Page 158 of The Playboy

Casual was a look I’d gotten used to on him, one that had fit in well with Hawaii.

But this version that was starched, polished, and professionally spicy was the pure definition of business sexy.

And if it were any other morning, I was positive I’d be begging him to lift me onto the counter and dominate my body while still keeping that suit on.

But that was for a different day.

Today, I was a bundle of anxiousness.

“Nervous.” I took a deep breath. “I don’t know anything about any of the people I’ll be working with, and getting to meet them and learning their work styles, it’s always a big adjustment.” The thought of that alone made my nerves double. “All I have from HR is the location of my desk and a breakdown of my schedule and that my first meeting is with my manager at eight o’clock.” I glanced at the gorgeous Rolex on my wrist. “Which is in forty minutes.” I felt my face drain of all its color. “Shit, I have to go.”

“Don’t worry. It’ll only take us ten minutes to drive there. That’ll give you plenty of time to get settled before your meeting.”

The anxiety in my chest made everything feel so tight and achy and jittery. “About that.” I set my hand over his heart, the edge of his tie tickling my skin. “Would you be upset if we drove there separately?”

“No.” He paused. “But I’m curious why you don’t want to go to work with me.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to. I just …”

I lifted my hand to his face. He’d trimmed his beard in the bathroom this morning—him at one of the double sinks, me curling my hair at the other. His quietness the entire time showed me that, on workdays, he just wasn’t a morning person. At least that was what I assumed. But what the situation had also made me realize was that this getting-ready-for-work-together life was going to become our new normal.

“I don’t feel super comfortable showing up with one of the bosses on the first day. If anyone sees us walk in together, word will spread, just like any other workplace, and there’s a chance my team could treat me differently.” That didn’t sound the same as it had in my head, so I felt the need to add, “I don’t want to hide our relationship—that’s not the case at all. I just want their respect, Macon. I want everyone’s respect. Especially on day one.” I combed my fingers through his thick whiskers. “Please don’t be mad or upset—that’s the last thing I want.”

His thumb stroked my side, causing my back to arch. “One of the things I love about you is your independence. You want to do it on your own, and I find that not only so fucking hot, but also admirable.” He leaned down, his lips now close to mine. “I understand, Brooklyn, and I would never be mad or upset about this.” He gently kissed me. “I’m so proud of you and what I know you’re going to accomplish for our company.”

I felt the relief instantly, not enough to take the flutters away, but enough that I knew I didn’t have to worry about the ramifications of this conversation. “Thank you.” I set both arms on his shoulders. “I hope I get to see you at some point today.”

He tugged at my lip as though he was trying to tease himself. “You’ll see me today, Brooklyn.”

“Perfect.” I stood taller on my toes and gave him a kiss. “I’m going to get going.”

He stole a few more kisses, like this was the last time he’d ever lay his lips on me and he just didn’t want to let me go. When I pulled back, I adjusted the bag on my shoulder, and I gave him a squeeze before I made my way toward the door.

“Kill it today, baby.”

I glanced behind me, smiling. “I will.”

And then I walked outside and climbed into the front seat of my new Jeep.

A vehicle so nice that I couldn’t believe it was mine.

That I could afford the payments.

That living in LA, rotating between my home at the hotel and Macon’s mansion in the Hills, had become my life, how amazingly perfect it all felt and how lucky I was.

That I was working my way through the certification course, and within a couple of months, I would be the only Six Sigma–certified employee at Spade Hotels.

Right before I turned out of Macon’s driveway, still getting used to the feel and drive of an SUV, I dug through my bag until I found my purse, located Jesse in my Contacts, and hit Call.

I knew my sisters were still sleeping. Kauai was three hours behind LA, but I’d promised I’d call them on my way to work regardless of the time.

“Good morning,” Jesse rasped as she answered. “Hold on a sec. I need to put you on speaker.” I heard her in the background, telling Clem to wake up. “Okay, we’re both here. Hi!”

“Morning, guys. I’m officially on my way to work andahhh!”

“How do you feel?” Clem asked, her voice as raspy as Jesse’s, making me feel awful that I’d woken them. “Did you eat any breakfast before you left Macon’s?”

“No breakfast. I’m too nervous to eat,” I told them. “But I had coffee while I was getting ready, and I’ll grab something at work if I get hungry. I saw the kitchen during my tour, and there’s tons of food always available—they employ a full-time chef to feed everyone.”

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