All Chapters of Paperwork and Hearthbeats: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Harper Miller had always been a little too nerdy, despite her attractive appearance. She had always preferred order to chaos. Books over parties. And work over vacations. Her parents were constantly pushing her to go out and socialize more; her peers were always inviting her out to movie nights and parties; and boys... Boys were always inviting her everywhere. She did not care much. She preferred the solitude of her room and her books. The only thing that could be considered a hobby for Harper was her love of fashion. She enjoyed collecting fashion magazines and saving up her money for the perfect dress, which made her feel like the prettiest girl in the world. She researched fashion brands and fabric patterns. In her senior year of high school, she decided that she would turn this serious hobby of hers into a future career. That she would aim to work at a clothing company or a fashion magazine, somewhere where she could combine her passion for fashion with her talent for researching

A small, almost imperceptible smile touched the corner of Oliver’s mouth as she suggested a cafe mocha for tomorrow. The idea of another deviation from his usual black coffee routine seemed to amuse him in a way he rarely allowed himself. “Cafe mocha, huh?” he repeated, his voice losing some of its earlier gruffness. “You are quire the connoisseur of caffeine derivatives, aren’t you?” He watched her over the rim of his glasses as she studies her own latte, noting the way her fingers traced the condensation on the cup. The nervousness in her posture was endearing in a way he couldn’t quite place. “You know,” he began leaning forward slightly and resting his chin on his hand. “For someone who works for me, you are awfully bold. Most people would not dare suggest changes to my daily routine.” Harper clears her throat softly, straightens her posture and says in a professional tone, “Well… a well-structured daily routine improves performance. If there is nothing else, I must see to those

Oliver’s eyes widened slightly at her blunt observation, a low chuckle escaping his lips. The sound was rich and unexpected, breaking the usual seriousness, he carried around the office. “In a hurry,” he repeated, his voice laced with amusement. “You are saying my designers need to consider emergency situations? Like spills or... Other unexpected events?” His hand moved from her back to gently cup her shin, tilting her face up to meet his gaze. The gesture was surprisingly tender for someone known for his reserved nature. “I like the way you think, practicality should not have to sacrifice style. It is a valid point,” he murmured, his thumb brushing lightly against her skin. The office suddenly felt smaller, the air between them charged with a new energy. Oliver’s fingers traced the line of her jaw thoughtfully as he studied her flushed cheeks and nervous expression. “Tell me more about these emergency situations,” he encouraged softly.“Oh, uh... I wouldn’t really be an expert on tho

“That is it,” Oliver encouraged against her breast, his voice muffled by the flesh pressed against his lips. “Show me how much you want this.” His free hand moved to cup her other breast, kneading gently while his mouth worked relentlessly on the first. The contrast between the wet heat of his tongue and the cooler air of the office sent shivers racing across her skin. “I have dreamed about this,” he confessed between kisses, switching sides to lavish equal attention upon her neglected nipple. “About having you in here, just like this.” His hips rocked forward instinctively, grinding against the apex of her thighs through their layers of clothing. The friction was maddening, building a delicious pressure that made both of them groan simultaneously. “Tell me you want this too,” Oliver demanded hoarsely, pulling back just enough to look into her hazy eyes. “Tell me you have thought about me like this.” Before Harp

“Perhaps, in this case resistance is futile? Perhaps, the opposite is the solution.” Harper suggested trying to maintain a professional face. She felt her cheeks flush and her heartbeat quicken. “How about a drink after work?” she added quickly, before she can change her mind. Oliver’s eyebrows shot up at her bold suggestion, a flicker of surprise mixed with intrigue crossing his features. “A drink?” he repeated slowly, his voice dropping to a dangerous level. “You want to go for drinks with me after work?” He took a step closer, leaning down slightly so his face was level with hers. The scent of his cologne filled the space between them, mingling with the lingering tension from their earlier encounter. “And what exactly do you think would happen if we went for drinks?” he asked quietly, his icy-blue eyes searching hers intently. “Because I am pretty sure neither of us would be thinking about business by the tim