Page 14 of One Hot Moment

"I don't mind at all. In fact, I have my own box of takeaway Chinese. There was a restaurant in London I used to frequent that had the best kung pao chicken. Not sure if this food will be up to scratch." A scraping sound follows, and I'm pretty sure that's him using chopsticks. "Bloody hell. I never have gotten the hang of these chopsticks. Just dropped food on my lap."

I laugh. "Yeah, that happens to me a lot too. That's why I prefer a knife and fork."

"That's illegal, isn't it? Must be a worldwide ban on refusing to use chopsticks." His voice drops to a whisper. "But I do prefer a knife and fork myself."

"Well, I won't spill the beans about your food crime if you won't rat on mine."

"It's a deal."

For the next hour, we enjoy our meal and good conversation. Spencer tells me how he got started in the financial risk analysis business. I share the tale of my rocky road to becoming an administrative assistant. We don't talk about our families, but instead focus on enjoying each other's company with no strings. He surprises me by mentioning the cafeteria incident. Spencer laughs about that, and I laugh too. He seems to have shed his work anxieties.

Will he worry about that tomorrow? I don't think so. He seems genuinely more at ease now. Maybe our conversation helped. I'd like to think so.

That night, I dream about Spencer. Naughty dreams. The kind that leave me on the edge of orgasm by the time I wake up in the morning. That means nothing. I have erotic dreams once in a while. It's normal.

But Spencer kissed me.

I reach the office fifteen minutes early, as usual, to make sure everything is set up for the boss when he arrives. At five minutes to nine, Spencer walks out of the elevator. He strides toward my desk with a casual smile on his lips and a twinkle in his eyes, looking like the sexiest, most competent boss on earth. He wears a dark-blue suit that accentuates his blue eyes.

Damn. How can I resist him now?

Chapter Seven

Spencer

The moment I woke up this morning, I felt invigorated and ready to face another day at the office. I even sang in the shower. That's how good I felt. And I whistle a cheerful old tune while I ride the lift up to the seventh floor. Tabitha is already waiting for me in my office. She rises from her chair, smoothing out her dress, and smiles sweetly.

"Good morning, Spencer. How are you today?"

"Bloody brilliant. I haven't felt this good in ages." I stop at her desk. "Feel like I could conquer the world."

She grins. "Glad you're feeling so good. Chinese takeout is a miracle, huh?"

"Yes, I guess it is." But the way I'm feeling this morning has nothing to do with food. The kung pao chicken was excellent, but no meal could ever make me feel this good. It's because of Tabitha. "I enjoyed our conversation last night."

"So did I. Maybe we should do it in person next time." She lifts her brows. "Unless that would be a breach of ethics."

"I read the entire fraternization policy twice before I ever stepped foot on this continent. Executives and their assistants are allowed to spend time together as friends outside of work."

"You read the whole policy? It's ten pages long. Nobody actually studies it." Her smile broadens. "But it makes sense that you'd be the first person ever to do that. You're smart and detail oriented."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"Exactly how it was intended." She picks up a cardboard folder and offers it to me. "Here's your itinerary for the day. Would you like me to go with you for your interviews with the folks who need a little guidance from the boss?"

I take the folder from her. "Go with me? I assumed I'd be talking to those people in my office."

"That's what most bosses would do. But you aren't an average executive. After the way you spoke to the whole team yesterday, I figured you'd be more comfortable doing the interviews in a casual setting."

Tabitha is the world's best assistant. She's right, of course, and I wish I'd thought of the idea myself. That's what assistants are for, though. I'm one lucky bloke to have this woman on my side.

"Your first appointment is at nine thirty," she informs me. "We'll be going down to the ground floor, to the atrium on the north end of the building. That spot is the most private one you'll find outside of a closed office door."

"That does sound perfect. Right now, I need to take care of other matters. I assume that's what I'll find in this folder."

"Yep. Let me know if you need anything."

"Thank you, Tabitha."

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