I close my mouth and curl my hands into fists on his chest as heat floods my face.The hard glint in his eyes as he smirks eases my angst even as my pulse pounds between my legs.
A few extended heartbeats later, he rises to his full height, trails a fingertip down the side of my face, and gives me a chaste peck on the forehead before limping out of the bathroom.Amusement and pride filter through my stupor as he adjusts himself mid stride.
Part of me can’t believe I aroused such a massive, powerful man while the other scolds me for letting him walk away.Even though I know I’m not ready for more—especially not so soon after our run-in with Donald—I can’t deny my natural attraction to him anymore.
I shut the bathroom door, strip off my shirt, wash my face in the sink, dry with paper towels, and apply makeup before donning my shirt, applying deodorant, and spritzing body spray.With the mini hairbrush I keep in my tote bag—which I stashed behind the bathroom door early in the night—and water from the sink, I detangle my hair and pull it into a high ponytail before smearing mousse between my hands and crimping the ends into loose, bouncy curls.
Hopefully the change in hairstyle is enough to throw anyone off the fact I’m wearing the same outfit.
After closing the toilet lid, I change into the spare panties and tights—which are a darker shade than yesterday’s— from my tote and tidy up before exiting into the CEO’s office.
Brennan lounges on the couch with his arm slung over his face.
“Are you okay?Do you have a headache?”I ask.
“It’s not my head that’s aching.Put on your jacket and shoes and go get the coffee, love.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“If I see you walking around with your hair up and your throat exposed, your feet in nothing but stockings, and your perfect ass in that tight skirt, I will not be.Go before I give in to temptation,” he growls.
I grab my tote, shoes, and jacket, and rush across the room.With one hand on the door handle, I call over my shoulder, “Yes, sir.Of course, sir.Whatever you say, sir.”
I close the door behind me, blocking out his low cursing, and pause by my old desk to finish dressing before heading down the hall.
After stepping into the elevator and selecting the lobby, I check my reflection in the doors and prepare to face the chaos of New York City foot traffic on a weekday morning.
With over half an hour before the early risers start trickling into the building, the security guards are off doing their rounds when I step off the elevator, so I take long strides and clear the lobby as quickly as possible.
I greet the barista, buy the coffee, and wait at the crosswalk.As soon as the light turns green, I hurry across like normal, but it doesn’t turn yellow until I step onto the curb.
Mr.Collins stands by the security checkpoint in front of the elevators when I enter the building.
“Good morning, Ms.Tripp.Can I help you with your ID badge?”he offers.
“No thanks, Mr.Collins, I’ve got it, but you can take yours and Mr.Lopez’s drinks,” I respond.
“Some things really don’t change, do they?I gotta admit, I thought I was seeing things the other day when the boss was carrying all your stuff.”
“Don’t worry, it was a one-off situation.It won’t happen again,” I say.
“I’ll take that bet,” Carlos says from the far side of the elevators.
I roll my eyes, scan my ID, and step through the gates.
“Gambling is illegal,” I say.
Mr.Collins laughs and says, “Yeah, well, it’s illegal for a man to give another man a piggyback ride where I’m from, but you best believe if my buddy and I got bored, I’d jump right on, so… I bet Ms.Tripp wins the bag wars.”
I sigh and press the button for the elevator.Without another word, I step into the box and shuffle to the back as Carlos joins me.
“I’m heading up to finish my rounds.Be right back, Collins,” he says.
As soon as the doors close, he asks, “How is he?”
I shrug as much as my loaded arm will allow.
“He’s bouncing back like the physician said he would.”
