One Wild Kiss

by Jessica Lemmon

  “We should do this more often,” Bran said.

  She watched him carefully, her expression unreadable.

  Oh-kay. Going well so far.

  “Morning, Addi.” The barista met her at the counter, smiling around a beard and subtly flexing the tattoos on his forearms.

  Pathetic.

  “Hey, Ken. How are you?” Addi greeted him warmly and Bran felt a twinge of jealousy. Beard and tattoos? Was that what she was into?

  Suddenly he felt like a stodgy guy in a suit whose only importance was signing her paychecks. He never used to notice who Addi smiled at—until she stopped smiling at him. God, he missed the simplicity of the good ol’ days. Back when he saw himself in the role of “boss” and her in the role of “assistant” and never the twain shall meet.

  Before Taylor pointed out that they’d look good together.

  Before Royce suggested the girl for Bran was right under his nose.

  Before Bran starred in his own personal remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

  He used to live life day by day without worrying about the future. Those were the days.

  Ken said something stupid and Addi laughed—surely to be polite. Bran stepped between them and Ken’s smile turned challenging.

  “She wants whipped cream on top, and I promised to give her whatever she wants. It’s our one-year anniversary today. Isn’t it, Ad?”

  Her cheeks turned pink, but her smile was genuine and focused on Bran for a change.

  “It is,” she agreed.

  “Congratulations,” Ken said as he tapped the screen to add the upcharge. Bran didn’t think he meant it.

  And even though he was setting a course to win back the trust of his trusty executive assistant, he saw no harm in making sure that Ken, here, didn’t tread where he wasn’t welcome. Addi could do better than a hairy barista, anyway, so Bran had no problem reminding this guy of his station.

  After all, what were bosses for if not to protect their most treasured coworkers?

  Two

  Addison was contemplating Bran’s behavior at the Gnarly Bean yesterday when Taylor Thompson stepped into her office.

  “Knock, knock. You should demand a door. Anyone could barge in.” Taylor was referring to the dividing wall separating Addi from the rest of the office, and Bran’s office, which was to the left of her desk.

  “You are the COO. Barge away.”

  “Ugh. Let’s stop talking about barges. I already feel like one.” Taylor smoothed a hand over the small baby bump protruding from her black Dolce & Gabbana midi dress.

  “Stop it. You look amazing. How’s everything going?” Addi asked.

  “Do you mean with work, the pregnancy, the engagement or moving in with Royce?” Taylor’s eyes widened slightly. Her life had changed drastically over the last few months, so it must be hard to wrap her head around. It wasn’t long ago that Addi had flipped the light switch on for the copy room and stumbled across Royce and Taylor making out in the supply closet.

  Thank goodness those days were behind them. At the time she’d been so jealous of Taylor and Bran’s relationship. Now Addi could hardly believe how immature she’d been. It was obvious Taylor had found her other half in Royce.

  Addi had since apologized for being rude—while avoiding mentioning that it was because she was half in love with Bran—and because Taylor was at once charming and classy, she’d apologized right back and asked if they could be friends.

  Taylor lowered into the guest chair in front of Addi’s desk. “I’ve never been so busy and yet I feel like I’m exactly where I should be. Does that make sense?”

  “Complete sense.” Addi smiled. She used to believe she was exactly where she should be. Before Bran started acting weird around her. What was with that display with the barista yesterday morning, anyway? Ken and Bran seemed to be having some sort of modern-day Wild West standoff.

  Men made no sense. Maybe it was time to stop trying to figure them out.

  “It’s incredible that I get anything done considering I can’t have caffeine right now.” Taylor grimaced.

  “I’d die.” Addi tucked her coffee mug behind her computer screen to hide it from view.

  “That’s the price of having a healthy son or daughter. It’s strange not knowing what to call my baby. I can’t very well say ‘it,’ can I?”

  “You don’t want to know the sex?” Addi didn’t know if she could stand the suspense if she were pregnant.

  “I do. And I don’t. Everything about my and Royce’s relationship has been a surprise. Why not surprise ourselves with a little girl or boy?” She rubbed her round tummy.

  “I’m happy for you.” Addi meant it. Taylor was glowing and not just from the pregnancy. Whenever she was with Royce, the other woman lit up like the northern lights. “Have you set a wedding date yet?”

  “Ho boy.” Taylor admired the gigantic diamond solitaire on her left hand. “I know the engagement will lead to a wedding, but we’re not sure when. We’re taking things a day at a time.”

  Unplanned pregnancy and closet kisses aside, Taylor had handled life’s many curveballs with a grace Addi hoped one day to possess.

  “Happy belated anniversary, by the way. I saw Bran with a pair of cupcakes yesterday.”

  “Funny. He only gave me one.” Addi narrowed her eyes playfully, trying not to let any of her feelings for him show. Walking around half in love with him was not healthy—and behaving like a lovesick woman in front of Taylor was asking for it. “I’m lucky to work for people who care. I’ve had bosses who didn’t.”

  A lot of them. She’d shunned her parents’ money when she didn’t follow their rules for her life. Seceding from the union five years ago to pave her own way had come at a price. There were a lot of ramen noodles in her past, and plenty of bills that had been paid late. But that was in her past. When she landed the position at ThomKnox, she knew she was in the right place. They paid her well, and the higher-ups actually cared. Jack Knox, Bran’s dad, had always treated her with respect and addressed her warmly.

  And recently she’d almost blown it. Over what? A schoolgirl crush? No more.

  She would never go back to scraping by or working for companies that gladly stepped on the “little people” to pave their mansions’ driveways with gold bars. The Knoxes—and Taylor would soon be one—were good people. Addi was a good person. And she was no longer going to let a silly attraction distract her from what was important.

  “Now for the real reason I came here. When’s Brannon back?” Taylor glanced at his dark office.

  “He had an early meeting before work. He should be here soon.” Addi glanced at the clock. “You’re welcome to wait.”

  “No, that’s okay. I’ll track him down later.” Taylor stood and seemed to quietly debate before asking, “Are you and Brannon...okay?”

  “Of course!” Addi said a little too loudly. “Why wouldn’t we be?”

  “Come on, Ad. Just us girls here. I see the way you look at him.”

  Was she so transparent? “He’s...very nice. But I’m not interested in him like that.” Starting right now.

  “That’s too bad.” Taylor’s mouth quirked.

  It really was.

  “We’re fantastic coworkers.” It was such a dry, stale definition for how she felt about him, Addi internally cringed.

  “Right.” Taylor nodded but didn’t look convinced. “Tell him I stopped by. And enjoy some of that coffee for me.”

  Addi watched Taylor go, her stomach pinching. That happened whenever she didn’t tell the truth. She appeased her conscious with the reminder that soon, it would be true.

  One day she’d be as immune to Bran as he was to her.

  Three

  When Taylor strolled by, Bran stepped out of the copy room and intercepted her path. He’d been en route to his own office when he
’d heard her and Addi’s conversation. He’d rerouted before his presence was known and made everything between him and his assistant worse. If that was possible.

  “Bran, hey. I was just at your office.”

  “I know.” He folded his arms over his chest. “I heard.”

  To her credit, Taylor winced. But she followed it up with a justification. “You can’t blame me for trying!”

  Gently, he gripped her biceps and towed her into the copy room where he closed the door. “You have to stop doing this.”

  “Doing what?”

  “You can’t make two people fall in love because they’re both good-looking.” He lifted an eyebrow and complimented them both. “As well you know.”

  “Ha ha. And that’s not the only reason.”

  Something was suspicious in the way she examined the floor.

  “What’s the other reason?”

  “What do you mean?”

  He knew her well enough to know that her innocence was one hundred percent feigned. “Taylor.”

  “I just...want you to be okay. I worry.”

  Ah, Taylor. She really was so sweet.

  “About me?” he asked.

  “Yes. You almost proposed to me, Brannon.”

  “A mistake.”

  “Obviously. But I would like to see you with a nice girl. And Addi likes you. I don’t care what she says.”

  “A nice girl—Taylor, you’re not my mother. You don’t have to fix me up. And you should care what Addi says. You’re freaking her out and I need her to keep this job or else I’ll be demoted to the tech department with Cooper.”

  Jayson Cooper was Bran’s ex-brother-in-law. Taylor chuckled, understanding that Bran was joking. Cooper and Bran’s sister, Gia, worked side by side in the tech department. It was the heart of ThomKnox.

  “You deserve to be happy. That’s all I’m saying.”

  See? Sweet.

  He touched her shoulder, grateful to have a friend who cared that much about him—even if it was slightly emasculating. “I’m in the process of putting everything back where it goes. I’m not jealous of Royce about CEO, or anything else.” He gave her a meaningful look. “And dating Addi isn’t going to help me be happier. If anything, it’ll end badly and I’ll be more alone than ever. You don’t want me to hire an assistant like Royce’s, do you?”

  Melinda was an ace, but she was also sort of terrifying. As if reading his mind, Taylor shuddered. “No. Let’s keep Addi.”

  “Yes, let’s.” He opened the copy room door. “Now what was it that you wanted to talk to me about? Should we grab a conference room?”

  “Actually I’m starving.” She patted her belly. “How about we grab a snack?”

  “We can do that,” he told her and they walked to the elevator. “And just so we’re clear...”

  Taylor turned, wide-eyed innocence worn like a mask.

  “Addi and I are trying to make our way back to professional coworkers after you kicked open the ‘Bran + Addi’ door. Can you do me a favor and let us close it?”

  She sighed, her shoulders slouching in her designer dress. “Fine. But I won’t like it.”

  He pressed the button for the elevator and smiled. “I’m sure you won’t.”

  * * *

  After his impromptu breakfast with Taylor, Bran strolled toward his office. He came to an abrupt halt when he saw Addi scrambling in the lap drawer of her desk for a tissue, fresh tears wetting her cheeks. She pasted on a smile that wasn’t the least bit sincere.

  “Hey,” he said, unsure what else to say.

  He had a mother. He had a sister. Seeing either of them in tears made him feel two things: helpless...and helpless. He felt the same way now.

  “Morning,” she said. “How was the meeting with Frank?”

  He could pretend not to notice. Save her the embarrassment. But what kind of jerk would he be if he did that? His goal was to keep her from leaving and if her tears had to do with something he could help with professionally he needed to know about it.

  “The meeting went well. I ran into Taylor on the way back.”

  “Oh good. She was looking for you.” Addi blinked damp eyes at him, but she didn’t appear to be reeling from Taylor’s visit.

  No, Addi’s eyes were filled with sadness. Something had broken her heart. Or someone. Did he guess wrong about her being single? Did she have a boyfriend she never talked about?

  He lowered himself onto the corner of her desk, catching sight of cream-colored card stock and a black envelope. Fancy. The kind of paper used for—

  “A wedding?” he guessed.

  Those sad blue eyes turned up to his, her expression both startled and vulnerable.

  “The invitation,” he clarified. “Weddings aren’t always good news.” Especially if, for example, the groom was her ex.

  “Oh, um, no. It’s a family...reunion.” She stuffed the invitation into her planner. Formal for a family reunion, but okay.

  “Everything all right?” he asked gently.

  “Yes! Completely fine.” Her smile was shaky. “Family can be tricky.”

  “Try working with them every day.”

  Her smile was genuine this time and made this awkward interchange worth it in every way. “I couldn’t walk by and pretend not to notice. I’m not that obtuse.”

  “Ha!” She slapped her hand over her smile, then waved the air in front of her. “I’m sorry. Ignore me. I’m fine. Honestly.”

  Against his better judgment, he captured her smaller hand in his. “You’re human. It’s okay to cry.”

  Warmth between their palms radiated up his arm, attraction snapping the air between them like a leashed alligator. Meanwhile, Addi regarded him like he was a leashed alligator.

  He gave her hand a squeeze before dropping it and standing from her desk. “If you need to take off—”

  “No. Thank you.” Her tears had dried already, her smile glued into place.

  “Don’t say I didn’t offer.” He pointed at his office door. “You know where to find me.”

  He shut himself inside and sat in his chair, eyeing the Post-it stuck to his laptop that read, Taylor stopped by. Not urgent. Addi’s handwriting was pretty and delicate, like she’d been a moment ago. Whatever family thing was going on—if that was the truth—he didn’t like how it’d affected her.

  His cell phone buzzed with a reply to his earlier text to Tammie. When he’d sent it, he wasn’t sure if he was hoping she’d reply or hoping she wouldn’t. Similarly, he wasn’t sure whether or not to read it.

  He grabbed his cell phone anyway, too curious to ignore her reply.

  Been a while.

  A long-ass while.

  In an effort to put everything back to normal, there was one issue to contend with that he hadn’t talked about with anyone.

  His roving libido.

  He hadn’t had a woman in his bed in a long time and had become suddenly distracted by Addison Abrams. Which was detrimental to the balance he was trying to restore at the office.

  This morning, the situation had escalated. He’d woken hard and ready, unable to think of anything but sex. Sex with Addison.

  He blamed the dry spell that had yet to end. From now on, his work and personal life had clear lines of demarcation. He needed to get laid, and obviously the best choice was to find someone outside of work to satisfy that urge.

  The simplest fix was a sure thing by the name of Tammie. He’d sent her a text after a, um, rejuvenating shower, inviting her out for drinks.

  Too long, he typed.

  Her reply lit the screen half a second later. Thursday at 7? Vive?

  Vive was a dark, classy bar with rich red velvet on the booth seats and cozy, sexy nooks filled with shadows.

  Perfect. Meet you there.

  He tossed his phone on
his desk. Sex with Tammie would fix more than his blue balls. Sex with Tammie was a time machine back to before the whole “who will be named CEO” fiasco. Back when he knew how to lighten up. Back when “work hard, play hard” was his motto. Hell, this year all he’d done was work hard and then work harder.

  Was it any wonder Addi had followed him around, staying late to make sure he was okay?

  He glanced out his window at her. She was typing on her keyboard, her attention fixed on her computer screen. The pull he felt toward her, the concern he had for her, was alive and well, but he wouldn’t allow it to harm their friendship or their working relationship.

  She deserved to feel comfortable at work and he didn’t need her—or Taylor—worrying about him. What he needed was to focus his physical attention on a woman who wouldn’t worry about him for longer than one night.

  His phone buzzed with another text from Tammie. A red lips emoji.

  By Friday morning, this situation with Addi would be resolved.

  * * *

  I’m not that obtuse.

  Addison hadn’t meant to literally laugh out loud, but come on. He’d been pretty darn obtuse! Not only had he bought her lie about a family reunion but he’d also completely missed the way she’d drooled over him for the last year.

  Obtuse or not, him consoling her when she’d been crying had tugged at her heartstrings.

  “Just when I decided to get over him,” she mumbled to herself.

  She reached for her cell phone to text her friend. Carey was out of the country traveling for work, but Addi needed to talk to someone, even if the conversation was one-way.

  She texted, Just cried in front of my boss. Go me! and sat back in her chair, her eye catching the invitation in the inside pocket of her planner. The very card stock she’d been holding when Bran caught her crying.

  Behind the paper was a black envelope on which her name and address had been meticulously scripted in gold ink. Grief weighed heavy on her chest.

  Joe was too young to die.

  The invitation had arrived yesterday but she’d neglected to check her mailbox until this morning. As a result, she’d shoved it into her planner and promptly forgotten about it. When she finally remembered and tore open the envelope, she was shocked to see that it contained an invitation to Joe’s “celebration of life.”