Chapter 22

CHAPTER 22

Evie

“Have you ever used your barter system for sexual favors?” Merrick was propped up on one elbow, tracing the outline of my areola.

I laughed. “Can’t say that I have.”

“Good answer. I can’t wait to be the first.”

“How do you know you have something I want?” I teased. “I don’t barter with just anyone, you know.”

He leaned down and brushed his lips with mine, keeping them there while he spoke. “Change your flight. I’ll spend the entire day showing you I have something you want.”

I made a pout face. “I wish I could. But I have appointments bright and early tomorrow.”

He made the sound a buzzer makes when you give a wrong answer. Bzzzzt. Then pinched my nipple.

“Owww!” I laughed. “That’s not a toy.”

“I disagree. But it wouldn’t be an issue if you gave the right answer, now would it?”

I ran my fingers through Merrick’s hair. “I wish I could stay. But it’s important to me that people learn to trust me, and keeping appointments is the first step toward that.”

He frowned.

I cupped his cheek. “You’re adorable when you sulk. But I think it’s even more important for me to keep my schedule now that we…you know.”

“Fucked?”

“I probably would have used a nicer word, but yeah.”

He went back to tracing my areola. “There’s no nicer word than fuck. You can use it when you’re pissed off, happy, or to describe my new favorite hobby. Tell me another word in the English language that is so diverse.”

“Okay, but…this does complicate things. If, you know, this becomes more than a one-time thing.”

Merrick’s finger froze. “What do you mean?”

“Well, last night just sort of happened. We didn’t talk about it, so…” I shrugged. “I don’t know. It doesn’t have to be more than it was.”

“Are you saying that’s what you want?”

I shook my head. “No, I just…didn’t want to make you feel like there were any expectations or anything.”

His mouth flattened to a grim line. “I expect it wasn’t a one-night stand. I’m not the one who’s been running from this, Evie.”

I looked away. “I guess I’m just trying to say I don’t expect anything of you.”

Merrick was quiet for a long time. “Evie, look at me.”

I did.

“I like you. A lot. Do I see potential pitfalls because you work at my company and we both have enough baggage to fill JFK?” He nodded. “Of course. I don’t even know if I’m capable of a normal relationship anymore, it’s been so long. But what I am sure of is that last night was not a one-night stand for me.”

My heart felt hopeful, which scared me more than a little. But I took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay. But could we talk about the office?”

“I’d rather celebrate our new understanding that last night was not a one-night-only thing with my head between your legs.” He shrugged. “But sure, let’s talk about the office.”

I laughed. “I’m being serious.”

“So am I, sweetheart.”

“Well, hold that thought then.” I turned over on my side to face him. “Having a relationship with the boss is fraught with risks under normal circumstances, but our circumstances make it even messier. For me to do my job, people need to confide in me and trust that nothing they say is going to make it back to the boss.”

“Well, you don’t work for me anymore.”

“While I think having me report to Joan is a good idea—though it should have been implemented at a more reasonable hour of the day, obviously—it doesn’t change the fact that you are the company. It’s already a steep hill for people to accept that the guy who signs all of our paychecks isn’t my boss. It becomes a mountain if I’m also sleeping with that boss.”

“So what do you propose?”

I shook my head. “No one can know about us. At least not at the office.”

Merrick frowned. “How am I supposed to fuck you in my office if people can’t know?”

My eyes widened.

Merrick cracked a smile. “I’m kidding.”

“Oh, thank God.”

He shrugged. “I’ll need to get rid of the glass walls before we can do that.” When he saw the look on my face, he laughed. “I get it. You don’t have to worry. I learned my lesson about people in the office knowing my personal business after Amelia. I don’t even bring dates to work functions anymore. My private life doesn’t need to be on display.”

Hearing him say that made me feel slightly less anxious. I nodded. “Okay, great.”

“One exception though.”

“What?”

“Will. He was my closest friend long before I started Crawford Investments. Besides, he loves to fuck with me. So if he doesn’t know, he’s going to continue to flirt with you relentlessly to piss me off.”

I smiled. “Okay. Hopefully Will can keep it quiet.”

“Thank you.” He reached out and rubbed my bottom lip with his thumb. “How come you haven’t worn that red lipstick you had on during your first interview again?”

My nose wrinkled. “What lipstick was I wearing?”

“It was a bright red.”

I covered my mouth and cracked up. “That wasn’t just lipstick. I’d stained my mouth bright red by eating cherries while I was on my way to the appointment. I did the best I could to even it out, but that lipstick was mostly cherry stains.”

“I liked it. I might’ve fantasized about you with just those red-painted lips and nothing but a pair of high heels on more than one occasion.”

I laughed. “I knew you were a perv. If you’re good, maybe one day I’ll make that fantasy come true.”

“Promise?”

I pressed my lips to his. “Sure, boss.”

He brushed a lock of my hair behind my ear. “Anything else you want to talk about?”

I shook my head. “I don’t think so.”

“Good.” Merrick abruptly rolled us so I was on my back, making me squeal. He leaned down and kissed my lips softly. “Heads or tails?”

“You don’t even have a coin in your hand.”

“Pretend I do. What would you pick?”

I shrugged. “Heads, I guess.”

“Good choice. I couldn’t decide.”

“Decide between what?”

“Going down on you or taking you from behind while you’re up on all fours.” He slid down my body. “Head it is.”