Professional Restraint

32 Forget You...

Ella

"Mr. Anthony, we have a lot to go over and not much time to do it." My gaze flickers ever so briefly to his before it hits the laptop once more. "Please."

His eyes widen and his lips part as he freezes, like my words slapped him. That look will be burned into my mind.

Thankfully, he recovers and sluggishly moves to take his seat at his desk. My stomach twists uneasily as I force myself to focus on the laptop infront of me.

My work space at the coffee table feels so foreign. From the moment I started here, my place has been at his side, and now this place haunts me. My mind replays every innocent brush and touch, the stolen looks and moments... but that was before.

Maybe I should have taken the out Sophia offered. Maybe I was being delusional, thinking I could work alongside him like nothing happened...

What the hell was I thinking?

Tapping draws my attention up. Liam sits hunched over the document I gave him. His fist holds up his temple as he ticks his jaw. The steady tapping is from a pen he flicks against the desk, but his attention doesn't really look like it's on my file.

Something else is bothering him.

Working so closely with him in Russel's presence, I think I've learned every one of his irritated and angry tells. Currently, he's doing every one of them.

I stare at my computer, sorting through the data dump from yesterday. As convenient as that emergency was, I can't help but think that Sophia did it to give me a bit more time to think.

Before long, I lose myself in work. There is, of course, a checkup from Sophia and a few distractions from Tim as I cut the backlog down to size.

I'm so distracted by my laptop that I don't hear Liam approach, but my body does. Before I have a chance to see him, goosebumps rise. I look up, making the mistake of getting lost in his emerald eyes.

"As always, flawless, Miss Carter." His tone is formal and professional, exactly what I wanted, yet guts me.

Miss Carter.

I take the papers from him as a stone sinks in my stomach. How did I possibly think I could go back to day one like nothing happened?

His fingertips graze mine and I feel the same electricity light me up as before. Instantly my mind goes back to the other night.

No matter how hard I try, I can't forget how it felt when his hands were on me. The way his lips set fire to my skin, how he ignited something in me I thought was impossible.

Just the memory has my pulse racing and my breathing shallow. Subconsciously, I shift in my seat, pressing my thighs together as I jerk away from him.

I can't.

Everything is too messed up.

Be strong...

"El?" He asks, concern etching his handsome features.

Fuck...

"I need air." I bolt, walking as fast as my little legs will go down the maze that brings me to the upper patio. Liam calls after me, but I only walk faster.

The cool air hits my face and I lean against the door, breathing a small sigh of relief. Minute by minute, my pulse calms, breathing evens out, and heat begins to dissipate.

Palming my face, I walk over to the railing and lean over it, resting my elbows on the cold steel. I can do this... I just can't be too close to him, or touch him, or even look... simple.