Page 72 of Paper Roses

Then we both jump as the door slams open.

“Artie,” comes Raff’s voice. “I’ve finally got the coffee and— Ohshit.”

I squeak as Jed pulls out quickly. Then he immediately shields my naked body with his partially dressed one. Raff’s getting a lovely view of his bare arse.

The door slams shut and there’s a moment of stunned silence.

Finally, Jed groans and lowers his head into my neck. “Fuckinghell, I forgot to lock the door,” he breathes.

My cheeks are flaming, but I couldn’t stop my chuckle if my life depended on it.

He raises his head. “You think this isfunny?” he says incredulously.

“Just a little.” I try to stop laughing but there’s another knock at the door.

“Just me,” Raff’s voice comes through. “I wish very much that anyone else in the world had opened that door rather than me. The memory is going to lastforever. It’s probably replaced tons of important stuff that I could not afford to lose. If I forget my future anniversary, it’s because this image is in my head. So I’m going to ask you to tell Stan it’s your fault.” He pauses. “Is it morally wrong that I have an erection, or just socially awkward?”

I snort and Jed shakes his head in despair. He cups my face and kisses me hard. When he pulls away my brain is soft, and my cock is stiff again.

“We’re coming,” he shouts.

“Well, I knowthat,”Raff says.

I break into laughter.

Ten minutes later, having washed in Jed’s private bathroom and looking as put together as I can be, I wander out of the office. Raff is swinging on his chair and grinning. I immediately flush bright red.

“Well,” he says cheerfully. “It’s a good job that was me, Artie.”

“Why?” I ask faintly.

“Well, someone else wouldn’t be the soul of discretion that I am.”

“Oh dear. I don’t think that’s strictly true. Isn’t it you who thinks it’s healthy to share gossip?”

“I don’t think I’m wrong.” He points his finger at me. “There’s your sass, anyway. I like it when that comes out.”

“I thought you’d want to discuss what you walked in on and not my so-called sass.”

“No need.” He zips his lips. “I will take it to my grave.”

“Which you may be in sooner rather than later if youeverspeak to me about what just happened,” Jed says as he approaches us. I squeak when he pats my arse. “See you in there,” he says and walks off whistling.

I stare after him, and Raff shakes his head. “Well, I never,” he says softly.

I turn to him. “Pardon?”

“I’m a bit relieved, to be honest.” He stands, gathering his diary together. “I was concerned that everything still seemed businesslike between you, even though you’re married now.”

“Shouldn’t we be businesslike at work, though?”

“Not if you’re in love, no.”

He doesn’t see my flinch as he wanders off towards the meeting room.

I wonder if I should take that as a warning. But I wouldn’t be able to heed such a warning, would I? I feel alive for the first time in my very boring life. I just had stupendous sex with the man of my dreams, and it was epic and we’re going to do it again and again. Hopefully, very soon.

I couldn’t stop these feelings, even if I wanted to. Which I don’t. I’m going to go along with this as long as Jed wants me. I’m uneasily aware that if he knew I was in love with him, he’d break the one-minute mile to get away from me.

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