Page 9 of Executive Privilege

We're looking at each other across our laptops and empty takeout containers, and suddenly I'm aware of how late it is, how empty the office is, how we've been sitting close together for hours working on a project that feels more like a partnership than a boss giving orders to an employee.

"I should probably head home."

"Probably a good idea." Nicholas starts packing up his own materials. "Do you need a ride?"

"I drove, actually. But thank you."

"Good." He pauses. "Drive carefully. The streets downtown can be unpredictable at this hour on a Friday night."

There's an almost protective quality in his tone. Like maybe he's genuinely concerned about my safety, not just making polite conversation.

We walk to the elevator together, and I'm hyperaware of his presence beside me—the way he moves with quiet confidence. He holds the elevator door for me to step through and I accidentally brush up against him so slightly that I'm unsure if I should apologize or not. Considering how that small amount of contact sent my mind reeling, imaging hot elevator sex with my boss, I decide not to say anyting about it and risk fumbling my words.

"Thank you," I say as we reach the parking garage level. "For staying late, for the dinner, for helping with everything. I couldn't have managed all of this alone."

"Yes, you could have. It would have taken longer and been more stressful, but you would have managed it."

"How can you be so sure?"

The elevator doors open, but neither of us moves to get out and my blood starts racing as my mind starts wondering back to that earlier image.

"Because in the last three weeks, you've consistently exceeded every expectation I had when I hired you."

I stare at him, not sure how to respond to what might be the most direct compliment I've ever received from a boss.

The elevator doors start to close, and Nicholas puts his hand out to stop them. "After you, Sadie."

My name coming from his mouth. It's like feeding me chocolate covered strawberries and champaign. Great, now I'm thinking about him feeding me strawberries. I came back to Austin to get away from man trouble. Nothing serious, just a round of the mill breakup, the last thing I expected was to be crushing on my boss. Out of the frying pan and into the fire. I should know better than this.

I step out into the parking garage.

"Goodnight, Nicholas."

"Goodnight, Sadie. Drive safely."

I watch him walk to his car, sleek and masculine. He gets in a starts his car but doesn't move. I'm in an odd daze, wondering what he's doing, until I realize he's waiting for me. Of course, he's not going to leave me alone this late in a parking garage.

We exit the garage and I turn left and he turns right. I glance his car disappearing in my rear view mirror and then give my head a shake and turn up the music full blast.

I'm halfway home when my phone rings through my car's Bluetooth system. Emma's name appears on the dashboard display.

"Please tell me you're not still at work."

"I'm driving home now. Just finished up."

"Sadie, it's past midnight. This is not normal human behavior."

"It was a special circumstance. Nicholas was there too, helping me."

"Nicholas stayed late? Your scary boss, Nicholas?"

"He's not scary. He's just... intense."

"Uh-huh. OK."

There's a pause. "Sadie."

"What?"