Page 7 of Seductive Architect
“I’m glad I could—” The box in my hand shook violently. It grew louder as I reached out with my powers. Was it a bomb? A device used to steal proprietary secrets? It had simple mechanics. Barely a computer to speak with. Its only job was to turn on and off and… vibrate.
“Oh, no! Did I break it?”
My eyes went wide as my face went thermonuclear. “Oh. Uhm. Stop. I said stop.” Basic mechanics didn’t converse like Connie or the printer. They were stubborn and single-focused.
“Is it malfunctioning? I can return it.”
I panicked while Hudson worried he was at fault. Of course, Connie wasn’t anywhere to be found. I stood there holding a sex toy, trying to stop it before this stud figured it out. More importantly, why in the hell had this been delivered to my office?
I shook the box, trying desperately to make it stop. “It’s not mine. I swear. I didn’t order?—”
“If it’s broken, I’ll pay to have it replaced.” Hudson, you’re sweet… aloof, but sweet. He held out his hand. Still noidea. Please, for the love of everything holy, make it stop. “I swear, I’m so sorry.” While I debated chucking it out the window, his eyes couldn’t be more sincere. I hoped he didn’t realize I held a?—
“Janet!” Only one person would dare have their personal mail shipped here. Of course, she lied and used my name so Arthur wouldn’t catch her. “Janet!”
Hudson smirked. Had he figured it out? Did he think I kept a desk full of vibrators? No matter how much I tried to control the device, it refused. It had one job, and it was going to vibrate until it ran out of battery. Would it become a running gag in the mail room? Would he ask if I had a wild night while waggling his eyebrows?
Janet stormed past, shoving Hudson against the doorframe. Huffing and puffing, she snatched the box. Pressing it against her chest, her eyes narrowed. “Orion, how many times have we told you no sex toys in the office?”
My jaw dropped. I’d kill her in her sleep.
“I’m going to have to confiscate this.” She flashed a smile. “Oh, wow! It sounds like you got the extra strength tickler with enhanced durability and turbo mode. Smart man!”
Hudson’s eyes lit up for a moment. “Oh!” With grace, he rolled with the punches. “Turbo mode, huh? I look forward to your review.”
His response left me speechless. The calm in his voice was almost unsettling. As for Janet, I’d rally everyelectronic device against her. From her blow-dryer to her cell phone, I’d lead a revolution until she begged for mercy. Maybe I could bribe Drew to change the color of her face so she looked like a surprised clown?
“Besides…” She turned and walked to the door, giving Hudson a slow and tedious up-and-down. “Looks like you won’t need this.” She gave Hudson a quiet growl.
Death. Twice. At minimum.
“Sorry—”
“She’s fun,” he said, watching her vanish down the hallway. He chuckled, but it didn’t feel as if it was at my expense. “I’ll have to add delivery of sex toys to my list.”
“What’s this list? Do you mean a journal?”
“I keep a list of ‘Firsts.’ I don’t want to forget the good stuff. There will be a lot to add today, thanks.” What was that feeling in my stomach? Pride? Satisfaction? Like me, he documented the world. I did it to suss out the injustices in the world. He did it to catalogue his experiences. I found myself curious… what other firsts could I share with him?
Hudson gave a slight nod and a quick wave. “I should get back to work.”
Most people lied without thinking. I couldn’t quite explain it, but my new friend didn’t even seem capable of it. That was… unsettling.
He walked away, and the last whispers of Synergy code vanished. I moved to watch him walk down the hallway. Something about him struck me as off. However, the curvesof his ass, those were extremelyon. Tonight, when I got home, I’d spare a few minutes researching our mailroom clerk. I couldn’t be too safe. If nothing else, maybe I’d find some security cam footage of him lounging in a Speedo by the pool.
“Well, that was awkward,” Connie said. At least she didn’t make my hands sweat. Of course, she didn’t smell like a burly powerhouse, either.
“Hush.” Hudson might be a threat to our security. But also? That ass. “Let’s get back to work.”
3
Wyatt:Friend, I can fly you home.
Drew: I’d happily give you a lift.
Orion: Appreciated, I still have work to do.
Arthur: Go home. You can’t work all night.
