Page 28 of Pure Recklessness

I knew I should continue reading the Sated one I’d started on the train, but after seeing how steamy it was, I couldn’t face it. If the characters started having such explicit sex so early on, I hated to think what would happen next.

No. I’d stick to books where the physical intimacy was implied rather than detailed on the page. I could still do my job without having to read novels that pushed me out of my comfort zone.

Despite Sated’s books being too spicy for my taste, I’d enjoyed brainstorming today for the new app.

Once I’d finished my meeting with Mr Devlin, I’d returned to my desk and started researching competitors. The handful that were professional offered different membership levels, so Sated should have the same.

I’d put the pricing into a spreadsheet and made a list of what members received for their money so it was easy to compare.

What I needed to do next was think of some unique selling points. Things that Sated could offer that the others couldn’t.

For this to work, Sated’s app needed to be better than all of the others. It had to blow the competition out of the water. The company was already in a strong position because it had more resources than all of the other players put together.

I had no idea what some other points of difference could be, but I’d think about that tomorrow. It was gone 6 p.m. now so it was time to head home.

‘Hi!’ I said as I saw Dana walking towards me.

‘You’re still here, which means Mr BDE took pity on you, again!’ She smiled.

‘Yes!’ I said, still not quite believing it. ‘I’m working on a project for him.’

‘Amazing! I’m so happy for you. Fancy coming for a drink to tell me all about it? I’m meeting Joe, my friend from events, but I’m sure he won’t mind.’

‘Oh!’ I paused. I wasn’t used to colleagues inviting me out for drinks. In my last job writing copy for a local magazine, they thought I was too boring. ‘Okay!’

‘Cool! I’m just going to give something to my manager,’ Dana said. ‘Let’s meet at the lifts in ten minutes.’

Once I’d switched off my computer and gone to the loo, I headed to the lifts.

Dana was standing with a guy with short dark hair who was dressed in a stylish purple suit.

‘Ellie, this is Joe, Joe this is Ellie.’ Dana gestured between us.

‘Nice to meet you,’ Joe said, eyeing me with curiosity.

‘Come on!’ Dana said. ‘There’s two for one on cocktails at the rooftop bar.’

‘There’s a rooftop bar?’ I frowned. ‘Here? At the office?’

‘Yep!’ Dana said.

‘Why do you think we love working here?’ Joe laughed.

Whoa. This building was insane.

Not only were the offices, staff kitchen, loos and the canteen fancy. They also had an in-house library (which I still hadn’t had the pleasure of seeing) and now I discovered they had a rooftop bar?

Sated’s facilities were next level.

When we got to the rooftop, my eyes popped.

Just like Mr Devlin’s office, there were panoramic views of London. In the distance, I spotted the River Thames, Tower Bridge and the glass peak of The Shard. I even saw the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral, too.

As well as the long, polished dark marble bar which had shelves filled with spirits behind it, there were dozens of tables dotted around the rooftop. Some with tall leather bar stools, others with comfy-looking outdoor armchairs with deep red cushions. And the pretty olive trees, plants and greenery positioned strategically around the space made it feel like an oasis in the city.

Upbeat music played in the background at the perfect volume. Loud enough to be heard, but low enough to still be able to have a conversation without having to shout or struggle to hear what was being said.

I’d never been to a rooftop bar before, but something told me this one was in a league of its own.