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“Nope.”
Maxi sighed. “Then, between you, me, and the bathroom stalls, we did more than just kiss.”
“Oh, my God. Maxi!” Avril was stunned—and shaming Maxi again with her tone. Yet she seemed to instantly recant in her mind the conversation they’d had in Maxi’s office after she’d walked in on the kiss. The admonishment she’d laid down then. Apparently, Avril reconsidered her stance, because she suddenly clapped her hands together and declared, “Oh, this is so juicy!”
Perhaps it was the empathy she’d expressed over Maxi’s previously dismal love life that had her singing a new tune?
Maxi said, “Juicy is when you divulge details. I’m not divulging any. So don’t ask. Juicy is when two people get caught up in something scandalous. We’re not caught up. It was a one-time thing. It was crazy, out of the blue, and just…happened. Now it’s over. Done deal. You told me it was a bad idea, and you were right.”
Avril’s brow dipped. “Like, you had sex, and now it’s as though…you didn’t?”
Maxi’s eyes squeezed shut. She heaved a sigh. Every fiber of her being wanted to say “yes” and walk away. Make it as simple as possible. Even though it wasn’t a simple scenario with Einstein.
Conversely, every fiber of her being sizzled at the mere mention of Ryan and memories of what they’d done the night before. And the fact that she really wasn’t inclined to pretend it hadn’t happened, as she’d suggested to Ryan.
But Maxi still had a niggling suspicion that not pursuing anything further with the man was for the best.
“Maxi.” Avril’s voice held a hint of concern.
Maxi’s eyelids flew open. She said, “Ryan and I both understand that what’s going on with the company is much more important and critical than what went on between us last night. So…that’s that.” She zipped her purse, slung the strap over her shoulder, and left the room.
The rest of the afternoon didn’t exactly fly by, what with Ryan sitting at her elbow at every meeting—and Maxi having the worst time not noticing his distinct scent, all fresh and clean, with that enticing hint of sandalwood. And her eyes kept landing on his hands. Even as he fervently typed and muttered under his breath about new changes to his continuum, it was damn near impossible not to fantasize.
About Ryan.
About the two of them naked.
About all the things he hadn’t done to her…but could.
If she’d allow it.
She shook the thoughts from her mind; set it to business.
But when she returned to her office, there was a tall, cylindrical glass vase sitting on her desk, with four red roses in it.
Maxi’s brows knitted just as her heart fluttered, having a good idea as to who’d sent them.
She snatched the envelope lying next to the arrangement and extracted the card.
I’ve noticed you like splashes of red. Here’s one more accompaniment. E.
She smirked. Einstein.
Maxi glanced around her office, taking in the scarlet pillows she’d added to the immaculate white sofa selected by the previous female director of the division. When Maxi had been promoted and she’d moved into this new space, Facilities had made a swap for her so that the former VP’s more masculine furniture now resided in the office Ryan occupied.
Maxi had then added her own flourish to the pristine décor. Such as the trio of framed red hibiscus prints against the far wall. The crimson throw tossed haphazardly over one of the white, armless chairs in front of her desk.
And now Ryan’s roses offered the perfect complement.
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But…why four?
She frowned. Why not a half or even a full dozen?
Tapping the card against her palm, Maxi considered this. Then a smile spread slowly over her lips.
Four. The number of times Ryan had made her come last night.
