“I live close by.”
“Alex Medson, are you inviting me over?” Grace pulled back a little so she could see his expression. His eyes were full of desire that made Grace’s stomach clench with a matching need.
“I am,” Alex said, his tone serious. “If you want that.”
“Then yes,” Grace replied. Alex turned and held up a hand, and what seemed like a few seconds later, one of San Valentino’s signature blue cabs pulled up beside them. Alex opened the door for her, and she slid into the back seat. Alex followed, gave his address to the driver, and turned to her.
Suddenly, they were kissing again. Grace had never been the type to make out under streetlights or in cabs, but then again, she’d never been kissed like this before. All she could think was that she couldn’t wait to reach Alex’s house.
They pulled up outside a large condo building a few heady minutes later. Alex paid the driver, and they got out. He put his arm around her shoulder, and she leaned into him as they went inside. Grace caught a glimpse of a gleaming lobby with a doorman and a receptionist before they were in the elevator and kissing again. Alex pushed her back against the wall, and Grace gasped as he gently bit her lip. The soft sound made him groan.
The doors whooshed open, and they stepped out into an entryway. Grace paused.
“The elevator goes straight to your apartment?” she asked.
“It does. The whole floor is mine,” Alex replied. “Would you like a tour?”
“There’s one room I’d particularly like to see.”
“Is that so?” Alex approached her again, his blue eyes gleaming. “What room might that be?”
“Maybe the kitchen,” Grace joked. Then Alex kissed the curve of her neck, her earlobe, and her lips again, and Grace gasped.
“You’re sure it’s the kitchen?” Alex asked.
“No. Take me to your bedroom.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes. Please.”
“Very well.”
Alex scooped her into his arms as if she weighed nothing, and Grace wrapped her legs around his waist. He carried her down the hallway and into a bedroom with a large bed that looked like it belonged in a hotel. Grace caught a glimpse of a view of city lights and ocean out the window before Alex set her on the bed. She pulled him toward her, and they fell beside each other, already shedding clothes as they kissed again.
It was all happening so fast, yet nothing had ever felt so right. Grace didn’t hesitate. She didn’t want to stop, not even for a second. And from the way Alex kissed her, she knew he felt the same way.
They fell into each other, all sensation and desire and soft whispers, and, for a long time, the two of them were in perfect harmony.
Grace woke to the sound of a loud, obnoxious beep. She rolled over, blinking as she reached blindly for her alarm to turn it off.
“Sorry,” a deep voice said. “That’s mine.” The beeping ceased, and memory came rushing back. Grace wasn’t at home in her apartment in Las Adelitas. She was in Alex’s apartment. In Alex’s bed. And they’d spent the last night in each other’s arms. Grace blushed as she remembered the way Alex had kissed her and held her and whispered her name.
What was she supposed to say to him now?
“Would you like to shower first, or should I?” Alex asked, as businesslike as if they were discussing a bug in the code.
“I will, if it’s okay,” Grace replied, still blinking sleep from her eyes and unable to meet his gaze.
“Of course.”
She slid out of bed, wrapping the sheet around herself, and hurried into the bathroom. It was spacious, with a Jacuzzi tub, a shower, and a large gleaming mirror. She spotted a toothbrush, a razor, and a bottle of aftershave. It all felt so personal. As she quickly washed her face, she made eye contact with herself in the mirror and a wave of reality hit her.
She had just slept with her boss. What had she been thinking? What if things were awkward at the office now?
What was going to happen next?
Taking a deep breath, she reemerged from the bathroom, completely forgetting to shower, and threw on the same clothes she’d had on yesterday. Without saying anything, Alex went into the bathroom, and she heard the water turn on.
