We’d decided another round of breakfast was in order, despite the bright afternoon sun shining through the windows. So, while he had been busy microwaving and toasting, I had been in charge of the coffee pot.

And my dirty thoughts.

“I asked you if you had any plans for a job?”

My eyes widened. “Are you firing me? Because I slept with you? Oh God, that’s it, isn’t it? You can’t sleep with your assistant. I mean, how would that work? It would be awkward, right? So, of course, you have to let me go. Wait, you can’t do that, can you?”

Rambling… how I hated thee.

A dazzling grin spread across his face as he sauntered across the kitchen. Since this morning, I’d seen an abrupt change in the Roman I’d thought I knew. I always thought there was more than met the eye when it came to my grumpy loner of a boss.

I couldn’t have been more right.

Physical attributes aside, his entire demeanor had changed. He had a playfulness to him. He laughed and smiled, and he was downright enjoyable to be around. He was also cocky as hell—something I usually found unattractive in men. But on him? It was just plain sexy.

“I’m not firing you,” he said, wrapping his arms around my waist.

Dressed in only a T-shirt, I could already feel the warmth of his fingers as they found their way to my bare skin.

“But you do remember, you’re only on a three-month contract. Bethany is coming back. She confirmed with HR last week.”

“Right,” I said, letting out a sigh. “I guess I haven’t thought about it, but you have obviously. Am I that bad of an assistant?”

He laughed. “Best damn assistant I’ve ever had, especially right now.”

His eyes darkened as he bent down for a single kiss. I felt the familiar flutter in my belly that always happened whenever his lips touched mine.

“But, seriously, Cara, this can’t be what you want to do for the rest of your life—picking up coffee and returning phone calls for arrogant jerks like me.”

“You’re not a jerk,” I corrected with a joking smile.

“You know what I mean,” he said, reaching behind me for an empty coffee cup.

I turned around, grabbing it for him. Watching him pour a fresh cup, I could see the thoughts gathering as he carefully chose his next words.

“I don’t want you to waste your future because of me.”

“What do you mean?”