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  “That’s so sweet.”

  We walked all the way to my apartment. It was four-thirty. Rebecca stretched out on the couch. I sat at the other end. Carefully removing her shoes, I started with her big toe and massaged her feet. I rubbed and manipulated each digit, moving up her skin, paying particular attention to the front of her ankles.

  “Mmmmm, that feels so good.” She rolled her head back and closed her eyes.

  You have magic fingers.”

  That gave me an idea. “Keep your eyes closed,” I commanded. I inched my way up her legs, to her calves, slowly kneading the tension from her muscles. Sliding up a little more I pressed her knees. Higher still, I traveled up under her skirt and used my palms to stroke her thighs. She moaned, separating her legs slightly. Gentle squeezes morphed into light caresses as I got closer and closer to the apex. Rebecca’s chest rose and fell rapidly as she tried to harness her breathing. I moved so that I was sitting beside her. One hand moved over the front panel of her panties. I stroked her through the lacy fabric. Slipping a finger under the elastic, I caressed her clitoris.

  Rebecca’s mouth formed an ‘o’ and her breathing was rapid. A second finger slipped in and I rolled the sensitive area between my thumb and forefinger. Rebecca’s hips rocked. I used my free hand to tug her panties down her legs, only stopping my assault on her long enough to get them past my working hand. Rebecca’s knuckles were white as she gripped the edges of the furniture. I pushed her knees up as I repositioned my face between her legs. My tongue made contact with her and she let out a loud moan, “Ohhhhh.” With soft sweeping motions, I licked her pre-climax.

  Her hips bucked upward. Gently, I thrust my tongue into her. Quick pants replaced even breathing as she tried not to thrash on the couch. Her hips propelled upward and she released as my tongue stroked her most sensitive part. As I gave her a moment to recover, I quickly disrobed and positioned myself where my mouth had previously been. I covered her with my body, pushing myself deep inside her. She bucked underneath me as I took her over and over, making her reach orgasm again and again.

  Knowing I could do that to her made me want her more. I pressed into her once more. Harder. Faster. She grabbed my shoulders to hang on as I increased my rhythm. I drove into her one last time before I stilled and came.

  As she showered, I called for a pizza. She came out of the bedroom in just one of my tee shirts. “You know I can’t resist you when you’re dressed like that.”

  “I hope not, but let’s get through the pizza first. Something tells me I’m going to need all my strength.”

  I shut the alarm before it went off. Rain clouds made it look darker outside than usual. Flecks of splattered water drops glistened on the window. The weather didn’t matter. I wasn’t going to run anyway. Rebecca’s chest rose and fell with slow, steady breaths. She looked peaceful while she slept. I wasn’t sure how much time she’d need to get ready for work, but I didn’t have the heart to wake her. As gently as I could, I eased out of the bed and closed the bathroom door before turning on the light.

  Stirrings filled me when I spied the lacy underwear she rinsed in the sink and hung to dry over the shower bar. It made me think about her wearing only my tee shirt. Maybe I should wake her…

  I brushed my teeth, combed my hair, and shaved before walking back into the bedroom. Rebecca’s arms stretched beyond the covers. A wide smile spread across her face. “Morning.”

  “Good morning, Sunshine. It’s raining.”

  She sat up and glanced at the clock. “I don’t have anything to wear today.”

  “Well, your underwear is clean.” I smiled and crawled onto the bed until I was next to her. Even though her hair was tangled and flat, she looked amazing.

  “Can I borrow some of your clothes today?”

  “My clothes won’t fit you.”

  “I bet I can work something out.”

  I held my hand out toward my closet. “Good luck.”

  Rebecca got out of bed and walked to the bathroom. Knowing she wasn’t wearing anything under my tee shirt, I considered having us both call out sick, but I knew Rebecca wouldn’t like that. I dressed quickly and went to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. When it was finished brewing, I poured each of us a cup, just as she emerged from the bedroom. Attired in one of my dress shirts, tucked into a pair of my pants with the legs cuffed up, she held them up with one of my belts drawn tightly around her waist. The sleeves were rolled up and one of my ties hung loosely knotted around her neck. Her hair was piled in a bun at the top of her head with a few loose tendrils falling around her face. The only thing that seemed out of place was the fabulous way she applied her make-up and the three-inch heels she wore. She stood and turned for my approval.

  “I didn’t know my clothes could look so good.” I smiled and she walked over to me, pressing her body to mine and kissing me on the lips.

  “Now I’ll feel you around me all day.”

  That was the hottest thing anyone had ever said to me. There was no way I’d concentrate on work now, knowing that she was thinking of me touching her all day, even if it was only my clothes. Lucky clothes.

  She took a few sips of her coffee in her new boss mug and then washed it and turned it to dry on the rack. “Ready?”

  I did the same with my cup and we left for the office.

  As I locked my apartment, Mrs. Whitney was returning to her door. Amazing how she always has garbage to be tossed when I’m leaving my apartment. “Good morning, Mrs. Whitney. How are you today?”

  “Oh, Alex. I’m fine. How are you?” She looked Rebecca up and down.

  “I’m fine, thanks. Mrs. Whitney, may I introduce you to my girlfriend, Rebecca?”

  “Girlfriend?” both Mrs. Whitney and Rebecca said in unison.

  I looked from one to the other. “Well, we have to get going. Have a nice day, Mrs. Whitney.”

  As we scurried toward the elevator, Mrs. Whitney said, “You too. Nice meeting you, dear.” She closed her door behind her, but I knew she was repositioned behind the door, from the vantage point her peephole afforded her, which was a direct line to the elevator bank.

  When we got into the elevator Rebecca questioned me. “Girlfriend?”

  I moved closer, my lips only inches from hers. “Aren’t you?”

  Her moment of hesitation flashed panic through me. Then she smiled. “I guess I am your girlfriend. I like that.” I kissed her, a long, sensual kiss. I didn’t pull away until the elevator door opened in my lobby.

  We took the train to the office. “Ugh, remind me never to do that again,” she said. “I hate public transportation.”

  We stopped in at the deli and picked up more coffee and buttered rolls, including one each for Rose, who smiled like the Cheshire cat when we walked in. “Nice… couture,” she said to Rebecca. Rebecca only grinned her response.

  When I handed her the coffee and sandwich, she said, “You really need to start shopping in better stores. You’re too good looking not to wear designer labels.”

  Did she speak to Craig on a regular basis too? “Um, thanks. I’ll work on that.”

  Twenty minutes into our regular routine, Rose interrupted saying Rebecca had a call.

  “This is Rebecca Stratford… Donovan?... How’d you find out about that?... Why would I consult with you?... Absolutely not!... It’s no concern of yours… Say whatever you like. It’s done.” She slammed the phone down.

  “What happened?” I asked.

  “Donovan knows that I took over Margot’s business.”

  “How? It just happened yesterday.”

  “Either Margot told him or we have a leak.”

  “A leak? Only you, me, and Rose knew of it.”

  “It couldn’t be Rose. She’s known me practically since the beginning. I trust her. She’s like a mother to me. She’d never betray me.”

  “Would Margot admit to telling Donovan if she had?” I didn’t know anything about Margot Tremont; had no idea what character flaws would come out once she
was no longer tied to her business. But, I did recall her being adamant about keeping Donovan away from her agency.

  “I’ll ask,” Rebecca said, dialing Margot.

  When she hung up, she said, “Margot denies it.”

  “Well, who else knew?”

  Rebecca sat back in her chair. Her stare was accusing.

  “Wait, you don’t think I told him. I was with you the whole time, and every minute since. Plus, I’d never do that to you.”

  She leaned forward. “No, you’re right. I’m sorry. It’s just that I don’t trust too many people. And I only know you, really know you, for a few weeks.”

  Did she really think I would betray her? After all I shared with her? “Rebecca, I’d never betray anyone’s trust, much less someone I care so deeply about.”

  The hard lines on her face softened as she realized her error by accusing me. “You care deeply for me?”

  I looked down at my hands then back at her. “I do.”

  She stood from the desk and walked over to me. I put my arms around my own shirt, nicely filled out by her, and looked into her large, brown eyes. “I care deeply for you, too,” she said, staring back. I kissed her. The connection was electric. I didn’t know how she managed, but everything about her made my body hum.

  “So, how could Donovan know this, and so quickly?” she said returning to her desk. My arms felt empty. They missed her.

  “Maybe someone in Margot’s office?”

  “Nah, I don’t think she would tell them until we have our official announcement.”

  “Someone in this office then?” I mused.

  “But it was only the thr—“

  I had a thought. “What if someone was walking past Rose’s desk when she was on the phone with you?”

  Rebecca tapped her index finger on her chin and looked at the ceiling. She was so sexy like that. I couldn’t concentrate on who worked for Stratford Literary, even after having seen them all for four years.

  At lunchtime, I offered to run downstairs and get something to bring back to eat in the office. As I waited in line at the deli, Katie tapped my shoulder. “Come here often, stranger?”

  I laughed when I turned to see her standing next to me. “Actually, I do. They make a great salami and provolone gyro. I guess you like the food, too.”

  She laughed again. “I come for the clientele.”

  “So, how are you managing my old desk?”

  “It’s great fun. How are you managing your new desk?”

  “I like it. I’m learning a lot.”

  “You mean the Book Bitch is sharing her evil secrets with you?”

  “She’s really not like that.”

  Katie rolled her eyes. “You have to say that otherwise she’ll toss you to the side, step over you, and find someone else she can order around.” Once she realized she had insulted me she tried to take it back. “I didn’t mean that you were brainless and didn’t have a say in what you do.”

  My smile melted. “It’s fine, Katie.”

  “No, really. I’m sorry. Let me buy your lunch to make up for it.”

  “I’m good.” Thankfully, my order was ready. I paid the cashier and took my bag. “See ya upstairs,” I said. Katie was still waiting on her order.

  Talk about bitter about their job, Katie didn’t seem happy working for Stratford Literary. I should have suggested she look for something else. Perhaps she’d be one of the people Rebecca would let go once the year after the buyout was complete. Maybe Katie would have a change of heart once she saw the positive direction Rebecca was taking the company in. Either way, I couldn’t worry about it at that moment. I was trying to figure out how Donovan Richards knew about Rebecca’s take over so quickly.

  Just as the elevator doors opened and I was about to get in, I heard someone shout, “Hold the door.” It was Katie. I didn’t want to ride up with her, but I had already stopped the doors from closing. She got into the car.

  “I really am sorry. You don’t even know me and I’m spouting off. Let me make it up to you.”

  I had to make a decision. Did I want to stand my ground and stay away from Katie, or did she deserve a second chance? I rolled my eyes. “Fine. Let’s put this all behind us. We’ll start fresh. But just so you know, I’m not comfortable bad-mouthing anyone, particularly in our line of work. It’s a small industry, and very unforgiving. You never know who you’ll need in your future.”

  Her expression became serious. She understood what I was saying. She nodded. The elevator announced our arrival on the eleventh floor.

  “Have a nice day, Katie,” I said, and walked out.

  “What’s wrong? You look flustered,” Rebecca said when I walked back into the office.

  “Just a difference in opinion. Flustered? Interesting choice of adjective.”

  “It’s on my ‘word of the day’ calendar.” She laughed.

  We ate quickly.

  The rest of the afternoon was slow, if you can call reading through twenty-seven queries slow. At six o’clock, I stretched in my seat. Rose knocked and announced she was leaving for the day. Both of us wished her a good night.

  We worked a little longer and grabbed some fast food down the block.

  “I have to go home tonight,” Rebecca said. “I don’t have any clothes at your place, and there are only so many times I can get away with wearing yours.” She looked up through her lashes. It resulted in a direct infusion of energy between my legs.

  “I could run to my place and pick up some clothes and then go with you to your apartment. That way I can still be with you tonight but not wear this,” I pointed to my attire, “again tomorrow.”

  Her expression brightened. “That is a great idea. You’re so smart. I knew I chose the right one to be my second in command.”

  A quick trip to my apartment allowed me to throw together a duffle bag with a change of clothes and my toiletries. Then we hitched a cab to Rebecca’s place.

  It was seven o’clock. She walked into the kitchen. “Why don’t you shower? I’ll make us some coffee.”

  I nodded and headed toward her bathroom. As the water hit me, I thought about how quickly I was falling for Rebecca. I hadn’t even had a moment to process the whole thing. And what amazed me most was that she wanted to be with me just as much as I wanted to be with her. My past relationships were always superficial. The minute I got serious with a girl, she’d find a reason to dump me. I wondered if there was something wrong with me. But every moment I spent with Rebecca seemed right. We understood each other without working at it.

  As I finished my shower, I wrapped a fluffy towel around my waist. I stared at my reflection, looking for what Rebecca saw in me. I made a mental note to ask her about it.

  I threw on the pair of sweatpants and tee shirt I brought and then walked out to the kitchen. Rebecca sat on one of the stools at the breakfast bar. Her hands wrapped around a mug with steam swirling from it.

  “I decided to make hot chocolate instead,” she smiled and took another sip. “I make it with milk. I used to love a cup of hot chocolate in the winter when I was a kid.”

  I smiled. “Growing up in Nebraska allowed me to have many hot cocoas. Do you have marshmallows?” I asked.

  “Mmm, maybe. Check that cabinet.” She pointed to a tall, pantry type closet. “Look toward the back of the second shelf.”

  I pulled out a bag of mini white cubes. I pierced a hole in the plastic with my thumb and grabbed a small handful of marshmallows before sprinkling a few into each of our cups.

  I took a long draw on my cocoa. “Soooooo good.”

  Rebecca looked up at me through her lashes. “Better than sex?”

  “No. Sex with you is phenomenal. Nothing comes close.”

  She smiled. “Good answer.”

  I finished my drink before she did. I leaned over from my stool and started to plant kisses along her neck.

  “Your lips are so warm.” She angled her head to give me better access. The warmth trickled down inside my bo
dy, to my between my legs. She had such a strong effect on me. I wasn’t able to think about anything other than her. I ran more feather kisses across the back of her shoulders, from one side to the other. She put the mug on the counter, turned, and placed her warm hands on my cheeks. She pressed her lips against mine. They were just as warm, and tasted sweet. I parted them with my tongue. The temperature rose inside me, but I don’t think it was from the chocolate. Moments away from picking her up and carrying her to the bedroom, the lobby buzzer rang.

  Startled, we looked at each other. “Are you expecting anyone?” I asked through heavy breaths.

  “No. I never get visitors, except you.”

  The buzzer rang again, impatient to be answered.

  Rebecca walked to the intercom and shrugged. “Who is it?”

  “Becky, it’s Mom. Let me in.”

  “Should I hide?” I asked.

  “No, what for?”

  “I don’t know if you want your mother to know I’m here.”

  “I couldn’t care less what she thinks. She has no say in my life any more. I’m not ashamed of you. You stay right there.” She pointed at me while she walked to her intercom.

  Rebecca waited for the doorbell to ring before opening the door. “Hello, Mother. What are you doing here?” The obvious disdain cut the air.

  “Becky, I just heard.”

  “Heard what, Mother?”

  “That you bought Margot Thompson’s company.”

  “It’s Tremont, Mother. And how did you find out? Oh wait, I bet Donovan sent you here to extract information from me. Well, I’m not discussing it with you or anyone else. You can go back home and tell Donovan to pay whatever spies he has on his payroll a little more so they can get the full scoop.”

  “Becky, I just want to make sure you aren’t in over your head. One business is a huge responsibility, and now you’ve bought a second, and all after that mess with Chester.” It was then that Mrs. Richards noticed me standing in the kitchen. “Oh, hello. Alex, isn’t it?”

  I nodded her memory of my name. “Mrs. Richards. So nice to see you again.”