9:15:Ms. Constance appears to speak. Mr. Russ shakes his head, then appears to speak.
9:16:Ms. Constance reaches across the table and lays a hand on Mr. Russ’s. Mr. Russ withdraws his hand. They appear to converse more. Mr. Russ raises a hand in the air.
9:17:Ms. Constance appears to speak. She stands and moves around the picnic table directly next to Mr. Russ. Ms. Constance bends and appears to kiss Mr. Russ. Mr. Russ jerks his head back and appears to speak. He looks up toward the building, then stands. Ms. Constance appears to speak. Mr. Russ walks away.
9:18:Ms. Constance leans against the picnic table and covers her face with her hands.
Dane drove to work alone, although he’d only just dropped Selena home so she could change for work. She teased him that she planned to spend the entire morning hiding under his desk, licking him until he brought the entire office running to find out why he was screaming.
He reminded her that she was strictly prohibited to train under him. So she suggested he climb under the desk and lickher. If he’d known she would be such a hell cat, he might not have bothered with Noelle.
But while he loved sex, Selena was just a distraction from his larger goal. A very fun distraction.
He hoped Val had found his weekend enterprise both amusing and frustrating.
He parked at the far end of the lot to keep his car away from the main thoroughfare of crazy drivers. He grabbed his jacket and straightened his tie, thinking back to the morning when that tie was the only item of clothing Selena wore. Damn. He was going to be at half-mast all day at this rate.
Halfway across the parking lot, he heard heels clicking fast, coming toward him. “Dane?”
He turned to find Noelle, blinking in the morning sun, moving toward him like a homing missile. “Good morning, Noelle. You look particularly radiant today.”
She produced the warmest, most penetrating smile he’d ever seen on her before. “I was hoping to catch you today.”
He began moving away from her toward the building. “Can we walk and talk? I’m a little late.” He didn’t wait for her answer.
“I’ve been thinking . . .” she said from behind his left shoulder as her heels click-clacked. She grabbed his elbow. “Dane, honestly. I won’t let anyone fire you for being late.”
He stopped and raised an eyebrow. “You’ll wield your influence just for me?”
“I’d like to talk to you without running out of breath.”
Dane glanced over at a picnic table. “You want to sit over here?” He led her to a seat visible from every window in the front of the building. If he looked up now, he might find Val watching them. Or any number of gossips. Dane made sure to keep his distance. He sat down across the table from Noelle, hands rested just out of reach.
“I think maybe we got off on the wrong foot together. That was my fault.”
He shook his head. “No, I’m aware that my reputation precedes me.” He scratched his chin. “What are you saying? Have you changed your mind about me?”
She hesitated. “Yes. I think so.”
“Noelle, yes or no? You’re killing me.”
“I’m sorry.” She reached across and took his hand. “I don’t think you understand how scary this is for me. I—”
Dane pulled his hand away. “Scary? I’m scary now?”
“No, I mean—”
“You think I’m some monster who’s going to gobble you up? If you look at our history, I’m the one who’s put himself out there again and again. I’m the one who’s been rejected over and over. And yet, you’re scared?”
“Yes, but you—”
He held up a hand, and she snapped her mouth shut. “Do you even like me?”
“I do like you, Dane.”
“But are you attracted to me?
“Isn’t it obvious?” Her voice came out a rasp.
