Page 1 of Recklessly in Love

CHAPTER ONE

JOANIE

“You got fired for having sex with one of the junior partners in the copy room?” Mia gasps, parroting back the words I’d just used in the form of a question.

I grin, getting the exact amount of shock value I hoped for.

“During business hours,” I add. “If it’d been after hours, it would’ve just been a slap on the wrist.” I don’t bother mentioning that’s probably because they’d have to fire everyone if that were the rule.

“Where do I even start with that?” Mia says with a sigh. “At work, Jo? Really? While anyone could walk in?”

I snort. “That’s part of what made it such a thrill,” I respond. “Unfortunately, as hot as he was, the sex was awful.”

“So, you got fired for having bad sex. At work.”

“That about sums it up.”

“And what about him?” she asks, a note of suspicion in her voice.

“Oh, don’t worry, he was fired too. No sexist double standards there, at least.”

“Well, that’s … good? I have to say, you don’t sound upset about losing your job,” Mia points out.

I shrug, even though she can’t see me over the phone. “I knew it was a possibility. Again, that’s kind of what made it stimulating.”

“Why do I get the feeling you hoped it would happen?” Mia asks.

I can’t help my shit-eating grin. “Ah, Mia, darling, you know me so well.”

It’s precisely what I’d been banking on when I seduced the poor bastard into fucking me not just in the copy room but on the copy machine itself. Maximum noise. Maximum evidence. Too bad it didn’t live up to the fantasy of during-work sex. And photocopying a dick isn’t nearly as entertaining as I thought it would be, either. Still, the encounter served its purpose.

“Well, that’s one way to get the holidays off work,” she replies drily. “Were you that desperate for a break? Because you know you could’ve just taken an actual vacation. It’s been almost two years since we went to Hawaii. You certainly deserve one. But like this?”

I snort. “I’m not you, Mia. I wasn’t overwhelmed by my job; I was done with it. The same stupid cases over and over. Defending corporations facing criminal charges for their shady business practices was getting tiresome. I want something different. Something that’s a challenge. But now that you mention it, a vacation sounds divine.”

My mind drifts back to that week in Hawaii and the two hot local surfers I’d spent it with. The original intent was for Mia and I to each have one guy to keep us company that week, but when she had to leave suddenly to take care of her Gran — on day one of our vacation, no less — they both seemed interested in sticking around. And there was lots and lots of sticking around if you know what I mean. That was a first, even for me. One that still features prominently in my fantasies. Maybe a few new “firsts” wouldn’t be such a bad idea. And since Mia found hunky Nate in her Gran’s tiny mountain town — and herself while she was at it — it ended up working out well for us both.

“That reminds me. We’re reviving the Alpine Ridge Winter Festival. With the bakery doing pretty well and Nate’s practice getting off the ground, it’ll be a good opportunity to capitalize on the seasonal traffic to Leavenworth. You should come to stay with us and join in,” Mia offers.

I wrinkle my nose. “Snowy mountain town wholesome goodness isn’t exactly my idea of a fun vacation,” I reply hesitantly.

“Come on, Jo, you’ve only visited once since the bakery opened, and that was only for a day. I miss you,” Mia pleads.

“It’s not like you haven’t seen me at all. You’ve come here to Seattle a couple of times, too. Hell, we could go on vacation together. Let’s do something crazy. How does Thailand sound?” I counteroffer.

“I may be able to take off a day or two here and there, but I can’t leave the bakery for weeks while traipsing off to a foreign country,” Mia points out. “Trust me, it’ll be fun. Just for starters, I’m making cocoa and gingerbread macarons to go with Rae’s hot mulled wine and apple cider, plus there will be all sorts of fun activities like ice skating, snow sculptures, concerts —”

“All right, all right, you had me at gingerbread macarons,” I agree with a sigh, even though the rest sounds like it’s straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie, which is definitely not my scene. “Will there at least be some hot guys?”

“There are some single guys in town,” Mia hedges.

I quirk an eyebrow at the lack of qualifying their attractiveness. “Well, that’s a start. Are any under fifty? Because you know I cap it at fifteen years older than me. Any more than that, and it treads into ‘daddy’ territory.” I shudder at the thought. I may be wild at times, but that’s one kink that’s a hard no for me.

“I mean, sure, there are, but …” Mia trails off, and I roll my eyes.

“What, am I too worldly for your small-town boys? Are you worried about your harlot friend tainting your perfect mountain paradise?” I tease, reading between the lines.

“Honestly? Yes. A little,” Mia says with a chuckle. “I’m not sure the guys here are ready for Hurricane Joanie.”

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