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Samantha pulled her jacket tighter around her shoulders as she headed toward the door, still buzzing from the news. She turned back one last time, her eyes bright. "I still can't believe it. You two are going to be incredible parents. And don't forget I'm claiming Auntie rights, first in line."
Amanda laughed, shaking her head. "You've already got them."
"Good," Samantha said with a grin. "Because I'm going to spoil that baby rotten." She stepped into the elevator, then leaned forward before the doors closed. "Seriously... I'm happy for you. Both of you."
The doors slid shut, and her voice faded with them.
Silence filled the penthouse. The city lights glowed against the glass windows, casting long streaks of silver and gold across the polished floor. The hum of the elevator faded away, leaving Amanda and Ericka standing in the quiet aftermath of the evening.
Amanda leaned back against the door with an exaggerated sigh, her head tipping back. "Well," she said, her lips curving into a grin, "that went better than I thought it would."
Ericka smirked faintly, already slipping out of her heels. She set them neatly by the door and stretched her shoulders back. "Better than I expected, too. Honestly, I thought she'd faint right there at the table."
Amanda laughed, stepping away from the door and crossing the room. She slid her arms around Ericka's waist, pulling her in until their bodies touched. "She almost did. Did you see her face when I said 'actually, she is'?"
Ericka chuckled, her hands coming to rest against Amanda's lower back, fingers splayed. "Priceless. But she's happy for us. That's what matters."
Amanda tilted her head up, eyes glowing. "That's because she knows I'm happy. And you" she brushed her thumb across Ericka's cheek, "you make me glow."
Ericka softened, leaning down to press her lips against Amanda's temple, her voice a low murmur. "You were glowing tonight. I couldn't take my eyes off you."
Amanda smirked, teasing. "That's because you're in love with me."
Ericka kissed her cheek, lingering there before whispering, "Obviously."
For a moment, they just held each other, breathing in the quiet, the warmth between them enough to make the rest of the world fade.
But Amanda's smile dimmed slightly as her thoughts shifted. She rested her chin against Ericka's shoulder. "We're going to have to talk about work, though."
Ericka pulled back enough to see her face, her brows lifting. "What about it?"
Amanda gave her a pointed look. "You're the CEO.
I'm your assistant. And now we're adding this.
" Her hand slid gently down to rest over Ericka's stomach.
It was too early to see anything, but the thought made Amanda's chest ache in the best way.
"We need to figure out how to maneuver without everyone finding out too soon. "
Ericka sighed, her hand covering Amanda's, grounding herself in that touch.
"You're right." Her voice softened but carried a sharp edge of discipline.
"We'll need boundaries at the office. No slipping.
No hands under the table. No kisses between meetings.
What happens at work has to stay professional—" she paused, her lips curving into a small smirk, "no matter how much I want to kiss you in the middle of a boardroom. "
Amanda grinned, tilting her head. "Oh, you will want to. And I'll want to kiss you back." She leaned up, brushing her lips across Ericka's jaw. "But... I've been thinking."
Ericka raised a brow, suspicious but amused. "That usually means trouble."
Amanda shrugged, mischief twinkling in her eyes. "Maybe. What if we keep it to just your office? A kiss or a touch, when no one else is around. Your space, your rules."
Ericka's smirk deepened. "My office only. Setting rules already?"
Amanda pretended to consider, then nodded. "Exactly. Controlled chaos. Oh" she tapped her chin thoughtfully, "—and maybe we could install privacy shades. So if I'm ever leaning over your desk..." She let her voice trail off, leaving the implication hanging between them.
Ericka let out a low laugh, shaking her head. "Privacy shades. Practical. Tempting. Dangerous."
Amanda's grin widened. "Dangerous is kind of our thing." She pressed a slow, soft kiss to Ericka's lips, lingering there. "Besides, I like the idea of knowing we have one safe spot, even at work."
Ericka deepened the kiss briefly before pulling back, her voice husky. "You're trouble."
Amanda whispered against her lips, smiling. "And you love me for it."
Ericka kissed her again, longer this time, her hand sliding up Amanda's back. "Every bit of it."
Amanda leaned her forehead to hers, her voice warm and steady. "Then it's settled. Work is work... but your office is ours."
Ericka smirked, her hands still resting possessively on Amanda's waist. "And I'll call the contractor about those privacy shades tomorrow."
Amanda laughed, kissing her softly again. "God, I love you."
Ericka smiled, whispering back, "I love you too."
_______________________________________________
The elevator doors opened, and Ericka stepped out first. Her heels struck the floor with steady precision, each click a reminder of who she was in this building.
The navy suit she wore was razor-sharp, her hair swept back flawlessly, her expression unreadable.
She didn't slow, didn't pause—her presence alone was enough to make people straighten at their desks and quiet their conversations.
Amanda followed just a step behind, her notepad in hand, moving with practiced ease. Where Ericka was sharp, Amanda was smooth her role was to anticipate, to protect the rhythm of Ericka's day, and she played it perfectly.
The office buzzed as usual until two men in maintenance uniforms stepped off a separate elevator, carrying boxes marked Privacy Shade Installation. They rolled equipment toward Ericka's office, and whispers rippled almost immediately.
"Privacy shades?" one employee muttered to another.
"What's that about?"
Amanda caught it before it could build. She stopped, turning smoothly with a practiced smile. "The shades are for an upcoming exclusive shoot," she explained, her tone professional but confident. "High-profile clients. It has to be kept under wraps until it's ready to be announced."
That shut down the whispers instantly. The employees nodded, satisfied with the explanation, some even impressed by the level of secrecy.
Ericka glanced back over her shoulder just once, her eyes meeting Amanda's. The smallest flicker of approval crossed her face—gone as quickly as it came. She pushed into her office without a word, and Amanda followed, shutting the door behind them.
Inside, the hum of the office fell away. Ericka set her briefcase on her desk, her movements crisp, precise, efficient. She didn't look up when she spoke, her tone clipped but laced with something softer only Amanda would recognize.
"Good cover."
Amanda smirked, setting her notepad on her desk. "You doubted me?"
"I never doubt you," Ericka said, finally meeting her eyes. "But I like being reminded."
Amanda felt her heart skip at the subtle warmth buried beneath that CEO sharpness. She leaned just slightly against the desk, lowering her voice. "Exclusive shoot, huh? Not exactly a lie."
Ericka's lips twitched. "Not at all."
Before Amanda could tease further, there was a soft knock on the door. The installers peeked in. "Ms. Mathews? We'll be in and out in an hour."
"Proceed," Ericka said smoothly, her authority filling the room even in two syllables.
Amanda stepped aside as the men wheeled in their equipment. She grabbed her tablet, slipping right back into assistant mode as if nothing were unusual.