“No,” I say again.
“Brielle,” he growls, his head tipping back in frustration.
“I’m notgoinghome with you, but I’ll meet you there after work.”
“I’ll pick you up at the café.”
“It’s too close to the office. It’s too dangerous,” I tell him, standing my ground. “Either I meet you at your place, or I don’t go. Your choice.”
“Fine,” he agrees. He doesn’t like it, but I don’t care. We need to be careful if we’re doing this. Take every precaution. And driving away from work with the boss would not go unnoticed.
“Good.” I smile, patting his chest. I run my finger down the length of his buttons. When my eyes meet his again, I’m rewarded with a devilishly sexy smirk.
I pull out of his hold and make my way to the door. Just as I open the door, Damian calls from behind me, “Get some rest tonight. You’re going to need it.”
Louisa looks up from her desk, and I fix my face into one of annoyance as I stomp away, anticipation thrumming through me for what’s to come.
Chapter 24
Damian
Thepotbubblesoveronto the stovetop, sizzling as the boiling water hits the flame of the gas burner.
Shit.
I race back out to the kitchen, lowering the temperature and stirring the pot with a wooden spoon. The pasta begins to settle almost immediately, but I continue to stir for another minute just to make sure everything is good.
A knock sounds at the door of my penthouse apartment, and I know it’s her. Very few people have the code to get up here, and Brielle is the only one I’m expecting.
I left work before her so that I could get home and make dinner before she got here. The table is set, and I was even debating about lighting a candle but then thought better of it. This isn’t a date, and I don’t want her to think that it is.
It’s just two people spending time together. Two people who have seen each other naked and might choose to do so again.
I open the door to let her in. My breath catches in my lungs.
“Did you change?” I don’t know why I asked it as a question when it’s obvious that she did. She certainly wasn’t wearing that little slipof a dress at work earlier. The black fabric is dotted with little white hearts, the swell of her tits exposed as the neckline curves around her breasts like clay. Tiny, thin straps hold it up, no bra strap in sight. My gaze trails the draped material down past her hips, her thighs, stopping just below her knees. The slit on one side goes on for miles, barely an inch away from being indecent.
“Yeah. I wanted to get out of my work clothes, and it was either this or a pair of sweats. Nothing in between.”
I move aside so she can pass me. “I would have been fine either way, but I’m not complaining.”
“I didn’t think you would be,” she smirks. She takes off her shoes and leaves them by the door, padding into the kitchen in her bare feet. “What’s for dinner?”
“It’s a twist on chicken parmesan. It’s almost ready if you want to take a seat.”
“Like tofu parmesan?” she says, humor lacing her voice, as she pulls out a chair at the table.
“You liked my tofu, if I recall correctly.”
“That’s what they all think.”
That makes me chuckle. Being around Brielle makes me feel lighter, somehow. Her down-to-earth attitude and the way she dares to oppose me reminds me of who I am outside of CreativEdge, outside of my role as CEO and chair of the board. Which is odd, considering she’s my employee.
After dinner, we make our way into the open living room. Brielle tucks her feet under her on the couch, and I sit beside her.
“I talked to Greg in IT. He should have your file restored by noon tomorrow,” I tell her.
“Oh, wow. Really? That’s such a relief!” she exclaims. “I’m so sorry, by the way. I don’t know how I deleted it. It must have been when I’ve smashed my face into the keyboard when I passed out,” she laughs.
