Chapter 33
Ruby
Ishove my phone in my bag and try not to scream.
But my pulse is already racing.
His office.
Oh god.
JAXON
I’m in the office early.
Unusually early.
I don’t have meetings scheduled. I cleared my calendar. I canceled a call with a board member.
Nothing is interfering with today.
I adjust my tie. Straighten my sleeves. Look at my reflection.
Controlled. Composed. Focused.
But underneath?
I’m restless.
She’ll walk into my office any minute, trying to pretend nothing happened. Trying to pretend her body didn’t melt in my hands yesterday. Trying to pretend the kiss didn’t shake her.
She’ll deny it. She’ll babble. She’ll blush.
I love all of it.
My phone buzzes.
A message from her.
Ruby:
I’m on my way.
My pulse kicks.
I type:
Me:
Good.
Come to my private conference room today.
Not my office.
I want her alone. I want space. I want her without interruptions. I want her reactions without worrying who might see.
I want more of her sounds.
She replies:
Ruby:
Okay.
Where?
My mouth curves into a slow, dangerous smile.
Me:
End of the executive hallway.
Room 53-A.
The one with the tinted glass.
She types:
Ruby:
Why tinted?
I respond:
Jaxon:
Privacy.
A long pause.
Then:
Ruby:
Oh god.
I chuckle.
Me:
See you in fifteen, sweetheart.
RUBY
I stand outside the building, staring up at it like it’s about to swallow me.
“He said private conference room,” I whisper.
“He said tinted glass.”
“He said sweetheart.”
My stomach twists. My thighs clench. My heart tries to sprint away.
I take a deep breath.
Then another.
Then I walk inside.
The lift doors close behind me, sealing my fate.
I whisper:
“Round two.”
The doors slide open on the executive floor.
And I go to him.