Page 30 of Love to Hate You

I nod and then realize he can’t hear my head bob. “Sure.”

“Meet you at the elevator.”

I hang up and reach down for my purse and briefcase. On my way out, I smooth a hand over my slicked-back hair and round it over the neat bun at the base of my neck. I may not be in control of my libido, but I can certainly control my flyways.

Nash waits down by the elevator and we step inside when it arrives. The bound presentation, 30 in total, has already been sent to Jordan’s office. Now it’s up to us to impress him and his board so they buy TB Tech’s latest software that will make their lives easier.

I’m quiet on the drive over and grateful that Nash doesn’t mention anything about last night. I have to keep my head in the game and focus on snagging Lowe’s company as a client.

After he parks in the garage, we get out and head up to face Jordan and his uptight partners. As usual, Jordan is extremely welcoming, and he holds my hand a moment too long when we shake. From the corner of my eye, I can see Nash tense and my stomach does a little series of flips.Is Nash jealous?It’s crazy to even think.

After introducing us to his board members, Jordan gives us the floor and Nash and I begin the presentation. As we talk about TB Tech’s newest software and how advantageous it is in the workplace, I realize how easy it is to present with him. We have this natural back and forth flow going and I’ve never had a presentation go this smoothly before. There’s an easy banter between us and by the end, we’ve got several people chuckling.

Then, to my utter disbelief, Jordan and the others clap after we finish. Amazed, I look over at Nash and he grins. No one has any questions– we literally covered it all– but everyone comes up and shakes our hand.

“Great job,” Jordan says in a low voice near my ear. Startled, I abruptly turn around and nearly bump right into him. With a laugh, he grasps my elbow to steady me. “We still need to take a formal vote, but I have a feeling the decision to buy your new software will be unanimous.”

“Thank you,” I say.

Jordan looks from me over to Nash who speaks with someone. “You two have quite the chemistry.”

I can feel my face burn. “We worked hard on this,” I say, trying to act like I don’t know what he’s talking about. “I’m glad it showed.”

“Oh, it showed,” he says with a smirk.

Oh, God. Embarrassment fills me and I am ready to get out of here. When we finally find ourselves back in Nash’s Tesla, I slump down into the seat and let out a happy sigh. “That went amazing,” I say.

“Beyond amazing,” Nash agrees. “So well in fact that I think we should go out and celebrate. I know a great place not far away.”

I sit up straight. “That’s probably not the best idea.”

“Why not? We worked hard and deserve it. C’mon, Langley. One drink,” he coaxes.

One drink somehow turns into five and three hours later, I can’t stop laughing. At what, I’m not even sure. I just know that tonight has been the night when I’ve had the most fun in a long time and I needed it. Nash is entertaining as hell and when he turns the charm on, it lights up the room.

“Lowe really seems to like you,” he says and takes a sip of his whiskey.

“Lowe is a client. Well, practically,” I say with a chuckle.

“So, what’s that mean? He’s off limits? Like me?”

The atmosphere suddenly shifts and I’m buzzing like crazy off the alcohol from my martinis. I refuse to let anything dampen my mood and I’m feeling bolder than usual. We’re in a dark corner and no one is paying us any attention, so I scoot closer and lay a hand on his thigh beneath the table.

“Maybe you shouldn’t be,” I whisper. “Off-limits, I mean.” I let my hand glide up and rest far too close to the danger zone.

“Don’t say it if you don’t mean it,” Nash says, voice low and strained.

“I can’t help it,” I admit, letting the alcohol talk for me and say things I wouldn’t dare say if I were sober. “We work well together in the boardroom and now I’m curious.”

“About?”

“How well we’d work together in the bedroom.” There. I say it and he grabs my chin, lifts it and captures my mouth in a heated kiss. Oh, God, it’s hot and I don’t mean to, but my hand covers the very large bulge pressing against his zipper.

I let it linger there, feeling how big he is, and when I finally pull it away, Nash utters a low groan.

“Let’s go,” he says and readjusts himself as he slides out of the booth, pulling me with him. I can’t help but laugh at his sudden determination to get out of here. He pushes through the crowd of people, tugging me along behind him and then out the front door.

The second we’re outside, I inhale a deep breath, wondering if the fresh air will help clear my spinning head, when suddenly Nash pins me against the building and kisses me senseless. So much for clearing my head, I think, dizzier than before.

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