The Fine Print: Chapter 16

My phone vibrates at the corner of my desk. I grab it and open the message without checking who it’s from. There’s only one person who messages me during working hours and it’s sure as hell not my brothers.

I’m surprised Zahra’s able to get her work done with so many interruptions. I’d question her work ethic but based on some of the timestamps of her messages, she’s up past the time when I go to bed.

Mayday!!! Zahra:

I have another meeting this Friday and my sketches look like something from a kindergarten showcase.Zahra:

Give the kindergarteners a little more credit. Their drawings aren’t that bad. Me:

I lean back in my chair and wait, fighting a smug smile.

: Remember when you said you’ve never been called funny in your life?Zahra

: Yes.Me

Turns out everyone is right. You’re awful.Zahra:

Is this how you proposition those you want favors from?Me:

I’m glad you asked because I’m ready with my next offer.Zahra:

Of course she is. I’d expect nothing less from her.

I’ll buy you pizza and a six-pack of your favorite beer if you help me. I’m BEGGING you. Zahra:

She doesn’t ask before sending a photo. She’s right. Whatever mock-up she created is absolutely hideous. I can barely make out whatever idea she originally had.

Is that a dying cat? That’s a bit morbid for a children’s theme park, don’t you think?Me:

Ha. Ha. Ha. It’s supposed to be a menacing dragon for your artistic information. Zahra:

At least you nailed the scary part. Me:

She follows up my message with one single knife emoji.

Are you threatening my life? That’s something HR would frown down upon. Me:

Now I’m jokingly threatening her with HR? I’m fucked. So positively fucked.

Slip of the finger. I meant to send this. Zahra:

She follows up with a series of praying hands. I rub a thumb across my smile.

Liar.Me:

All right, you’re playing hard to get, so here’s plan C. Zahra:

Only two away from selling your kidney. Me:

You really pay attention!! Zahra:

But I think you won’t be able to resist this one, so my vital organ could be safe and sound if you only agree. Zahra:

How about pizza, beer, and a year of unlimited access to my TV streaming accounts. I won’t even change the password in a few months to spite you. Zahra:

A whisper of a laugh escapes me. Her offer is ridiculous, especially seeing as I’m the one who acquired any streaming service worth paying a subscription for. It’s my pride and joy.

Regardless, I’m impressed by her perseverance despite all my rejections.

Do you accept the challenge? Zahra:

Tell me more about your idea and I’ll think about it. Me:

Every siren in my head sounds off in unison, warning me away from her. Yet I can’t find the will to send a follow-up message revoking my offer.

She sends a flurry of messages explaining her idea for the new roller-coaster ride featuring Princess Cara. Her texts are filled with such intriguing passion, and I find myself getting lost in her world for a little bit.

Zahra has this way of dreaming that I find intoxicating. It makes me want to create along with her and design something that brings her vision to life. And that alone is terrifying.

I should push her away for good, but I like how she thinks I’m only a guy who likes to draw random shit. My alias is becoming an addiction despite the risks of growing closer to her. But I can’t find it in me to assign an Animator to work with her, no matter how much I should. There’s something about how she talks to me that has me forgetting my last name for a little while.

Because she has no idea you’re her boss.

A sour feeling takes up a spot in my stomach, but I can’t find it in me to change the circumstance and admit who I am. I don’t feel that guilty.

Professionalism flies out the window as I drop off Scott’s drawing. There’s only one reason for the loss of control and Zahra’s curved ass is to blame for all of it.

I should clear my throat and get her attention. Hell, I should turn around and come back later when she isn’t sprawled out on the floor, typing away on her laptop with her ass facing the ceiling like it needs to be blessed by God himself.

Heat spreads from my chest to the area below my belt buckle. I readjust my jacket to ensure nothing alarming is noticeable, but it doesn’t solve the weird feeling spreading through my body.

I call out her name but her head continues to bob to whatever plays through those plastic earbuds.

I squat like I’m not wearing trousers worth an entire month’s rent. Zahra’s eyes remain shut as her lips move silently to whatever song plays. I’m not sure what possesses me to pluck one of the earbuds out and bring it to my ear. ABBA plays through the tiny speaker.

Huh. That’s not what I expected.

Her eyes pop open, and my eyes drop to her parted lips. I’m drawn to her like a moth to a flame. It’s fitting given how I act like a complete dumbass around her who is willing to risk everything for a moment of her light.

The way she looks at me tempts me to kiss her again. What’s the harm of testing out if our first searing kiss was a fluke? Maybe it was some product of built-up adrenaline and a burning desire to test something forbidden.

I lean forward. It’s only an inch, but it feels like I’m wading through cement to get close to her.

Since when do you care about something forbidden? My eyes drop to her lips.

I’m staring at my reason right now.

“Rowan?” She shuts her laptop, killing my moment.

I shake off the lust as I stand and offer Zahra my hand. She clutches onto it and the same energy crackles between us. Her inhale of breath fills the small space, and my hand tightens around hers before letting go.

She peeks at the leather portfolio in my hands. “What’s that?”

I open it and grab the drawing. “Here. I was told to give this to you.”

She tugs it out of my grasp with greedy fingers. Her entire face morphs into something else as she assesses the drawing. The smile she unleashes makes me feel like I’m staring straight at the sun—beautiful yet blinding. A burn spreads across my body, starting at my neck before spreading to my cock.

How does one look from her make me feel all of this?

I scowl. The idea of losing control over myself again has me stepping farther away from Zahra.

She swipes her phone off her desk and taps away at the screen.

“All good?” I snap.

Her smile from earlier dims. “Yeah. Are you friends with Scott or something?”

My back goes rigid. “Why?”

“Because you don’t seem like the kind of man who has the time to drop off papers that have nothing to do with you. Aren’t you supposed to be busy or something?”

“Or something.” I sneer.

She rolls her eyes with a smile. “So sensitive.”

The insult has my fists balling up at my sides. “You’re right. I do have better things to do than serve as your personal mail courier. If Scott doesn’t have the courage to face you himself, then that’s his problem, not mine.” The lie slips past my lips with ease.

“Oh, sure. No problem. I’ll text him myself.” While her smile is a dimmer version of her previous one, it still makes my chest tighten.

I really need to get the hell out of here. My eyes remain focused on the exit as I leave Zahra behind with nothing but a string of lies to keep me company.