Tempting a King (King Family Romance Book 1) by Isla Drake (small books to read .txt) 📗

we could separate work and personal, so today will be the test for that. There’s only one way to find out. I straighten my shoulders and do my best to look unconcerned as I walk into the building.

I make it to my office without seeing Finn. He’s probably in his own office. I tell myself I’m not avoiding him. I leave my office door open as I always do and park myself behind my desk. I’m determined to behave as though it’s a typical Monday morning. With that in mind, I pull up my email and catch up on everything I missed over the weekend. It’s more than an hour before I come up for air and I realize I’m starving.

I make my way to the dining room to pick over the breakfast leftovers. I find a muffin and a cup of coffee and carry it out to the porch. I sit in one of the rocking chairs and eat, taking in the view of the grounds. It’s late spring in North Carolina. Everything is either green or blooming. Fat bees buzz around the hanging baskets of bright red flowers. The heat of summer hasn’t kicked in yet, for which I’m grateful. It’s the perfect weather for sitting on the porch and lazing the day away with a good book. I think—not for the first time—how lucky I am that I get to work here. I may not be able to laze the day away on the porch, but at least I can take a few minutes to enjoy the view. With a sigh, I make my way around the porch to a side door that enters closer to my office.

I pass by Finn’s door. It’s open for the first time this morning, but Finn’s not in there. I tell myself not to look disappointed as I walk to my own office. Before I make it to my desk, I hear a knock behind me. I stop in the middle of my office and turn around. Finn stands in the doorway looking mouthwatering, as usual. Now though, I know that he tastes as good as he looks and that is incredibly distracting.

“Can I come in?”

I nod. He glances down the hall before walking in and quickly closing the door behind him. Before I can speak, he pulls me to him and takes my mouth in a searing kiss that takes my breath away. I grip the front of his shirt and kiss him back, a small moan escaping me. His arms wrap around me, one hand drifting down to cup my ass. A dozen hot, dirty thoughts run through my mind. When the kiss ends, we’re both breathing heavy and I can see the longing in his eyes.

“I’ve been waiting all day to do that,” he says. “I kept telling myself to play it cool.” Another kiss. “Not to invent some excuse to drag you into my office.” Another kiss.

“It’s 9:30 in the morning. Hardly all day.” But I smile. “What about rule 1?”

He pulls me against him again, letting me feel his arousal. “We said no sex. Not no kissing.” His mouth goes to my neck and I tilt my head to give him better access.

“You’re not making this easy,” I whisper.

“Nothing good is ever easy,” he whispers into my ear before pulling away, leaving me breathless and wanting more.

He steps back just enough so our bodies are no longer touching.

“I’ve missed you.”

I raise a brow. “I’m down the hall.”

He smiles. “That’s too far away. And you’re wearing too many clothes.”

I laugh. “I could say the same about you.” I hook a finger into one of his beltloops and pull his hips closer to mine. Rule 1 is dangerously close to being bent. Possibly broken.

Finn shakes his head but bends to kiss me.

“What about the rules?”

“Rules are stupid,” I say kissing him again. “Who needs them?”

His eyes close and he presses his forehead to mine. “I hate myself for saying it,” he says. “But we shouldn’t do this.”

“Shh,” I whisper. “I didn’t hear that.”

He laughs and pulls back slightly. He looks at me for a long moment before speaking.

“Have dinner with me tonight. You and Liam. I’ll cook.”

My heart falters for a moment before kicking into overdrive. This is a big step. I open my mouth to speak, but he must see something in my expression that worries him.

“We don’t have to,” he says. “It’s too soon, right?” He moves back another step, putting more distance between us. This isn’t what I want.

“Wait,” I say, stepping toward him. “Just…give me a second.” Finn doesn’t move, allowing me to close the distance between us.

I can see a hint of nerves in his eyes, like he’s not quite sure what I’m going to say. I realize this is just as new for him. I think for a moment, trying to get my words in order before saying them.

“I like you. A lot.” That seems like an understatement, but it’s all I can give right now. “I think maybe I might like you too much.”

Finn grins. “That doesn’t sound like a bad thing.”

I sigh, but I’m smiling too. “It could be. If things don’t work out between us, you might just break my heart. I don’t want Liam’s heart to get broken too.”

This conversation feels dangerous. Talking about hearts implies that mine might be involved and it’s way too early for that talk. I wonder if Finn will try to make a joke or some flirty remark to dispel the tension. He surprises me though. His eyes turn serious.

“Something you should know about me,” he says. “I don’t do casual relationships. I’m not built that way. I like you.” His mouth quirks up in a half-smile. “Probably too much. I can’t guarantee what will happen between us. And I know I have less at stake than you. I don’t have a kid at home to think about. But for what it’s worth, I want to find out. I think it’s worth the