Page 105 of Beni

“Well, it’s really only for the long weekend.”

Michelle laughed, and waved a hand. “That is fine for me. My new assistant will be here next week, and while I will miss you, I am sure I can whip her into shape in no time at all. Have you found something—somewhere—else to go?”

“I think I have.”

“Then, I wish you all the luck and success in the world, August. You deserve it. You have earned it. And I can’t wait to see what you produce with the right team behind you.”

“Thank you.”

August was still thinking about her conversation with Michelle and feeling better about her decision to do what she had done, long after she left the office. Somehow, she had even managed to forget about the fact that someone was waiting for her downstairs in the lobby.

She only remembered when she passed a slyly grinning Marney at the front desk, who pointed to the revolving doors of Bared Brand’s building, and said, “Can’t miss that man for a mile, girl.”

She found that someone.

Beni, actually.

And damn, Marney wasn’t lying. Not in the slightest. He looked like sin poured into the mold of a fucking man in black skinny jeans, leather loafers, and a beige cable-knit sweater. She was a little sad that he lost the usual leather jacket, but hell … he looked good like this, too.

No lie.

No shame.

Leaning against a sleek, black car that she suspected was a rental, his feet were planted shoulder-width apart, and he’d stuffed his hands into his pockets. With his head turned to the side staring at something down the street, she had a perfect view of the line of his cut jaw, and the way his cheek jumped with each chew of his mouth.

Gum.

He was always chewing on gum when he waited.

August gave Marney a wink before heading for the revolving doors. As though Beni could feel her coming his way, his attention came back to the entrance, but she couldn’t see his eyes behind the aviators on his face. Not that it mattered, because she could absolutely feel his stare nailing into her, and that was more than enough.

She came out of those doors in a rush, asking, “What are you doing here?”

Beni grinned widely. “That’s your first question?”

She thought about it.

“Yeah, it is.”

“Cam helped me out with some details … what time you got off, where you worked, and all. She didn’t think you would mind me showing up, but threatened if I did some weird shit, that she would pickle my balls for later use.”

August huh’d under her breath. “Sounds like something Cam would say.”

He pushed off the side of the beautiful car—a Benz, by the looks of it—and stepped one foot closer to her. It wasn’t nearly close enough, and yet it still had her heart racing out of control. She didn’t think this man knew what he did to her, but damn him, because she loved it all the same. Loved him, too. For reasons she understood, and many more that she didn’t. Soon, she was going to let him know exactly that, too.

“Truth is,” Beni said, rocking from foot to foot with his hands still stuffed in his pockets, “I’ve been thinking about you a hell of a lot more than I should lately.”

“Oh?”

“And I couldn’t wait to see you. So, if you’re busy or whatever, don’t feel like you have to entertain my ass, or anything. I’m a grown man, and I can take care of myself. But … if you do have some time, I would be happy to do whatever you want for the night.”

August grinned. “Hmm.”

“Although, about that flight tomorrow …”

“What about it?”

Beni brought his hand out of his pocket to flash a folded piece of paper. “I thought you might like to have someone to fly with, you know.”