Page 31 of One Hot Moment

Tabitha stalks around the desk---and sees me. She wags a finger at me. "Spencer Halfenaked, you naughty boy. What are you doing under your desk?"

"Getting bursitis and a kink in every vertebra in my spine." I try to wriggle out from under the desk but give up. "A little help would be appreciated. Maybe a crowbar too."

She bends over, making her blouse fall away from her chest. I can see her lacy blue bra as she offers me her hands. "Come on, sweetie, I'll pull you out."

At last, I'm free of my confinement. I stretch and groan loudly.

Tabitha straps her arms over her chest and shakes her head at me. "What in the world were you trying to do?"

"Surprise you."

Chapter Fourteen

Tabitha

Spencer wants to surprise me. I love that. He went through a bizarre ordeal to ensure I would be caught off guard, nearly getting himself twisted into a pretzel under his desk in the process. Now I'm curious about his next move. "Your goal was to surprise me? Well, mission accomplished, Spence. But I don't get the point of this exercise."

"I've hidden something for you in this room. See if you can find it."

I aim a look of mock skepticism at him. "I hope the gift isn't Duane huddled behind the toilet."

"No, he went home."

"Then tell me what this gift is."

"Who said it was a gift? I mentioned a surprise." He drops onto his chair. "Let me guide you with clues."

"Hmm." I set my hands on my hips, tapping my fingers. "I'm ready. Give me a clue."

"The first hint is nearby. But you can start with this: It's the wrong month."

I feel my brows wrinkle. Then my lips pucker. I shuffle up to his desk and squint down at the calendar. "You said it's the wrong month. Of course. You folded over this month's page to show the next one instead." I return the calendar to the correct month, then glance at him sideways. "You've put a sticky note on today's date. It says 'kiss the executive.' Not very subtle, are you, Spence?"

He shrugs. "Do you want your surprise or not?"

"You know I do. The suspense is killing me."

"Then sit down, Tabitha." He pats my lap. "Right here, please."

I can't resist an offer like that. So, I settle my bottom on his thigh and crook my finger. "Gimme, gimme."

Spencer reaches into his pants pocket, seeming to fist his hand around an object hidden there, then pulls his hand free. "Close your eyes, please."

I obey his command without hesitating.

And he slips a cool, slender strand around my neck. "You can look now."

I open my eyes, tipping my head down to study the item that's draped around my throat. And I laugh. "This is the most adorable thing I've ever seen. A cat necklace? I love it."

"I wasn't sure if you would appreciate the gift since you don't like your nickname. After all, the necklace shows a tabby cat and a black cat embracing."

"When did you buy this?"

"Over the weekend. It isn't made of gold or precious gems. It's cheap and tacky and it reminded me of you."

I smack a quick, hard kiss on his mouth. "I love it. And I know you weren't insulting me when you called this necklace cheap and tacky."

"You like unusual things. I hoped this bit of inexpensive jewelry would make you smile."

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