1
Ella
I passed the spot where Josh and I first met, and a surge of happiness filled me.
Who would have thought that the first man I literally ran into in Manhattan would be the man I would fall for and would spend my days and nights with? I sure didn't expect it, but as I walked along the sidewalk towards the Macintyre building, I smiled to myself remembering our first encounter. This time, I crossed the street at the crosswalk and went to my favorite coffee shop for my morning cup of java, and when I came back, sure enough, Josh was on his bike, riding up the street -- in the bike lane.
I stopped and waited for him on the sidewalk.
"Fancy meeting you here," I said when he arrived at my side. "Even snow won't stop you from riding that thing."
"I laugh at snow," he said and removed his helmet for a kiss. "We're going to have to stop meeting like this."
I leaned in and pressed my lips against his, smiling the whole time while a zing of desire for him flashed through my body.
"You're the boss," I replied.
"Don't say that," he said and shook his head. "I've recused myself from all matters on the book publishing side of the business now that Rob Kennedy has finally taken over. I'm totally focused on The Chronicle and keeping MBS afloat. You won't see me around except maybe once a year when I come by for a board meeting."
I pouted. "No more copier room smooches?"
He laughed. "Well, I can't promise that. I might be tempted to come down for more smooches for you in the copier room or hallways when people are busy. And," he said and slipped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer. "If you accept my invitation to stay with me now and then at my apartment, there will be much much more. Like tonight, for example."
“I’ll be happy to accept your invitation.”
"You have a standing invitation,” he said. “Any night you feel like sleeping in my huge bed, you're welcome."
He kissed me, and this time, it was more passionate. For a moment, I lost myself in him, in the sensation of his lips on mine, his tongue touching mine.
We pulled back and stared into each other's eyes.
"Damn, woman," he said under his breath. "We just got finished less than an hour ago and I already want more."
I smiled coyly. "Sorry, Mr. Macintyre, Sir. I have a job to do."
"You do love to tease me," he said as I deliberately flounced off with a flick of my hair and walked towards the building entrance. I arrived at the front doors with him in tow, his bike at his side.
"I do," I said and blew him a very tiny kiss, just in case any of his other staff or business associates were around. I didn't want to embarrass him. We took the elevator up to Macintyre Publishing's offices and he kissed me once more when the doors opened, and we saw we were alone.
The kiss went on and on, and we got away with no one else riding on the elevator with us until my floor.
"Later," he said and pointed to me. "I need my fix."
"Don't worry," I replied and smiled as the elevator doors closed. "You'll get yours."
I popped my head in to see Sharon on my way to my office. We had a meeting in a half hour and I wanted to make sure it was going forward.
"Good morning," I said. "Are we on for eight thirty?"
She glanced up from her desk and gave me a smile. "We are. Bring your best choices and we'll go over them."
"See you at eight thirty."
I went to my office, which was now starting to look like a person worked there and not a makeshift room with a desk and plastic sheeting. I had a different desk now, with a hutch and ergonomic chair, plus my own filing cabinet and a chair for any visitors. The office was tiny, but it had an actual door and a window, looking out over the building beside ours.