Page 21 of Beauty and the Boss Man

“You don’t think it was a mistake?”

“Not at all. Do you?”

I think for a moment. “No, but…”

He cuts me off. “Alright, Romy, here’s how I see things—and feel free to stop me if I’m way off base here. You and I are both adults, and we seem always to be consumed with work. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have much of a social life when I go home at night, and I don’t tend to make time for a lot of fun.”

He pauses for a moment, so I say, “Yeah, me either.”

“I know this is technically a work trip, but no one says we can’t have some fun while we are here.”

“Does that mean having sex again?” I ask with a small smile. I don’t actually mean to smile, but the thought of it excites me.

Lord, I’m twisted.

His smile reflects back at me. “Well, I certainly wouldn’t complain if we did. I had a lot of fun, but we don’t have to if you’re uncomfortable with it. I’m fine with just hanging out and trying to get to know each other better. Sex or not. It would be nice to just unwind for a week.”

I can’t help but think that having sex is a perfect way to unwind. And maybe that’s the worst idea ever. I mean, is a week-long ‘sex-cation’ with my boss a great plan? Probably not. But it sounds like a shit ton of fun.

I think for a moment, trying to collect my thoughts. My eyes avoid looking at him, so his good looks do not sway me.

When I finally speak, I say, “Okay, here’s what I’m thinking. You’re probably right that both of us could probably use a break from all the stress. So, maybe we take this week and just have some fun—all kinds of fun—in the evenings. During the day, we go to the conference and act like nothing more than colleagues. And at the end of the week, after we fly home, we go back to acting just like we always have.”

He leans back in the chair, stretching his long legs in front of him. “I think that sounds like a good plan. But I meant it when I said if you want to keep things platonic, you just say the word. I’ll never force you to do anything you don’t want to do. And no matter what, your job is secure.”

I smile. “I appreciate that. As far as I’m concerned, this week is just a free pass, and then things go back to normal. No harm, no foul.”

He holds up the paper cup to toast. “Cheers to that.”

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