“So why aren’t you having sex, then?”

“Why aren’t you?”

“Because I’d like to have it with you, and you haven’t given in to me. Yet.” He brought the beer to his lips and watched me as he drank.

“I can’t believe we’re having this conversation. You know I’m seeing someone.”

“I do. That’s why we’re having this conversation. If you weren’t seeing someone, I’d have you up on that kitchen island showing you what I want to do to you, rather than telling you.”

“Is that so?”

He moved closer. “It is.”

“What if I’m not into you in that way?”

Chase looked down, his eyes lingering on my nipples. My very erect nipples. “Your body says otherwise.”

“Maybe I’m just cold.”

He inched closer. “Is that it? Are you cold, Reese? Because you actually look a little warm. Flushed, even.”

“You’re my boss.”

“Not now. You just said so yourself.”

“But...even if I wasn’t dating Brice—”

“Bryant,” Chase corrected me with a smirk.

Oh my God. “Bryant. Even if I wasn’t dating Bryant. And even if I was attracted to you—”

“You are.”

“Quit interrupting. You’re trying to confuse me. Like I was saying, even without Bryant in the picture and me being slightly attracted to you, it still can’t happen. I really like this job, and I don’t want to screw things up.”

“What if I fired you?”

“That probably wouldn’t be the best way to get into my pants.”

“Tell me what is.”

I chuckled. “You sound pretty desperate.”

Although we’d been teasing, his response was serious. “I feel pretty damn desperate right about now.”

So did I, but I wanted him to truly understand where my head was. “Can I be honest with you?”

“I’d be upset if you weren’t.”

“I sort of…had an office relationship…Well…it wasn’t really a relationship. It was more like a momentary lapse in judgment caused by excessive imbibing in holiday cheer. Anyway, you get the picture.”

“Yes. Unfortunately, I do. You slept with someone from work. Hang on. I should get another beer. I’m taking it this story isn’t going to bode well for me.”

Chase got up and grabbed two more beers. This time, he opened both and handed me one.

“I get my own?”

“Story sounds like you might need it.”

I smiled gratefully. “Thank you. You’re right. I do.” Taking a deep breath, I continued. “Anyway, I loved my old job. It was pretty much my life for the last seven years. I worked my way up from intern to director. I dated, but hadn’t had a serious relationship for the last five years. Make a long story short, I accidentally slept with a co-worker.”

“Accidentally?”

“Peppermint Schnapps martinis at the office Christmas party. Don’t judge.”

Chase looked entertained, his eyes sparkling. He held up his hands. “No judgment here. Tough night and you let loose. Been there.”

“The guy turned out to be a total dirtbag. Two days later he announced he’d gotten engaged over Christmas to his long-time girlfriend. He’d told me he was single.”

“Sounds like an asshole.”

“He was. And that’s not the worst part. I told him what I thought of him and went out of my way to be an asshole to the jerk. A few months later, he was promoted to being my boss.”

“Shit.”

“Yeah. And to make it even worse, he knows nothing about marketing.”

“How did he get the job?”

“He’s the owner’s son.”

Chase’s face was glum, but he nodded. “I get it. I’m not gonna lie and say I’m not disappointed, but I get it.”

“You do?”

“Of course. You don’t want to screw up your career for a night of physical gratification.”

“Exactly.”

“Even though that physical gratification would begin with me starting at your toes and working my way up. Slowly. Over hours.”

“Hours?” My low voice came out with a high pitch.

Chase nodded with a sexy grin. “I’m up for the challenge.”

“What challenge?”

“Waiting it out. Or breaking you down. One or the other.”

“You’re going to wait until I don’t work here any more? What if I stay for years?”

“It won’t be years.”

I furrowed my brow.

“You’ll break before then.”

***

Bryant: How was work today?

I’d just gotten off the train at my stop when the text came in. I took a deep breath, dreading what I was about to do, but knowing in my heart it was right.

Reese: It was good. Very productive, actually. I’m almost home, but could go for a drink. You up to join me for one? Maybe at The Pony Pub?

The small bar was quiet and halfway between our apartments. We’d met there for our first date.

Bryant: Absolutely. Meet you there in a half hour?

Reese: Perfect. See you soon.

Chapter 14

Chase – Seven years ago

“Another Jack and Coke.” I held my hand up to the bartender. I was usually halfway through my first drink by the time Peyton showed up, but starting on my second one was late even for her. Picking up my phone, I thumbed off a text.

Chase: You’re later than your usual late.

Peyton: I’ll be there in ten minutes. If I’m not, read this text again.

I chuckled.

She showed halfway through my second. Her arms wrapped around me from behind. “Can I buy you a drink?”

“Sure. My girlfriend is on her way, but she’s late, so I could use some company.”

She smacked my abs. “Some company, huh?”

I reached around, hooked my hand on her waist and pulled her from behind me to my lap in one fell swoop. She giggled, and any annoyance about her being forty-five minutes late was instantly gone. Again.

“What’s your excuse this time?”

“I had some stuff I needed to take care of.” She looked away when she said it, which told me I needed to pry more.