We walked over to a table set for ten, which surprised me.A man and a woman were already there.How many people were coming tonight?The man stood up as we approached.
“Asher, Emma, this is Valerie Ray.She’s the forensic accountant working for the company right now.”Cassie made introductions as she sat down.
“Welcome to the group,” Asher and Emma chorused.
I took a seat next to Cassie, which left an empty chair next to me.
“Asher and I work in IT,” Emma commented.
“Oh, thank you for the computer setup in Lucas’ office.Your systems are much more up to date than I’m used to, and I’m loving it.”
“They better be,” Asher said.“I work hard to keep up with the latest and greatest.”
Emma snorted.“More like, I made you upgrade to the latest and greatest.”
“Yes, sweetheart.”
I grinned at the banter between the two.This is how I always dreamed a relationship should be.I only had one serious relationship to go by, though, and Lucas and I had teased each other, but there was always smoldering sexual tension beneath it.
“It’s hard to keep up.Even with my job, I’m always reading financial journals, researching new ways to do things and new techniques.”To most, it was boring; to me, it was fun.I loved figuring out the puzzle of numbers.
“Just like Marcus continually reads engineering books and journals,” Cassie said.
“Are we expecting everyone?”Marcus asked.
“I think so,” Asher commented.“Miles, Josh, and Dean said they would be here.”
“What about Lucas?”Emma asked.
I stiffened.Was Lucas going to be here?Maybe I should leave right now.I could pretend I forgot about an appointment or something.Did I really want to spend more time with him?My body said yes, but my head said no.
Indecisive much?
“Not sure.He left the office early, so he might not make it,” Asher told everyone.
I relaxed.Okay, I’d stay as long as I could.The server arrived.I wasn’t much of a drinker, so I ordered a soda.We started talking, then Miles arrived.
“Glad you joined us,” Miles said to me, then moved to another chair, leaving the empty chair next to me still…empty.
I nodded.Miles ordered a drink, and when Josh and Dean arrived, I was introduced to both men.I found out they worked in Operations, which set up the fantasies requested from the clients.Conversation flowed around the table.Everyone here was so friendly, and I found myself relaxing even more.
Such an interesting group.I began asking them questions about how things ran at Fantasies, Inc.I was curious, but all week, I’d waffled over finishing this contract and getting the heck out from under Lucas’ gaze.Working with Lucas hadn’t been hard, but my body was aware of him every second we were together.I didn’t know how long I could continue with the old feelings bubbling up inside me.Something was going to blow and soon.
Josh and Dean explained their process of talking with potential clients to find out what they really wanted.It took several meetings and a lot of honesty.
“I can see some people having a hard time talking about their inner needs,” I said.
“Yes,” Josh said.“Sometimes it’s hard, but they come to us for a reason.”
I could just imagine.I had some fantasies I wouldn’t mind acting out with someone I trusted, but I wasn’t sure about using a service for that.I wanted to ask more questions, but the server arrived to take our food order.
Just as we finished ordering, Lucas sauntered up to the table and took the empty seat next to me.His leg brushed up against mine, and my nerves tingled from the contact.Oh damn, not only could I feel the heat from his body, but it also filled the air around me and seemed to penetrate my skin, making me long to lean into him.
“Made it just in time.Beer on tap and beef sliders with fries,” Lucas told the server.
Smiling, the served replied, “You go it,” before leaving the group.
“Wasn’t sure you were going to make it.”Miles stared intently at Lucas, and I wondered how he would respond.
