Page 72 of Miss Understanding

Kendall

I didn’t leave Liam’s house until five o’clock the next morning. Oh, yeah, there was nothing like leaving your boss’s bed the morning before seeing him in the office a few hours later to establish truly professional boundaries.

After returning to my apartment, I showered, put on my favorite black skirt suit with a crisp white shirt and black-and-white pumps. I was ready to look the part at least. On the inside, however, I was a nervous mess. What would it be like to see him in the office today?

My arrival was on time at eight thirty despite the fact I’d had to drive in so I could lug the files back. They were in the trunk of my car, back in their boxes. I would need to get the cart later to bring them up to our office floor.

Figuring Liam was already in his office, as typical, I sat down at my desk and took a deep breath. Then I booted up my computer and logged in. I needed to think of this as a typical Monday, which meant not picturing him rolling me over in his bed last night and riding him. Not imagining the way he’d used his tongue after, leaving me completely spent.

Nope. No sex thoughts. Instead, I needed to get his breakfast as per usual. I got up, giving a brief rap on his door like I did every day, and opening it when he said to come in. “Good morning, Mr. Davenport.”

Why was my heart threatening to pound of out my chest? My face heated as soon as his gaze hit mine.

“Good morning, Ms. Tate.”

Jesus. When did that statement become so hot? “The usual for breakfast?”

“Yes. Please.”

The please was a new word. I turned to go, unable to help my smile. I went downstairs to the cafeteria to get a veggie omelet, side of fruit, and a coffee with cream and sugar, putting it on to his account.

Balancing Liam’s food, I knocked on his door again. When I entered, I noted he didn’t hesitate to fix his baby blues on me. No more ignoring me by staring at his monitor. Instead, he was tracking me with his gaze like I was the prey and he was the predator. The thought made me both want to giggle and to hop on his desk like I swore I wouldn’t do. Before I could go too far with my imagination, I set his tray with his coffee on his desk.

“Thank you,” he murmured, causing me to smile again.

“You’re welcome.”

“Did you bring the files back in?”

“Yes. I’ll need to get a cart to bring them up. I can do it now if you like.”

“I can help you. I should’ve taken them with me so you didn’t have to haul them in.”

“It’s not a problem. I can get one of the guys from facilities to help me.”

He was about to respond, but we were interrupted with a knock.

It was the managing partner, Phillip Kinkaid, peeking his head in. “Hello, Liam.”

My boss immediately stood up.

“Good morning, Mr. Kinkaid,” I said, taking my leave.

The impeccably dressed and always polite older man gave me a warm smile. “Good morning, Kendall.”

“I’ll go get those files now, Mr. Davenport,” I said, excusing myself.

By the end of the day, I had to say that staying completely professional hadn’t been so difficult. Probably because I couldn’t imagine being flirty or sexual in a place that sucked out all of the fun the minute you walked through the door. Aside from carting up the files and getting Liam lunch, I’d had no other interaction with him. That wasn’t a surprise considering he was one week before the deposition. He was basically hunkered down, completely focused on the case.

By the time five thirty came around, I did as I normally did. Logged out and didn’t bother to say good night. We hadn’t bid each other goodbye before last week, so doing it now seemed like it would come off as awkward.

Tonight was my first class of the winter quarter. I tried, but wasn’t very successful, in not getting bored with the topic of organizational leadership. This quarter also included a class on business-oriented computer applications. After these two mind-numbing classes, I only had two more left until I earned my degree. I couldn’t wait to be done. Yes, balancing work and classes was exhausting, but frankly, the subject matter bored me to tears. Hopefully, the payoff would be worth it once I could put a bachelor’s degree on my resumé.

Once I was done with class at nine, I checked my phone, but nothing from Liam. I hadn’t expected him to text me, but I did find myself disappointed.

Non-relationships were turning out to be tough to navigate. It was proving difficult to avoid breaking the rules of something I didn’t really know how to play. I was officially the uncoordinated girl in the back of the relationship step-aerobics class, hoping I didn’t trip and fall on my face.

The bright spot was when I returned home to see Chloe was there. I’d missed her over the last week.