. Nothing phased her. Not even him—storming out of his office and verbally attacking her like an idiot—but phone calls from certain people tended to have that effect on him.
Huffing out a breath, Harrison stuffed his hands into the front pockets of his black pants and finally really looked at Nyla. Mischief glimmered in her eyes, and a grin spread across her lips. Her enticing, red, plump lips that he wanted to kiss more than he wanted to do anything else.
Apparently, Nyla Priestly was the cure for all things that ailed him because the phone call was all but forgotten, and his lips twitched as he tried to fight a smile.
“I think I need more than a shot of liquor this morning,” he finally said, remembering how she’d greeted him. “So if you have tequila, just hand over the whole bottle.”
Her mouth dropped open, and her eyes grew wide at his words. Hell, he was surprised too. He didn’t crack jokes. He barely talked to anyone, but there was something about this woman who brought out a side of him that he didn’t even recognize himself.
Laughing, she folded her arms across her chest and leaned a hip against the desk. “Well, well, well. Who knew you had a sense of humor?
And I’ve been working here for months, and I can’t remember you ever smiling. At least not the way you’re currently smiling, where the smile actually makes it to your eyes. Who are you, and what have you done with the grumpy Mr. Harrison Grant?”
On that, Harrison couldn’t help but laugh. He shook his head and took a few steps back. He didn’t trust himself to be too close to this woman because he might do something else that was uncharacteristic of him. Something like pull her into his arms, hold her close, and finally find out what she tasted like.
Nope, he couldn’t risk it.
Thoughts of what it would be like to kiss Nyla had dominated his mind lately but kissing her was forbidden. Hell, even touching her wasn’t a good idea. At least as far as he was concerned. The company didn’t have a no fraternizing policy, but no way would Harrison get involved with an employee. Not even a temporary one.
Yeah, he needed to shut down this attraction toward her. Besides, he didn’t do relationships, and Nyla came across as the settling down type. Something he never planned to do. Ever.
*
Copyright © 2025 Sharon C. Cooper