Law #2: Don't Play with a Player: A Sweet Office Romance Story (Laws of Love) by Agnes Canestri (web ebook reader .txt) 📕

“That translates into ‘Laia I want some, too.’” Devon chuckles.

He’s probably right, so I hand a piece to Mila, too.

The girls chew on their prey with joyful grins, and once they’ve stuffed everything into their tiny mouths, they waddle to the sandbox again.

I don’t stop them this time since now they can get filthy. Alicia has a germ-obsession, and she’ll bathe them as soon as they arrive home anyway.

Without the twins’ presence, I’m again too aware of the heat emanating from Devon’s body. It becomes so unbearable I shift a few inches farther from Devon. Enough to breathe normally, but not so far he’ll wonder why I changed position. The last thing I need is for him to realize just how smitten I am with him.

Devon has already finished his doughnut, but his eyes still have an eager glint.

“Do you want the rest?” I hold out what remains from my own treat to him.

“No, thank you.”

“Are you sure? You still look hungry.”

One of his brow arches. “Do I? Well, maybe I am. Just not for doughnuts.”

My jaw drops, but before I can ask about his odd remark, he continues, “You told me you have a sweet tooth and that chocolate is your favorite flavor.”

I wince as he recites my embarrassed jabber from last night.

“What’s wrong?” he asks.

“Nothing, just I didn’t expect you to recall that.”

“I remember all the things you tell me, Laia.” The intensity of his gaze is such that my ribcage roils.

Does his emphasis have a meaning? Or is he just boasting about his great memory?  

While I try to convince my brain not to jump to any hopeful conclusions about his potential double-meaning, Devon continues, “Like, I didn’t forget what you said about being used to people talking down to you. What did you mean by that? I’ve been wondering about it a lot.”

“It was nothing but a peeved slip.” I wave, wanting him to drop the subject.

But he doesn’t.

“Please, Laia. I’m curious.”

The honesty in his voice makes me think he really wants to know about my past, which is weird.

Is this interest more than just a boss’s concern?

I move my glance to Sandy and Mila, who are building a sort of castle or a large hill—depending on the point of view.

“You know…” I start while keeping my eyes glued on the twins, “I’m the youngest in my family, and as such, my opinion always counted less than that of my siblings. Not in a mean, you are silly so we won’t listen to you way, rather in a we love you, but you’re so naïve one. Enough, however, to stop voicing what I used to feel or believe. This habit of keeping in my shell accompanied me my whole life, but recently I started to get fed up with it.”

As I say it, I realize it might have been my real motivation for giving that motivational guide a shot and starting that bucket list in the first place.

Yes, I wished to land a job, but there was more to my decision than just frustration over my refusal letters. I wanted to change into a better, stronger version of myself.

Devon nods. “I can relate to that. I think Ellie struggled with the same problem when she was younger. It’s the curse of the little sisters.”

The old Laia would respond to his emphatic interruption with a shy smile and then shut up, afraid she’d already given away too much of herself. But because I’m suddenly aware that, thanks to Devon and his choice to take a chance on me, I’m actually on the rocky road to becoming a more open person, I push myself.

“If I’m honest, it wasn’t just my family. At school, I wasn’t popular. Not that I am now, but back then I used to be a kind of outcast.” I pause, unsure how to continue.

Then I draw in a sharp breath and let the words rush to my tongue, without any filter. “I was a chubby Latina girl who always had burritos for lunch instead of trendy lettuce sandwiches. I wore my sister’s hand me down clothes and had no earrings or necklaces. I loved to read literary classics, while my companions were obsessed with reality shows and manga characters. I wasn’t good at sports but had good enough grades to be branded a nerd.”

“It’s hard for me to believe you weren’t always this stunning.” Devon’s voice cuts through the demons of my past.

“Well, you better believe it,” I say with a bitter smile, while a fragment of my mind registers that Devon has called me stunning. “I didn’t have girlfriends until high school. That’s when Chelsea’s family moved into my town, San Sebastian.”

“Ah, so you and Chelsea go way back?”

“Yes. Chelsea was the first person at school to look beyond my social reputation, and we became besties. Before that, I only spent time with my cousin Eva. Chelsea’s friendship turned things around for me because she was adored by many, especially by boys. Hanging with her allowed me to bask in her positive aura.”

Warmth invades my spine as Devon’s palm lands on my upper back.

I should move away if I don’t want my bones to liquefy into a gooey mess, but the sense of protection and pleasure I get from his touch is too irresistible.

So I stay put and turn my head to him.

When our gazes cross, he gives me a bright smile. “For what it’s worth, I happen to be a great fan of your aura.”

Chapter 35

(Devon)

My fingers itch to slide up to Laia’s nape and graze the soft skin on her neck. Especially because I can see in her eyes that my touch is to her liking. Following through with my desire would come naturally to me. I’m used to giving the green light to my body’s needs while my mind takes the backseat.

But if I want Laia to start seeing me as something more than just her player boss, I need to show her I’m more.

I need to let her into my past. No matter how raw