Never Naughty Enough. Jill Monroe

a few more times, he gasped for air, not able to break the cycle. Ms. Scott reached over and patted him on the back. Her breasts swayed before his eyes. The urge to cough again assailed him. Be an adult. “I’m okay.”

      She leaned away, her eyebrows knotting again. “I have just the thing to clean your palate.” She returned her attention to the basket and pulled out two large slivers of chocolate cake and a bunch of green grapes.

      “The grapes aren’t really in season yet, so they cost a fortune, but I just love them, don’t you?”

      He nearly sprang up from the blanket when her pink tongue licked the plumpness of the grape. He imagined her tongue touching and tasting his—

      What the hell was happening to him? The way she was eating made him think of nothing but sex. With Ms. Scott. Sex with Ms. Scott.

      The absurdity of the idea drove him to his feet. Unfortunately he took the corner of the blanket with him. Silverware clinked off her plate and the chocolate cake flipped to the carpet. She scrambled after it.

      “Ms. Scott, thank you for the lunch. I’ll eat the rest at my desk. I have to go over this merger contract one more time.”

      Maybe he had more of the hunter left in him than he thought. His company falling about his ears, his most valued assistant about to leave him and the only thing that filled his mind was the image of her on that patchwork blanket.

      Naked.

      And the ideas. The first image had him laying her back on that quilt and drawing her into his arms. The second one had to do with butter, slathering and licking. He balled his hands into fists to prevent himself from acting on those ideas.

      When she looked at him, her eyes were filled with something… What was it… ? Hurt?

      Anger, with himself and this strange, frustrating situation, made him regret his awkward, brusque behavior. “Uh, thank you, Ms. Scott. And congratulations.”

      With a tight nod, she scooted around on the quilt on all fours, gathering the remnants of their lunch and returning it into the wicker basket. He turned his head as her delicious backside came into view.

      He was a pig.

      The lid banging on the basket signaled her cleaning task was completed. “Ms. Scott.”

      Her eyes met his, a mixture of dread and hope evident in her gaze. “Yes?”

      “I’ll be working late this evening. Please lock up when you leave.”

      He broke out in a sweat as she shut the door behind her.

      ANNABELLE SUCCESSFULLY resisted the temptation to slam the door. Instead, she stalked over to her desk, dumped the basket next to the file cabinet and grabbed the pad under the phone.

      This time she retrieved a thick Sharpie marker to cross out her stupid list. She meant business.

      1. Use your tongue. Bite it the next time you feel the need to seek advice from Katie.

      2. Play with your food. Leave that to the toddler set.

      3. Arch your back more. Keep that up and you’ll give yourself a real backache.

      The pungent odor of the marker filled the room as she colored over any trace of her latest mantra. You’re a seductress.

      Yeah. Sure. A seducer right back to work.

      Pushing the paper aside, Annabelle dialed Katie’s number. She should put it on the office speed dial. Her friend answered on the first ring; she must have been expecting her call.

      “Are you sticky from butter?”

      “How’d you know it was me?”

      “Caller ID.”

      “The plan tanked. I’m finished.”

      “Hmm.”

      The clicking sound over the phone line gave Annabelle a clear image of Katie in her mind. She reclined in her chair, clicking her pen between her teeth. Thinking. Never a good sign.

      “No new plans. You’re right. The well’s a bust,” Annabelle said. She had a plan of her own. Maybe if she agreed with Katie, her next suggestion wouldn’t involve stilettos and a black feather boa.

      “I don’t know. I can’t help but think all he needs is a nudge.” Katie took a sudden intake of breath. “I’ve got it.”

      Annabelle cringed. “Maybe you shouldn’t say those words again. Your last two plans backfired.”

      “Those plans should have worked. I’m beginning to think it’s the execution. That’s why I’m taking matters into my own hands. I’m overseeing the next operation.”

      “Katie, I’m not interested—”

      “You’ll start seeing another man.”

      Her muscles relaxed. This newest brainchild would go nowhere. “Well, first I have to choose just one from the many clamoring outside my door.”

      “We’ll start small. There’s a party tonight. Heather’s roommate got married and she’s throwing an ‘I’m still single’ bash at her apartment.”

      This time Annabelle’s groan was audible. “No, not a party. I hate parties.”

      “Belle, honey, maybe it’s time for you to move on. Nothing’s happening there in the office. You need to search for something new. It might not be at this party, but it’s a start to get your feet wet.”

      She cut another glance at Wagner’s firmly shut door. His heart, like that door, would remain shut to her forever. She might as well get used to it. “Okay, I’ll go.”

      “Great. See you there.”

      Annabelle replaced the receiver and looked back at her notebook. She ripped out her carefully prepared notes. With purposeful steps, she walked to the paper shredder, flipped the switch and rammed the pages home.