Page 43 of Head Over Heels

I laugh softly. "Slept with any women to get ahead?"

She shakes her head. "I try to stay away from the morally gray. This—" She motions between us. "I didn't like the idea of this contract at first. It feels like I'm hiring you as an escort and an actor."

"We can pull it off," I say, taking a sip of my margarita.

"I'm not worried about that," she says off-handedly. "I like you enough to spend time with you, even if I am contractually obligated."

"You know how to make a woman feel good," I deadpan.

She takes the margarita out of my hand and puts it on the table. "If I kiss you, can you say that again a little more convincingly?"

The corner of my mouth twitches in amusement. "You'll never know if you don't try," I tease.

She leans in, stopping close enough that I can feel her breath on my face. "Is this okay? I know it's not part of the deal." Her gaze lingers on mine. "You don't have to—"

I brush my lips across hers, cutting off her words. She tastes like spicy fajitas and Modelo Reserva. Her mouth opens, soft and hungry, as my fingers trace the soft skin of her neck. I remember the curve of her neck, the sinuous line that led to her—

She pulls away from me, her tongue tracing her bottom lip. "Tell me again."

I blink.Tell her what?

"That I know how to make a woman feel good," she prompts, her voice sultry.

"Does your ego need the boost?" I reach for her again.You don't make Josephine Mueller hungry unless you're going to feed her.

She stops, closing her eyes and inhaling slowly. "What is it, Marin?" For a moment, she doesn't turn around. Her posture deflates as she controls a frustrated sigh.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. Gwen called. It's important."

18

Josie

Florence stands up, walking deliberately toward Marin. "What did she say?" She turns to me briefly. "My executive assistant at work. She wouldn't call unless it's urgent."

"Woodhouse's EA, Aimee, called her after work."

"Get to the point, Marin."

"Of course, ma'am." She glances at me before continuing. "Stefanie is assistant to the Chief of HR." She turns back to Florence. "Chloe and three others have talked to her this week. Woodhouse approached all four of them to dig around to see if you were sleeping with any of them." She frowns. "Gwen's words, not theirs—but that's what it boils down to."

"Which other three?" Florence demands.

"Valerie, Katherine, and Peter."

"What, he thinks I'm sleeping with the whole C-suite?" She grimaces.

"Gwen thinks he's putting out feelers to see if you've—" She glances at me.

"If I'm fucking the women, too?" Florence spits out disgustedly.

"I wasn't going to put it that way," Marin says softly.

Florence rolls her eyes. "Of course not. You're a professional—even if youdocross the line sometimes." She bites her lip thoughtfully. "Did Stefanie talk to Cristine or Carole about it?"

Marin shakes her head. "Not yet. I told Gwen to reprimand Stefanie. She should have followed proper protocol and gone to Carole or Cristine."

Wait. Marin is telling off Florence's EA?

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