“Cripes,” Susan said. “I’ve done a little blog hopping during office hours. How strict are they going to be?”
Julia offered Maggie an apologetic look. “I’ve done the same thing, Susan. I’ve checked interesting links. Are they going to sack offenders?”
Connor shook his head. “They didn’t say. All I’m saying is take care and leave the Internet alone unless it’s for work.”
“Done,” Christina said. “I intend to leave soon, but on my own terms. Thanks for the warning.”
“I wouldn’t worry too much,” Connor said. “Most people have used the computer for private purposes when they should have been working.”
“They can hardly sack everyone,” Julia said.
“Good to know.” Maggie grabbed her sandwich again and opened it. Maybe she’d overreacted. She hadn’t looked at her blog while at work, confining her posts to home. It wouldn’t matter if other employees had looked at her blog. Interest would die and life would return to normal. “What’s everyone doing this weekend?”
Christina pulled off her glasses and inspected them for smears. “Work for me. I’m advising a young school leaver on a wardrobe. It should be fun since our budget is tight.”
“I don’t have plans,” Julia said. “Not yet. I might have a lazy weekend and stay at home.”
Connor grinned. “Say it isn’t so. You always have plans.”
“So I thought I’d change things up,” Julia retorted. “No rule says I have to do things the same way all the time.”
“What about you, Maggie? What are you doing?” Susan asked. “Do you have a date? I’m jealous of your love life.” She wrinkled her nose, but Maggie gained the impression she wasn’t entirely joking. It made her feel even guiltier about her lies to her friends.
She averted her gaze from Connor, finding her sandwich far less threatening. “I’m not sure yet.” Why couldn’t she stop looking at him? Thinking about him?
It was like a disease. An illness, because she couldn’t resist him. Memories of their lovemaking kept flashing through her mind in a never-ending loop. The memories had kept her from kissing Kevin. She’d enjoyed spending time with him, but when it came to a goodnight kiss, she couldn’t do it. She’d mumbled about being too soon. Excuses. Yeah, she’d stuttered through quite a few.
And Kevin had asked her out again. They had a date for tomorrow night. Maggie knew she needed to move on with her life. Heck, Connor had a fixation with blondes. She’s seen him in a clinch with that blonde, and the close attention he’d paid to the other women in the group he’d joined. Yes, she and Connor were casual lovers, not meant to last.
The plan took time to execute. Since the night they’d seen each other in the pub, Maggie had distanced herself. Connor rubbed his tired eyes. He hadn’t slept worth a damn, lying in bed imagining all the things Maggie might do with her new man.
The only positive note was that she hadn’t told him she wanted out of theirfriends with benefitsdeal. They hadn’t talked, either, but knowing Maggie, she’d never sleep with a new guy or continue seeing another man without letting him know. She had honor. It was only that knowledge that kept Connor going each day.
He didn’t intend to lose Maggie because she wanted something he couldn’t deliver. They’d get through this roadblock and come out the other end. Together. He was determined about that.
Taking a deep breath, he walked into the exclusive lingerie shop, strode up to the counter and told the woman what he wanted.
Lace. Satin. Sexy yet tasteful.
A corset a woman could wear with pride and confidence. A corset to draw a man’s attention.
The question of size had stumped him until luck smiled. A woman of Maggie’s size had sauntered into the lingerie store. Kismet, he’d decided.
They needed to special order, which took time. He’d had to wait. Impatiently.
The rest of the Tight Five had questioned him, asked if he was all right or had a problem.
No, he’d told them, even though he’d wanted to pepper them with questions about Maggie, his confidence at an all-time low.
Now, almost two weeks later, he stared at the black and gold creation, nestled inside a gold box and tissue paper. He imagined Maggie wearing the corset…
“Damn,” he muttered, shifting to release the stress on his cock. “Down, boy.” At this rate, he’d need another cold shower. His flatmates were asking questions already, pulling his leg about the time he’d spent in there.
Connor ran the tips of his fingers over the black material, imagining it heated by Maggie’s skin.
He hoped this didn’t backfire on him, because he thought it might kill him if he lost Maggie.
Connor picked up a pen and chewed the end while he considered what to write on the card to accompany his gift. He stared at the pristine white card and leapt off his chair to search for paper. A draft. This note needed to be perfect. He’d practice first so he didn’t stuff it up.
