Page 74 of Keep Your Friends Close and Your… Work Enemy Closer?

"That's what she said."

I groaned inwardly at my cheesy line while his laughter rang out in the still night. Hanging around Jared was definitely having an effect on me. Once he quieted, we exchanged a long glance as I tried not to let my eyes stray down to his incredible body.

"Why'd you ask me to meet you here?" I finally said. "What exactly are you expecting?"

He shrugged, drawing my attention to his broad shoulders and all that bare skin. "I'm not expecting anything. You said earlier that you were sore so I just thought it might help."

Not waiting for my response, he settled himself into the hot tub, placing his arms out on either side of him, casually resting them on the smooth wooden edges. The glow of the lantern light cast soft shadows across his muscles, highlighting the contours of his biceps and triceps.

Letting out a long, contented sigh, his eyes met mine, and he cocked a brow at me. "Coming in?"

The water bubbled invitingly, lapping at his chest, the steam rising lazily into the air. And the whole vibe couldn't have beenmore beautiful, between the lattice and vines, the smooth river stones around the edges of the tub, and all the lanterns lit up along the deck.

What the hell? Why not?

"Yeah, I guess." Reaching for the edges of my t-shirt, I saw his eyes widen just a hair. "But look away, you perv."

"Me? A perv? You're the one who can't stop eye-fuckingme."

"I'm not eye-fucking you."

"Well then, you're definitely checking me out."

"I'm... not," I lied lamely, whipping my shirt off, not even caring anymore if he was looking.

Throwing it next to his on the chair, I ignored him completely as I walked toward the hot tub and climbed in. The tub seemed smaller once I was in it, Jared's big frame taking up so much space.

Our knees bumped as I sat down opposite him, and I readjusted my body so we didn't touch anywhere.

"Relax, Dee," he said. "I'm not going to pounce on you or anything. I'm sorry about before. I guess I... I kind of got carried away. It won't happen again."

Disappointment flickered through me at his words and tone, one of remorse and apology.

"Unlessyouwant it to," he added.

"It's okay. It's fine. Let's just forget about it."

I waved him off, letting myself sink back and enjoy the water which felt amazing on my weary body and bones. Taking some slow breaths, I attempted to let it go, what he'd just said, that he was sorry and that it wouldn't happen again.

In all the scenarios I'd run through my head before coming down here, that hadn't even been a thought, that Jared would try to keep things strictly platonic. Or that he would put the ball in my court.

It sucked. I couldn't deny that I truly wanted him right now, how much he'd grown on me, and how flattered I'd been at his pursuing me. When was the last time a guy had actually chased me? It'd been a while. If ever.

So when Jared had kissed me like that, and even when he'd just been so sweet and caring during our kumbaya time, it'd warmed me not just physically, but emotionally as well.

Deep in thought, I found myself looking past Jared and into the dark distance, the trees partially illuminated by the crescent moon like something out of a painting. I made a mental pros and cons list in my head about the possible outcomes of hooking up with Jared.

Negatives first as always, the biggest drawback would be blowing up this entire career path I'd worked so hard for at Insight Ink. That would be absolutely devastating of course. Although a little voice in the back of my head, Mona's voice actually, reminded me that Insight Ink seemed more than okay with interoffice dating.

And then there were all the usual cons of any hook-up, such as unplanned pregnancy, total awkwardness around someone I had to work with every fucking day, and not to mention any unwelcome souvenirs requiring trips to the doctor.

With a sigh, I thought about the positives. Really only one. And that was scratching that Jared itch that was suddenly consuming me. And maybe one more. Massive stress relief. If, and that was a big if, Jared actually knew his way around a woman's body, something I wasn't so sure about.

Although if that kiss was anything to go by...

It'd been forever since I'd felt fireworks like that. Actually never. And it'd been ages since I'd been so attracted to someone. And had I ever really been with a guy that I was this attracted to? I racked my brain trying to remember.

"What are you thinking about over there?" Jared asked, his eyes studying my face.

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