Page 10 of Random Encounter

“Dude. Inappropriate.”

Phillip’s retort surprised me. The entire conversation was probably inappropriate. But the fact that we drew sex meant a lot of lines weren’t clear to me. “Isn’t that exactly what we do here?” I was supposed to watch out for language that made me uncomfortable, but I didn’t feel threatened by the conversation. Maybe it was because it didn’t take me much to summon fantasies of them fucking.

“The lady is correct,” Dustin said. “That’s exactly what we do here.”

“Uh-huh.” Phillip managed to convey you know what I meant, but still keep it light, in a simple grunt.

“Before I go”—Dustin focused on me—“I’m glad you’re here, Addie. Can I call you that?”

“Yes.” It was okay that my gorgeous new co-worker had already given me a nickname. It didn’t mean anything. Why would I even think it did? Ridiculous.

“Perfect.” Dustin turned to Phillip. “I’m also leaving behind the TV remote, my wireless stereo setup, my credit cards, and my bottle cap collection.”

Phillip laughed. “You’ll never be able to pay for things if you leave the bottle caps behind.”

“I’ll sell my body. It’s my best commodity anyway. Catch you in a few, Addie.” And with that, Dustin was gone.

Phillip wheeled his chair to sit next to me. “When he gets back, he can fill us in if he needs any help with what he’s working on, but until then, are you ready to get started?”

“Sure.” As long as diving into work distracted me from daydreaming about Phillip and Dustin.

“Most of what we use was designed in house—well, Rinslet’s house—but it’s structured like what you’re already familiar with. There’s a document on your desktop with network paths.” When Phillip gestured at the screen, he leaned in, and I caught the faint scent of a musky cologne.

Gorgeous, skilled, and he smelled incredible. God help me I was going to spend half my work days distracted if I didn’t learn how to relegate these two to plain, boring co-workers.

“We have a company meeting in an hour,” Phillip said. “Spend the time before then exploring assets and getting familiar with the software. Let me know if you have any questions. After the kick-off, we can go more in depth.”

Yes, sir. Bad Adrienne. “Sounds good. Will do.”

“You’ll be great.” Phillip squeezed my shoulder and desire whispered through me.

As he rolled back to his own desk, I forced myself to focus on my work. It was easier than I expected to lose myself in exploring this new, amazing environment. Part of me kept chanting I can’t believe it. I’m really here.

I lost myself in the work deeply enough that when my calendar chimed with a reminder, it took me a moment to register.

“May I escort you to the large conference room?” Phillip asked.

I smiled at the exaggerated formality, stood, and gave him a short curtsy. “I’d be honored.” Where did that come from? I wasn’t that laid back person. Would he think I was a dork?

His chuckle rolled over me like skilled fingers dancing along the shell of my ear. “You’re going to fit in great here. Let’s go.”

As we headed toward a part of the floor I hadn’t been to yet, Luna fell into step with us. “Are you being nice to my sister-friend-wife-in-law?”

Phillip glanced at her with a raised eyebrow. “I think that sounds very different than what you mean.”

“Does it?” Luna stared back with feigned innocence. She turned to me. “He didn’t answer the question. They’re not hazing you, are they?”

“No. Is that a thing here? Will I have to run naked through the halls to prove my loyalty?” Damn it, that was inappropriate.

“Of course not.” Phillip sounded scandalized. “We limit it to public flogging, and only if you beg.”

Images flashed through my head of me naked and on display, Phillip drawing a leather flogger lightly across my ass, and then with more impact. I swallowed a whimper.

“Dude.” Luna elbowed him, her tone light. “Inappropriate.”

Oh, right. If he weren’t doing wicked things to my thoughts, would the comment be acceptable? “It’s okay,” I muttered, meaning more by the simple phrase than my generic brush-off implied.

We reached a large room with a stage up front, that was probably a lecture hall at one point. Rows of chairs set up near the front of the room. Groups of two to five people clustered together, rings of empty chairs around them.

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