Page 87 of Take It Offline

“Good morning,” she says, blinking awake. It’s just past eight, and I need to shower and eat, but I don’t want to miss a second of her like this.

“Morning, sunshine.”

There’s no hesitation in her smile, no guard up. Just a softness that reaches into my chest and squeezes my heart.

Doesn’t she know what she’s doing to me?

She sits and pulls an oversized T-shirt over her head while I mourn the loss of her bare skin.

“So,” she says, nervously tugging at the hem.

Ah, I know where this is leading. My gut sinks, but I remain silent, waiting for the inevitable.

She clears her throat. “Thank you. For last night. And for agreeing to this whole thing in the first place. I…” She pulls her lip between her teeth, thinking. “I know it was an unusual favor to ask, especially since we’re only coworkers, but it means a lot to me.”

Only coworkers? Fuck.I swallow past the lump in my throat and force a smile. Because I’m just the guy she fooled around with. I’m not the one. “Hey, it was my pleasure.”

“Literally,” she teases with a smile so sweet it twists the knife deeper.

“Yeah,” I grit out. I should never have stayed. “So… Job done, huh?”

“I guess.” She nods. “You passed with flying colors.”

“I think that’s my line, sweetheart,” I say, my heart tied in knots.

I always knew it wouldn’t last. But I hoped I’d get more time with her. “So, what about the other half of this deal? Any other shindigs I need to get the monkey suit out for?”

There’s something pained in her smile before she clears it away. “Not if I can help it.”

That’s right, hotshot. Don’t forget this is temporary.

“Okay, so where else will we find him? I can’t hold up my end of the bargain very well if he’s not around. Unless you plan on keeping me till Christmas?”

She flushes. “He’ll probably be at that new beach restaurant, the Seaside. He loves that place. If he’s out right now, that’s where we’ll find him.”

I lean in, pleased when her eyelashes flutter. “I guess that only leaves us one option.”

“What’s that?” she whispers.

“I’m taking you to breakfast.”

Emma said this place was stuffy. Talk about an understatement. I know white torture is a thing, but I had no idea the rich were so invested in it.

There isn’t a single comfortable surface in the entire place.

Even the staff look starched and pressed into shape.

I let Emma take the lead, drinking in the sweet smell of her shampoo, dropping my hand to her back in case Logan is here. It’s an excuse to touch her, and I’ll take every single one I get.

My ass hasn’t even hit the seat before we’re being greeted.

“Good morning. Apologies for the interruption. Can I get you any drinks to start? Tea? Coffee? Mimosas, maybe?”

Maybe if Logan shows up. “Double espresso for her and a hazelnut latte for me.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll get those started for you.” He bustles away, back ramrod straight, chin high, never dropping the act.

“Do you think I could get him to bark like a dog?”

---