they continue testing the machine, and testing boundaries

"You've got me pegged," Abbie admitted, finding herself oddly pleased that he'd noticed this about her. "I'm nothing if not persistent."

Jake moved to the front of the machine again, pressing a few more buttons. "Let me try adjusting the density settings." His arm brushed against hers as he reached across the control panel, lingering just a moment longer than necessary.

"Good idea," Abbie said, not stepping away from the contact. She watched his fingers move confidently across the buttons, noticing the way his forearms flexed beneath rolled-up sleeves.

"So what's in this report anyway? Something fascinating about quarterly projections?" Jake asked, glancing at her with a half-smile.

"Even better. It's the PR strategy for the Henderson account." She leaned her hip against the copier, angling her body toward him. "Absolutely riveting stuff."

"Sounds like a page-turner." Jake's eyes drifted momentarily to where her blouse had come slightly untucked from her skirt. "Ready for another test?"

Abbie handed him the original again, their fingers touching and lingering this time. "Let's see what you've got."

As Jake placed the document on the glass, Abbie reached over to adjust it, her arm pressing against his chest. "It's a little crooked," she murmured, though the document had been perfectly straight.

"Can't have that," Jake said softly, his breath warm against her ear. Neither of them moved for a moment, the hum of the copier the only sound in the room.

Abbie pressed the copy button, still leaning over the machine, her body close to Jake's. The paper emerged, slightly better but still not perfect.

"We're getting warmer," Jake said, his voice low. He reached past her to adjust another setting, his chest brushing against her shoulder. This time, the contact was deliberate, and they both knew it. "Do you think that ... maybe we should clean the glass?"

Abbie smiled and bit her lip. "Mm-hm. I definitely think we need to clean the glass." Abbie grabbed another paper towl. She lifted the cover and began wiping the surface, bending over the machine. Jake stood behind her, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from his body.

"Missed a spot," he said, reaching around her to point at the corner of the glass. His chest pressed lightly against her back, and Abbie felt her breath catch.

When she finished cleaning, she turned slightly, finding herself trapped between Jake and the copier. Neither seemed inclined to move.

"I think we're getting closer," Abbie said, her voice slightly breathless. She was acutely aware of Jake's proximity, the way his cologne mixed with the scent of warm paper and toner.

"Definitely getting closer," Jake agreed, though his eyes weren't on the copier at all. They were fixed on Abbie's face, tracing the light dusting of freckles across her nose, the curve of her lips.

Abbie reached for the original document, but her fingers fumbled as Jake shifted behind her, his hip brushing against hers. "We should try one more time," she said, placing the paper on the glass with uncharacteristically clumsy movements.

"Third time's the charm," Jake murmured, reaching around her to press the copy button. His arm grazed the side of her breast as he extended toward the control panel, and Abbie inhaled sharply.

The movement caused her elbow to knock against the edge of the original document, sending it sliding off the glass and fluttering to the floor.

"Oops," Abbie said, making no move to retrieve it. Her eyes locked with Jake's, a playful smile tugging at her lips. Neither of them seemed particularly concerned about the fallen paper.