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“Can you leave this place?” Sonia eyed the meeting room. “I thought you were connected by a leash.”
“I have an event later tonight. But you’re here, with all this food, and I say we get the hell out of here and enjoy it before the sun sets.”
18
Thursday
5:35 p.m.
Leaves rustled overhead as Sonia walked between rows of trees.
She hefted the tote bag of food. Brendan had told her to leave the office first, so as not to attract suspicion, and head for the lawns and walkways of the National Mall.
It was a relief to be outside, though she seriously regretted wearing high heels.
Her body ached with need, and she glanced back to see if Brendan was coming. She hadn’t expected his risky little power-play fantasy to turn her on so much. Between her shoes and her arousal, it was hard to walk.
A bicycle whizzed by on the paved path, and she stepped aside. Arching branches and lawns framed the walkways of the Mall. Nearby, the Washington Monument rose into the sky, piercing the heavy-bellied clouds. The air was hot and damp, with a fitful breeze that stirred Sonia’s blouse.
Feet pounded behind her. The bag was lifted from her shoulder.
“Let me take that.” Brendan’s lips brushed her cheek. Despite the heat, Sonia shivered. “Are you cold?” He started to shrug off his suit jacket.
“No need.” She held out her hand with a laugh. “I already have one of your jackets at home.”
“That doesn’t mean I can’t give you another one.”
“I’m fine,” Sonia said quickly. “How about here?” She pointed to a patch of green lawn beside the path.
Taking a woven blanket from the tote bag, she spread it out on the lawn. Brendan helped her, looking bemused.
“You really did think of everything,” he said with a broad grin. “You’re amazing, you know that?” At the compliment, Sonia’s cheeks flushed annoyingly hot. Shrugging off his jacket, Brendan loosened his tie, making himself comfortable on the brightly colored blanket. “So what did you bring?”
“Greek food,” she said briskly, trying to ignore his effect on her. Opening the containers, she arranged them on the blanket along with plates, forks, and napkins. “Hope you like it.”
She offered him one of the triangular pastries, filled with spinach and feta cheese. He snapped it up from her fingers.
“Unbelievable,” he said, after he’d chewed and swallowed. “Damn, you really went all out.”
Surveying the Greek salad, filo-wrapped pastries, and zucchini fritters, he rubbed her back appreciatively. Sonia’s skin prickled.
“Like I said, I had time on my hands.” Quickly, she filled plates for both of them.
They ate in silence, watching tourists and locals pass by. Blankets appeared on either side of them, as others spread out their own picnics. A frisbee soared across the opposite lawn.
“I miss this,” Brendan mused, loading his plate with a second helping.
His tone was light, but Sonia felt his eyes on her. “What do you miss?”
“Summer, I guess.” He shook his head. “Beach on the weekends, dips in the pool, parties, my buddies’ vacation homes. We really had it good. And I took it all for granted.”
“We?”
“Me and Ian.” Brendan sighed, rubbing his hand over his forehead. “It’s a habit. I’ll probably be saying ‘we’ when I’m ninety.” He waved a zucchini fritter in front of her. “You take the last one.”
Sonia laughed. “No, you. Diana told me you live on frozen pizza and free snacks at events. Except when you’re ordering takeout because you’re working late.”
“Di told you that, huh?”
