Page 243 of Savage Bosses

Chantel made a concessional shrug. “I do think there's something big here.”

“Like when your mother dreams about fish?” Brooke asked.

Chantel nodded. “Just before you went to Margaritaville.”

“Martinicon.” I sighed. “Martinis that are forever shaken, never stirred.”

Brooke frowned. “That's a movie quote.”

“It's similar to a movie quote,” I replied. “Dani—“

“Martini woman, keep focused.” Chantel snapped her fingers. “Don't overlook an opportunity just because the package didn't come as you expected.”

Not that I would, but she did have a point. “I won't.”

Brooke hugged me.

“Good.” Chantel opened a new binder and settled into more research while we provided support.

I stood outside Ryu Tsuki's door, trying not to have a panic attack. Stupid as it was, I didn't know how to act now that I knew everyone paired us together. It was as if I had worn blinders while I trotted down life's path, then someone ripped them off and told me to roam a dangerous landscape.

How was I supposed to behave?

I didn't even know if he liked me. All of the other women I saw on his arm weren't like me. That wasn't a class thing, either. It would be really dumb if he told me he didn't like Black girls. It wasn't like I had a dating history with Asian guys. I was a late bloomer on the dating scene. As an adult, white guys were the only ones who showed interest in my fantasy book nerd self. I was always too weird for everybody else.

This is worse than high school when I asked Brian Wells to prom.

My throat tightened, and I was one dry heave from throwing up. That would really scream, “Date me.”

No. I would pull it together. I had friends backing me, and worst case, I could quit. On the internet, no one would see me or know that I messed up. I know I could flourish there.You got this. Channel your inner Victoria.

I stood up straight. My outfit was cute and appropriate for work at a tech company. The brown peep-toe heels, skinny jeans, and thin maroon asymmetrical sweater were hot on me.

Ryu Tsuki would get the best of me until he rejected me. Who was I kidding? He'd get it afterward until my resignation letter arrived at his desk.

I knocked on the oak door.

“Come in.”

There it was. I received an invitation. Now Ihadto go through with my insane plan of “starter" seduction. I'd offer him snacks and eye candy without making a move, then observe his reactions. “I came bearing gifts for our first meeting.”

I placed a Cafebucks tumbler on his desk and a tiny little tray of dango. The sweet rice pastry was on wooden skewers that reminded me of Neapolitan, except instead of brown, it was green. Dango was a guilty pleasure for me on Wednesdays, so I grabbed a little extra for the boss.

I sank into the chair with my tumbler still in the paper drink holder. Then I drank in the moment as I tipped the tea to my lips. Ryu Tsuki was sexy as ever in dark jeans, a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves, and a black vest. The top couple of buttons were open. My mouth watered, and I moved my gaze elsewhere, his chin.

He had a dark, five o'clock shadow, but a few patches were lighter than the jet black underneath his creamy skin. I could see myself in his lap, nipping at his jawline. I was something of a neck person.

It was weird, but a man with a nice neck likely had the shoulders and chest to follow. That was probably why I was turned on by Ryu; I had a type. A neck fetish maybe? I would have to look that up. Dragon had a nice one, too, with a little dragon tattoo above his left breast.

Girl, let that convention booty go.

I cleared my throat. “We have a meeting, do we not?”

He glanced at me with his honey eyes. I swear they smoldered slightly.

Excellent.

“Yes, though I didn't expect—“ He lifted the tumbler to smell it. “Tea and snacks. I'm not a morning eater.”

---