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But… the head of his dick wasn’t barbed. The head was nice and smooth and tapered. He could always wrap his big hand safely around the barbs and feed just the tip of his cock inside me…

Stop it, I scolded myself. Stop it stop it stop it.

I was back at the office after parting ways with var Rorik at the Basalt, and so far I’d done nothing except sit down at my desk and stare blankly at my computer screen. At the email he’d sent the day before, just two minutes after mine.

Ms Chaudhary,

Kind of you to say. I’m always thorough. And dedicated to ensuring complete satisfaction in all aspects of my work.

I like the idea of a signature cocktail in my honour. Maybe one for each of us. Something tall and impressive-looking with a good kick to represent me? And a short tumbler for Felik’s one.

I can do tomorrow at eleven. See you then.

Nuni

I remembered suppressing a smile when I’d first read it. He could be charmingly funny in his own douchey, arrogant way. I wasn’t even sure if he’d meant it as a joke, which just made it more amusing.

Now that I’d decided not to tell Corva, I was feeling much more relaxed around her. When she came over and asked how the viewing had gone at the Basalt, I was able to smile and tell her that Mr var Rorik had agreed to hold the event there. But the moment she disappeared into her office, I went back to staring at my screen, trying to think of a reason to email him again.

“How you feeling today, sweets?” Hustin quietly asked from his desk beside me.

I gave him a distracted smile. “I’m okay. Thanks.”

“Sure?” He shot me a concerned look as he bit into his bagel. “You still seem a little tense.”

I was, but today it wasn’t because I’d had sex with var Rorik. It was because I hadn’t. Which was so ridiculous that it made me angry at myself. And at him. Damn him for being completely professional and not goading me into shoving him to the floor and tearing off his nice suit in the middle of the Basalt’s big, fancy ballroom.

Wait. I did have a reason to contact him again. He’d given me the go-ahead to book the Basalt before we left, but I really should do the courteous thing and double-check he was definitely happy with it as the venue before making the booking. It was the professional thing to do. He’d changed his mind about the Blackgrass before, so maybe he’d thought it over since getting back to his office and decided against it.

Then we’d have to go look at more venues together.

“Just hungry,” I told Hustin absently, clicking off my emails and reaching for my backpack. “I need to go have some lunch.”

Once I was outside on the street, I brought up his last email on my phone. Staring down at it, my gaze zeroed in on the office number in his signature.

A phone call would be more efficient. Just a quick conversation to confirm that he was happy with the Basalt, over and done with in a few minutes so I could get on with my day.

I glanced around furtively, then started walking down the street in case Corva left the office for her lunch. Not that I was doing anything wrong—I was calling a client to discuss their event—but a tiny thrill ran through me as I tapped on the number and brought the phone to my ear.

My heart was beating a little faster, and I winced at the sharp ache in my legs as I power walked away from the office as fast as possible. I’d definitely overdone it this morning. At least I’d be going for a swim tomorrow—I always swam on Thursdays —so I wouldn’t be putting so much strain on my legs. Maybe I’d get to the gym early so I could use the steam room afterward to soothe my sore muscles.

“Rorik + Stimis Architects, Mr var Rorik’s office,” a pleasant female voice said down the phone.

My shoulders sagged. I couldn’t tell if I was relieved or disappointed.

“Hi, Lipa.” I licked my dry lips and skirted around a slow-walking elderly couple. “It’s Anita.”

“Oh, hi, Anita!” She perked up, dropping the overly formal phone voice. “How are you?”

“I’m good thanks. How are you?” I asked politely, just as I heard the sound of a door opening in the background.

“Sorry, hold on one second.” Her voice was more muffled when she said, “Yes, sir?”

My pulse leapt. Was he there?

“I—Nothing.” The low, faint rumble of his voice made my gut tighten. “I just thought… I thought I heard you say, uh, my name.”

“I…” Lipa sounded a little confused, which made sense. She probably said his name all the time while speaking on the phone. She was his assistant. “It’s Anita Chaudhary on the phone, sir. The event planner.”