I take the stylus and sign the electronic tablet before he hands me the fanciest two boxes I’ve ever seen in person. Honestly, they look like they belong in a Christmas movie. Both boxes are white, one rather flat and square, while the other is smaller and more rectangular. Both boxes are adorned with beautiful gold ribbons made of a cloth with almost real looking golden strands woven throughout.
There’s no card attached to either one, but they couldn’t be from anyone except Archer. Who else in my life would know where you could order something like this, let alone afford it? I glance behind me and see that he’s still on his conference call.
I lift the top off the larger box and nearly drop the lid. The inside is all tissue paper and iridescent white and pink sequins. I pull the material out of the box and reveal a one shouldered mini-dress complete with a blush-colored bow over the shoulder.
Carefully setting the dress aside, I pick up the second box and pull off the lid. Settled gently inside is a beautiful pair of Badgley Mischka nude kitten heels covered in rhinestones.
I glance at the sizes on both and they are on point. How he figured that out, I don’t know. I don’t think that I would ever pick out either of these items for myself. They both scream “look at me.” I’m usually much more comfortable in a little black dress blending into the background. Not only are these beautiful and expensive, but Archer got them for me.
Frankly, I can’t wait for him to see me in this dress. I place everything back in their designated boxes and store them under my desk. I don’t need anyone coming by and asking uncomfortable questions I’m not prepared to answer.
The intercom on my desk buzzes alerting me Archer needs something.
“Yes?”
“Miss. Simmons, will you come into my office a moment, please?”
“Of course.” I switch off the intercom and grab my notepad and pen to take notes. Are we already back to Miss. Simmons? There’s a drop of fear in the pit of my stomach. Has he decided that last night was a mistake? Then why send me the dress? Now that I’ve finally admitted to myself that I’m in love with him, the thought of him rejecting me makes me want to curl up in the corner of the office in the fetal position. Steeling myself for whatever he has to dish out, I head into his office.
“Close the door behind you,” he says as I pass over the threshold. With a gulp, I pull the door closed and make my way over to his desk. He’s gazing at me with an expression that I can’t figure out. Suddenly, he pushes back his chair and makes it over to me in three long strides, pulling me into his arms, his lips capturing mine in a searing kiss. My body sags against him in relief and I return his kiss with my own.
“I didn’t have time to say good morning,” he whispers in my ear once he’s done devouring me. I’m not sure if it’s the relief that nothing’s changed since this morning or the fact he’s now got me turned on beyond belief, but I’m absolutely giddy.
“I’m pretty sure you said that to me this morning at your place,” I tease him, not bothering to pull away from him. It feels too good to be wrapped in his arms. If I could be anywhere in the world right now, I wouldn’t choose anywhere else.
He takes his time, gently stroking a path up and down my spine, giving me goosebumps even through my blouse. I take the time to enjoy this moment of him holding me like I’m something precious before I lean back and catch his eyes on me.
“I got the dress.”
“Oh, yeah?” he asks, his face lighting up. “Do you like it? If you don’t, I can get you something else.”
“No, it’s perfect,” I reassure him. “How did you know my sizes?”
At that, he looks sheepish and pushes a lock of my hair that’s escaped my sensible work bun back behind my ear. “I might have taken a peek at your clothes from last night while you were in the shower.”
“Smart. Sneaky, but smart.” I lightly slap his arm. “Have you heard from Caroline DuPont yet?”
Archer releases me and takes a step back. It looks like he’s back to business mode, which is probably a good thing. A few more minutes engulfed in him and I would be panting with need.
“Not yet, but her team would probably contact Richard first. We still have plenty of time if you want to spend the afternoon doing anything else…” He raises a devilish eyebrow at me that shows we’re notcompletelyback in business mode.
“Oh, no you don’t,” I tell him, heading back to my desk. “I’ve got a ton of things to do today, plus I have to go home and get ready for the dinner tonight.”
His arm snakes around my waist from behind and he draws me up against him before I can make it out the door. His hard dick is pressing against my back and it takes every ounce of self-control I have not to push him to the ground and straddle him in the middle of the office.
“Why don’t you go home for the rest of the day? Consider it flex time since you have to work tonight.”
I give out a laugh at that. “Somehow, I don’t think it’s going to feel much like work.” Turning, I plant a quick kiss on his lips. “Besides, don’t you need me here?”
“You’ve already spent more time than your fair share working on the proposal, and there’s nothing that can’t wait until Monday. We probably won’t even hear from Mrs. DuPont today. Go home, relax, and take your time getting ready. I’ll pick you up at six.”
“Who am I to argue with the boss when he wants to give me time off?” My hands slip inside his suit jacket and begin wandering his muscular back. I really should get going before things get out of hand.
After one last, passionate kiss to tide us over, I pack up my desk, grabbing my brand new dress and shoes, before heading home.
Tonight feels like the start of something. Something bigger than either he or I alone. It feels like the start of us.
Twenty