“JP, we went on a date last night.”
“Not by our choice.” I click the pen open and then shut.
“But it still happened. We shared an intense meal, and then after, when we were leaving, you said... you said some things.”
“Oh... the whole ‘If you were in my bed, your cunt would be begging for my cock’ part?”
She swallows, her cheeks heating. “Yes, that part.”
“It was just basic facts. Nothing to make note of.”
“Well”—she smooths her hands over her well-pressed, possibly steamed, skirt—“it was inappropriate, and we need to set some ground rules here.”
“This should be good.” I lace my hands together behind my head and say, “Lay it on me—what are the ground rules?”
“Well, for one—”
“Real quick, I just need to put this out there—your reaction is completely ridiculous and over the top, but you know, to each their own. Your feelings are your feelings... all that bullshit.” I gesture to her. “You may proceed.”
Her nostrils flare, and I realize it’s a small tick of hers when she’s upset. “As I was saying, our first ground rule is we don’t speak of last night, ever. I didn’t tell Lottie and I would appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone else.”
“Am I that repulsive?”
“Yes.”
I chuckle because I thought she was going to saynoto that and come up with some long-winded explanation, but got to give the girl credit for her honesty.
“I also don’t want people thinking I get involved with any man who crosses my path or that I’m trying to climb the corporate ladder by spreading my legs.”
“Don’t worry, your sister covered that one.”
Her eyes narrow and she points her finger. “That was not how that went down and you know it.”
“You’re right, that was uncalled for. Sorry.” If anyone pursued that relationship, it was Huxley, because he couldn’t seem to keep his hands off Lottie.
My apology seems to satisfy her because she continues, “So we don’t talk about last night, ever. Act like it never happened.”
“I wish it didn’t.” I smile at her, which only makes her grind her teeth together. Jesus, talk about uptight. Could she relax for like a second?
“JP, I need you to say you’re never going to talk about it.”
“Christ.” I roll my eyes. “I’m never going to talk about it.”
That appeases the gremlin inside her.
“Second ground rule—there will be no more inappropriate behavior.”
I kick my feet up on my desk and lean back in my chair. “Not sure what you’re alluding to with that ground rule.”
“The way you speak to me and the little touches need to end.”
“You act as if I’m grazing your hand when I walk by or sliding my hand to your lower back... or gripping your thigh while at the conference table. Correct me if I’m wrong, but that has never happened.”
“It, uh... it hasn’t. But you know, the things you say aren’t appropriate for a workplace, so that needs to stop.”
“The ‘cunt calling out for my cock’ thing was outside of work.”
“You’ve said more than that while at work, and don’t deny it.”
