I fall limp, my legs still draped around his waist. Our harsh panting and the smell of sweat and sex hang heavy in the air. When he eases out of me, I feel a little empty, but mostly just exhausted and satisfied. I hear the sound of latex unpeeling from skin, followed by the rustle of a plastic trash bag as Noah throws away the condom.

His muscled arms reach out and pull me against his hot chest, still damp with sweat. With a quiet murmur, I turn on my side to pillow my head on his firm bicep. Gingerly, I stretch out my tired legs. My muscles will definitely be sore tomorrow, but damn, this is so worth it.

Light floods back into my world as Noah removes my blindfold. I squeeze my eyes shut, both because the sudden brightness stings and because I want to hold on to this moment for just a little longer.

“How was that?” he asks. “From all the noise you made, it sounded like it felt good.”

“Amazing.” I sigh, already slipping into drowsiness. I’m too wiped out to worry about my honesty overinflating his ego.

But Noah doesn’t brag or tease me. He just kisses my forehead in soft affection. “I’m glad you liked it. And by the way, I love you more.”

I curve my arm around his trim waist. Cuddled close, we rest in each other’s embrace, bathed in a warm glow of contentment.

I can hardly believe things are going so well. Just a few weeks ago, our relationship teetered on the brink. Now we’re stronger than ever. A real couple. I couldn’t be happier, and if tonight was any indication, he feels the same way.

Chapter Twelve

Noah

At the flurry of noise and people rushing past my office door, I stand up to peek out into the hall. I’ve had my head down most of the morning, reviewing the pitch campaigns created by the marketing team for all our new accounts. It’s good to be busy again with the influx of so many new clients.

I stop at my assistant’s desk. “What’s going on?”

Her gaze follows the crowd to where they stand, necks craned, watching the flat-screen perched on the wall in the break room just down the hall. “Have you seen the news?” she asks.

I give my head a shake, and she taps her computer monitor with one long, lacquered fingernail. “It’s Daniels Multimedia, one of the companies who wanted to buy us out. The heir to the company, Bradford Daniels . . . he’s all they’re talking about today.”

“That pencil dick,” I utter under my breath. “What’s he done now?”

Margot blushes at my vulgar language. She’s sixty-eight and retiring in two weeks. I don’t know what I’m going to do without her. I’ve brought in dozens of applicants, and so far there hasn’t been even one I’d consider.

I need someone capable, trustworthy, and according to my wife, someone who isn’t interested in fucking me. Olivia’s vetoed nearly every candidate.

Margot opens her browser and the CNN headline reads Junior Executive Exposed in Sex, Money Scandal!

I lean over her shoulder, skimming the article to discover that mega-douche Brad got caught with his pants down. He was blackmailing his assistant, a single mom and longtime faithful employee. When she discovered he was embezzling funds and hiding the money in an offshore account, he made her an offer. He promised her a promotion as long as she didn’t say anything. But she couldn’t live with that and told his father what he was doing. Apparently, the stolen money was used to pay for his Internet porn addiction, among other things. The assistant reported that she’d walked in on him masturbating in his office several times.

Hallelujah. I love it when bad things happen to bad people. Especially since any lawyer worth their salt will find a way to tack on sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment in addition to blackmail and embezzlement. The bastard will be looking at serious jail time.

Grabbing my phone, I dial Olivia.

But I can’t even get past hello before she blurts, “Did you hear?” Her voice is almost giddy with disbelief.

“Yeah. This is just not his month.”

“Oh, trust me, he deserves every bit of this.”

Nodding, I head toward her office. When I arrive in front of her door, she looks up and stifles a giggle before hanging up the phone.

“Lunch?” I ask.

Her gaze lowers to the clock. It’s before noon, but now that I’ve taken a break, I don’t want to go back to my desk.

“Sure.” She smiles at me again and rises from her desk.

I love that Brad has fallen from grace, but even more, I love how it’s merely a blip on our radar. We’ve moved on, as individuals and as a couple, and his presence in our lives is insignificant. That’s not to say we won’t enjoy hearing the news once in a while, but it won’t absorb us. This is our story, and it’s one he has no part in anymore.

“Let’s order in,” I suggest, sinking into the plush seat across from her. “I’ve got another interview coming in at one today.”

Olivia rolls her eyes. “I don’t want to talk about that right now. I don’t want to fight.”

It’s becoming a sore subject between us, which is unexpected. My wife is usually so self-confident; it’s taken me by surprise that she has such an interest in who I hire to be my right hand.

My lips quirk. Maybe nobody will ever be good enough for her. Maybe this is how she shows her love—by splashing her control-freakery all over me.

She cocks her head. “Something funny?”

I quickly school my features. “Just some dumb joke Sterling forwarded me this morning. I agree; let’s have a nice lunch and not talk about business.”