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28
LUCIE
When I enter the conference room the next morning, most of the board members are here in person and nearly every seat is taken. Caleb’s already at the other end of the table, discussing something with the guy beside him, but when his gaze lands on me, it lingers far longer than it should.
My phone chimes just as the meeting is called to order.
CALEB
Here’s the code you need to open the report: YLBT
It’s the code game I play with Sophie. I burst into a ridiculous, inappropriate smile, though I have no idea what he said.
Y obviously stands foryouoryour.
L could stand forlike, orlove, orletorlips.You like…B. You-like-banana-toast. You-like-big-televisions.
I continue trying to work this out, coming up with increasingly ridiculous possibilities, until Caleb steps to the front of the room. He’s so drool-worthy in that suit, so imposing, sostern, that all I can think about is Saturday night. His eyes, dark and heavy-lidded as he asked if I was ready for him.
I never dreamed that I could get this wet listening to someone discussdue diligence.
The conversation then moves onto licenses and retraining and all the other things that will be issues as they merge the companies. Even when every topic has been addressed repeatedly, the board members are still dragging the meeting out, chatting about nonsense, when Caleb’s reminded them twice that he has a flight to catch.
CALEB
Did the code work?
No, not yet.
Try this one: IRNTBIYA
I read…
I remember…
I wait until the meeting’s done before I reply to his text.
Sorry. That code didn’t work either.
CALEB
Meet me in conference room A as soon as we’re done here.
He rises. “I’m sorry to cut this off, but like I said…I’ve got a flight leaving.”
He walks out abruptly and after quickly introducing myself to board members, I walk down to the other conference room as he’s instructed—and find myself tugged behind the door, in the room’s only hidden corner.
His lips brush over mine. I pull him by the collar when he tries to move away and deepen the kiss.
He groans. “I really do have to leave for the airport. I just wanted to see you first.”
I glance between us at the erection he’s trying to adjust. “It appears you wanted to do more than simplyseeme. What were the codes?”
“You look beautiful today was the first one.”
My cheeks flush. “And the second?”
His hand slides over my ass, and he laughs, almost to himself. “You’ll need to figure that one out on your own, but it involves a place I really need to be again.” He kisses me one last time and walks out of the room. I reach for my phone to examine the still-undeciphered letters: IRNTBIYA
