6. Candice

CHAPTER 6

CANDICE

I keep expecting someone to come in and kick me out. I've never stayed in an office this late, and though I could go home and work on this, it's nice to have a mouse and a big screen. Sitting in bed with my laptop into the early hours isn't the right vibe.

After all, this presentation could make or break my career.

Not that this office exactly has a nice vibe. We've been given free rein of one of the IT suites on the third floor, an old one that no one else uses other than students and interns. None of the computers have updated software, and all the lights hum and crackle like they're about to burst and shower me in sparks.

Earlier, I managed to snoop over the shoulders of Blair and Kyle, and their presentations could have been copied from each other. Literally no original thought in either of them, and some really ugly design too. Which is a relief, because Kyle is probably my biggest rival here. He has that edge of determination that Blair lacks, a confidence that Louise hasn't got, the businessman-like hard edge that makes Daniel look kind in comparison, and the assurance of having grown up securely, something neither me nor Aiden ever had.

Out of everyone, I'm most worried about Kyle beating me. I'd almost respect the others if they got the job. Almost.

Anyway, that's why my presentation has to be the best.

But I'm tired and my eyes hurt and I'm not making any progress fast. Maybe I should cut my losses and go home. It is almost nine p.m. One more hour, and if I'm still not getting anywhere, I'll admit defeat.

I crack my knuckles and roll my neck, wincing at the way my body crunches and aches. I need to start doing yoga in the mornings again. When I get the job, I'll do yoga and eat a salad every day. Healthy Candice begins with employed, no-longer-a-student Candice.

Just as I'm trying to force myself to get something done, the door swings open.

I jump to my feet. "Look, I can explain—" I start, until the intruder grins at me.

"Hey," says Aiden, leaning against the doorframe like he owns the place. "How's it going?"

Relief, exhaustion, and a hundred other emotions surge through me as I drop back into the chair, slumping. "Aiden…" is all I manage.

"Bingo," he says, striding over and slinging himself into the seat next to mine. "Long day?"

"You wouldn't believe," I sigh. "I feel like I've been here forever."

"Presentation?" he asks, and I nod.

He leans in as if to look at my screen, his arm getting so close to mine that a static charge prickles between us, making the hairs stand on end. I turn off the monitor before he can read anything. I don't believe he'd copy, but I'm not taking any chances. Too harshly, I snap, "Aiden, what the hell are you doing here? I don't need your help with this."

Like he's been stung, he reels back. "Sorry. I didn't realize I was interrupting. I… I wanted to come and see you."

"Why?" I ask, incredulous, even though my racing heart is betraying the cool exterior I'm showing.

Surely there's only one reason you'd come and find someone after hours just to "see them," and it doesn't have a whole lot to do with working.

"I like spending time with you," he says, a blush rising under his sharp cheekbones. He shoves his hands in his pockets and rocks back on his heels. I've never seen him so flustered. "I can go if you want."

He stands up, taking a step back towards the door. "Wait, no," I say, rising to my feet.

It goes against everything I think I stand for to do this, but I've been working so hard, and he truly seems to like me — and I just want a little distraction. A little relief from all the fighting. Just to believe, for one night, that someone might actually want me for who I am and not some watered-down version they think they want.

Aiden freezes, planting a palm on the desk as if to steady himself. I step towards him, closing the space until we're close enough for me to see the scattering of freckles over his nose, his pulse throbbing in his neck. God, he's cute. And hot. And sweet.

I've got it bad.

I'd better not be making a mistake.

Slowly, I lean in, my eyes flicking between his own and his lips. "You wanted me?" I ask breathily.

"Yes," he whispers, licking his lips. "Since the moment we met."

I don't ask any other questions because our bodies are giving us all the answers we could ever need. As our lips touch, a warm rush of joy crashes over me like waves because this is so, so right. His hands rest on my hips and pull me in, my own hands roaming his face, his chest, his arms, and they all feel so good. It's like learning a language and having a conversation in it for the first time and truly understanding every word.

It's like our bodies have been waiting for this moment.

His hands tighten on me and before I realize what's happening, he rotates us to push me against the desk, the edge digging into my spine as the kiss deepens, lengthens, pulls time to a halt everywhere except for the moment we're bubbled inside. I don't resist it at all, instead delighting in the way I'm messing up his perfect hair, kissing his perfect lips that taste ever so slightly of creamy coffee.

Despite the fact that the AC is blasting, I'm suddenly so hot I'm sweating, so I break away for a second to wrestle my cardigan from my shoulders. Aiden helps me wiggle free but then his hands go for the top button of my shirt and I flinch away.

It's only when he steps back that I realize how nice the pressure of his thigh between my legs was. How much I have been aching for someone to touch me. How much I want it to be him.

"You okay?" he asks.

I nod, breathless, wiping my mouth before looping my hands around his neck. "Very. I've been wanting to do that for a long time."

He cocks a surprised eyebrow at me. "A long time?"

"At least a few weeks," I rasp, leaning in to catch his mouth in a kiss again. To my delight, the thrill of it isn't dampened the second time around, tremors of want tingling down my spine, puzzle pieces fitting together in ecstatic harmony.

He runs his tongue over my lips, then trails kisses over my cheek so he can whisper in my ear, "We've only known each other a few weeks."

"Exactly." I gasp as his kisses travel back down my face and neck, his teeth nipping at my tender skin, carefully enough not to leave a lasting mark. How would it feel for him to leave proof of our union on my skin? For me to do the same? As his lips brush over my collarbone, I let my eyes flicker shut, my head roll back, relishing in all the sensations of desire. It would be so easy for him to keep going.

I'm breaking my own heart as I pull the plug on us.

"Aiden," I say gently, pushing on his chest.

To his credit, he stops at once, his face only slightly twisted up in disappointment and confusion. It's not that I want him to stop. Right now, the hormones running through me would make me totally okay with him taking me here and now in the office, with him pushing my skirt up and running his hands over my thighs, with him sinking to his knees and making me see the stars. Thinking about it is enough to make me want to burst.

But I can't. Not here. Not now.

The consequences of being caught like this in the office of my dreams don't bear thinking about. The scandal of two interns messing around on company premises would make me so utterly unemployable that I might as well give up. Even the hot wetness between my legs won't make me throw away the career I've always wanted.

"I'm sorry," I say, my voice catching. "It's not that I don't want you, it's just…"

"The job comes first," he says, resigned, trying his best not to frown too hard.

"Yeah." I reach out to take his hand. "Maybe when all this is over?"

He twines his fingers between mine. "Maybe."

It's cowardly, but I can't bear to face his disappointment anymore. I reach over to save my work and turn off the computer, the whirring of the fan turning off the only noise besides our breathing. He moves away, and I grab my bag and cardigan. "Sorry," I say again. "See you tomorrow?"

I barely wait for his response before I'm heading out the door, straightening myself out as I go, and he barely gives one. Only an affirmative hum follows me.

Still, as I cross the doorway, I can't help but look back at him.