Chapter 21

**CHLOE DUARTE**

I leave the sheet on the table taking the beautiful rose in my hands again, thinking again of James, he did nothing too much, he just warned me that we could not relate and his fear of our involvement becoming something more.

I can't be selfish, since I also agree with him, I can even think and put it in my head that I can never fall in love with him, but you shouldn't trust the betrayer of your heart.

He betrays you when you least expect it...

I am about to send him a thank you email as I turn on the computer, but knocks on the door are heard, I quickly raise my head thinking it might be James, but I am surprised by the blonde receptionist on the floor.

“Yes?", I ask, leaving the rose on the table as her eyes focus on the flower.

“Mr. Colucci wishes to see you..."

“Has he arrived yet?", I get up from my chair and I take my notepad from a pen on the table.

"Yes, he arrived before everyone else today."

"Thank you, I'll be right there!", she nods, leaving my office and closing the door behind her.

Why not send me an e”mail requesting my presence in your office? That would be much more form than asking the receptionist to call me.

I am about to leave when my eyes land on my purse, remembering that I have to return the white shirt that James lent me yesterday.

I pick up the folded shirt and take it before leaving my office and walking with wobbly legs to the end of the corridor where our boss's office is located.

I close my eyes as I stand in front of the closed door of his office, thinking about how I am going to behave in his presence after everything that happened yesterday.

I need to stay focused and be professional.

I sigh opening my eyes and with determination I knock twice before touching the handle and pushing the door open, but something unexpected happens as I do so.

The door opens earlier and seems to take my body with it as I end up tripping over my heels, I feel my body fall and immediately brace myself for the impact and the epic embarrassment I will suffer.

But the fall doesn't come, as when I open my eyes I see James holding me and staring at me with his blue eyes.

For a moment I get lost in the beauty and intensity that he exudes so deeply, my eyes fix on his thin, plump lips.

I remember what it feels like to have them kissing me or stroking my skin.

I snap out of my trance by getting up quickly with his help and gasp as I move a little away from his tall body.

“ I'm sorry, I didn't know I was leaning on the door...” he apologizes with a guilty expression.

“It's okay, I should be more attentive, Mr. Colucci."

“Are you all right? Are you hurt?", he asks, his blue eyes wide as he looks for something wrong all over my body, but seems to relax as he realizes I'm fine.

“No, I'm fine!", I remark with shame at the scene I just made with my almost embarrassing fall.

“You wanted to see me?", I use my formal tone to see what this causes in him, James frowns as the manner, but does not complain.

As he returns to his desk near the glass windows, my eyes are drawn to his entire body covered in his social clothing that makes him look too serious.

This CEO doesn't even look like the same man who was laughing so freely while we were talking inside the car, it seems that when he is in here, he needs to put on the mask of a serious and cold tycoon.

Even though I don't know him well, I know that he is not like that all the time, for a man who loves to mess with flowers, he must have a sentimental and sensitive side too, like everybody else.

“Yes, I want to remind you about our lunch with the investor and check that everything is in order before the contract is signed, but that's not why I called you here, Chloe.", he says, pointing to one of the available chairs as he takes his seat.

My heart racing, I force my legs to follow his command and sit in front of him, I can't look him in the eye when we are this close together.

“Look at me, Chloe.", he asks in a low tone.

“What is the real reason you called me here?", I ask, clutching the pen and notebook in my hands while still avoiding eye contact with James.

“Are you so hurt by me that you can't look at me?"

I sigh, lifting my head and finding a guilty expression on my face.

“Mr. Colucci, I don't want to talk about yesterday, please.", I ask, panting as I hope he will stop looking at me like that.

“I respect your wishes, but I want you to know that I'm sorry if my words made you uncomfortable and..."

“I know! I read your note left on my desk and thank you for the rose, it's beautiful!", I smile a small, simple smile of thanks as I see her face soften as she notices mine.

“No more than you, Chloe."

I snort discreetly trying to find out what his little fucking games are, it's clear that we have a very strong sexual attraction, he says we should stay away from each other, but keeps treating me in different ways and making gestures that shouldn't be done.

“I don't understand you Mr. Colucci, you say that we shouldn't get involved, but you keep treating me and saying these things, I need you to treat me as your employee, please?"

“I know perfectly well, but I just can't help it..."

“We must agree that everything that happened inside that car was a big mistake, you don't have to feel guilty for thinking that you took advantage of me, because I also wanted it as much as you did.", I clarify, seeing that he nods his head.

“It was a mistake, but I feel guilty that I'm not sorry, I've never felt this way I feel every time I'm near you, Chloe."

“It's just a strong attraction that should disappear at some point like you said yesterday."

“Maybe so..."