Page 24 of Illicit Education

I snorted. “He’s certainly something.”

What that something was, I had yet to figure out.

A lot of somethings, most likely.

Arrogant.

Intelligent.

Irritating.

Thoughtful.

Frustrating.

Absolutely hot as hell.

Did I mention irritating?

As I reached the revolving doors and stepped outside into the heat of late August in New York, Reed Tower’s namesake was still at the forefront of my mind. To say I was consumed by him would have been an understatement. Every interaction with Cabot Reed completely flummoxed me. And somehow, I could still smell him. As if we’d embraced, his scent was everywhere.

“Ms. Blake.”

Oh, good grief.

Hewas everywhere.

I turned slowly toward the sound, finding Cabot Reed leaning against the building a few yards away. Aviator sunglasses hid his eyes, but that did nothing to detract from the weight of his gaze as I strode toward him.

“Mr. Reed.”

“There’s been a change of plans.”

I sipped on my lavender latte, praying he couldn’t hear the flutter of butterflies in my stomach.

“You’ll be working with me for the foreseeable future, rather than shadowing Blanca Arroyo.”

Another sip of my latte hid the smile pulling at my lips. The butterflies in my stomach kicked into overdrive.

I absolutely shouldnotbe thrilled by this news.

He took a sip of his coffee, watching me from behind his shades. “Do you have any issue with that?”

And if I did?I quirked an eyebrow, looking at him over the lip of my coffee cup. “I’m just an unpaid intern, sir.”

“You were late this morning. I’d like you to be on time tomorrow.”

My mouth dropped open.

His lips twitched on a smile. “I meant no offense.”

“Yeah, right,” I murmured under my breath. Tilting my head as I stared at my reflection in his sunglasses, I frowned. I looked small. Is that what he saw when he looked at me?

I stood taller. Squared my shoulders. “Maybe you should get your elevators fixed if you want your employees to be on time.” The words were out before I could stop them.

His eyebrows crept up and, surprisingly, helaughed.

Not a hardy belly laugh—I doubted he was even capable of that—but something deeper. Sexy. A chuckle that sent a shiver down my spine even in the heat of late summer.