I look away.
This is strictly business.
He asked me to come see him before I leave. There are plenty of business reasons for that. The access audit is moving into the next phase. The temporary access protocol needs sign-off. Several department heads are unhappy.
Apparently, the man in Ricardo's department that I mentioned to Lorenzo on Monday was more of a problem than anticipated.
No, this is about business.
I pick up my tablet and walk out of my office before I can overthink it.
Anymore than I already have.
The floor is quieter now. Not completely empty, but thinning. Doors closed. Assistants packing up to go. The usual polished hum of Conti Headquarters has softened into something darker, more private. The lights feel warmer this late in the day with the darkness of winter falling earlier than usual outside the windows.
I pass Lorenzo’s empty office.
Diego’s door is closed.
Ricardo’s office is dark.
Mario’s office is at the end of the corridor, corner windows throwing the last of the city light behind the frosted glass.
My pulse picks up with every step.
This is ridiculous.
I have had sex with the man.
Extraordinary sex.
Life-altering sex.
Sex that required hydration and soup afterward.
But still. Sex.
I should not be this nervous walking into his office.
I stop outside his door and lift my hand.
For one second, I think about the blue lace sitting in the box in my bedroom.
I should have worn it, a small voice whispers in my head.
No, that would have been insane.
Wildly unprofessional.
Also, if I had worn it, I would have accomplished absolutely nothing today except sitting at my desk fully aware of what was beneath my clothes and spiraling into a catastrophic breakdown by lunch.
So no.
It is safely at home.
I knock.
“Avanti.”
