If I let myself, I could find connections with Tanner everywhere I look. Immediately after we ended, that’s all I did.
And it drove me crazy. I can’t let myself get emotionally attached like that again.
If I was in complete control of my life, the solution to my dilemma would be easy. I would avoid Tanner at all costs. However, his little stunt at the fashion show squashed that option.
Now, I have the board’s ultimatum hanging over my head like a black cloud, ready to pour down on me at any moment.
I have no choice.
For the foreseeable future, Tanner and I are going to be in each other’s orbit. Going on dates, kissing...and more?
I slam the fridge closed and fill my arms with the supplies I’ve gathered on the kitchen counter. I know when I’ve reached my limit to how much I can stress over a situation I can’t change. And I’ve reached it.
As I walk down the hall, I refuse to look into my office. The time for work has passed. The time for wallowing in my shitty situation starts right now.
I gently drop the loot that’s in my arms onto the small wood table beside my tub. Scratch that—my fucking huge tub.
This luxurious jetted tub was what sold me to this place. It’s melted all my stress away more times than I can count. And I’m counting on it doing the same thing today.
While the tub fills up with steaming water, I add in a yummy-smelling lavender bubble bath—the really expensive shit that has tons of bubbles. I throw in some bath salts for good measure.
With the candles lit, soft music playing and the lights dimmed, I start to peel off my clothes. As the fabric falls from my body, it’s way too easy to imagine it’s Tanner that’s disrobing me. I stroke my arms, my abs, all while imagining they’re Tanner’s hands caressing me.
I feel my pussy start to come alive. Even just imagining Tanner’s hands on me gets me revved up.
No, Elsa. Keep those thoughts out of your head.
It’s time I started looking at this as a pure business arrangement. I can’t let emotions cloud my judgment.
Not this time. Not again.
Settling into the steaming water, I grab my cell phone off the table. Time to bite the bullet and get it over with.
I scroll through the contacts looking for Tanner and finally find him, under ‘Jackass.’
With a little chuckle, I hit the call button.
Within one ring, his velvety voice is in my ear. I was not prepared for that.
“Hey, Elsa,” he practically croons into my ear. “Are you there?”
“Mmm...I mean, yes, I’m here,” I say, recovering my senses. “I was thinking that the sooner we get this charade started, the sooner we can get it over with.”
“What about dinner tomorrow night? Is that soon enough for you?”
“That will work,” I say. “I have a late staff meeting, so I’ll have to meet you there. Say around 7:30?”
“It’s a date. I’ll take care of all the details and forward them on to Monique. I’m good with the hands-on work,” he teases. “You remember, right?”
Before I can stop myself, I answer back, “I do, in fact, remember how good you were with your hands. I was just thinking about your han...”
Have I lost my mind completely?
“Really? You think about my hands, huh? Maybe I should come over there right now. I’d hate to deprive you of these instruments of pleasure after all.”
“Try to keep your ego in check,” I say with a scoff. “If you would have let me finish, I was about to say how rough and dry your hands looked. Have you never heard of a manicure?”
Smooth recovery.