Archer hummed a few bars of the "Circle of Life."
* * *
By the endof the meeting, I knew we had completely wasted our time. Meghan didn't like any of our potential design options.
I had also found it difficult to concentrate. I couldn't stop thinking about Josie and the kiss. I wanted to push her against my desk, slide my hand under her skirt, and feel the soft skin underneath.
When I finally escaped from my brothers, I found Josie in her office, chewing on her lower lip. Her glasses perched on her nose, and one of the buttons on her blouse looked like it had come undone. I could see the hint of her lace bra in the gap.
I went to her and wrapped one arm around her waist. The other hand snuck through the gap, cupping her breast. Josie gasped as I tipped her head back, taking her mouth like I wanted to take her body.
"Wow," she said after I drew back. "You fogged up my glasses, and I'm half undressed." Sadly she buttoned her shirt.
"That was already undone," I said. I wanted to kiss her again, but Josie seemed tense. I immediately was on edge.
"Look," I told her, "I know this is weird. You work for me and everything, but I really want to be with you. I could set you up with a separate consultancy company if it bothers you to be employed with Svensson PharmaTech."
She smiled softly. "No, this is fine. You're too nice to me."
Was I though? All I could think about was sleeping with her, waking up wrapped around her. It was like my brain had latched onto the idea.
"I promise this isn't some workplace affair with a childish billionaire playboy who just uses and abuses women," I insisted, needing her to see I was serious about pursuing a relationship with her.
"Feel free to use me any way you want. I enjoy a good workout," she purred. "And you'll need it, too, after eating all my candy." She snorted at her own joke.
"Let me take you out," I offered. Archer was taking Henry home and spending time with the other kids, so I was free to spend the evening with Josie.
"Out where?"
"On a date," I said, grabbing her coat. "I know a place that has great drinks, and they put candy in them."
"Sounds like my kind of establishment," she quipped.
I pulled out my keys as we walked to the parking lot then stopped short. "Where's my car?"
"Funny thing," she said, her face beet red. I looked at her.
Josie sagged. "The car didn't make it." I looked at her incredulously, and she handed me her phone. On the cracked screen played a video of my car engulfed in flames.
"How did this happen?"
"It was just one of those things." She smiled, but it was more just showing her teeth.
"You could have died!" I said.
"We're fine," she assured me.
"Henry—"
"Is fine," she insisted, grabbing my arm and stroking it. "He was very excited when the fire department showed up. I believe his exact quote was, 'Best day ever.'"
I shook my head. "I'm going to complain to the manufacturer. Cars shouldn't catch on fire like that. What if you had died?"
Josie reached up on her toes and kissed me, and I swept her up in my arms, deepening the kiss.
"I'm never going to get tired of this," I told her, setting her back down. "And I want to continue kissing you, but first we should call an Uber. It's going to take a while since most drivers usually go to New York City to work the bar scene."
"We could take my truck," Josie offered.
