Chatting back and forth, they instinctively headed toward the study, falling into their usual routine of tackling urgent business matters first.
As she booted up her laptop, her grandmother's words echoed in her mind: romance requires management.
She dialed the intercom for Rachel. "Could you wash some fruit and bring it up to the study?"
Then she turned to Owen. "Do you want any snacks?"
"Why the sudden hospitality?"
She was never this accommodating.
But it quickly dawned on him—she was probably trying to be affectionate, she just had no idea how to execute it.
He rolled his chair closer, wrapping a strong arm around her shoulders. "I don't need anything. I just missed you, and I just want to be close to you."
Mira pondered that for a second. "Did you not miss me before?"
"Before, we were just colleagues. Why would I have missed you?"
Truthfully, Owen wasn't exactly a smooth talker either. He could have easily said, 'I always missed you, but I didn't dare cross the line without your permission.'
Still, Mira figured his logic was sound.
"Let's get to work,"
Boss Mercer ordered.
"No way. Not until you kiss me."
Mira was about to tell him not to push his luck, but remembering her grandmother's lecture, she surrendered.
Smack. Mira planted a quick, rigid peck on his cheek. She pulled away before Owen even registered what happened.
"That doesn't count. You're just brushing me off."
"Look, Owen, don't push it."
"Come here. Let me teach you how it's actually done."
The moment their lips met, Mira's mind went entirely blank. It felt like a stone dropping into a perfectly still lake, sending wild ripples crashing through her senses.
Owen reached out, dragging her back into his lap. "I don't have the slightest desire to work right now. What do we do about that?"
"Rationality. You have to stay rational. You can't let a little physical affection derail your focus."
Otherwise, they would be destroyed. Their corporate rivals were watching their every move like hawks.
Owen's lips curled into a predatory smirk. "As you command, my lady."
Mira couldn't be bothered to reprimand him for the pet name.
The two of them finally shifted into work mode.
By nine o'clock, Mira was ready to crash, though Owen usually stayed up until ten.
"It's time to sleep. We have to be up early tomorrow."
Owen nodded, shut down his laptop, and pulled her in for a tight embrace before turning to leave.
Just as he reached the door, he suddenly glanced back. "Mira, when are we getting married?"

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