Page 78 of Not the Plan

“Yes.”

“Since when have you worried about what other people think?” he asked.

“Since I came to work today? I can opt not to care what people think in San Diego, but I certainly can’t here, can I?”

RJ sighed. “Can you all be discreet?”

That was the word Karim had used during their first meeting. And Glenna had implied it. Isadora ran a fingertip around the lip of her cup. Karim was new to California but not to this field.

“Of course we can.” She met RJ’s gaze.

He shrugged. “Well, there you go.”

“What if this becomes a thing?”

“It better,” he said, blowing to cool the coffee.

“Okay. It can be a fun thing. It can be a temporary thing. But you and I both know it cannot become a serious thing. I can’t letmyself be distracted this close to Daniel becoming pro tem. And I will not set myself up for the slightest hesitation if I get an opportunity in D.C. I will not sacrifice my dreams for a man.”

He swallowed. “Please, let this be a fun thing. Fun is safe. Fun is not sacrificing anything. You are not your mother; you’re not bound to repeat her mistakes. Right now, we’re in Sacramento, not D.C. Please just be in Sacramento and let him do every dirty thing he can imagine to you.”

Her lips bent up, against her better judgment.

“You want him, right?” RJ asked.

“Yeah.”

“Then have him.” He put his coffee down and went into her office for her suit jacket. “Put this on.” He slid it onto her shoulders, and she faced him. “Perfect. Can’t see it. Just don’t take it off unless you’re alone.”

“Thanks, babe,” she said, kissing his cheek.

“Now…” He unlocked the outer office door and opened it. “About this meeting.”

—

Mid-morning, she had to run up to the president’s office. Waiting for the private elevator, she fiddled with her phone, wanting to reach out to Karim.

“You gave me a hickey!” she typed, then erased it. “I’m still sore.”No, not that either. Keep it simple?“Morning, gorgeous” she typed as the elevator door opened. She stepped inside, and her knees almost gave out. The elevator smelled cool, woodsy, with a hint of sandalwood. Karim’s cologne. She leaned back against the wall, drawing in every molecule of air. Her eyes fluttered shut and she was back in bed with him. On her back, him above her, the sheet up over them both, a tent, while they laughed like children. She exhaled, then took another deep breath, fast, too fast. Her head spun, and it was the moment he’d been behind her, they’d been on their knees and she’d clung to the headboard as he’d driven her out of her mind.

The door slid open. The narrow hallway was empty. She stayed up against the wall, panting for a moment. She glanced at the control panel.I have time for another ride.She pushed the button for the basement, closing her eyes again as the door slid shut.

—

At lunch, her phone buzzed. She squealed, and RJ rolled his eyes but smiled.

Karim:(insert witty greeting with light sexual innuendo here)

She giggled. He wanted to reach out but couldn’t find the words either. A hand to her lips, she tapped her fingers against them as she tried to come up with a response.

Isadora:(insert equally witty greeting with mid-level sexual innuendo here)

Karim:Been thinking about you all morning, beautiful.

Isadora:Ditto, gorgeous. You left marks.

Karim:You did too. My back stings every time my shirt brushes my skin. I love it.

She fanned herself. RJ raised an eyebrow from the other side of the table. She hesitated but went for it.

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