BILLIONAIRE'S UNINTENDED BRIDE

Chapter 16: I Don't Bite

Chapter 16: I Don't Bite

Friday had this easy vibe, wrapping around me like a cozy blanket, promising a break from the crazy hustle. My mind wandered to a weekend of Netflix binges and pizza - the ultimate comfort combo. It was the perfect escape from a week that felt like a marathon.

But as evening crept in, and the office clock ticked way past my usual clock-out time, I couldn't shake off this one nagging thought. Luke, still logged in, battling it out with some stubborn code. The guy was relentless, a machine, but even machines have their breaking points.

Before heading out, I figured I'd check on him. "Come in," his voice called out when I knocked.

Stepping in, I found him there, eyes locked on the screen. "Ms. Smith, what brings you here this late?" he asked, his voice smooth, with a hint of curiosity.

"Just wanted to see if you needed any help before I head out," I said, trying to sound casual, but I guess my concern was pretty obvious.

He gave me this tired but grateful smile. "I'd appreciate that, actually." He moved over to the couch, making room for me. It was strangely intimate, sharing that space.

His joke, "I don't bite," lightened the mood, but his cheeky follow-up, "Unless you want me to," sent an unexpected shiver of excitement down my spine. I took a seat beside him on the couch, struggling to keep my focus on the laptop screen and not the distracting warmth emanating from his presence.

Working side by side, the intensity of our close proximity was palpable. An electric undercurrent of silent understanding seemed to sync our thoughts as we delved deeper into the code. The professional boundary between us began to blur, giving way to a more profound, unspoken connection.

Each glance we shared carried an added depth, suggesting an unexplored territory beyond our work. It was like we were both aware of an underlying attraction, yet it remained veiled under the guise of professionalism.

When we finally ironed out the bug, a look of genuine triumph replaced Luke's usually reserved demeanor. "We did it," he said, his voice resonating with a sense of relief that echoed my own inner elation. The space around us felt charged, brimming with unspoken possibilities and what-ifs.

Our eyes met in a silent exchange, heavy with meaning. He leaned in slightly, and the memory of our almost-kiss from the day before hung in the air, causing a brief hesitation. As Luke sensed my hesitation, his hand gently found my neck, guiding me closer. His touch was tender, stirring a flurry of emotions within me. Our breaths intertwined. We were inches apart, the anticipation of a kiss hanging in the air. But just as we teetered on the brink of crossing that line, the shrill ring of Luke's phone pierced the air, jolting us back to reality.

Startled by the sudden intrusion of reality, I sprang to my feet, my nerves jangling like a set of loose keys. "Crazy weather, right? It's like Mother Nature's throwing a tantrum," I said, trying to break the charged atmosphere with some light-heartedness.

Luke's laughter was warm and grounding. "She's definitely not holding back," he agreed, his eyes lingering on me with an intensity that held echoes of the moment we'd just shared.

In a desperate bid to shift away from the electric tension between us, I blurted out something about the new coffee shop down the street. "Heard they've got the best cold brew in town."

"A change of scenery might be nice," he replied, his tone smooth and even, a stark contrast to the storm of emotions I was trying to navigate.

My attempt at a graceful exit was anything but. "Well, good morning—or, I mean, good night," I fumbled, my words tripping over themselves in their haste to escape.

Flushing with embarrassment but oddly grateful for the normalcy of the awkward moment, I added, "I've got a flight to catch on Sunday. Lots to do before then." I shot him a quick, somewhat flustered nod, then practically bolted out of his office.

Leaning against the wall outside, I took a moment to steady my racing heart, whispering to myself, "What the hell, Emily? Why does he always manage to knock you off your feet?" The confusion, the thrill, the undeniable attraction—it all swirled inside me like a tempest, leaving me both exhilarated and utterly disoriented.