“Yes,” Ted answers as if I’d asked the question out loud.

He shifts in his chair and the light hits the crown of his head. I notice there is a bit of salt mixed in his thick peppery hair. He takes charge of the meeting and begins to tell me his plan. “I would like you to go in and get a feel for things. The caveat is that I would like you to do it under the radar. I would introduce you as a new hire.”

“Why, may I ask?” I’m curious regarding the subterfuge.

“We’ve done all the due diligence. Everything checks out on paper. Now that the deal is done, I need to know if changes need to be made. I find most employees are scared of change, especially when new management comes in. They fear for their jobs. I need to know if their policies and procedures are up to my company’s standards. The best way to find out is from the inside.”

After talking it through, the decision is for me to start work at his office on Monday. That way he has time to set me up with my fake employment. As Ted leaves, he shakes my hand and holds it just a little longer than socially required. And his stare leaves me to believe he’s interested. I might have been flattered because he’s a very attractive man. However, all I can think about are the flowers on my desk from Andy.

The rest of the week passes with Mandy mum on the status of her and Daniel. Andy’s been silent as well. His schedule has been crazy and we haven’t had a chance to talk much at all aside from nightly texts. Some are sweet and some make my toes curl.

On Friday, I get an e-mail from Ted’s office regarding my assignment starting Monday. I get the location of the office and where I need to report to get my security badge. I set up a calendar invite on my phone so I’m prepared.

That night, after a hectic day, all I want to do is kick up my feet and watch a movie when I get home. Instead, I’m pulling out a dress I picked up during a hasty lunch shopping trip.

The color of the dress, bright violet, is a little out of my comfort zone. However, according to Mandy, the silk gown with its sweetheart neckline and fitted bodice with a twist makes me look heaven sent. I have to admit, it subtly hugs my curves with its A-line silhouette, and I feel pretty. I’m standing in front of the mirror when my phone buzzes.

“I’m here. Should I park and come up?” Andy’s sexy voice croons out the other end of the phone.

“No, I’ll be down.”

I end the call and check my hair. Thanks to YouTube videos, I’ve managed to put my hair in an updo with a few tendrils of hair loose to frame my face. My makeup is subtle but there. I stick my phone in my clutch and head downstairs.

Andy’s managed to find temporary street parking at the curb. My wool coat flutters open as I make my way over to the car, barely negotiating the lingering ice patches and managing not to fall on my face in my heels.

Before I can open the door, Andy’s there. His hand on my shoulder shouldn’t have given me goose bumps considering he hadn’t touched me skin to skin. But it does.

“Hey, gorgeous.”

He kisses me quickly before he opens the door and I slip in the car. It’s toasty inside and I’m grateful because I’m rethinking the wisdom of wearing peep-toe shoes.

“It’s not too far,” he says while pulling out. “I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to talk to you much this week. My rotation has been brutal.”

“Don’t worry about it. That’s the life of a doctor.”

He sighs. “Sometimes I wonder why I chose this profession, especially when I see what I’ve missed all week.”

He glances at me and I feel the warmth of his gaze before his eyes are back on the road. And he hasn’t lied about the venue being close. We are at the entrance of the historic Willard Hotel in no time.

A valet opens my door shortly before Andy arrives with a helping hand. The line of cars ahead and behind us is impressive, along with the men and women with more bling than I can imagine.

My bargain find that had been a previous season’s designer dress starts to pale in my eyes as we make our way to the coat check near the humongous ball room. But Andy’s eyes nearly pop out of his head when he sees me without my coat.

He runs a thumb over a spaghetti strap as he leans in and says, “You are stunning.”

My cheeks flame scarlet for the second time that night. “You’re looking good yourself.” And he does. His tux, although classic, fits him as if sewn on his body.

He takes my hand and leads me away from the direction of the ballroom. I wonder for a millisecond why we stop in an alcove.

“D— Andy,” I correct mid-squeal. His sudden boldness takes me by surprise as he backs me into a corner.

“Cate. You are going to kill me tonight. I’ve barely thought about anything else except seeing you tonight. Then you wear this dress and all I want to do is tear it off of you.”

He doesn’t ask as he presses his mouth to mine hard. As he kisses me, I fear the tiny scrap of fabric between my legs won’t hold the moisture I feel pooling from his kiss alone. His hand leaves my hips and rounds to the small of my back. I have the urge to hike up a leg and ride him right there, not caring people could walk by. Actually, the idea thrills me and I know I will have to go to the bathroom to mop up the moisture so I don’t mess up the silk of my dress. When he presses into me further, his hard length wedges perfectly against my sweet spot forcing me to moan.

“Jesus, if you keep making noises like this I’m going to carry you caveman style upstairs to one of the rooms.”

“Why not here?” I breathe. I’m teasing, but at the same time I’m daring him to do it.

He groans and steps back. I watch in fascination as he adjusts himself. He follows my eyes down to his man parts and then his eyes darken with heat.

“You’re not playing fair.”

My life has changed, and I’m not the same person I was. “I’m not playing at all.” I hold his cerulean blue gaze letting him know how serious I am.

“Later,” he promises.

I nod in agreement.

“Wait.” I pull a compact out of my clutch to fix my lipstick. Then I step forward and wipe at his mouth, trying to remove the remnants of my smudge proof lipstick. I think I need a refund. Andy decides to play with fire and sucks my thumb in his mouth.

I shake my head, pulling my thumb free. “You said later.”

He steps up behind me after I turn to make my way out. He stops me from moving forward with firm hands on my hips. “I have to be honest with you. When I finally get inside you again, it will be hard and fast. I’ve waited too long to have you in my bed again. It won’t be sweet, but I can promise you’ll love it.”

I step back, pressing my ass against him. I’m completely turned on. “Give me your worst then.”

The sound that comes from his throat reminds me of a growl as he slides his hands down the sides of my hips before he walks us back to the ballroom. The man’s touch sets me aflame each and every time. My mind wanders to how he touched me last week at his house before I stopped him. I have to focus on the many guests of tonight’s gala with fortunes to burn in order to turn the lust part of my brain off.

The philanthropists attending this event must have included men and women with net worth rivaling the assets of some banks, the way they ooze money in their couture outfits and diamond-encrusted jewelry.

A woman in a modest dress with a clip board stops us before we’ve made it too far. I’m busy trying not to look at Andy’s ass, so I take in the room instead while she chitters in a hushed tone.

Above, chandeliers spill from the ceiling in graceful tear drop shapes. A railing circles the room, giving the impression of a second story. And the walls’ trim and chairs are the color of gold which is fitting for the amount of affluence that is in the room.

“Your table is over here.” I overhear her tell Andy.