Page 83 of Miss Understanding

Her pretty face turned pink. “My little comment about hoping he didn’t put you to work if he brought you back here probably didn’t help. But I have to say, guilt usually means he’d buy you flowers or check in to see how you’re doing. Guilt isn’t calling a doctor friend to come over in the middle of the night or inviting you to recover at his place. I think it’s more.”

Maybe, but I wouldn’t allow myself to go there. My emotions were already unbalanced. This morning, he’d sat on the couch with me to start the first season of Little House after ensuring I took my medicine. Suddenly, this didn’t feel like casual sex. It felt like something deeper. If I was being honest, it was starting to become something I could easily get used to. “If I go thinking this is anything but what we agreed on, I’m liable to get hurt.”

She frowned. “I don’t know much about relationships, but I have to believe it’s natural to develop deeper feelings as things evolve.”

Sure. But what if they only evolved on my side? Before I had a chance to think it through, the front door opened and in walked Liam in his workout attire, giving me a smile. “Hi.”

Chloe turned to whisper only for my ears. “Jesus, the way he looks at you makes me blush.”

I grinned, feeling my own face heat. “Hi. Um, you remember Chloe.”

He came into the living room and took a seat on the ottoman. “Yes. I certainly do. Nice to see you under better circumstances. You two want lunch? I’ll order, then take a quick shower, and be down to join you.”

Sounded too good to pass up.

* * *

By Tuesday morning, I was feeling much better. After Liam left for the office, I decided to return to my apartment and my own space. Get back into my routine. Not because I didn’t enjoy staying at Liam’s house, but rather because I enjoyed it too much. Hell, he’d even given me a key this morning in case I needed to come and go.

It was too easy to see him as the doting boyfriend instead of what he actually was. Frankly, I wasn’t sure exactly how to define what he was to me. All I knew was it would be easy to let myself fall for him. Hell, who was I kidding? It was already too late. He’d been so sweet, doting, and attentive the last couple of days—even choosing to work from home on Monday, which before now, he’d never done. My feelings were growing deeper. But I had no clue if he shared them.

Once home, I showered and dressed for the office before setting out for the bus. I couldn’t afford to get further behind in my classes and didn’t want to use any more sick time. I knew Liam would prefer me to spend another day resting, but my fever was gone, and I was getting restless. My boss would just have to get over it.

Once I arrived at the office, I knocked on his door. I peeked my head in when he said to come in. “Good morning, Mr. Davenport. Did you want the usual for breakfast?”

His response was terse. “No. Come in, Ms. Tate. Shut the door.”

I did as he requested, feeling butterflies in my stomach. His charcoal suit with the light blue shirt did funny things to me. We hadn’t been sexual in over a week due to the Hong Kong trip and then my sickness, which meant my libido was taking notice. Holy inappropriateness. Didn’t it know these were business hours?

As soon as the door closed, he stood up. “What are you doing here?”

“My fever is gone. My cold is manageable, and I can’t miss school again tonight. It was time for me to get back.”

His jaw clenched. “You should take another day.”

“You should get over the fact I’m not going to.” As much as I appreciated him taking care of me, I was in fact a grown-up who could make her own decisions on when to return to work.

We were in a standoff. The kind that made me want to sit up on his desk and show him just how much better I was feeling.

“All right. I’ll get over it. I already grabbed something for breakfast.”

I smiled. “Thank you. What else can I do?”

“The deposition is in a good place. But I have Stephen Walsh coming in later this morning.”

“He’s the tech guy from last week’s charity?” He’d explained the so-called “date” he’d had with Tabitha had actually been a new business opportunity.

“That’s him.”

“Do you need a conference room? Refreshments?”

“I have one on the eighth floor reserved. I believe there are drinks being delivered.”

“I’ll confirm.” Our facilities team was great about catering, but this was a big meeting.

“Thank you.” He stood up, moving one more step in front of me to lift his hand to my face. “You sure you’re okay?”

I leaned into his touch, appreciating it more than he could know. “Yes. I’m much better thanks to you. You took really good care of me.”