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really wish you
could see all of that, and allow yourself to use all of your
talents instead of hiding some of them depending upon where you
are.”
    Layla looked deep into his eyes, seeing more warmth
than a professional relationship allowed. Her pulse picked up speed
and the protective shell around her heart melted. This wasn’t a
business colleague trying to talk her into returning to her job.
This was a man who cared about her, who wanted to see her be true
to herself and live up to her potential.
    But could she set aside her fears and allow herself
to do it?
    Tears stung her eyes. “Jefferson, I’ve worked so hard
to gain acceptance and respect in the business world. If I let all
of those professionals see this side of me, what is that going to
do to my credibility?”
    “Absolutely nothing. You will still be respected.
People will just see how dynamic your personality is.”
    “How can you possibly know that?” She stepped away
from him and swiped at the moisture in her eyes to clear her
vision. “Not everyone thinks the same way you do.”
    “True, but I saw the way people treated you after
seeing you in ripped jeans and a Death Fire hoodie. They still had
the same measure of respect for you they always had, but a few
seemed to see you in a new light.” Jefferson smiled and stepped
closer again. “And a few seemed to gain more respect for you, since
that outfit made them realize there’s more to you than they’ve ever
seen around the office.”
    He laid a hand along her jaw and stroked her cheek
with his thumb. “Everything that’s happened since that day has made
me realize how much of an idiot I’ve been with you. I don’t hate
you, which I’m sure you must think. In fact, it’s just the
opposite. I like you more than is appropriate for a boss. To hide
that, I’ve tried to distance myself and be coolly professional.
Unfortunately, all I’ve managed to do is turn into a humongous jerk
where you’re concerned. You deserve so much better than that. I’m
sorry.”
    Layla leaned into his touch, wishing he would have
told her all of this before. How long had he been trying to hide
his feelings from her? She covered his hand with hers and smiled.
“You’re not my boss now.”
    Awareness crackled between them, and Jefferson leaned
forward but paused with his lips mere inches from hers. She found
it nearly impossible to breathe as she waited.
    “Is this what you really want?” he whispered. “I
don’t want to overstep my bounds again.”
    She laughed softly. “Trust me, you’re not
overstepping anything this time.”
    He slid an arm around her waist and pulled her close
as he kissed her. She melted into him as his lips moved over hers
with tender passion, and he held her tighter. Just when she thought
her heart would burst with happiness, he broke the kiss and leaned
his forehead against hers, looking deep into her eyes.
    “I originally came out here to talk you into coming
back to Prescott and Hayes.”
    Layla moved back, and he released her without
hesitation. She wrapped her arms around herself to ward off the
sudden chill. “Please tell me you’re not trying to kiss me into
agreeing.”
    “No! Kissing you is—” Jefferson combed his fingers
through his hair. “That has nothing to do with getting you to come
back. Honestly, I’m not sure how that will affect our ability to
work for the same company. You know Marshall likes to keep things
strictly professional in the office.”
    Seeing the ethical dilemma waging war in his mind,
she smiled and stepped close, draping her arms across his
shoulders. “Marshall can bite me. If he doesn’t know by now that I
can keep my personal life and my business life separate, he’s an
idiot who shouldn’t be heading a company.”
    “I couldn’t agree more.” He kissed her again, and
when he spoke his voice held a husky quality that turned her knees
into jelly. “So, does this mean you’ll come back?”
    She traced a finger through the hair at