The Cherished Wife

Charles was a master at kissing, and just when Noelle felt like she was running out of breath, he eased up, flipped them over, and pinned her beneath him. A playful smile graced his handsome face as his tongue gently caressed Noelle's cheek. He whispered with a soft

laugh, "You're as sweet as candy."

Caught off guard by Charles's sudden romantic words and her own eager response, Noelle blushed and tried to push him away. "We can't do this, we're supposed to be working!" she protested, trying to get up. However, Charles would not let go, his voice low and sincere. "Noelle, I've missed you." Noelle's cheeks flamed with a sudden blush. "You!" she exclaimed, shoving Charles back and scrambling to her feet from the couch.

She caught Charles's gaze, those eyes twinkling with mischief, and her heart went wild, thumping uncontrollably. She had to look away, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "Look at the time. I've got to head down and start my shift," she said. She hurried to straighten up her look, worried she might have missed a spot. Pulling out a mirror, she checked her reflection. Spotting her lipstick smeared across her face, she bit her lip, shooting Charles a look of playful accusation. Charles just smirked, clearly pleased with himself.

Noelle's frown deepened. "You think this is funny? This is your fault, you know. We're at the office, and I've got work to do!" She fished a wet wipe from her bag and began scrubbing her face. "From now on, keep your distance when we're out, okay?" Talking about it, especially remembering how Charles had daringly tasted her lip balm, left Noelle with a feeling she could not quite put into words. It would drive anyone with a germ phobia crazy, that's for sure.

then, that was Charles, and despite herself, Noelle's fingers brushed her

watching," Charles said, taking the wipe from her and gently cleaning her face for her. He let out a sigh, half teasing, half serious. "I'll give you a break today, but you're not off the hook just yet!" "Why?" Noelle eyed him with suspicion. "Work's about

lightly. "Just hang tight here for a sec." He quickly dialed. Becky's number and found out that Janet had taken her out for lunch, which made

peeked at

and spreading his

let out a relieved breath and gave herself a quick once-over before saying, "Okay, I'm

exit, she noticed Charles was on her