It wasn’t awkward between us afterward, unlike New Year’s Eve. I stayed silent, watching her as she stood, retrieved her underwear from the floor, and stepped into it. My gaze was glued to her legs as the fabric rose and disappeared beneath her skirt. Once it was done, I lifted my focus to her flushed face. Was she . . . glowing?
Okay, get dressed as quick as possible and get a fucking hold of yourself.
I did up my pants and came to my feet, feeling marginally in control. Pulling out my phone helped as well. I punched in her name as a new contact. “I was thinking dinner at seven thirty. What’s your number?”
The glow I thought I saw disappeared. “It’s the same one I’ve always had.”
Well, shit. The awkwardness hit us like a surprise subpoena.
She snatched the phone from my hand and thumbed out the numbers, then passed it back with a plain look. “Okay, there you go, partner.”
“Thanks.” I pocketed it, and then my hands moved of their own volition. Inaction wasn’t going to be a problem today. I slipped an arm around her, pulling her against me, and kissed her. It allowed me to feel the jolt of surprise that ran through her, but she softened in my embrace, molding her body to mine.
I’d just had satisfaction, and yet I couldn’t wait until there were no clothes between us, and a bed was beneath our bodies. Couldn’t get enough of her.
Pace yourself. I pulled back, enjoying the affected look in her dazed eyes. “Let me get you your copy of the agreement.”
I left her standing there and went behind my desk, pulled out the staple from the pages, and shoved them in the top tray of my all-in-one printer.
Ruby shifted her weight from one foot to the other, and didn’t seem to know what to do with her hands. Visibly anxious. The scanner warmed up and pages rolled through the machine with a mechanical whine.
“Why have you only slept with three women since me?” she said.
I drew in a breath, grabbed the warm copies, and held the pages out to her. “Why have you only slept with three guys since me?”
She took the papers. “I asked first.”
“You did, but I’m not going to discuss it.”
Her tone was innocuous, feigning confusion. “Hey, what is this, right here?” She pointed to the line I’d handwritten about honesty. “I can’t seem to read it.”
“I understand what you’re saying, but I can’t talk about it.” I gave her a stern look before I went to the door and put my hand on the doorknob. Her clothes were back in place. The cute ball of hair at the crown of her head was undamaged, other than a few lose strands that framed her face. Unless someone had heard, no one would know what we’d been up to in here.
“We had a deal—”
“We have a deal,” I corrected. When I opened my door, it forced her to grab her briefcase and shove the agreement inside. “I’m sorry I can’t answer your question.”
“Why not?”
The muscle along my jaw flexed. “Because it’s a violation of the final paragraph.”
Her eyes went wide. “What?”
I ignored her shock and pressed on. “Thanks so much for coming, Ms. Carter.” Did she enjoy the innuendo as much as I did? “I’m looking forward to our next meeting. Until then.”
Chapter
EIGHTEEN
RUBY
I’d lied when I told Kyle I had plans tonight. Well, kind of. A new five-pound sack of almond flour was waiting for me on my doorstep, packaged in a box from Costco. I’d ordered it yesterday, sure I was going to need it after my mystery meeting with him. And then my sister had called and asked if I’d be willing to make her three batches for her coworkers.
I left the box unopened on my counter.
Holy shit. I’d signed the agreement with my ex for on-demand sex, but not love. I needed to shower and shave all the things, and while I dragged the razor over my legs, I tried to think about how stupid I was being, or how ridiculously fast I’d caved.
His text message came as I was flat-ironing my hair. He wanted to pick me up, but needed my address, and I used the opportunity to ask if the dress for our ‘meeting’ was business casual.