Page 40 of Rules of Engagement

“It’s a K9 competition on TV. They have to navigate an obstacle course. I'll call Desi and see if she's game to put it together.”

I stand. “Well, I'll get out of your hair and let you get to work.”

She comes around her desk to walk me out. “This is going to be epic, you know.”

“Doesn’t America’s Birthday deserve epic?”

“That it does.”

* * *

Heading back into town, my original plan was to stop by Home Depot to purchase the first items to begin the backyard playground for Lucifer, but I change my mind when I check the time. It’s 11:00, and I still haven’t heard from Jorja. Time to instigate my Rules of Engagement.

Driving pastModern Family Magazine, looking for a place to park, I spot her car in the lot. The street is crowded, so I go around the block and find a single parking spot around the corner. I’ll have to walk in front of the boutiques to get there, which will probably mean I'll be recognized, and someone will stop me wanting to welcome me home, which could turn a simple two-minute hike into ten minutes or more. But, if I have a bouquet from Daisy’s Flowers, it'll be obvious I’m on a mission, and I’ll score some major points with Jorja. All girls love flowers.

With Lucifer heeling, I buy a beautiful bouquet of red, yellow, and purple wildflowers, and the people I pass on the street simply say, “Welcome home, Jocko.”

When I enter the magazine’s front office, I tell the grinning receptionist. “I have this very special delivery for Jorja Jones.”

She nods and points me to the correct office.

When I pull open the door, I see a spacious area with ten desks. Several are face to face, while the others sit alone. The room buzzes with activity, and no one notices me. I spot Jorja typing on her laptop with earbuds in. Her hair's pulled into a curly ponytail. She's wearing a white buttoned collared shirt with the top two buttons undone. The fabric sags, gaping open and exposing a full view of her ample cleavage. Immediately, my balls draw up and start to fill. She looks every bit the sassy, sexy secretary men drool over in their dreams.

When I enter the room, I take two steps to the side and signal Lucifer to stay. I’m spotted by a girl in the back that looks vaguely familiar. She freezes, and her mouth drops open. I put my finger to my lips and silently ‘shush’ her. She nods, but her hand waves frantically for the girl next to her to pay attention.

By the time I’m standing in front of Jorja’s desk with the flowers hidden behind my back, she's the only one unaware I’m there. Even Sidney's opened her door to watch. I give her a head nod, and she laughs.

I slowly start pushing Jorja’s laptop closed.

Her face flashes a frown. She's annoyed. When she looks up to discover who the fuck is fucking with her, I notice she's wearing dark brown eyeshadow with black eyeliner and dark red lipstick.

Goddamn, she is drop-dead gorgeous! Thank God I wore tight briefs today. Otherwise, the dragon wouldn’t be invisible.

Her expression changes instantly. Her mouth falls open.

“Sup, Juicy?”

Then back again to annoyed because … that name. She cuts her eyes to see if anyone overheard, and I smile at her sheepishly as I pull the flowers out from behind my back.

“This is me….” I lift my eyebrows. “You know.”

She smiles as “aahs” fill the room. Then she removes her earbuds and stands to take them.

Fuck me.Her white shirt is tucked into a red pencil skirt. Her hourglass curves accentuated perfectly. Her heels must be high because her tits and ass are posed superbly.

“They're beautiful. Thank you.” She sticks her nose into them and sniffs.

“You’re welcome. Are we doing lunch today?”

She glances up at the clock. “Yes. I was just about to text you. I had a loose end to tie up first, and I was unsure how long it would take me, but I’m finished. We can go.”

She unplugs her laptop and stuffs it in her satchel.

I reach for it. “I got this, Babe.”

She smiles at me, and I swear my heart tries to float away. I lift my arm as she walks around her desk, and she slides underneath as natural as if she had done it a thousand times before. Her hand skims along the arch of my back and comes to rest on my waist as I hug her tight to me. “So … Greer Vineyard’s tasting room?”

She tilts her face as we walk to Lucifer and the door. The warmth in her eyes stirs the lust in my loins, and I marvel at how she's always had that effect on me. “No. We would need a reservation for a private tasting room.”

---