He tilts his head. “I did.”
Reality begins to reassert itself. I do some quick math, and I’m pretty sure I’m not ovulating—but I’m not on birth control, and he’s definitely not wearing a condom.
Slowly, I get to my feet. He kisses me gently.
“This is the wrong way to start a business arrangement, you know,” I say and start to adjust myself, getting my panties back into position even though they’re worthless at this point, trying to fix my hair in the dark.
“Probably, but I’ll admit, there’s not much better in this world than you coming on my cock and licking me clean after.”
I chew my lip, feeling a pulse of desire run through my core.
But no, I have to push that aside.
I disentangle myself from him and gently move toward the door.
“I want this to work. The business stuff, at least.” I hesitate, totally flustered. How am I supposed to turn this nightmare around? I’m so stupid, so freaking stupid. I fell for Baptist’s charm and now what am I going to do?
“I want it to work as well.”
“When I leave this door, we’re pretending like this never happened. You and me never—” I gesture in the air.
“Fucked. And fucked very well.”
“Right.” I blush and hope he can’t see it. “Everything from here on out will be professional. Can you do that?”
“I can do that.”
“Okay, good. When I open the door.” I clear my throat and stare down at the knob, wondering if sleeping with him was the mistake, or if leaving is.
“Webb.” He comes a step closer. “I meant what I said upstairs.”
“About having Cowan? I hope so. I’m about to blow up my life—”
“Not about him. But yes, he is on board.” He comes closer again, closer. “I meant it when I said I wantyou.”
I bite my lip and he leans down and kisses me. Gently, so gently. The passion’s still there, but muted now, like it’s fading away.
“One more time before you go,” he whispers and his lips brush mine.
I yank open the door and step into the hall.
It’s like throwing myself into a freezing cold pool. I have to do it quickly or else I’ll chicken out. I want to stay there with him and pretend like everything out here, out in the real world, doesn’t exist. I want to luxuriate in the fantasy we built.
But none of that is true.
I begin to walk away. He exits the supply closet behind me. “Webb.”
I look back. If there’s any indication of what we just did in his expression, I can’t see it at all. It’s like he really did leave it all behind that door.
“What’s up, Baptist?”
The ghost of a smile. I’m trying to be casual and I know I’m coming off like an idiot.
“Give Ansell your two weeks’ notice on Monday.”
“Are you serious? That soon?”
“Cowan wants to get moving. If you want to be a part of this—”