My boss Nolan calls me to his office. I get up from my desk and smooth out my clothes before leaving. I knock lightly on his door.
"Hello," he says as I walk in.
His eyes light up, and he greets me with a soft smile.
"Hello, Nicole."
I return the same warmth.
"Helloo."
He gestures toward the couch in his office.
"Please, sit."
He walks over to the door and closes it -- something he never does. It catches me off guard. He approaches slowly, our eyes locked, our smiles growing. Then he sits beside me, paperwork laid out on the coffee table in front of us.
He picks up a form.
"It's about your retirement plan. I got a few quotes -- this one's the best," he says, flipping the page and pointing to the figures.
But I can't concentrate -- not on the numbers, not on the plan. I'm watching him. The way he talks, how confident he is. How effortlessly handsome.
I place my hand over his to pause him, my touch lingering longer than necessary. He stops talking. I can feel his eyes on me. Slowly, I slide my hand away, allowing my touch to burn into his skin.
He clears his throat and moves on to the next document, this time leaning closer, brushing his arm against my leg. Like a chess match -- every move subtle but loud in silence.