Page 10 of Tempted

The cubicles were ashen ivory and were just high enough to encourage colleagues to remain focused on work instead of socializing. I’d spent two years working at one before I was finally able to secure my own office.

Turning the corner, I walked into my office, dropped my heels on the desk, and looked out at the city. Being this high, nestled in the clouds, made me feel like absolutely anything was possible.

The day that I was promoted and given this office, Hugh and I spent a week straight sitting at this window and taking it all in. Three of those nights, Karl the fog rolled in and shrouded the city, but that didn’t stop us from demolishing six bottles of champagne, chatting and laughing about life.

My fingers found their way back to my lips, still sensitive from Hugh’s bruising kisses. The longer I stood there, feeling like I was on top of the world, the bolder I felt. A plan started to form.

I left my heels and padded two doors down to Hugh’s corner office. The light was coming through the door. It was dim, but I felt drawn to it like a moth.There’s a joke about Icarus here, I thought, as I walked in.

His office, unlike the rest of the floor, felt masculine. Photos of him and a few founders lined his bookshelf, along with plaques that commemorated the date of their exit. This was the dream – facilitating an exit for a phenomenal startup with the right supportive investors – and he’d already done it so many times.

Hugh was standing at his panoramic view, looking out at the Bay.

“Ruminating on your plans to take out 007?” I asked, moving to stand beside him.

He let out a low chuckle. “I was thinking about the first time I met you. You walked in, almost like you were apologizing. John called you Denisha and you let the beast out.”

Now it was my turn to laugh. The man had thought it was a funny joke.

“That man learned that day. And I had the honor of making Shana from HR’s acquaintance after I eviscerated him.”

“He ordered fries, and you gave him a combo,” Hugh said.

“And supersized it.”

We laughed and I was relieved. Things were different now, but they were still the same. Speaking of the same, we needed to talk before everything started.

“I have terms,” I said.

“Of course, that’s expected,” Hugh replied and turned to look at me.

“This is all a little–”

“Kinky.”

“Kinky,” I agreed. “I mean, I love the element of surprise, but we should talk about it.”

“We can do that. What else?”

I put a little distance between us and started to pace. This was going to be a harder sell, especially with the way he kept staring at my mouth instead of making eye contact.

“I think we should put a clock on it. Tonight. Just tonight.” I turned and watched a flash of hurt cross his face before his face went blank.

“You’re having second thoughts –”

“No, no. I’m not.” I walked over and stopped myself from reaching for him, wringing my hands in front of me instead.

“You’re important to me and I value us. I don’t want that to change. We take one night, put everything out on the table, and then Monday morning it’s business as usual.” I spoke quickly, trying to be specific and honest and hoping that he understood my reasoning.

Hugh was quiet as he turned his gaze back out the window.

The silence was hanging between us, and I fought hard not to fill it. Instead, I looked back out at the city glinting below us.

Even though the night was breezy and unusually cold, it was clear, and I could see past Belvedere Island.

“Two,” Hugh said, his eyes continuing to scan the city skyline, deep in thought. “Two nights. Tonight, and another night of our choosing.”

Rules were working for me. Negotiating helped me shake out the nerves and see this as it was: a business deal with a side of orgasms. Having this conversation, putting parameters around this, it was – hot?

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