Page 7 of Past and Present

He smiled. “Are you sure you have to take a leave of absence?”

The woman chuckled. “Unfortunately, yes. But I can find someone else if Jill isn’t going to work. Or you can have Cameron come up here…” Lance held up a hand to stop her.

“Already suggested that.”

Kimberly grinned at Marissa. “Anyway, as for the dinner, I can get you a new meeting, but we’ve been trying to meet with them for months now.”

Lance stood and paced. “Let Riss take it. I can fly to Colorado early and she can meet me there after dinner.”

Marissa frowned. “That wasn’t our deal.”

“I know. But I would rather you take the meeting if only one of us can make it, and I need to be in Colorado by three on Friday at the latest.”

That he trusted her to take such a big meeting made her feel good, but she wasn’t ready to concede a Friday start to their vacation.

“I’ll see if we can move it to something more reasonable. If not, I’ll let you guys decide how to handle it,” Kimberly said. “And I’ll talk to Jill.”

“Come here,” Lance said when the door clicked shut behind Kimberly.

Marissa shook her head. “I should get back downstairs.”

“It wasn’t a request,” Lance said with steel in his voice.

Marissa’s insides twisted as her face warmed. She stepped behind the desk and settled on Lance’s knee when he patted it.

“How would you feel about heading to Allure tonight?”

Marissa lifted an eyebrow. “We haven’t gone there in weeks.”

Lance shrugged. “I know. But you enjoy hanging out with Lana and Bethany. And I’m in a mood to play in public.”

Lance usually reserved public play for Solitaire because it was in a town where he wasn’t a minor celebrity. Here in Chicago, there was always a chance that someone would recognize him and tip off a gossip magazine.

“Don’t worry about me, Riss. Just tell me if you want to go or not.”

She bit her lip and gave him an enthusiastic nod.

Lance smiled and tapped his lips, indicating she should kiss him. She did and groaned when he nuzzled her face with his scruff.

“You need to shave,” she said with a grin.

He shook his head. “You like it too much.”

She kissed him again and stood. “I should really get back. I actually get to do some coding today.”

Lance gave her ass a squeeze as she stepped away and headed for the door.

“Hey Riss,” he said, stopping her. “I love you.” His voice was husky when she turned to face him again.

Her heart clenched. It never grew old, hearing him say that.

“I love you too,” she whispered.

5

Tuesday, December 11th

Marissa

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