“I was happy to see her,” he said. “I’m always happy to see former employees doing well.”
She made a face. “Right. It’s just that you’re not like that with many people.”
“Kylie and I both went to Stanford. She was a few years behind me, but I was kind of a mentor to her,” he said. “There’s nothing romantic between us at all.”
“So she’s your friend?”
He raised an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t go that far. It’s a cordial, professional relationship. Nothing more.”
A relieved sigh made her shoulders heave.
“Were you jealous of Kylie?” he asked, barely able to contain a laugh.
“What? No.” She bit her lip and then clasped her hands. “Okay. Maybe a little. But you were jealous of Gary.”
“You were married to Gary,” he argued.
The kettle started to boil, and she rushed over to grab it and started pouring hot water into their mugs. “It was nice of you to bring my sweater. Thank you.”
“You’ve already thanked me,” he reminded her.
“Right. I have.” She set the kettle back down and sat down across from him.
“Do you want me to go?” he asked. “If you don’t want me here, I don’t know why you’d bother inviting me in for a drink—”
“I thought you were dating Kylie. That’s the only reason I let you in here,” she said breathlessly.
“Oh.” He sighed. “Do you think I’m that out of control?”
“No, but I know I’m that out of control,” she said. “I mean, you’ve been ignoring me at work, but that’s probably the right idea.”
“I haven’t been ignoring you, Heather,” he said. “You’re impossible to ignore.”
“So, why have you been so cold to me?” she asked.
He frowned. “Isn’t that what you wanted? We both decided to move on. The best way to do that is to put some distance between us.”
“So, why did you come over to my house?” she demanded.
“Because you left your ID,” he replied. “I didn’t want you to have to deal with the stress on Monday morning.”
“Is that really why you came over here?” she asked. “Because I doubt you’d do the same thing for any other employee.”
Simon didn’t know how to respond to that. Mostly because she was right. He wouldn’t have hand- delivered a sweater to anyone else. Staying away from Heather would have been the right call, but after Linda reminded him how lonely his life was he couldn’t stand being away from Heather for one more second. He hated that he could barely talk to her. Being apart was the best thing for both of them, but actually going through with it seemed impossible now that he was in her presence.
He took a sip of the hot tea, trying to buy some time. “I wouldn’t do the same for any other employee,” he finally admitted. There wasn’t any use lying about it. She could obviously see right through him. Without thinking, he reached out and covered her hand with his.
She stared down at their hands. “Kiss me, Simon.”
Heather didn’t have to repeat herself. In less than five seconds he got out of his chair, walked over to her, and pulled her into his arms.
“What about Gary?” he asked.
“What about him?”
He gently stroked her cheek, which turned pink at his touch. “You still have feelings for him.”
“No, I promise you I don’t,” she said firmly. “I only let you believe that because it made things easier.”
“There’s nothing going on between you and your ex?” He paused. “So, you’ve been keeping more secrets, Heather?”
“You and I already share a secret,” she said. “Our mistake is secret enough. Why would you want me to tell you more?”
Capturing her chin in his hand, he asked, “What if it isn’t a mistake?”
Her eyes fell on his, and they darkened seductively. “If it isn’t a mistake, why haven’t you kissed me yet?”
His mouth found hers, and his tongue swept inside. Tasting her made him groan softly. Her soft lips were crushed beneath his as she clung to him so tightly he thought she might never let go. And he didn’t want her to. Not when her tongue met his. Not when her soft body was practically wrapped around his.