“Let’s see.You have an older sister.You have an aptitude for math.You enjoy the beach, and you hate thunderstorms.”
I blinked.What else did he remember?I didn’t want the answer to that question.
“And”—he lowered his voice—“You enjoyed it when I tied you up and played with your body.”
He would remember that.Heat expanded throughout my entire being.“That isn’t something we should be talking about on the job or anywhere else for that matter.”I tried to insert some sternness into my voice but failed.
“Why not?You are aware of what kind of company Fantasies, Inc.is.”
“Yes, but my job is to look at the financials of the company you want to buy, not discuss our past together.”
“Come on, Valerie.I’d like us to be…friends, at least.More if you’re willing.”
“Are you serious?”I snapped.Why did my heart speed up?I couldn’t be contemplating starting a relationship with Lucas again, could I?No.Hell no.This morning he’d been talking to a woman, calling her “baby girl” and saying “Love you too” and now he’s flirting with me?“No, Lucas.That isnotgoing to happen.”I had to stay firm.
“Look, I know our breakup was totally my fault.”
“You walked away with another woman.”And shattered my trust.I wasn’t prepared to have this discussion.Standing, I picked up my tray.“I’m going back to the office.”I walked away before he could say another word.
Why didn’t this damned elevator move faster?How dare he try and charm me?Did he have a faithful bone in his body?Probably not.The man was a player, and that’s all there was to it.I would not get involved with him.And once this job was complete, I could leave him behind.My job was to go through the financials, and that was it.
I didn’t need or want Lucas in my life.If only my body would agree with me.The quicker I finished this job the better.Too much time with Lucas and I was sure I’d lose what sanity I’d regained since our breakup.I wasn’t going to jeopardize my peace.Not again.
Chapter Five
Lucas
Well, I certainly fucked that up, watching as Valerie’s retreated.I thought maybe this lunch could be a get-to-know the new Valerie.
Oh yeah, I messed up when I walked away from her, and yes, it was with another woman.Shit.That woman hadn’t even been someone important to me.What could I say?In the years Valerie and I have been apart, I’ve worked on my issues.I’ve grown, but she doesn’t know that.I hate how much I hurt her.She didn’t deserve it.Ever.
Seeing Marcus and Asher with their women reminded me that I wanted what they had.A woman who loved them.Valerie coming to work for Fantasies, Inc.was fate.And I wanted to tempt fate.Having her back in my life was a start.We had been good together.Maybe I was expecting too much.The connection between us was still strong.And she did blush when I reminded her about our bedroom antics.
Closing my eyes, I saw her brown hair spread out over the pillow, how fast her breaths came, and the look of pure trust in her eyes.The feather boa had been especially fun.She squirmed as I ran it over her full breasts, down her stomach and beyond, promising her delights she’d never experienced.
The clanging of utensils brought me back to the present.Maybe I could work that angle.Marcus had some interesting things in R&D.My dick jumped with excitement, though I was getting ahead of myself.We hadn’t even worked together a full day.Convincing Valerie to give us another chance wasn’t going to be easy.
Hell, I needed to get past Valerie’s reluctance to even talk about our personal life.We’d been good together before, working in sync both in and out of the bedroom.I wanted that back for both of us, to protect her and never cause her to feel that kind of pain again.
I had a long way to go before we could relive that bedroom scene.Consent.That had been terminated when I ended the relationship and broke her trust.
We were both very different people now.She mentioned she lived in the Heights area.So did I.What were the odds?But there were a lot of houses in the area.
Would she even listen to the reasons why I ran all those years ago?Right now, I needed to get through not only today but the rest of her first week without risking her getting angry with me and walking off the job.I rubbed my forehead.Yep.I had a lot of repair work to do, and it wouldn’t be easy.The coming weeks were going to be interesting.
Chapter Six
Valerie
I glanced at the text on my phone and sighed.Ugh, I didn’t need this on a Friday afternoon.
Mom: Valerie, don’t forget your sister’s getting her award in three weeks.You need to be there.
Me: I just started a new consulting job.I won’t be able to make it.No need to make up an excuse.This job might end quicker, but it would depend on how deep I would have to dive into their records.
Mom: Suck it up.You need to be there.Your sister needs your support.
My laughter filled the room.Thank goodness Lucas wasn’t in the office with me.
