Excerpt from Office Romance

“I can see it in your eyes.”

Cherise’s head jerked up, her eyes meeting Mr. Synn’s as he crouched on the other side of her desk.

You can see my love for you? Can you see how much I want to be in your arms?

She cleared her throat, and wiped her eyes, “What can you see in my eyes?”

He smiled at her, propping his chin on the back of his hands, “How tired you are. You have bruising under your eyes.” He reached out and ran his thumb under her eye.

Her eyes widened in shock, her mouth gaped open wordlessly.

“Did I keep you up too late last night?” he tilted his head to the side, his glasses tinted from the light.

An employee walked by and raised her eyebrow at the double meaning, Cherise blushed bright red. “Mr. Synn, please.”

A slow smile curved his lips as he realized why she was blushing, “Why Ms. Fairburn, are you thinking of something naughty?”

Her blush deepened, the color spreading down her neck and up her hairline. “No of course not...I mean that would be inappropriate, not that I do that, I’m a single woman, I mean…” With a groan of despair her head hit the table her hands covering her burning face.

Mr. Synn stood to his feet laughing, delighted that he was able to get her to blush so bad. “Don’t worry Ms. Fairburn, I am only teasing you.”

He passed by her, patting her shoulder affectionately. Cherise’s spine tingled, his warm fingers burning through her light shirt and tank top to imprint in her skin.

“I do want you to know…”

Her head snapped up and she spun in her chair to face him, her face slowly cooling down.

He leaned against his door jam, his arms crossed over his chest, “I really do appreciate you staying late last night, I also enjoyed our dinner together.”

Cherise stopped breathing, the world narrowing down until it was just them. Mr. Synn smiled again, his smiles were coming more frequently and each one was as precious as the last.

Did this mean she had a chance? Was he telling her that he enjoyed her company and wanted more? Did she dare to hope?

“I enjoyed myself as well Mr. Synn. If you ever need help again just let me know and I will be there for you.” Her voice was breathless, hopeful, pitiful.

She cleared her throat, throwing on her professional mask.

Mr. Synn looked thoughtful as he gazed down at her, his melted chocolate eyes dreamy in the sunlight streaming through the bay windows.

“I will keep that in mind Ms. Fairburn.” He turned, closing the door to his office with a quiet click.

Cherise exhaled, her heart palpating in her chest. If he got any more sexier she was going to die. She turned back around only to partially scream in shock.

Her best friend, Harmony, was standing behind the computer with her arms on her hips, a false scowling smile. “Well look at you Ms. Prim and Proper, flirting with your boss in broad daylight!”

“Oh Harm please keep your voice down!” Cherise begged, leaping up and dragging her friend away from the desk to a more secluded part of the office.

“So spill the beans gurl, what was Mr. Synn like in bed?” Harmony’s stiletto heels clicked noisily as Cherise continued to drag her.

“We didn’t sleep together!” Cherise snapped, ignoring the stab of disappointment. She stopped dragging Harmony and stood there, her hands held tight against her legs.

“Harm is was wonderful!” Cherise wailed throwing her arms around her friend’s neck.

Harmony chuckled, patting Cherise’s back in comfort. “I know girl, it’s written all over your face.”