goes on. "He'll figure out quickly enough that every time you're summoned to my office, I turn the glass opaque."
"I-I can't..."
"But you know those sexy noises you make that I like so much?" Before I can answer, he goes on. "I should tell you that the glass isn't soundproof."
I shake my head. "No. It isn't happening. Not at work. No."
I remember the saying about protesting too much. Besides, the way Duncan's eyes twinkle makes me want to reconsider my objection. I guess...if the glass is opaque...
"Seriously," he goes on, "I've looked at my schedule for today. As much as I'd love to bend you over my desk..."
"Stop." I need him to quit saying that or those thoughts will consume my mind all day long.
"As much as I'd love that, I'm going to be swamped. I was uncharacteristically absent for a day and a half followed by a three-day weekend."
"Should I apologize for that?"
"No," he says. "But you could agree to a date tonight."
"A date?"
Duncan lifts my hand as we near the office building. "Our first real date. What do you say, Miss Jones?" He lowers his lips to my knuckles. "Will you consider a date with me?"
My heart flutters. "I'll give it some serious consideration."
He leans closer so Pierce can't hear. "And after the date, I was thinking I'd bring you back to my place—"
"Oh, no!" I say, feigning shock. "I do not go back to someone's house on the first date."
"Then that will require some thought." He kisses my cheek. "And negotiation. I plan to be very persuasive."
"I have heard that about you."
"It's one rumor that you should believe. Either way, I'm taking you out on a real date and we will end up back at my place."
I like the finality of his tone as well as the idea of negotiating. I'm most certain that no matter my qualms, I'll end up back in his big penthouse, on his big bed, with his big....
The car slows and I pull my thoughts away from the erotic as my nerves catch up to the reality that I'm walking into Buchanan and Willis with Mr. Willis. "I know we talked about this, but maybe Pierce could drive me around the block and we could pretend—"
His finger touches my lips. "Miss Jones, we'll keep it professional while at work, except when I have you alone in my office, but under no circumstances will there be pretending. We left that behind, remember?"
Oh, I remember.
The door opens and sunlight floods the scene as coworkers hurry past, seemingly oblivious to another black car with a driver. I tell myself it is commonplace on the streets of Midtown. Duncan takes my hand and helps me from the car.
"How about a coffee?" he asks as we enter the foyer. "I was going to buy one for myself and I figured how about mine, plus-one?"
My cheeks rise. "Thank you, Mr. Willis. I promise not to spill it on you."
"Deal."
Nearly fifteen minutes later, Duncan gives me a sexy smile as we silently leave the crowded elevator and turn our separate directions. As I step to my desk, the scene where only five days ago Mr. Duncan Willis came to escort me away, I have new, bigger concerns.
"Kimbra," my manager says, stepping up behind me, "there's a meeting in my office in five. I need you there."
I take a deep breath, scanning my desk as my computer comes to life. Immediately my gaze goes to my accumulated emails. Usually when I take time off, I check in to the office. Maybe it was because I was with the boss or maybe because he occupied my every thought—it doesn't matter. The fact remains that while we were gone, the HR business of Buchanan and Willis was not on my mind. As a consequence, I now have nearly three hundred emails staring me in the face, at least half with the urgent symbol beside them.
"Okay," I reply. "I'll be there."
The coffee from the downstairs shop is still warm as I grab my laptop and the covered cup and make my way to Eric's office.
I've always liked and respected Eric Jettson. He's a balding, middle-aged man with a dry sense of humor. He's straight to the point and perfect for his job as the manager in charge of our department. As I think back, I realize that he was the first person I met at Buchanan and Willis, the one who hired me.
I step inside his office, surprised to see not only Eric, but