Page 205 of Pure Recklessness

‘Ellie has a plan,’ I replied. ‘And so do I.’

78

ELLIE

‘How’d the meeting with HR go?’ Dana handed me a coffee, then pulled up a chair in the boardroom.

‘Good. I showed Melissa some messages I’d sent to Blake and photos of us together to help her see that our relationship was genuine.’

‘Photos of you together, eh?’ Joe wandered into the office. ‘I hope they weren’t X-rated. And if they were, I want to see them!’

‘You came!’ I grinned. ‘I thought you were busy firefighting after the event last night. Sorry we fucked everything up for you.’

‘Are you kidding? People are going to be talking about that party for years! It’ll be one for the history books. Obvs the whole scandal thing sucks for you, but my bet is that this will have a positive impact on the business, not the other way around. It’s a fairytale. Hot boss falls for the innocent virgin from bumfuck nowhere and turns her into a sex siren. It’s a great story. You should get an author to write about it for your app!’

My brows shot up.

‘Too soon?’ Joe asked.

‘Yep,’ I said.

‘And she wasn’t a virgin, remember?’ Dana added.

‘Potatoes, patatas.’ Joe waved his hand dismissively. ‘If it’s too soon for that, is it also too soon to ask if Daddy Devlin is a freak in the sheets and hung like a horse like I and every Sated employee thinks?’

‘Definitely too soon,’ I said, fighting the grin threatening to erupt across my face.

‘Shame.’ Joe huffed.

‘Although judging on how happy and Sated our girl has been these past few months, I’m guessing the answers to your questions are yes and yes!’ Dana chuckled.

‘Or should it be, yes, yes, oh God, yes, right there, don’t stop, Daddy!’ Joe thrust his hips back and forth before they both burst out laughing.

‘You two are so naughty!’ I shook my head.

‘Us?’ Joe said. ‘You’re the one who’s been shagging the boss. If anyone’s naughty, it’s you, sweetheart! We created a sex monster, Dana!’

‘We did! I’m so proud.’ She beamed. ‘Although I’m still pissed you didn’t tell us that Mr BDE was your mystery man!’

‘I know.’ I winced. ‘I really wanted to. But⁠—’

‘I get it,’ Dana jumped in. ‘There was a lot at stake. And Joe’s shit at keeping secrets.’

‘Oi!’ He put his hands on his hips.

‘Only joking, hon.’ Dana blew him a kiss before turning to face me. ‘So, do you think this is really it? Is Mr Devlin really the one?’

‘Definitely,’ I said.

‘I saw the way he looked at you,’ Joe said. ‘And I did wonder if there was something going on. In fact, I said that when he came looking for you on the rooftop bar that it was like he wanted to devour you. I called it! Damn, I’m good! I should buy a lottery ticket!’

‘Make sure you invite us to the wedding!’

‘Whoa, hold your horses!’ I held my hands up. ‘We’ve got to get through Blake’s announcement first. Then in a few hours, when the subscriptions open for SatisFya, we’ll really know what impact our scandal has had.’

‘It’ll be fine. You’ve got this!’ Dana said.

‘Thanks.’ My shoulders loosened. ‘Not just for understanding about this, but for everything, including all the love and support you’ve shown me since I arrived. I couldn’t have done any of this without you.’ I got up and hugged them.