Peyton

I wondered when Simon’s work persona would make its appearance into this new development of our relationship. I wasn’t stupid. Nor was I naïve enough to think, come Monday, the dynamic wouldn’t change once we returned to the office. I was walking into this with eyes wide open. This relationship was both temporary and complicated, given we had to work together. But I did think it funny that while he was throwing out disclaimers, trying to maintain his control, he’d also ordered a limo in order to facilitate alone time out of sight of the driver. Not that I was complaining. I was all for it. But first, it was important to get a few things straight. I started in as soon as we were both seated in the back, quite alone.

“Although you said I wouldn’t have to do another interview, I think I should have one.”

He seemed thrown by my statement. “You’re up for CFO. It goes without saying they’d want you in your current position at least. So you don’t need an interview.”

“I know I don’t need one. But you have me for the next twenty-four hours. I’ve been curious what an interview with Simon Granger would be like.”

“It would be in the office, to start.”

His stern tone almost made me smile. “Where everyone can hear through the walls? Wouldn’t it be better to conduct it in private?”

An apprehensive look passed over his face, indicating he wasn’t sure where I was going with this. Perfect.

“Hit me with your first question. What you would typically ask me if it was you still doing the interview?”

He backed up a bit on the black leather bench seat, moving far enough that we weren’t touching. Then he tried to take on an air of authority.

“Okay. What makes you qualified for your current role?”

I grinned. “Such a cliché question. I expected something harder.”

Challenge flashed in his eyes. I knew I was probably both amusing and annoying him.

“Meaning you won’t answer it.”

“Of course I will. I’m qualified for my current role because I do the job. I put in the work. Not only for the position I was hired for, but also as the acting CFO. Since the previous officer’s retirement, all of his duties have become mine.”

“And what qualities make you good at your job?”

Could I help it if I messed with him a little? He was back in a suit and looking way too controlled for my liking. Like a stack of neatly organized paperwork. Of course I wanted to mess it all up.

“Loyalty. Commitment. I believe in that the most. Committing to one thing, bordering on obsession. Believing from the beginning there won’t be anything or anyone that will come between me and that commitment once it begins. Trusting that connection is unbreakable. Guess you could say I’m an all-in kind of girl when it comes to my commitments.”

I swear every time I mentioned the C word his eye twitched. I had to bite the side of my cheek to keep myself from giving up the game prematurely.

“You’re aware this job will be changing. How do you feel about that change?”

It was a decent question. “Change is inevitable. I’m willing to be flexible if that’s what it takes to keep the commitment. To ensure we weather the storm of change and can stay together forever. I wholeheartedly believe in the unwavering promise of a long-term relationship. I can’t help but get completely invested and attached once I become involved with someone—Er, I mean, something.”

Panic. Written clear over his face and in his clearing of the throat.

I went in for the kill.

“Also, I tend to obsess about that thing I’ve latched myself onto. It really only takes one night for me to be unable to let go. My sister says it’s unhealthy, and maybe the restraining orders tend to support that theory, too, but I can’t seem to help myself.”

I could no longer keep my laughter in. His face. His priceless expression before his eyes narrowed in on the humor in my voice. “Oh, my goodness. Now that’s funny.”

He was trying unsuccessfully to keep a straight face. “No. It’s not. Jesus.”

“Serves you right for getting all weird after the shower.”

He looked offended. “I wasn’t weird. I was attempting to be practical.”

“No. You were trying to distance yourself. Putting on your suit and making a point that, come Monday, we are back to being only professionals.” I tried to do an impression of his stern accent, which set me into another fit of giggles.

“That was a poor impression of me. And I was simply trying to make certain you understand—”

I arched a brow and cut him off. “Did sex make me stupid? Do you think I’m less qualified for the CFO position today then I was yesterday?”

“Of course not.”

“Then why do you think it’s okay for you to treat me as if I am?”

He opened his mouth, closed it, and then appeared to struggle to find the words. “It wasn’t my intention. In my defense, I was trying to avoid giving mixed signals after what happened.”

“You mean signals such as getting a limo so we could have the privacy for you to fuck me across the country? Those types of mixed signals?”

“I—” He raked his hand through his hair. Then he started to laugh. It was the type of carefree sound that reminded me of the side of Simon I hoped to share the limo with instead of the stuffy one who had threatened to take over.

“What’s so funny?”

He moved quickly on top of me, spreading me out on the bench seat, his body pressed to mine. His hands framed my face while his gaze held mine. “You. I may have Tom do your actual interview to make him sweat it. You know how to keep a man on his toes for sure.”

I grinned. “I like it. Now, are you ready to stop treating me as if I don’t understand professional boundaries or that I’m not aware of what this is?”

He frowned. “What is it?”

“A good time with an expiration date, together with the complication of staying discreet because of work. Maybe we could fool ourselves into thinking it’s something beyond that if I was the type who could fly to meet you somewhere or if you were the type who didn’t spend ninety-nine percent of his time working, but we won’t. Instead, we’ll simply enjoy the time we do have.”

His stare burned into mine for the longest time before he took my lips in a scorching kiss. Then he pulled away as suddenly as he’d started. After straightening out his suit and sitting back on the bench, he extended a hand to help me sit up.

Huh. Not where I thought we’d been heading. But he had a smirk on his face.

“It occurs to me I need to try a different type of interview technique with you Ms. Waters.” His mischievousness was apparent in his expression.

“Do tell.”

“Very well. So, tell me, how do you feel about masturbation?”

My heart rate doubled instantly. Huh. Brexy had a playful side. Excellent. I tried to keep my face serious for a moment. “Well, I’m self-taught as most probably are, with years of experience and a secret Tumblr account that assists when needed. In other words, I’m a big fan.”

I couldn’t believe I’d confided about my Tumblr habit. Then again, this was the first man I’d met who I knew wouldn’t judge. Instead, desire was evident in the way he had to shift in his seat.

“Would you say you’re more of a manual kind of girl, or do you prefer automation when available?”

I was getting aroused by his words and the game we were playing. “I’ve always felt it’s important to start with the manual way of doing things before switching to automatic. Gives a greater appreciation for the task at hand. Literally.”

He ducked his head but not before I glimpsed his teeth flashing in a hidden smile.

“I could demonstrate if you’d like.” I’d raised the stakes and could see the lust clouding his expression.

“By all means. I’d love to see an example of your work.”

I moved to the opposing seat to give him a better view and peeled down my yoga pants to my knees. I left the thong where it was, merely sliding it to the side. Reaching down, I circled two fingers on my clit and then watched as he moved closer. Eyes on the prize.

“Do you prefer it hard and fast or slow and sensual?”

I wasn’t sure if he was referring to the two times we’d had sex or my fingers, but I answered honestly for either. “Both.”

He inhaled a breath. “Fuck. I can smell your arousal.”

“Feel free to help me with my demonstration if I’m not doing it quite up to your standards, Mr. Granger.”

He moved in front of me, on his knees, his face level with my pussy but still inches away. “I should not be so turned on by the way you say my surname but I am.”

I grinned, liking this game better by the moment.

“How often do you find yourself doing this?” he asked, his voice thick.

“In front of someone or by myself?”

He tensed instantly. “Both.”

“Never before and not as often as I probably should be.”

“What else haven’t you done?” His hands slid up my bare thighs.

“I’ve never had sex in a limo.”

“Any other skills on which you need further training?” Thumbs hooked on the side of my thong, working it down.

I bit my lip. “You tell me. How was it in the shower earlier?”

A satisfied smile came over his handsome face. “I would say you’re an expert in your field of expertise.”

“Excellent. I’ll update my résumé.”

He chuckled. “How do you feel about working exclusively with me during this project?”

I wondered if he meant it how it sounded. “No moonlighting or outsourcing of my duties?”

His eyes darkened. “Absolutely not. I’m very demanding and require one-on-one attention while I’m here on site.”

I gasped the moment he dropped his face and buried it in my pussy. “Let me guess. Long hours, grueling schedule, and lots of overtime.”

“Yes. But amazing benefits,” he mumbled against my skin, the reverberation sending tingles down to my toes. He thrust two fingers inside me, so deep that I cried out. I was already wet, but when I looked down and watched him moving in and out, I became soaked. I was so unbelievably turned on by what he could do with my body.

 “God, I hope I get the job,” I gasped just as he took me over the edge.

***

I woke to the sound of Simon’s voice. “Peyton, time to get up. We’re almost at your house.”

Slowly coming awake, I stretched, remembering I was in the back of a limo. Quite naked and wrapped in a blanket on the bench seat. Glancing at him, I found he was already dressed back in his suit. It was amazing how much more quickly a twenty-five-hour ride went when you spent most of it having sex.

“The trip went by a lot quicker this time.” We’d stopped a few times, dressing quickly first, then eating, a change of drivers—after which we’d be back at it. I was sure Simon had been inside of me in every single state we’d driven through.

Hm. Except Texas. Guess there’d be an opportunity for the Lone Star State some other time. At the moment, I was way too excited to get out of this car, have a shower, climb into my own bed, and see my dog.

“It did go by quickly.”

I grinned. In minutes, I had dressed and was now pulling on my shoes. “Too bad we didn’t think of that way to pass the time on the way to New York.”

It was his turn to grin. “I was thinking it. But I had to wait until the interviews were completed first.”

So that had been his line in the sand.

The car pulled up to the curb in front of my house a few minutes later. “I’ll help you with your things,” he offered and then walked me up to my front porch.

I opened my front door to an anxious Cooper. He was doing his little dance of joy and whining. “My sister dropped him off about an hour ago.” I hadn’t wanted to come home to an empty house.

Simon stroked his head while I rubbed his body. “Someone is sure happy to see you.”

Meeting his gaze, I wanted him to know how much I appreciated his efforts. “Thank you. For making this happen. For the date and the limo. For everything.”

He leaned in, but then, as if remembering we were on my front porch, he shoved his hands in his suit pockets. “You’re welcome. I, uh, guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Funny how you can kiss me after our first date but not after an entire limo-inspired sex marathon across half the country.”

His face turned a particular shade of pink I hadn’t seen before. Then, suddenly, he was backing me into my house. He shut the door and dipped me in dramatic fashion for a kiss for the ages. “How was that?”

Cooper was whining around us, the driver was waiting, and I was grinning from ear to ear. I touched his face. “Epic. See you tomorrow.”

He gave me one last kiss on my forehead before setting me on my feet.

As I watched him walk away, get in the limo, and drive off, I wondered what the coming week would have in store for us.