Page 51 of Reckless Harmony

Emma stared at her like she had two heads. “Lucas told me the gym was only for Stark and employees.”

“That’s what Hollis told me earlier, as well. I asked her why Stark was giving me this, but -”

Emma laughed. “She just stared you down, right?”

“Basically,” Rayna said. “Hollis seems very stern.”

“She is,” Emma said. “Surprisingly, she and Lucas get along well even though she is severely type A and Lucas is… Lucas.”

“Do you think she and Stark are sleeping together?” Rayna asked casually.

Either it wasn’t casual enough, or, more likely, Emma could see right through her because she immediately said, “Why do you care?”

“I don’t,” Rayna said. “I was just curious.”

“So, you’re lying to your best friend now?” Emma asked as Bea ambled into the room. She ignored Frankie’s annoyed hiss and leaned against Emma’s legs. Emma reached down to pet her, glancing at Rayna. “Well?”

“Ugh. Fine. I might have, maybe, licked Stark’s thumb the other day.”

Emma ignored Bea nosing at her hand, her mouth dropping open as she stared at Rayna. “You did what?”

“It was just something that happened.”

“Licking someone’s thumb is not something that just happens, Rayna Abrams,” Emma said. “Give me every detail.”

Ten minutes later, Emma studied her thoughtfully. “So, he’s into you as much as you’re into him.”

“Not necessarily,” Rayna said.

“You just told me he had an erection because you licked his thumb,” Emma said.

“He’s a guy. They get random erections all the time,” Rayna said.

“Girl, please,” Emma said.

Rayna sighed. “Fine. Yeah, it seems like he’s into me. But it’s a terrible idea to sleep together because we also hate each other. I’m sure he regrets the moment as much as I do.”

“Does he? He just gave you free access to his state-of-the-art gym.”

“Because he thinks if he’s nice to me, I’ll sell my property to him,” Rayna said.

Emma paused. “Shit, you might be right.”

“I am right,” Rayna said. “Trust me, Emma, he only wants one thing from me - my property.”

“Eh, pretty sure he wants to know what your o-face looks like, too,” Emma said.

“Emma!” Rayna couldn’t help but laugh. “Since when did you get so… unprudish about sex?”

“Since having Lucas in my bed every night. That man is shameless. Also, he’s amazing in bed.”

“Good for you, honey,” Rayna said with a grin. “You deserve amazing sex.”

“To answer your earlier question, no, I don’t think Hollis and Stark are sleeping together. Lucas says Stark has firm boundaries at work, and Hollis does too. She’s worked for Stark for years and still calls him Mr. Stark.”

“Maybe she’s so formal because they’re secretly sleeping together,” Rayna said.

“You sound jealous.”

---