Page 20 of Shifted Desire

“Yep.”

There’s the sound of something snapping.

“Shit,” Nathan curses, pushing back from the desk to reveal ink splattered onto his palm. He must’ve broken a pen.

He goes to wipe his hands on his pants, and I leap up out of the chair. “Don’t!”

Nathan freezes, raising his hands up. I pull the pack of travel wet wipes out of my purse and pass one over to him.

A hint of warmth bleeds into his stern expression as he wipes his hands. “You’re very prepared.”

“I also have a detergent pen, if you got ink on your shirt,” I offer.

I don’t explain that I keep such a wide variety of things in my purse to avoid looking like a mess after impromptu hookups, because that’s also not something Jenny would do.

He glances down to inspect himself and shakes his head. “I’m good.”

“Do you make a habit of breaking things?” I ask.

“Only when I’m upset.”

“Oh.” Damn, why is that so attractive? There’s definitely something wrong with me. “Well, if it helps, I’m fine. I hated that job anyway.”

“It doesn’t. But I’m glad you’re out of a bad situation.”

“Oh yeah, I love moving back in with my parents. Totally not embarrassing at all.”

Nathan cracks a smile, which brings me far too much pleasure. “At least that comes with the perk of pancakes.”

“True.”

There’s another long lull in the conversation. I’m about to ask Nathan if he has more questions for me when he speaks.

“I’m sorry, I don’t think I can do this.”

Despite knowing this wasn’t going to lead anywhere, my stomach sinks. “You decided that quickly? Damn, I must make a terrible impression.”

He shakes his head. “No. You’re perfect for the job.”

I can’t hide my scowl, Jenny vaporized by his words. “Then what’s the problem? I can be professional. I’m not a reckless kid anymore, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Oh, trust me, I know.” His voice is oddly rough.

“Then why?”

“Sam…”

I’m so agitated that I don’t recognize the energy coming off of him until it smacks me in the face.

Desire.

Raw, hot, hungry desire.

You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.

After all these years of me being into Nathan, he chooses now to notice me? When I’m desperate for a job?

He scrubs a hand across his face. “There’s something you should know. I didn’t want to burden you with it, and I thought I could handle it…handle seeing you…but it’s wrong to keep it a secret.”