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Annoyance flickers across his features. “Not anyone important. Some of the IT support team. You wouldn’t recognize them.”
“Do they know…about us?” Why does it feel like a scandal to even say it? I feel my face heat and turn away, looking for something to occupy myself with. There’s a minifridge a little farther away and I open it, eyes widening at the contents.
“I don’t know. Probably. Gossip spreads quickly, and I’m sure Giselle in HR let it slip by now.”
My mouth drops open. “Giselle? The one who helped with my sign-on to the company?”
“Mmm.”
“That’s totally unprofessional!”
He shrugs. “I made sure she overheard me talking to the head of the department about it.”
So he…wanted it to get out ahead of today? Somehow, that relieves a bit of the pressure. A prickle goes up the back of my neck and I turn to find Jenson’s eyes on me again. His gaze drags slowly from the toes of my kitten heels to the V-neck top I’m wearing, stopping for a moment at my lips.
“You should shower. If you want to. And pick something out for tonight.” The smirk is back, his eyes bright with a look I recognize—trouble. Only, I have an idea what kind of trouble Jenson Sharpe gets into now as a full-grown man. I can only imagine—and I do.
“Okay. Yeah. I’ll meet you…?”
“On the balcony.”
“Of course, there’s a balcony.”
His laugh follows me to the bathroom, which, like everything else, is massive, tasteful, and a kind of luxury I’ve never even dreamed of.
* * *
At 4:45,sophisticatedly late, Jenson and I step onto the flagstone patio that appears to run the length of the back of the lodge. Behind us, floor-to-cathedral-ceiling windows reflect the afternoon light. It’s a beautiful, drowsy golden hour, which perfectly complements the shimmering dress draped over my body.
I feel a little exposed in it and adjust the neckline, but Jenson squeezes my fingers.
“You look gorgeous. Stop that.”
In reality, I look like someone out of a lingerie catalog—a high-end one, at least. The dress is white gold and held up by minuscule straps. Triangles of fabric barely cover my breasts, and there are slits up either side almost to my hip. It barely grazes my knees.
Roy Dupont is eyeing us across the patio. I give him a small smile and polite nod. He’s wearing shorts, a short-sleeve tee, suspenders, and Birkenstocks. It’s kind of adorable.
“Want a drink, babe?” Jenson’s hand slaps my ass lightly and I jump, feeling the dress graze a little too high.
My mouth opens, but no words come out. For starters, I’m stunned at the naughty gesture. He’s smirking back at me, clearly amused by catching me off guard. And then there’s the casualbabehe tacked on the end.
It’s what he used to call me back in the day, when we were dating. It runs so smoothly off his tongue that I search his eyes for a second before answering.
“Yeah. Sure. Um, a light beer, please.”
While he’s gone I’m vulnerable to every single glance from our coworkers and investors. I stand still and tall, perfectly postured, reflecting a calm demeanor. Casual.This is nothing—oh, Jenson and I? It’s been going on for a while. We wanted to keep it quiet…
But no one asks. They’re probably too professional, even though everyone has a glass of alcohol in hand and we’re officially off work as of this morning. Jenson returns with a whiskey and a pint glass. I take the beer thankfully and sip at it, letting the cool amber liquid calm me.
His hand grazes my lower back, then drops down again to rest at the very top of my ass.
“Stop that,” I hiss, trying to discreetly swat it away.
He raises a brow. “Careful, Mel. We wouldn’t want anyone to think we’re fighting.”
“We’re not fighting now, but we might be later if you can’t keep your hands to yourself.”
He casually removes the hand on my ass, but leans in, breath warm on my ear as he whispers: “I’m not going to force you, but I bet you like it.”
