Page 6 of Playing with the Boss
THREE
Lisa
My heart thrums in my throat as I run my hands over my skin-tight skirt and walk toward reception. I’ve made sure to arrive precisely seven minutes late on purpose. Late enough to let Mason know I’m in charge, but not too late to be rude or have him think I’ve changed my mind.
It took a solid hour to convince my roommate, Emma, not to join us later when I phoned to say I wouldn’t be in tonight. She’d argued that it was hardly working when the business would be conducted at a bar after dinner, and although I tend to agree, there was no way in hell I was having anyone bear witness to this potential train wreck.
“You’re lucky my cab is late,” he says when I arrive at reception.
One leg is casually slung to the other, ankle to knee, and his arms spread over the backs of the adjoining seats to his. I glance around the space, thankful our nosey receptionist has left already, and opt to stand.
“I had a few things to wrap up for the week.”
“Huh.” He leans forward, all broad shoulders and thick thighs as he rests his elbows on them. “Don’t put in overtime on my account.”
“I wasn’t.” I fold my arms, annoyed that he’d think I’m not usually this dedicated to my work.
“Good.”
An awkward silence stretches between us. If this is what our drinks will be like, then perhaps I should fake an illness and cancel? But then again, how often does a man this insanely hot ask you out? If I want to know more about him than what he shares in the office, or online, then this is the only way to do it.
I stalked the ever-loving hell out of his tight ass once I had a chance to grab a bathroom break this afternoon. Perched on the lid of the toilet, I thumbed my way through his profile on the company’s website (which I would have never realized was his without a picture there to tip me off), his Facebook, and best of all, his Instagram.
Oh, his Instagram. I sure know how he works out those shoulders now. Thank heavens for the ability to quietly stalk people without their knowledge.
He sighs, loosening his tie as he leans back in his seat to check the parking lot. The cab hasn’t arrived going by the sour look on his face as he returns his focus to me.
“Look. If you’ve changed your—”
“Why would I?” His gaze narrows, jaw hard.
I shrug, palming my purse at my side. “It’s just that… well, you look as though you’ve had a long week and—”
“I have.”
Seriously. Can the jerk let me finish a sentence?
“Which is why I need this,” he states. “And after the news you got today, I think you need it too. Am I correct, Lisa?”
Have the air-conditioners switched off already? Sheesh. I shift my weight between my feet, suddenly flushed. “Perhaps.” It all depends on what he offers.
Could I use a drink? Hell yeah.
A night out? Not really; kicking my heels off and ordering takeaway sounds like heaven.
Could I use a good hard fucking, though? Well, who doesn’t need one of those to relax at the end of the week?
“What’s on your mind?” He inclines his head, studying me.
“Nothing.” I take two steps toward the large front windows and thank the heavens above when his cab pulls in the drive. “Your ride’s here.”
“Our ride.” He rises from his seat, and I’m treated to a wave of his delicious smell when he moves toward the doors.
I glance down the hall to find Alf’s office light still on. “Are you sure the rest of management won’t mind you missing their dinner?”
“Not if they want me to put in a good word on why their jobs need to stay.” He smiles wickedly and then gestures to the door. “Ladies first.”
My spine stiffens when he sets his hand on the small of my back, and then guides me before him. I’m all too painfully aware of his proximity as we exit into the late afternoon light and greet the cab.