Page 42 of Devious Temptation
“We do them every quarter. It’s good for morale. Shows the employees that you care about their mental health. We usually pick something fun to do on the company dime. Last quarter, we rented out a bowling alley. This quarter, we’re doing an 80s-themed party at Sk8 Land.”
“Sk8 Land?” His brows shoot into his hairline. “That place is still open?”
“They renovated it, so it’s still pretty popular. The upstairs has an arcade and laser tag now.”
Lawson shakes his head incredulously. “And a bunch of adults want to have their company party there?”
A smirk pulls at my lips. “We like to have fun. I think dressing up in brightly-colored spandex and roller skating while drinking sounds like a great time.” When he doesn’t reply and fixes me with a flat glare, I continue, “Not all of us areold,Mr. Morgan. Some of us like to do more than work.”
Excitement flickers through me as his eyes darken at my playful words. Pressing Lawson’s buttons has become a game I can’t get enough of—one I want to become a champion at.
Triumph blooms throughout my chest as he says, “Oh, I know how to have fun, Lucy. Trust me, my kind of fun has nothing to do with glow sticks and rock music.”
I want to know what kind of fun that is, Lawson.
Heat melts down my spine as he stares at me, dragging his eyes down my body suggestively. I’m aware that my bright pink shift dress isn’t exactly office wear, but then again, most of my closet isn’t exactly office-appropriate. Chadwick never had an issue with my wardrobe. But as Lawson takes in every dip and curve, I press my thighs together to try to quell the wetness gathering between them, and it occurs to me that perhaps I might need to go shopping.
His attention abruptly goes to his computer screen. “Use whatever you need for catering, within reason.”
Whatever heat had been growing between us quickly dies as he dismisses me, making me wonder if I should just invest in a neck brace. I turn and leave his office without a word, leaving the door cracked so that we don’t have to stare at each other.
I work until lunch, finalizing everything for the party and ordering the last piece of my outfit. Justin and Anna stop by briefly to ask if we’re all still planning on going together. Mike hasn’t spoken a word to me all day, and I bet he’s embarrassed about how he acted with Jules on Friday, so I leave him to lick his wounds. According to Justin, Jules went to Mike’s place and left right after they slept together, bruising his overinflated ego.
It’s about time someone knocked him down a peg.
As soon as the clock hits noon, I grab my purse and shut down my computer. I don’t feel like eating at the café downstairs, and I’m in dire need of groceries, so no packed lunch. What I need is fresh air and space from the man I can’t stop thinking about, which means the little restaurant a few blocks away with the best pecan-crusted chicken and pear salad is the perfect solution.
“Will you grab me a sandwich when you go downstairs, please?” Lawson calls out as I walk past his door.
I pop my head in and state, “I’m not eating downstairs. I’m going out to grab lunch. I can bring you back something if you’d like?”
Lawson stands unexpectedly, grabbing his phone and slipping it into his pocket. “That sounds like a great idea. I’ll go with you.”
I blink. “That… that wasn’t an invitation to join me.”
I need space, not an entire uninterrupted hour with him.
But his hand is already on the small of my back as he ushers me down the hall, sparking tingles throughout my body. Being this close to him keeps me in a permanent state of arousal, and I hate it. It isn’t fair.
In fact, it downright pisses me off.
“I don’t get you, Lawson,” I snap when we step onto the sidewalk. The sun beams down on us, warming my skin as a light breeze ruffles my hair. As we walk, I search for my sunglasses, thankful for something to shield my gaze because if looks could kill, Lawson would be fatally wounded by now.
“I know. I’m sorry for what happened on Friday. Jules is the one who wanted to join you for drinks. Trust me, I wanted to stay away.”
His words send new angry and offended sparks through me. “Am I that disgusting to you?”
“What?” He grabs my arm to pull me to a stop. “Why on earth would you think that? I don’t think you’re disgusting at all, Lucy.”
“Well, whatisyour problem then? You’re rude, and then you… you act as if you want me. You act jealous of Mike and the guy at the bar, yet when you have the opportunity, you don’t take it. You say you’re a different man, Lawson, but whoever this man is…” I gesture down his body and pull my arm from his grip. “…I don’t think I like him very much.”
I resume walking, and he follows, hot on my heels. “What would you have me do, Lucy? You are young enough to be my kid,andyou work for me now.”
“You sound like a broken record. And if that was the case, then why unblock me on Iconic? Why like a photo from years ago?” When we get to the restaurant, I push the door open more forcefully than necessary and run straight into a solid block of muscle.
“Whoa there,” a familiar voice rings out as warm hands encircle my biceps to steady me.
Looking up, I see Dr. Gavin Russo smiling down at me—my gynecologist. All my anger dissipates as I cordially greet the man I’ve entrusted my female health to for the last two years. “Dr. Russo, what are you doing here?”
