Page 50 of Getting Down to Business

“Me either. Stuff still happens. Come on.” He tilted his head to the side because he knew she thought it was cute. He was starting to know things about her, despite her efforts to keep him out.

“I hate needles.” She winced as he smiled and walked over slowly to stand in front of her. He bent down and pulled up her shirt to reveal the large tattoo up her ribs.

“That’s strange. Is this a sticker then?” He used his index finger to pick at it, making her laugh.

“Shut up. It’s not the same thing.”

“Because that needle kept jabbing you for hours and hours and this would be once and done?”

“I need all my blood. I can’t spare any.”

They joked around a lot. It was all part of the “keep things light” campaign, but this was serious.

“Liss.” He looked her in the eye. “I know you don’t trust easily, but I’m doing this as much for you. I want you to know your health and well-being are important to me. It might be uncomfortable, but it’s important.”

“Fine. Okay. I’ll go.”

“Wow. I won an argument. I didn’t even have to bring up how I got you this new job.” He joked to lighten the mood again.

“Don’t push it.”

“Do you want to stop for a drink after work tonight?”

“Don’t you want to go out out?” she asked.

“What do you mean?” He took a sip of her coffee before he headed for the door.

“You know. Like a club or something?”

“No thanks. I like living with you. I have fun with you. I enjoy the sex. I’m not asking for anything else.”

“Except my blood.”

“A tiny little bit. I promise. You’ll survive.”

“Okay.” She still looked nervous.

“Now.” He kissed her forehead. “Get back to work. Stop thinking.”

“I never think at work,” she joked.

“That’s my girl.” He gave her a wink as he opened the door. “See you at the meeting later. Have a great day.”

“Thanks. You too.”

* * * *

Alyssa was the second person in the conference room for the meeting. She wanted to make a good impression. She should have realized Mr. Borne would show up to his own meeting seventeen minutes late.

Grayson had sat next to her despite the stay-away look she gave him. Now he was sitting so close, she was certain everyone else around the table must be able to tell they were having sex. Or maybe that was just guilt because his hand was on her thigh under the table and was moving under her skirt.

She kept her gaze on the screen at the front of the room where Craig Something-or-other was going over projections for the next quarter while she focused on breathing normally.

What was it about Gray? Yes, the sex was mind-blowing. Her response to his touch was a result of that knowledge. His no-nonsense approach to things was refreshing.

He seemed honest.

Donald had seemed honest too. She thought she knew everything about him. And maybe she did. She just didn’t know the other person he became when she wasn’t around.