Page 84 of Wicked Fantasies

“Of course, Uncle.”

Brian’s eyes narrowed at Reed’s use of his familial title, one Reed rarely used. Unwilling to give Brian time to regroup, Reed shook off the man’s grasp and left the office. Frankie was waiting for him by the elevator.

“The Donovan Group rents out this floor and the one beneath it,” he said smoothly as they entered the elevator. He could feel his uncle’s gaze slicing through his back, had no doubt the man was hanging on his every word.

He turned and smiled as the doors slid closed.

“You!” Frankie turned toward him angrily and he chuckled at her haughty tone.

“Yes,” he said. “Me. Small world, eh?”

Her hand flew out and slapped the stop button on the elevator. “Before we go any farther, I want you to answer one question for me. Did you know who I was last night in the bar?”

He shook his head, her question perfectly valid in light of this morning’s surprising turn of events. “No, Francesca. I didn’t know who you were.”

She sighed and he could see she believed him. “I didn’t know who you were, either.”

He grinned. “I know.”

She closed her eyes, and he could detect the slightest trace of dark circles beneath them. Had she spent her night tossing and turning like he had? Had she relived the memory of their time together until she had no choice but to find relief at her own hand? He’d jacked off twice to the image of her wrapping her legs around his waist. Both times, he’d closed his eyes and come as he remembered her bent forward against the brick wall.

Or were the circles indicative of regret? He certainly hadn’t regretted their brief affair. Had she?

“Francesca,” he began.

“Frankie, please.” She opened her eyes. “My friends call me Frankie.”

He smiled at her kind gesture. “Frankie. I hope you aren’t regretting what happened last night.”

She shook her head. “Until about fifteen minutes ago, last night was on the very short list of things I thought I’d never regret.”

He enjoyed her candor, though he disliked seeing such a wonderful memory besmirched. “And then you walked into Brian’s office.”

“There are over eight million people living in New York City. How in the hell did I manage to pick you out of the crowd?”

He laughed. “If I’m not mistaken, I’m the one who picked you up.”

“Nope, hate to disappoint you, but I was about five seconds away from approaching your table when you walked over to the bar. Last night was going to happen regardless of your lame pickup lines.”

He leaned back against the wall of the elevator and crossed his arms over his chest. He was enjoying this easy banter. “There’s nothing lame about pickup lines that get you laid, sweetheart.”

“You aren’t paying attention, Reed. I’d decided long before you came over to that bar that I was going to issue my invitation. Quite frankly, I wouldn’t have cared if you’d opened your mouth and spoken in Pig Latin.”

“Ah. Oo-yay av-hay ice-nay its-tay.”

She looked down with a mischievous grin, then unbuttoned the top button on her blouse. She studied her breasts for just a moment, before refastening and grinning. “You’re right. My tits areverynice.”

His cock moved from mild interest to full-blown infatuation at her teasing words. The longer they spoke, the more enthralled he was becoming with her.

“By the way, I’m not giving up this job.”

Her change of subject caught him off guard. “I wouldn’t expect you to.”

“Last night was a one-night deal. We both knew that going in. I’d like to suggest we put it behind us.”

Her response was the one he’d been waiting for. He hit the button to their floor, letting the silence between them build. He knew she wanted to finish the conversation, but the elevator doors slid open before she could say more.

“Jessica,” he said, leading her over to the woman seated in the reception area. “I’d like you to meet Mitchell’s replacement. This is Frankie Carlyle.”

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