Page 233 of Hot for the Boss

Emma stays still, saying and doing nothing for a long minute. Finally, she puts her little hand on Noah’s forearm and leans in to kiss his cheek. “Thank you.”

A heartbeat later, she skips away.

My breath catches. Tears sting my eyes. “How did you do that?”

He shrugs. “She’s had so much reality in her young life, I figured she could do with a little whimsy.”

“You’re right. I should have tried something like that…” I smile at him, eyes watering. “You planned that, didn’t you? Just to put a smile on her face.”

He nods sheepishly. “It’s no big deal…”

But it is. To me, it’s a huge deal.

“You’ve had too much reality, too,” he says, taking my hand and sliding it against his strong palm.

At his touch, my heart stutters, then slams against my chest in pounding beats.

“In some ways, Emma reminds me of you,” he says quietly. “She’s watched you and learned about not letting anyone close, about shutting people out of your heart. Lauren, you’re too young to be alone.”

Wow, this conversation turned personal—fast. “I’m not alone. I have the girls⁠—”

“I meant a man.”

Who? I want Noah, while he wants some bimbo I’ve never met. Mr. Mysterious wants me, and while some part of me is attached to him, I’m not going to be happy with just sex. Last night proved that in ugly, garish color. I’m not going to be happy without the whole package—great sex and sublime happiness with a man who makes me think and makes me laugh, one who cares about my daughters, who works hard, who plays hard…

A man like Noah.

Suddenly, we’re alone on the moon-drenched patio. He’s holding my trembling hand between his strong palms, looking right into my eyes. And I’m feeling decidedly nervous. And mushy right in the middle of my chest. I yearn to lean in and kiss him.

Instead, I shut my eyes, wishing I could shut out the reality that I’m in love with this man who’s perfect for me. If only he could love me, too…

But we weren’t meant to be.

Slowly, my gaze drifts up to his. “We talked about this.”

“You said a lot of bullshit I don’t believe.”

“It’s not happening. But don’t worry about me. How’s it going with your divorcée?”

“Still up in the air. Don’t change the subject. You can’t be alone the rest of your life. What will you do for companionship?”

“I—I have friends. You’re my friend,” I point out.

At my observation, his lips press into a disapproving line. “Who will help you raise the girls?”

“Plenty of other moms do it alone. I’ll manage.”

That answer doesn’t make him any happier. “What will you do for sex?”

The question takes me aback. I try to snatch my hand from Noah’s grip.

He holds tight. “Come on, Lauren. Who is going to hold you late at night when you’re tired of being alone and your body is aching? Or you’ve had a rough day and need someone to talk to?”

I swallow, trying not to let the threatening tears fall. Honestly, I’ve asked myself those questions before. Hundreds of times. “I don’t know.”

Noah cups my cheek, his gaze intense but unreadable. Warmth seeps into me. God, what I wouldn’t give to see love and desire on his face, to know he feels the million other emotions he never will for me.

I love him. And he’ll never love me. Period. Yes, I swore to Kat that I would tell Noah how I feel about him, but what’s the point now that he’s determined to marry someone else? Right now, he has the perfect opportunity to kiss me, if he’s so inclined. But he doesn’t…and I know he isn’t. That speaks volumes.