Lipstick On His Collar

      Candlelight reflected off the gold ring on his left hand. He clinked it absently against the stem of the wineglass, causing it to chime gently.

      “I can’t stop thinking about you.”

      He stared across the table, his light blue eyes never wavering. My heart stopped, as if the world had halted, waiting to change its course. I took a deep breath and it began again, pounding in my chest as if it wanted to burst out and take flight.

      My hands shook as I lifted my glass of wine, the dark red liquid rippling and shifting against the sides. I carefully took a swallow of it, the spicy richness exploding on my tongue. I still stared at him, I should’ve looked away.

      I couldn’t.

      Mesmerised by this man, my boss, who crackled with energy and was almost larger than life. He had a mind that raced ahead of everyone else’s. And he couldn’t stop thinking about me.

      His comment could lead to a cataclysmic change, and I needed to be back on solid ground. I had to deflect the conversation. I took another slow breath. My chest tightened and I stuttered out,