“We can’t do this here,” I say, taking all my courage and stepping away from him. “This is my workplace.” I shake my head, and he just smiles. “Which means it’s off-limits for anything until after five.”
“Good to know,” he says. “But I didn’t come here for that.”
“Oh?” I ask, surprised.
“I just got back. We were on the West Coast for three days,” he says, and I want to ask if his phone works on the West Coast. I want to ask him why he didn’t call, but then again, why didn’t I call him?
“And I was your first stop,” I tease him, walking back to him. “Isn’t that sweet?”
“Yes,” he says, putting his hands in his pockets. “Actually, I came to personally invite you to the team Christmas party.”
I laugh. “The one that is tomorrow?” I ask. “In less than twenty-four hours.”
“That would be the one,” he says, and I shake my head.
“What’s the matter? Did your date cancel on you at the last minute?” I try to joke about it, but it bothers me more than I thought it would.
“I missed you,” he says softly. “And I wanted to see you.”
“I have to check my phone,” I say, walking over to my desk. And I pick it up and call him. He looks at his phone and then up at me. “Oh, so my phone works, and so does yours.”
He laughs, getting what I’m getting at. I’m expecting him to hang up, but instead, he answers it. “Hey, beautiful.”
“Smooth,” I say, my eyes never leaving his. “Very, very smooth.”
“Sorry I haven’t called you,” he says, “but I’ve been in LA for three days, and it’s been crazy.” His voice goes lower.
“I’m glad you’re back,” I say to him both on the phone and in person.
“Are you busy tomorrow?” he asks, and I shake my head. “Good. Party is at seven. I’ll send you all the details.”
“Okay,” I say.
“I have a dinner tonight, or I’d ask you to come with me.”
“I’m busy tonight,” I lie, and I can see his eyes asking me with who.
“Tomorrow it is,” he says softly. “Can I kiss you before I leave?”
“Would it matter if I said no?” I ask, laughing when he shakes his head. He walks to me, and I set my phone down.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says, moving my hair over my shoulder. “I really wish I got here after five.”
“Is that so?” I ask him. “And what would you do if you got here after five?”
“I’d fuck you right on your desk,” he says without thinking twice. “The only thing is you’d have to keep quiet.”
I laugh. “I believe I heard you roar my name a couple of times.”
“I have to go,” he says, and I meet his lips for a kiss. I watch him leave, sitting down in my chair and letting out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.
“Did you need me for anything?” Erika says to me five minutes later. “I was going to head out to the post office.”
I look at my watch, seeing it’s just after three thirty. “Why don’t you go ahead and call it a day? Early weekend.”
“Thank you,” she says. “I also have all the travel information for you for next month.”
“God, I hate January and February,” I say.
“You say that every single year,” she says, “as soon as December starts.”
“Well then, consider me a creature of habit,” I say, and she laughs. I stay at my desk until eight, going over the travel schedule.
My phone beeps with a message.
Nico: I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.
I don’t answer him that night or the next day either. I slip on my red heels when I get a call that my car is waiting. Taking one more look at my outfit, I ignore the flutters in my stomach.
The red skirt is tight around my waist and flares out. It looks like a bell skirt going to my knees. The top is what makes it sexy, a lace spaghetti strap tight top. The red heels make the whole outfit. My hair is loose and in long waves, tied to one side with a diamond pin. I grab the black shawl, walking to the car. The driver opens the door for me as soon as he sees me.
I make sure my red lipstick is on when we arrive at the address that I was given. The sound of music floats through the air from the restaurant. My door is opened by one of the valets. “Thank you,” I say to him and walk into the restaurant.
“Can I take your jacket?” A woman comes to me, and I hand her my shawl. “I’ll be back with your ticket,” she says, and I wait here until she gets back. The whole place is shut down for this event. Christmas trees are in every corner. The logo of the team is in every single place that there isn’t a Christmas decoration. Christmas carols are playing as I look around the room to see if I spot anyone that I know.