Free Thirty Days: Part One by Belle Brooks Page A

nothing more than to connect with his. Abigail, what’s wrong with you? I step back, breathing heavy as my thighs press together. Who are you?
    “Must be hot in here.” He smirks, working on the machine.
    “Really? I’m fine.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yes.”
    “Well, you’re blushing, Miss McMillian.”
    I swallow even harder. “How do you know my name?”
    “Magic,” he breathes. “And you’re an eye roller, I see?”
    “What?”
    “You just rolled your eyes.”
    Shaking my head, I look everywhere but at him.
    “Uncomfortable, are we?”
    Closing my eyes, I just breathe. “No.”
    He chuckles. “It’s fixed now. Can I assist you with anything else?”
    I shake my head.
    “Do you always bite your lower lip like that?”
    I’m not biting my lip. Oh yes, I am. I release it from my teeth immediately. “Do you always ask questions?”
    “I do.”
    Leave the room, Abigail. I don’t.
    “Who are you?”
    “Marcus.” He smiles kindly at me. “You have very pretty eyes.” His compliment is random.
    “Are you an assistant here as well?”
    “You could say that.”
    “Okay,” I say, each letter of the word drawn out.
    “Are you nearly finished here?” He points to the photocopier.
    I burst into laughter. When I look back at him, he’s smiling again.
    “Something funny?”
    “You could say that.” I point to the folder on a table beside the copier. “Yeah, I’ve got to do that. Given my first attempt, I’d say give me at least two hours.”
    He chuckles again. “If I help you, maybe it will only be fifteen minutes.”
    “Great.” Walking towards the door, I turn back and our eyes make contact. “I’m on level two. I’m guessing you know where my office is, Mr. Magician. Just bring them up when you’re finished.”
    He smirks, so I wink and leave him and my pile of work to get acquainted.
    Asher is just outside the doorway as I exit. Her arms are crossed and there’s a look of amusement plastered across her face.
    She whispers, “What was that about?”
    I mouth, “Wow.”
    She in turn mouths, “So hot.”
    She wasn’t wrong. I think I will enjoy working with Marcus.
    Not long after returning to my office, Jasmine enters. She doesn’t knock. Barging in must be her style. I remove the headphones I’m wearing.
    “Documents, Abigail?”
    “Yes, they are coming any minute. I delegated that task. I’m in the middle of transcribing dictation.”
    “You delegated the task?” Her hands fall onto the desk before she leans down.
    “Yes.”
    “To whom?” Her eyes narrow.
    “To someone who apparently loves photocopying. This way I can get two jobs done at once.”
    She tries hard not to look pleased by my assertiveness, but fails. “Fine, get them to me as soon as possible.”
    “Yes, boss,” I reply, giving her a thumbs-up.
    She closes her eyes and shakes her head.
    Jasmine is definitely growing on me.
    Keys press down quickly. The voice of Mr. Sims plays in my ears, a voice that is aged and oddly deep.
    “(New sentence) Anthony James Stewart (comma) hereby agrees to give thirty days (comma) until ownership of this asset becomes that of (change to upper case) MURTELLl PTY LTD (full stop). (New sentence) Property pertaining to Mr. Stewart will stay mute and undisclosed under the privacy laws of Australia…”
    I’m interrupted by the sight of two folders falling onto my keyboard from behind me. The headphones I’m wearing are slowly pulled from my head. I sit frozen.
    “Task complete, Miss McMillian.” His voice is warm as his words flow softly into my ear.
    “It’s just Abigail.”
    “Abigail.”
    My name coming from his lips sends a shiver coursing down my spine. The chair begins to swivel around. His gaze is unwavering and intense as he leans down, gripping both armrests. He’s so close I can smell the mint on his breath, the smell urging me to taste him.
    “Thank you.” I’m utterly thrown by the sight of him before me.
    “You’re welcome.”
    As quickly as he