He dropped his chin onto the top of her head, and his quiet fuck echoed through her skull. “Figures.” He stepped away. “Sorry.”
“No worries.” Did she sound calm? Damn it, she didn’t feel it. She hopped off the desk and straightened her clothes. If only she could as easily smooth over her soaring blood pressure. She ran her hands through her hair, even though he hadn’t touched it, and dropped back into the chair. Her crossed legs didn’t stifle the insistent need between them.
Zach closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and adjusted his slacks before unlocking and opening the door. “What’s up?” His question was casual, any traces of his earlier growls gone as he let Scott in.
Rae twisted in her seat, arm draping over the back so she could watch the exchange. Did she look as casual as Zach did? There was no way the torrent of emotions pouring through her was staying off her face. Would the flush of her lips show? At least she hadn’t reapplied her lip-gloss after lunch. That would be smeared everywhere. Was her chest heaving as she searched for missing breaths?
Scott looked between the two, brow raised. “Did I interrupt something?”
“Nope.” Zach gestured to the empty seat next to Rae.
She failed to ignore the sting that flitted through her at the casual denial, but what did she expect? She certainly hadn’t planned on telling anyone, and that was even if something had happened.
“Just trying to reach an agreement.” Zach dropped into his own seat. “Playing nice, burying the hatchet, all that.”
“I thought you already did that.” Scott didn’t sit. Instead, his footsteps carried him to the far side of the room before he spun on his heel and headed back toward the door. “Just got off the phone with Vance. They’ll be in the office tomorrow instead of Wednesday.”
One of the executives from Digital Media, and as Rae understood, about the most foul word anyone in the office could use. She rose, still squeezing her legs together to suppress her body’s pleading. “That’s my cue.” She couldn’t bring herself to meet Zach’s gaze. Instead, she looked at Scott. “Call me.”
“Yeah.” Scott sounded distracted.
After leaving Zach’s office, she took the stairs as quickly as possible and then cut straight for the parking garage, not sure she could face anyone until she found more composure. What the hell had she been doing? Halfway to her car, her phone vibrated in her purse, startling her. After fumbling to swipe her passcode, she opened the message from Zach.
Yes or no?
The simple question all but flashed at her, obliterating any chance she had of finding her center any time soon.
She moved her fingers with more self-assurance than the entire rest of her held, defying her indecision, and after a brief hesitation, hit Send.
Yes.
Chapter Six
Zach paced on the sidewalk outside the restaurant. They’d survived day one of DM checking out operations. He took a drag off his cigarette and glanced at his watch again. Looking at the time every thirty seconds didn’t speed anything up, but he didn't know what else to do. Protocol meant Zach and Scott were obliged to take their guests out for the evening, get to know them off the clock, and play nice.
He didn't want to play nice with the people stealing their company. He dragged his fingers through his hair. At least Selina, the head of HR, had been pleasant to look at and fun to flirt with. An evening breeze brushed his skin, but didn't chase away the heat of frustration.
Car exhaust mixed with the sickly sweet aroma of the purple and red flowers lining the walkway. The smell wasn't so much relaxing as it was nauseating.
Vance, chief technology officer at DM, made passive-aggressive comments from the moment he arrived in the office that morning. Zach closed his eyes and breathed in. The older man encouraged Zach and Scott to bring along their significant others when they went out, a hint of laughter in the suggestion. Zach assumed Vance thought it was amusing based on the whole video-of-Zach’s-girlfriend-dumping-him-at-E3-went-viral thing that landed them this situation.
Zach hadn't been with anyone for more than a night since Kelly left. Hell, he hadn’t even been in the mood to call Bonnie the waitress. There was no way Vance knew that, but the invitation made it feel like he did. It was a shame Zach couldn’t ask Rae.
He cringed. That was a bad train of thought to loiter on. She was the last thing he needed hanging over him right now. The memory of her skin against his. The taste of her kisses. His cock stirred at the reminder of being pressed against her heat, hearing her gasp. The unfinished business in his office with her yesterday.
And that was all it was—business.