Page 66 of Behind the Net

No package on the floor. My pulse beats in my ears. I’m not in the clear yet—it could be inside or with the concierge downstairs.

Inside the apartment, it’s quiet. Daisy trots over, tail wagging, and I absentmindedly pick her up, petting her while scanning the apartment, opening the cupboard below the sink to check the recycling.

No Pippa. No package. No empty box. A quick call downstairs confirms they didn’t receive a package either. Relief eases through me, and the knots in my gut untie, one by one.

It hasn’t arrived yet. I sigh and lean back against the front door to catch my breath. I just aged a decade. I give Daisy one more scratch before setting her down, and she returns to the couch and goes back to sleep. As my pulse slows, I scrub a hand down my face.

That was so fucking close. Too close.

In the upstairs hallway, I’m heading to my room to change out of my suit when a noise stops me in my tracks. A gasp. I stare at Pippa’s door.

A fast, rhythmic tapping sound, like a whir, followed by a breathy moan.

All the blood in my body rushes to my cock. I didn’t beat the toy home. It got here before me, and my pretty assistant is currently using it in her bedroom.

CHAPTER32

PIPPA

Wave after waveof intense pleasure radiates from where I press the toy against my clit. I’m shaking, back arching off the bed, muscles taut, mouth open with my eyes clenched closed as I ride out the most intense orgasm of my life.

When I can’t take it anymore, I turn the toy off and collapse back into the pillows, catching my breath.

That was… amazing. I lift my head and stare at the toy Hazel sent me. My mind is blown. Floaty, relaxed feelings flow through my body, and I huff a laugh.

That thing worked, andfast. Maybe I’m not broken after all. I bite my lip, grinning to myself. Thinking about Jamie while I used it made everything more intense.

So I have a little crush on him. I always have. I’m not going to do anything about it. I take a sobering breath and get dressed before heading downstairs.

Jamie’s in the kitchen, unloading the dishwasher, looking absolutely fucking delicious in athletic pants and a gray long-sleeved shirt. Something about the way the thin fabric clings to his chest and shoulders makes me want to run back upstairs and use the toy all over again.

I break into a huge smile. “You’re home.”

This week, I texted him that Daisy missed him, but the truth is,Imissed him.

He watches me with an expression I can’t discern as I walk over and wrap my arms around him in a hug. It isn’t until my face is pressed against his chest and my eyes fall closed that I realize maybe this isn’t how most assistants greet their bosses.

I can’t find the energy to care, though. Using that toy wiped me out.

“How was your flight?”

When I step back, Jamie won’t meet my eyes, and his cheekbones are flushed. He shifts away from me, folding his arms over his chest. “Fine. Good.”

“Good.” I smile at him again.

I’m just feeling so relaxed. Hazel will be so smug, and I’m going to buy her flowers as a thank you. No, the whole flower shop. Every damn flower in the place.

I watch Jamie’s Adam’s apple as it bobs. His gaze darts to mine before he closes his eyes, frowning.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“Fine,” he manages before storming upstairs.

I raise an eyebrow, watching his tall, strong form as he disappears. “Grumpy,” I call after him.

His door slams, and when I return to my room a few minutes later to grab something, I hear his shower running. He must be tired from traveling or something.

I open my bedside drawer, where I stashed the toy, and grin to myself. I’m going to use it again tonight.

---