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Maybe it’s because I have a track record of making terrible decisions? Maybe it’s easier to outsource the important ones to someone more competent. Someone who supposedly knows what’s best for me. Someone like Claire.

I chew on my lip and twist the heavy diamond around my finger, Marguerite’s advice looping through my head. She’s all but given me the green light to throw myself at Roman—not that she knows he’s my boss, but a girl can’t be expected to share every spicy detail.

What if, just for the summer, I stopped listening to Claire and started doing what I wanted for once?

What does my yoni want?

I already know the answer before the elevator doors slide open.

On that note, I slip the ring off my finger and tuck it into the pocket of my purse.

Stepping off the elevator, I head inside where Janice stops me to gush over my outfit.

After my conversation with Marge, I felt inspired to have a little more fun with my work wardrobe. Today I went with a sexy, red pencil skirt that clings to my ass like a glove, and a white silk button-down blouse that makes my tits look amazing. I kept my eye makeup simple and went for a bold red lip to pull it all together.

It’s teetering on the edge of work-appropriate, but I’ve managed to keep it within the guidelines. Life’s too boring to look dull, and I miss dressing up in my sexy clothes.

I rap my knuckles on Roman’s door, not waiting for him to respond before stepping inside. I find him with his feet kicked up on the desk, and the phone pressed to his ear, tossing a beanbag in the air.

When he sees me, his eyebrows shoot to his hairline, and the beanbag drops to the ground. “Hey, Craig, I’ve got to run. I’ll call you back this afternoon.”

I twist my freshly blown-out hair over my shoulder before tossing a stack of papers on his desk. “Just wanted to update you on the current vendor list. I highlighted the ones who got back to me and made a list of suggestions for us to reach out to.”

He drops his feet and sits up straighter as he adjusts his tie. “Great. Thank you. I’ll uh… I’ll look these over and get back to you.”

“Well, I guess I’ll leave you to it,” I say, turning to close the door behind me.

“Wait,” he calls out, his voice raspy. “Do you have a minute? There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

“Sure.” I take a seat in the armchair across from him. “What’s up, boss?” I ask sweetly. I feel the heat of his gaze as I cross my legs, the high slit parting to reveal my upper thigh.

He wets his lips and shakes his head, tearing his gaze up to meet mine. “I wanted to apologize for how inappropriate I was the other night. I shouldn’t have taken things that far. I shouldn’t have stepped in at all…” He loosens his collar away from his throat. “Even if Guy asked me to.”

I follow his gaze, circling my foot, as I let my stiletto drop from my heel. “Of course. You were just playing a part.” I offer him a polite smile. “I completely understand.”

He nods aggressively, like he’s trying just as hard to convince himself as he is me. “Good. I’m glad we cleared that up.”

“Me too,” I say as I lean forward to stand, and I don’t miss the way his eyes dart to admire my chest. I add a little extra sway to my hips as I walk to the door. “Meet you in the conference room in ten?”

He shakes his head, his brows furrowing. “The conference room? For what?”

“Your meeting with the reality show executives,” I say, “For the product placement advertisement…” I give him a wink before closing the door, leaving him flustered and panting.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Roman

She’s trying to kill me.

That’s the only explanation for showing up this morning to work looking like the Goddess of Sex in that fuck-me red pencil skirt that clings to her curves like lingerie.

I collapse in my chair and loosen my tie, feeling like I’m about to suffocate knowing she’s on the other side of that door. I’ve had to fight myself all morning to keep from calling her back in here, asking for some made-up chore, if only so my office will smell like her perfume a little while longer.

Jesus, I’m such an idiot.

What the fuck did I expect to happen when I ran backstage and bribed Guy to let me finish that scene? I wince thinking about how fucking obvious I must’ve looked up there, the way I held nothing back and selfishly inserted myself into the role. Everything I did was because I wanted to.

Thank God Leo’s on the other side of the world right now, or he’d have probably castrated me for that stunt. I’m supposed to be the level-headed one, the peacemaker. I’m the brother who’s got his shit together and the glue that holds our family together. I don’t engage in risky behavior, that not only affects me but my entire family’s reputation and livelihood—and I sure as hell don’t get involved with complicated women.