Checking Every Box

“Yes. I skimmed her resume as you asked, and although she doesn’t have a lot of experience, she seems eager.” I smiled up at him. “Enthusiasm counts for quite a bit, doesn’t it?”

“Absolutely.”

“She was also very sharp in her email.”

Joel nodded. “Good.”

I knew that Joel was desperate to find a good assistant for the other two agents. They were both excellent salesmen , but they often missed the little details. Double booking meetings, and arriving everywhere rushed and late did not make a very good first impression.

I genuinely hoped that Erin would connect with Joel and be hired immediately. It would certainly take a tiny bit of work off my plate so I could focus on larger things.

Erin arrived right on time, and I showed her into Joel’s office. Finishing a few extra tasks, I was finished at quarter after five. I sent Steve a text from the elevator, and he met me in the lobby, pulling me in for a close hug.

I couldn’t believe I was so absolutely comfortable with him as he kept an arm around me, leading me to his car and driving me the short distance to his place.

As we went inside and slipped off our shoes, he said, “I want to see your home, Heather. I want to know absolutely everything about you. Perhaps on Sunday, we can go to your farmer’s market, then I can drive you and your groceries home.” He flashed me the most adorable smile. “I can attempt to make you dinner if you like.”

That was the last thing on the list. Being open to fancy extravagant dates, and just hanging out. I couldn’t believe it. This handsome, caring, brilliant man checked off every single box on my list, plus he seemed utterly infatuated with me.

“Hey,” he said softly, gently caressing my back as we walked toward his new dining room table. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”

I nodded. “The table is perfect in the space,” I said.

He slipped off his suit jacket and tossed it over a chair. “You seem distracted. Is something wrong?”

“I…” Looking up into his stunning deep eyes, I couldn’t hold back any longer. “It just hit me all at once that you’re really the one, and you’re everything I’ve been looking for. I feel like I should be flustered, or overwhelmed. Instead I just feel… Relieved. And so incredibly happy.”

Steve led me to the window, wrapping his arms around me and holding me gently as he kissed the top of my hair. “I’m incredibly grateful to hear you say that, Heather. I’ve already fallen for you completely, and I’m glad we’re on the same page.”

“Really?” He nodded slowly, his eyes positively glowing with love. Looking up at him, I blurted, “I still don’t quite get it.”

“Get what?”

“Get how someone like you could be interested in someone like me. I mean… I’m glad, of course. It’s just a bit strange.”

“My beautiful sweetheart,” he murmured. “Don’t worry, my angel. I’ll help bring you out of your shell if you like. You have a partner now. We’re a team. So hopefully every little stress you’ve ever had will either disappear or at least be cut in half, since I’m here to share it with you.”

“You always say the most perfect things,” I smiled.

“I hope you’ll still think so after I say this,” he winked. “I would really like to spend a little time with you lying on my new couch.”

Feeling his hand at the base of my spine, his lips skimming across my cheek, and the enchanting way he was looking at me, something deep inside me shifted. I’d never felt lust before, but I was pretty sure this was it. Shocking myself, I said, “Or, we could go to your bedroom.”

Kissing along my eyebrow, then down my jaw, he murmured, “Anything you like, sweetheart.”

Steve took my hand as we went down the hall to his enormous master suite. His arm snaked around my waist, pulling my hips and lips against him at the same time. He kissed me with his entire body. I realized in that instant I was prepared to give myself to him completely.

“I know that I’m already too obsessed with you,” he whispered, tickling his lips down the front of my throat as he tilted me backward. “I want you so badly, Heather. But I will happily wait as long as you like, for anything and everything.”

I clearly had a choice to make. I could either let myself feel overwhelmed, or I could give in to what I was truly feeling, and live in the moment. My hands made the decision for me, reaching up to loosen his tie and slip it off, throwing it behind me.

His grin was positively dazzling. “I see that my sexy new girlfriend likes making a mess in the bedroom.” He reached for the zipper on the back of my skirt, waiting for me to give him a tiny nod before proceeding.

I slipped off my white blouse while he grinned. As soon as I wiggled out of it and the fabric hit the floor, I was proud of myself for being so bold. Steve was absolutely staring at me as I stood before him in nothing but a dark gray silk bra and panties.

“You’re breathtaking,” he whispered.

Sweeping my hair back, he kissed along my neck, my shoulder blade, as I unbuttoned his shirt. I could feel myself getting hot and wet, my panties suddenly feeling tight as one of his hands skimmed along my ass. His lips nuzzled along my skin, reaching the top of my breast. He unhooked my bra, sliding it off and immediately pulling my nipple between his lips. Suddenly I was so turned on I could hardly breathe.