“Thank you, Savannah. I’d be grateful if you would continue your assessment and analysis of Fortune, and perhaps also of Fable. If we’re to recover from this in time to see our expansion move forward, we need all the help we can get to ensure our profit margins are strong enough. I’ll set you up with our in-house accountant now that the investigative part of your work is done. I’d also be interested in your thoughts on why this wasn’t caught earlier.”
Savannah looks surprised but responds quickly. “I would be honored, Brayden.” She pauses thoughtfully. “I do think we can hit your targets for beginning work on a third location. I’ll continue my analysis and come up with a strategy for you next week.” She hesitates, and I can tell she’s trying to figure out a respectful way to proceed. “As for why this wasn’t discovered by your regular accountant, I can only hazard a guess. The employee in question was discreet with his theft. At least, at first he was. But I specialized in fraud investigation in college. Someone without that expertise could easily struggle to see the patterns. No offense to them intended.”
Damn, her confidence is sexy.
Brayden nods. “I suppose that makes sense. Still, I would like to have you continue to give us your opinion and analysis of the situation.” He turns to me. “Alex? Does this sound acceptable?”
“Yes.” I grind out the word, trying to tamp down my suspicion that Savannah will use our continued professional connection as a reason to avoid me.
“Excellent. Why don’t I go and get a bottle of wine for us to enjoy with lunch?” Brayden pushes back from the table and heads to the bar, finally giving me a moment alone with Savannah.
“Where were you this morning?” I don’t mean the question to sound accusatory, but judging from the flare of Savannah’s eyes, it did.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I had an early phone call with a tax client who lives overseas.”
I drop my chin down and breathe deeply. “I’m sorry Savannah. That was uncalled for. You’re right, it’s not my business. I just wondered, after last night…” I trail off, suddenly uncertain of what to say.
“I don’t think I can avoid you, even if I wanted to, Alex. Not anymore.”
Before I can ask what exactly she means by that, Brayden returns, and we have to carry on with lunch as if she isn’t making my dick twitch with her sultry voice and tantalizing scent.
As we eat, I try to think of reasons to get her alone after lunch. Brayden hands me the perfect opportunity as we leave.
“Well, I think this was a productive meeting. Thank you for joining us, Savannah, but you’ll have to excuse me now. I need to head home; Lorelai has a doctor’s appointment. Savannah, please use the town car to get home, if you wish. I’m sure Alex won’t mind making an extra stop.”
No sir, I certainly will not mind being in a car with Savannah. Alone.
“Of course, that would be fine,” I say casually. Savannah looks between us for a moment before nodding.
“Thank you.”
I escort her out and into the waiting car. She gives the driver her address, and we’re unfortunately quite close. Too close to start any sort of serious conversation, so I keep it light.
“Did you notice the beautiful new swim cap that the granny who does her water walking at the end of our swims had yesterday?”
She giggles. “How could I miss all the flowers?”
“It’s a charming style. You should get one.” I wink at her and she just shakes her head with a smile.
“Not a chance.”
All too soon, the car pulls to a stop out front of an older style apartment building in the East Village. When I exit the car behind her, she looks at me curiously but doesn’t say anything. We go inside and up a few flights of stairs until she stops outside of what I assume is her door.
“Thanks for the ride,” she says quietly.
Slowly, I reach my hand out to cup her chin, tipping it up so that she meets my gaze. I search her face for any sign of resistance before I finally give in to temptation.
I lean down and press a kiss high on her cheek, much as I did at the restaurant. Only this time I don’t pull away immediately.
“You’re welcome,” I murmur against her soft skin, eliciting a tiny gasp. She turns her head slightly, and that’s all the permission I need. My lips press to her skin again, this time slightly lower on her cheekbone. Once more, this time to the corner of her mouth. When my lips lift from her skin, her hands come up to my neck and thread into my hair. She tugs me down to meet my lips and at last, we come together.
Symphonies sound in my head, with choirs of angels joining in. She tastes sweet and feels even sweeter. My arms go around her waist and I hold her close to my body, reveling in at last being free to touch her the way I want to.
Her tongue darts out hesitantly, probing the seam of my mouth, and I eagerly open to welcome her in. As we tangle together, her fingers grasp tightly to my hair. My cock stirs at the thought that she’s finding it just as hard to control herself as I am. This kiss may very well be our undoing.
Time stands still until a door opens, and I hear an old lady speak in a heavy European accent.
“Savannah? You okay, yah?”
