Page 245 of Savage Bosses

“That may be.” She chuckled. “But you're not well. You're pale as a sheet. I'm giving you permission to take the day off.”

Either I was actually sick, or I was in dangerous territory because it sounded like she flirted with me. Judy-Lynn leaned against my desk, which I admitted made her legs look longer, especially in those sex kitten heels, but it was familiar for me to respect boundaries. I wouldn’t go further than she wanted. “Did you just admit that I was fine?”

She straightened.

Damn. I ruined the spell by calling her out.

Judy-Lynn crossed her arms and then turned to walk back to her chair, my desk between us. “It's a statement of the obvious.”

The peacock in me was ready to strut. I leaned forward. “Is that a yes?”

She studied me with a tight jaw and a hint of dark rose in her russet cheeks. “Yes, Ryu Tsu—Ryu. I do. Has your life been enriched knowing that I have functioning eyes?”

I picked up my tumbler. “Greatly.”

She lifted her tablet—the signal to begin the meeting. The ten-minute one-on-one check-ins were supposed to be all business. However, they slowly turned into breakfast meetings where we casually talked, and business happened to come up. I gradually became a Judy-Lynn scholar in the last few weeks. Coupled with our cosplay weekend, I was ready to seize the small opening she gave me.

My stomach churned. Judy-Lynn was different from my usual social company. There was more between us than lust. I enjoyed her humor and her bossy way when she tried to fix things. She made it difficult for me to hide my other self.

I didn’t care what Teddy said, she was perfect for me, but she wouldn't know that if I kept the facade up. It would have to be a phased approach. Then later, once I sufficiently seduced her, I would sit her down and tell her about Dragon.

“—ad department will present their concepts in today's meeting. They have four to choose from—”

“Sorry, did you say four?” That was strange. Typically, they brought me one or two. I almost always had to reject their first couple.

She nodded. “Yes. Once you approve, they can begin scripting for the social media campaign to lay the groundwork forPageantryto take over when we are ready for mass media.”

I was still stuck on the four concepts. “Why four concepts? Are they that indecisive?”

She studied me briefly before an “Oh” expression formed on her face, including the slightly parted lips that begged to be kissed. “You must not realize this, but you are obsessed with the number four. I figured you must have been a math or cartography geek in school. You divide everything four ways when you can help it. I told them you would likely accept something in the first meeting if you have at least four choices.”

I started to deny it, then realized she was right. “I want to have dinner with you.”

She blinked several times, then smiled. “Like a date? Tonight?”

There was no turning back. “Yes. If you feel comfortable with it.”

“I will be at the Commodore in Portsmouth, so I can't—“

The universe loved me. I knew why and what movie she would see. Any local Martini would. “What a coincidence, so am I. I heard there was a special showing of a movie I liked. Maybe you know it,Pandora's Kiss. The novelist is from this area.”

She stood. “Do I know it? I have the book signed by the author herself. It's a pretty faithful adaptation for the most part. She's my favorite author.”

“Then we can go together.”

She fiddled with the lapel of her shirt while she watched me.

“It's not that hard, Judy-Lynn.” I held her gaze. “You open up your mouth and tell me what you want.”

“That—” She put her hands on my desk and leaned into my gaze.

Her sweet scent was in my head again. She was a few inches away. Those plump, kissable lips that I missed. I dropped my gaze lower, only to see down her dress shirt. Peeks of cranberry-colored lace made my mouth water.

“—well, I know what you want.” She laughed.

She only knew half of it. “You're a beautiful woman, but I understand you may feel conflicted.”

“I do, but I need to satisfy my curiosity.”

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