Page 91 of See You Maybe
She had been shocked when Declan agreed to implement an invoice tracking and accounting software system she’d been trying to convince Richard to buy for years. Olivia thought he would balk at the expenditure for a company he planned to sell, but after listening to her argument, he’d simply asked a few questions. Apparently she answered them to his satisfaction, because he turned to Cecile and instructed her to take care of it.
“Why do you look so surprised?” Declan asked, his enigmatic eyes on hers.
Olivia licked her lips, her eyes following Cecile as she left the room. “I didn’t think you’d be interested in spending money on improvements.”
“You made good points.”
Olivia was flummoxed. She wasn’t used to decisions being made so easily. Typically, she argued for months, if not years, to get anything substantially changed. Richard was stuck in his ways, and his favorite answer was, “but this is how I’ve always done it.”
“Thank you.”
Declan smiled, and her heart stuttered at how it transformed his face. “You don’t have to thank me, Olivia. It is a sound recommendation that adds value to the company.”
Warmth spread through her chest, and she smiled back at him before collecting her things. Olivia almost wished Declan would fight with her, so she could keep her focus on the company. To her dismay, Olivia realized that she looked forward to their meetings and enjoyed working with him.
She was going to end up with a broken heart all over again.
Earlier that day, Declan found her in the small second-floor kitchen. Olivia had just prepared her midmorning cup of tea when Declan materialized in the doorway. Stuart, animatedly updating her on his team’s breakthrough on a design, was oblivious to Declan’s arrival. But Olivia was aware immediately. She always was.
“So, this is where all the good snacks are,” Declan observed.
Stuart’s eyes widened, almost as if he couldn’t reconcile Declan in their tiny employee kitchen. Olivia didn’t blame him.
Declan sucked the air out of the room.
Dressed in a suit that cost more than her mortgage payment, Declan strolled toward the counter, inspecting the various glass jars full of snacks. He lifted the lid off one and pulled out a pack of cookies.
“This is a nice perk,” he said, tearing open the plastic wrapper with his teeth. “Is this something you’ve always done?”
Olivia’s eyes followed the action, and she swallowed hard as heat flowed down her spine to settle between her legs. She dropped her gaze to the teacup to hide her reaction, but not before she caught the glint in Declan’s eyes. He knew exactly what he was doing to her.
“That’s all Olivia,” Stuart enthused. “She always makes sure there are treats in here for all the employees.”
Declan glanced over at the rest of the selection. “What are these pink ones?” Declan plucked a package of candy out of a different container.
Stuart’s nose wrinkled. “Those are pure sugar. Too sweet for me.”
Olivia choked on her tea, watching in fascinated horror as Declan placed the small candy on his tongue. When he gave a small hum of pleasure, the sharp ache between her thighs intensified, and her breasts tingled. Olivia abruptly turned away, her face flaming.
“Pink is definitely my new favorite color.”
He was trying to kill her.
“The pink ones are definitely my favorite,” Declan said in a low voice, and she held in a gasp as he repeated the words in her head.
Was he remembering too? Had he said it on purpose?
Stuart made a comment about Declan’s sweet tooth, but Olivia had no idea what he actually said. She was too busy holding on to her composure and not melting into a puddle.
Slowly, Olivia turned back. Declan’s heated gaze met hers, and her heart beat in a slow, heavy rhythm, matching the need pulsing in her core. She couldn’t tear her eyes away.
Stuart walked toward the counter to top off his coffee. “Did you want some coffee, or are you a tea drinker like Olivia?”
Declan’s gaze dropped to her cup and then flew back up to catch hers. Air locked in her throat at his expression.
“Very pretty. Is that a flower?” Declan’s voice was husky.
Stuart grinned, not picking up on the buzzing energy suddenly filling the room. “Isn’t it pretty? It’s your favorite, right, Olivia? Or at least it’s the one she brings in the most often.” He chuckled. “She has an entire collection of them—rotates which ones she brings in.”