Conflict of Interest (Employee Relations Book 1) by Teresa Michaels

I’ve met him, actually seems to be enjoying himself.
    Figures it’d be at my expense.
    “I’d hate to be selfish and steal any more of your time ladies, so I’ll be off.”
    “It was nice meeting you, Lucas,” Summer replies, trying to conceal her amusement.
    “Believe me, the pleasure’s all mine.”
    Something exchanges between us and I nearly choke. If I had any doubt that he’d heard our conversation before, it’s crystal clear now that he did. “Enjoy the rest of your weekend, Gabriella.” He takes a step back and I release all the air in my lungs and then bury my face in my hands.
    “Oh, one more thing.” I lower my hands as Lucas bends towards me, handing me a rolled up magazine. “Thought you might find some of the articles beneficial.”
    He leaves and my eyes snap to the cover of the Men’s Health.
    10 Ways to Relieve Stress (Without Sex).
    “Well,” Summer says impatiently. “What does it say?”
    I hand it over and let them read for themselves.
    “You are in so much trouble,” Summer scolds, leaning forward. “Why didn’t you tell us he was hot as sin?”
    “Because he’s an epic dick.” I busy myself by stabbing the last two morsels of food on my plate, picturing Lucas’s face.
    “Yeah, and I bet he’s got an epic dick,” Kyra adds. “Did you see the size of his hands?” Kyra glances over her shoulder. “And that ass. He certainly knows how to wear a suit.”
    “You two aren’t helping.”
    “It’ll be fine. You don’t know how much he heard,” Summer downplays the exchange.
    “Seriously,” I gesture to the magazine on the table before them. “He heard me offer to screw him in exchange for him to stop being an ass.”
    “Ah,” Summer says. “Good ole quid pro quo.”
    “At least he has a good sense of humor,” Kyra chimes in. “I wouldn’t worry about it.”
    “Really, you wouldn’t worry if a coworker that despised you overheard how hard up you were for an orgasm, and that your two friends were trying to remedy that with a vibrator?”
    Pointing her fork at me, Summer adds, “And Brad’s friend.”
    The waitress comes by and asks to refill our coffees. “None for me, thanks.” My heart’s still pounding. The last thing I need is more caffeine.
    “All kidding aside,” Kyra says. “I sensed some major tension between the two of you. It was kind of hot.”
    I roll my eyes. What a joke. Sure there’s been a few instances where I thought he was interested. It had to be my imagination though. No one treats a person they’re attracted to like shit unless they’re in grade school.
    “So?”
    I blink. “So, what?”
    “How bad do you want his shillelagh?” Kyra questions as if I know what the hell a shillelagh is.
    “Huh?”
    “You know, his knobstick?” I shake my head at her attempt to clarify. “It’s an Irish walking stick. Made of wood. Do I seriously need to explain this to you?”
    “Fine. Yes. I’m seriously attracted to him. It’s not like I can or would do anything about it. We have a strict non-fraternizing policy.”
    “Those don’t always hold up in court, you know,” Kyra pointedly informs me—always the lawyer.
    “Have either of you heard a word I’ve said?”
    “Loud and clear, hun. I just didn’t picture him looking like that, or anticipate that chemistry. Kyra’s right.”
    “Believe me, it’s all one-sided. Besides, I don’t want to want him. Like I said, asshole.”
    “I agree,” Summer says. “Not that it’s one-sided. That you don’t want to go there. Way too messy.”
    Kyra shakes her head. “For the record, I disagree,”
    At least my friends are right about one thing. I do need to get laid.
    I wipe my hands on the cloth napkin in my lap. “You know what? Have Brad call his friend.”
    Remembering that Lucas has a client visit in New York City next week, I thank my lucky stars that at least I won’t be seeing him for a few days. I’ll have to face him eventually, and if I wasn’t so keyed up it would