Casual Affair

“And it would be worth every second.”

After he dropped her off at her car, he had time to think about their situation. Here were the facts: 1) He and Bea were officially dating, whether she wanted to admit it or not. 2) He hated being away from her and found himself missing her throughout the entire bloody day. 3) Her contract with Envision would be up in a few short weeks when the store opened, thus terminating their working relationship. 4) He would be back in England within a month’s time, thus terminating their personal relationship.

Or would it?

Just because he had to go back didn’t mean their time together had to be over, did it? They could figure something out.

Because never seeing her again wouldn’t do.

But Jesus, talk about a long-distance relationship.

Still he couldn’t just give her a kiss good-bye and pretend that none of this ever happened.

He wasn’t positive she would, but he could imagine her giving him the ol’ heave-ho as soon as the store opened. If nothing else, as a means of self-preservation. She’d been very clear that she didn’t do relationships, so it was possible she could use the contract termination as an excuse to end their affair before they had to go through the messy situation of saying farewell to each other for good on a personal level.

He had to find a way to keep her around longer.

Whether that meant here in the States or in London.

To give her time to become comfortable with the idea of them being an official couple. Maybe get her to realize that she didn’t want to be apart from him, either. Possibly even coax her into admitting she had feelings for him. Real ones.

An idea suddenly came to him.

He didn’t give himself a lot of time to think about it. He would hate himself forever if he lost her without making any effort to keep her.

So he picked up the phone and dialed Peter in England.

“Hey, mate. I have a proposition for you.”

Chapter Nineteen

It was only two days until the Envision store launch, and no one was more surprised than Bea at the events of the last month. She was still seeing Zane. As in, seeing seeing.

The same man for over a month.

It was unprecedented.

Her cell phone pinged, signaling a text.

Zane: So it turns out I’ve never played laser tag.

It came in as she was in the office, reading an email from one of their clients. Her heart did a little flutter, and she dictated a response and hit send.

Bea: Doesn’t surprise me. You Brits are so dull.

Just as she expected, his response was immediate.

Zane: Um. Pretty sure making you come 3X last night doesn’t qualify as dull.

Her cheeks heated as she recalled the previous night. He wasn’t lying. It had been three times. She hadn’t been able to move her arms or legs by the time he’d run out of energy.

Bea: Ego, much?

Zane: What I was implying, smart-arse, was we should play laser tag sometime. Since I’ve never been.

Bea: Hate to break it to you, but the only time anyone ever plays laser tag in this country is if they’re a 13yo kid at a birthday party.

Zane: Pretend it’s my birthday and indulge me. I’ve been a good boy this year, so my gift better be good.

Hell, yeah. She bit down on her lip as she recalled just how good he had been.

Bea: If you’re really good, maybe I’ll let you unwrap your gift a little early.

He responded in less than five seconds.

Zane: I’m free for lunch.

She laughed and shook her head.

Bea: I was thinking more along the lines of a post-launch celebration. It’s girls’ night tonight, remember?

Zane: What am I supposed to do with the stiffy I have now?

Bea: Your own fault. Maybe you could pretend your hand is mine while you picture me in the black teddy.

Her core clenched at the memory of her modeling the black teddy she’d recently purchased for his enjoyment. It was amazing the garment was still in one piece, considering the way he had fucked her that night with it still on. She didn’t know if he’d wanted to see her in it as he pounded into her, or if he’d just been too impatient to remove it. Whatever the reason, he had simply shoved the material aside and driven into her.

Dammit. Now she was turned on.

Zane: You’re killing me, woman. Fine. You, me, the black teddy. 2 nights from now, after the launch. Don’t touch yourself until then.