Page 26 of Sensual Games

I’m going to need that again.

Staring up at the ceiling, still trying to catch my breath, I said, “Nobody can know about this. I can’t lose my job, and I can’t jeopardize my future. Promise me.”

“Nobody has to know.” He rolled onto his side, still breathless and a little sweaty when I turned my head. “Only us,” he promised.

“And it cannot affect work.”

“It won’t.” He ran the backs of his fingers down my arm, making me shiver. I was still worked up and ultra-sensitive. “Now, I don’t know about you, but I could use a shower. And there’s more than enough room for two.” The twinkle in his eyes made my heart skip a beat.

Dammit. I was in so much trouble.

11

LUCIAN

Suddenly, coming into the office was a lot more interesting.

I looked forward to it in the days following the retreat, which even I could admit was a success. Not that I cared about in-jokes or reminiscing over a marathon game of air hockey. Let the oblivious worker bees distract themselves with that.

All that interested me was the blonde who sat outside my office, someone much more pleasant to look at than my father. I’d spent enough time watching her while pretending otherwise to observe more than her beauty. She always had time for anyone who happened to pass by with a question or a problem. I had no idea how she managed to maintain her level of productivity while playing mother hen to her roost.

“You’re in a good mood this morning.” Dad narrowed his eyes at me over his cup of coffee during our Wednesday meeting. “That retreat must’ve done wonders for you. You came back here a changed man.”

He always had to take it a step too far. “ I've gone from a caterpillar to a butterfly. Prepare to be dazzled by my transformation.”

He waved me off dismissively. “All I’m saying is, I like what I see. I’m impressed. And the feedback from the retreat has been nothing but positive.”

It was a funny thing. Most people would’ve been glad to have their father praise them like that. I hadn’t exactly given him much of a reason to until now. The do-nothing son who coasted by in college and saw enough of the corporate world during his summer internships to know he wanted nothing to do with it. The son who showed no interest in controlling the family empire and laughed when he heard the wordlegacybeing thrown around.

The ultimate disappointment…

… until now.

I should have been happy and pleased with myself, but instead, I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.

“And I’m pleased to see you turning into a good leader,” he rambled on. “I understand you performed first aid on that girl who was injured on the hiking trail.”

“First aid?” I scoffed. “She twisted her ankle. I carried her back to the lodge.”

“You’re a hero around here,” he concluded.

This was torture. If I looked like a good leader during the retreat, it was all thanks to Ivy. Making up for the shit I pulled, trying to make things right between us. For the first time in a long time, I’d met someone whose esteem I would like to earn.

“I don’t need the praise,” I told him, taking a bite of my bagel. “And I don’t need to be anybody’s hero. You know how stories get inflated if given enough time.”

“Fine, have it your way.” He pursed his lips the way he always did when there was something on his mind. “Have you given any thought to finding a serious relationship?”

I could have used a little warning. That way, I wouldn’t have come close to choking. He waited until I was able to swallow my food before continuing, “It’s something that’s been weighing heavily on your mother’s mind lately.”

A deep gulp of my coffee washed down what nearly killed me before I said, “I thought these meetings were to discuss work, not my personal life.”

“This is the only time during the week I’m sure I’ll be able to get a few words in with you. You know how busy I am.” I grunted. “She knows we meet on Wednesday mornings and told me to bring it up. What, are you suggesting I don’t do something your mom ordered?”

For the first time all morning, we shared a genuine laugh. Mom could go from zero to nuclear in no time flat, completely tranquil to burning with anger. Dad had always loved her feistiness. So did I.

“I don’t know what to tell you,” I admitted. “It’s not something I’ve given much thought to.”

“Which is why your mom wants to think about it for you.”

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