“Too much?” It didn’t seem like things had gone too far, not for me anyway, but I hadn’t been the one bent over the desk with my ass in the air.
“No. You were perfect. Very in character. The clothes were a nice touch.” She slid her hand over my dress shirt, restingher palm against my chest. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in anything other than a T-shirt.”
“Sometimes I have to meet investors and clients in person. I’ve been told you shouldn’t wear board shorts for meetings. I don’t have much in the way of dress clothes, and I don’t dress up more than I have to.” I didn’t. For some people, dressing up was like putting on armor. For me, it felt like sliding on a skin that didn’t quite fit. As a kid, even wearing jeans made me feel like my clothes were attacking me. That hadn’t changed as I grew older.
“You should. It suits you. Get it? Suits?” She giggled as if it was the funniest thing she’d ever said.
I joined her because I couldn’t think of a more appropriate response to holding a giggling woman in my arms, regardless of how bad the pun.
“Not likely.”
“Pity. It’s hot. I’d be helpless against a jacket.”
If it elicited this kind of reaction from Elena, I might be convinced to wear a collared shirt more often, regardless of how itchy it made my brain.
“Pretty great chair, huh?” She didn’t wait for my response, which was probably for the best.
I hadn’t given it much thought beyond being grateful my back didn’t bother me after long programming sessions, but she was right; it was a pretty great chair.
“This is the first time I’ve been in your office. Beyond something with computers, I don’t even know what you do.”
“I guess it’s never come up.” I knew she used design to make people’s lives work better. She’d done it for me. She’d mentioned the odd detail about projects she was working on when we were together, but we’d never really talked about my work, partly on purpose. Once I got started, I had a hard time judging when people were genuinely interested or when they were just beingpolite. Until the moment they walked away with their eyes glazed over.
“Tell me.” She settled back against my chest as if she knew I’d do what she said.
Not a bad assumption, given the way our relationship worked. Even the spanking bit had been me following her lead.
So I talked. I told her about the 3D protein models and the drugs the scientists were working to create. I told her about the good parts of AI and the bad and how quickly my field was changing. When she didn’t move, I kept talking, partly to give my overactive brain something to do and partly because it felt good to tell her. After a while, I stopped, worried that I’d actually put her to sleep, droning on about excessive energy use and processing needs.
“Is it like the bitcoin thing?” she asked, sitting up a little straighter. “The one where they brought coal plants back online to provide power to mine imaginary currency?”
“It’s a lot like that, but both the good and bad implications are bigger.” That felt like an understatement, but with every moment, she seemed to be coming back to herself. I’d made it this far, presumably without boring her. I wasn’t about to push my luck by over explaining.
“How do you decide what you’re going to work on?” She ran a hand over her hair, smoothing the strands from sex disheveled to the sleek style she usually wore.
“The same way anyone does, I suppose. What sounds like fun, what would do the most good, what will pay the bills.” I hadn’t worried about the last one in a long time. I spent most of my energy making sure I used my power for good instead of evil. It sounded silly but as the technology grew, it was getting harder to tell the difference.
“That makes sense.” She glanced from me to the door to the bathroom and back, clearly preparing to make a break for it. “I don’t think there’s a ladylike way to do this.”
“Be bold. I’m going to grab a pair of shorts while you clean up.”
“Oh God. Your pants.” She looked mortified, which was not at all the look I wanted her to have.
“So worth it.” I pressed a quick kiss to her forehead before she climbed off my lap and made a dash for the bathroom.
By the time she came back, smooth, polished, and looking more like herself—just wearing a very short skirt—I’d ditched the pants, dress shirt, and shoes in favor of my regular shorts and T-shirt. This was the part where we usually kissed goodbye and returned to our normal lives, but I found myself reluctant to end our time together.
“Do you want to stay for takeout?” We’d never eaten together, but I’d never spanked anyone either. It might be a day for firsts.
She tipped her head to the side, her forehead creased as if she was considering. In the end, she shook her head.
“I’d like to, but I can’t.” She crossed the distance between us, sliding effortlessly into my arms. “I really wish I could.”
“Another time.” I pressed my lips to her forehead, holding onto her for a few moments longer than normal. I didn’t want to let her go, and she seemed reluctant to leave.
“I should go.” She tightened her arms around me, holding me close, and then she let go and headed toward the entrance.
I followed, shoving my feet into the loafers I kept by the door. “I’ll walk you out.”
