Page 32 of Their After Hours Playbook

“Just so you know, Maverick Motors is looking at you. They just don’t have the perfect thing for you right now. It’s still very much in the mix. And the kind of money they offered to Gabby is not what you’re worth. I’m working up to that, okay?”

“Okay. That sounds like it could be good.”

Paige felt as though she could breathe a little easier. “I’ve got your back. I will not let you down.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it. I do.”

“Good. Well, go ahead and read what I sent, then get back to me with whatever feedback you have. If you feel strongly about one of those opportunities, I’ll go after it twice as hard.”

“Will do. I’ll send you an e-mail after I read yours.”

“Are we good, Alexis?”

“We’re good. I can’t forget that you’re always straight up with me. Not all agents are like that.”

“It’s the only way I know to be.”

“And that’s why I love working with you.”

“It’s the same reason I love working with you. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.”

“You, too.”

Paige hung up the call and took a cleansing breath. Everything she’d told Alexis was the absolute truth. But could Paige be working harder on Alexis’s behalf? There was always more work to be done. Always. She turned to her to-do list, but a text on her cell phone pulled her attention from that. It was from Zach.

Did you get the flowers?

She sighed and smiled. She wasn’t doing a great job keeping up with things today. I did. They’re beautiful. Thank you so much.

You’re welcome. What are you doing for lunch?

Paige tapped out her response. Having a salad at my desk. Why?

Wanting to see you. Swing by my place?

Paige knew exactly what this was—a booty call. She knew because she and Zach had already done this twice: gotten together under the guise of lunch, only to end up naked and doing each other in the most unconventional of places, like her kitchen or his living room. Part of her wanted to say no. Pump the brakes. Was this turning into too much, too fast? Another part of her wanted nothing more than to forget about work for an hour and have Zach give her a mind-blowing orgasm or two.

He sent another text. Confession time. I’m already on my way home. I was in my office thinking about you, and got so hard. I need you.

A vision of Zach and his physical predicament popped into her head. Paige nearly bit the heel of her hand.

I won’t lie. That’s hot.

Get in a cab. Charter a plane. I don’t care. Just get here.

On my way. She got up from her desk, grabbed her bag and rushed out into the hall. This was what Zach did to her. She could be thinking one thing and end up doing another.

A quick ride in the elevator and she was down in the lobby, then out on the street, where she was lucky enough to flag a cab right away. Fortunately, Zach’s apartment was only ten minutes away. She trailed a finger up and down her thigh, looking out the window and thinking about what was waiting for her—Zach, his rock-hard body, his heartbreaking smile and his endless determination to please her. Even though she sometimes wondered what in the hell they were doing, she was a lucky woman. Damn lucky.

She paid the driver quickly when they arrived and then rushed into his building. Zach’s doorman, Jorge, knew her by now and greeted her with a smile, then held the elevator for her. “Ms. Moss. It’s nice to see you. Mr. Armstrong just went up to his apartment a few minutes ago.”

“Good to see you, too. Zach and I have a lunch date today.” She stepped onto the elevator.

“Interesting. He told me he was going to show you some fabric swatches for a new couch,” he replied.

Paige simply smiled. “Right. That, too.” She and Zach would’ve taken the time to get their stories straight if they’d planned this in advance. Perhaps this was the price of an impromptu rendezvous.

“You two have fun.”

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