Page 6 of Tease Me

I swallowed hard, tossed a couple of staples in the bin, and reluctantly sat up on my knees to look at him. “Hi.” Iactuallywaved.I’m an idiot.

“So, which is it . . . fuck or run?”

My eyeballs practically launched from my sockets as I gasped. “Corben! Shhh.”

“Argh, don’t worry.” He waved his hand around the empty foyer. At least, I hoped it was still empty. “Nobody’s around. So, what’s your answer?”

“I . . . I . . .”I’m a blubbering idiot.

“I’ll decide then. Shall I?”

I nodded so quickly my eyes couldn’t keep up.

“Right then. You finish at six-thirty, right?”

Nodding was about the only body movement I could manage.

“Okay, so I’ll meet you out the front at seven. Don’t be late.”

He turned, and I dragged myself up onto the reception chair just in time to watch his cute butt in the tiniest gym shorts seconds before he disappeared into the elevator.

“Holy shit.” I crumbled into the leather chair and wiped the sweat beading on my forehead with the back of my hand.

My pounding heart took an eternity to settle, and when it did, I returned to the floor to collect the remaining staples. As I scrambled around on my hands and knees, I stewed over Corben’s forthright request and couldn’t decide if I should be mad or thrilled.Last time I was with him, I’d noted him asbeinga man of few words.Maybe the direct approach was the only one he knew.

A guy as hot as Corben could get any girl he wanted; it seemed all he had to do was ask.

I’d fallen for it, too . . . hook, line, and sinker. Ifhe’dasked me to remove my underwear, I probably would’ve hadthemaround my ankles beforehecould blink.

I giggled. Thank Godmy theory hadn’t been tested.

I glanced at the clock over the filing cabinet.Thank God. I had just twenty minutes until the end of my shift. Then I’d have to wait out the customary delay until Needledick arrived to take over from me. With a bit of luck, my boss wouldn’t be too late today, although I didn’t hold much hope.

My thoughts drifted back to Corben with his broad shoulders and tight buns that begged tobe squeezed. I pictured his chiseled physique jogging along the golden sand, striding with those perfect muscular calves bulging with each step. A wave of anxiety ripped through me as I wondered how the hell I was going to keep up with him. Runningwith Corben!What was I thinking?

Fear of failure gripped me.

Not only did I worry about keeping up, but what if I couldn’t concentrate with that hunk of spunk at my side andIlanded face-first on the sand?

I fought the negative vibes by gritting my teeth and forcing positive affirmations into my brain.I can do this.Damned if I was going to look weak. It was suddenlyvery importantfor me to showhimjusthow fit I was. The extreme workouts I suffered at the hands of Lolita were about to pay off.I hope.

Needledick arrived fifteen minutes late,which allowedme just fifteen minutes toget readyfor Corben.Ten, if I included theridiculously slowelevator rides.When the door pinged open on my floor, I ran to my room.As I dashed about, stripping off and redressing at breakneck speed, I threw in a few stretches as I went. Last of all, I did up my shoelaces and stretched my hammiesat the same time.

If I’d had time, I would’ve rung Lolita and told her about going for a run with Mr. Universe. I giggled as I imagined her sprinting from her place to my hotelin an effort tojoin us.

I applied sunscreen, grabbed my sunglasses, shoved my room key into the discreetly hidden zip pocket in my Nike gym shorts, and headed out my door.

The elevator took forever to arrive, and by the time it reached the lobby, I’d managed several decent stretches.I was three minutes late. My tardiness distressed me, but then, as I thought about it, I wondered why.I had no obligation to Corben, and ifhe wanted me,thenhe’d have to wait.

Yeah, I’ll show him who’s boss.

My newfound fortitude shattered to a gazillion pieces at my first glimpse of Corben. He faced the cresting sun. Bolts of yellow sunlight silhouetted him like he was a prize-winning portrait. Corben was a man of muscle, from his bulging calves to his outrageous shoulders. I was in trouble. How on earth did I think I could keep up? As I contemplated running back to the elevator, he turned.

“’Bout time, Jane.”His deep voice was loadedwith authority.

“Sorry.”No, I’m not.I yelled in my head.

“Come on, sexy. Let’s go.”

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