Clock Work (Winter Warmers) by Cassie Mint

Author:Cassie Mint [Mint, Cassie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Cherry Publishing
Published: 2021-12-15T16:00:00+00:00

Six

Piper

We can’t go on like this—Kilian and I. Neither of us are dishonest people, and yet we’re sneaking around. Telling lies and hiding things from my brother. When Maxim nearly walked in on us last night, I thought Kilian was going to throw up in his workshop trash can. He looked ashen, and all the happy, glowy feelings of being touched by him evaporated at the sight of it.

No. I know what he’s thinking, and it’s not true. He’s not some seedy boss taking advantage, he’s Kilian, and if I didn’t want him so badly, I’d have looked for another job weeks ago.

I don’t even like clocks, for goodness’ sake. Honestly, I was neutral about them when I started working here, and now after trying to learn all their stupid names, I think I might actually hate them.

I’m only still here because of Kilian. Because I want to be near him more than anything. Because when I’m around him, I feel confident and sexy and bright.

I stamp my feet on the welcome mat, clumps of snow falling off my boots. The workshop is so welcoming first thing in the cold morning, with the windows steamed over and the scent of fresh coffee floating through the halls. Kilian always greets me with a steaming mug and a pastry from the local bakery, and I like to make bets with myself about which sweater he’ll be wearing today.

The dove gray one that clings perfectly to his chest?

The forest green one that brings out his hazel eyes?

The black one that makes him look a bit dangerous?

For a split second, I picture being here when he picks his clothes for the day. Watching him emerge from the shower, skin flushed and beads of moisture running down his torso. Sleeping in his bed, surrounded by his masculine scent, feeling his strong arms wrap around me and hold me close through the night—

“Piper?” Kilian’s deep voice floats down the stairs from his office. “Can you come up here for a second?”

Huh. That’s new. We normally hang out in the kitchen before we get started.

The stairs creak as I climb them slowly, my palm drifting along the smoothed wood of the banister, and it’s silent up ahead on the second floor. Dread knots in my stomach, and I distract myself with the array of clocks hanging on the staircase wall.

Hand-carved wood. Polished brass. Ornate black hands, ticking away the seconds as I climb.

By the time I tap my knuckles against the office door frame, I think I’m prepared for the worst. My shoulders are stiff; my lips are pressed in a firm line. But seeing Kilian standing behind his desk, arms folded—he’s wearing the green sweater, by the way—and a shuttered expression on his face, makes my stomach swoop.

“Kilian?”

“Sit down, Piper.” He sounds unhappy. “We need to talk.”

* * *

“Oh my god.” I stare at my hands, clasped loosely in my lap. Kilian sits across from me, rubbing his jaw with a grim tilt to his mouth.

He looks exhausted.

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