Mortified he notices that I’m walking a little strangely, I feel my cheeks flush. “A little, but in a good way.”
I pull out the necessary undergarments and try not to squirm under the weight of his gaze as I put them on. He makes me feel naked, and not just the clothes-less kind of way. I feel like he can read my soul as he watches me.
“You should take a video,” I tease, trying to hide my discomfort.
His brow quirks. “Didn’t know you were into sex tapes.”
“Hardy, har, har.”
I stride past to go into my closet to find something to wear. I grab the first thing I see, a cream blouse, navy pants and a matching short jacket. It’s professional and stylish enough to make an appearance at Ted’s office.
When I put the blouse on, Andy, still shirtless, shakes his head. I turn away to sit in order to put on my pants. When I stand again, he’s holding a turtleneck up in my direction.
“I think this is better.”
I laugh wondering when I last wore that. It’s something I should have given away long ago. “Why is that?”
He walks over and places a finger above the top button of the blouse. It lands right at the crest of my cleavage.
“You have to know after last night, I’m not sharing you with anyone else.”
I glance up into unfathomable blue eyes. “I don’t share, either.” I place my index finger on his pec before sliding it across his nipple.
With only our fingertips on each other, I can almost hear the crackle of sexual energy pass between us.
“Don’t start something. Otherwise, you’ll have to call out sick today.”
I take the turtleneck from his hands and toss it to the side. “I wish I could, but I have a meeting today.”
“Important?”
“Yes. I have to go see Ted.” I don’t think about my words until his eyes darken. Quickly, I add, “I’m working on a project for him and I need to give him the first draft.”
I’ve been working my ass off on the accounting policies and procedures. Writing again, even though it’s a technically a manual of sorts and not an editorial piece, feels good.
I lean up to him and press my lips to his. “You have nothing to worry about.”
He stares at me for a minute. “I trust you. It’s him I don’t trust.”
“I trust you, too, and I can handle Ted.” I sigh. “I wish I could stay.”
“Let me take you to work. Maybe I should pay a visit to Ted and say hello.”
Something in his words almost sounds like a threat. I can’t imagine the two of them together. I don’t think Ted is interested in me anymore, but male pride could have them going at it just to prove a point.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I laugh, trying to play it off as I slip on my jacket.
“Okay, but I want to take you to lunch. I’ll hang out in DC today and meet you later.”
I pray he doesn’t run into Ted as I agree to his lunchtime plans.
On the way to the office, I can’t seem to tear my eyes off of Andy as he manipulates his car through the DC traffic. It reminds me of the way he handled my body last night, and a warm flush spreads over me.
“What has you so quiet over there?”
“Honestly?”
“Yeah.”
“Thinking about last night and how much I would have regretted if you walked out of my life. I want this to work.” I reach for his hand because I have this need to touch him. Again, I’m surprising myself.
A broad grin stretches out across his face. “That’s probably the best thing I’ve heard in a long time. Other than your lovely sexy sounds last night. And I plan to make sure I hear those on a regular basis.”
“Are you making me a promise?”
“Oh, you can count on it. Do you have an office with a door?”
The sexy cast of his eyes makes me cross my legs. My cheeks warm at the thought of office sex.”
“I don’t have an office here at this location. I’m working out of a cube.”
“We’ll have to get creative then.”
His hand slides up my thigh. I playfully slap it away.
“We won’t be having sex in Ted’s offices,” I laugh.
“Too bad, I’m sure we could teach him a thing or two.”
“You are so bad.”
I’m instantly looking very forward to meeting Andy for lunch today but I also hope to dodge the bullet of the two men meeting.
SECOND SEMESTER IS FLYING BY. I am angry with myself because I promised Jenna I would go to Key West for spring break with her. All I want to do is spend the week with Drew. She catches me pouting on more than one occasion.
“If you want to back out, it’s fine.”
“I don’t want to back out.”
“Look, Cate, you and I have been friends since what? Kindergarten? I know when you don’t want to do something. If you don’t want to go, I don’t want you to go. It won’t be any fun dragging you around to clubs and stuff with your lower lip hanging on the ground.”
“I’m not acting like that.”
“Uh huh, right.”
She’s right and I know it. I thrum my fingers on the table as she stares at me.