Moonlighter (The Company, #1)(101)

Eric makes a disgruntled noise. “Max better punish this fucker, then. Xian Smith or whoever. He’s like a cloud over your life.”

I curl up a little closer to Eric. “Listen, can I take you out to lunch later?”

“In a restaurant?” he asks sleepily. “Really?”

“Yes, that’s the whole point. Maybe not the window seat. But life is short, and I’d like to spend more of mine sitting across from you.”

His eyes spring open. “Engels, are you asking me out on a date?”

“Yeah,” I say softly. “It’s going to be a long day. But it would be better if I could see you in the middle of it.”

Those gray eyes soften. “Now she gets it.”

Yep. I totally do.

Eric pulls me close and kisses my temple. Then his hand finds my bare belly, rubbing it sweetly. “I know we have to get up. But I sure as hell don’t want to.”

“You make me want to stay in bed too, sir.” His eyes flare as I run a hand down his muscular chest.

“Excuse me, queen,” Bingley says. “I have a message from Max.”

“I do not like that guy,” Eric mumbles, kissing my shoulder.

“Which guy? Bingley or Max?” I tease.

“I’m afraid to answer that question,” Eric whispers. “I don’t want to turn the robot against me.”

“I can hear you perfectly well, sire,” Bingley says.

“Oh Engels,” Eric complains. “I thought you said your home speaker wasn’t creepy.”

“He will never share your data,” I assure him. “But that doesn’t mean he understands tact.”

“Tact!” Bingley announces. “A noun, meaning: a keen sense of how to deal with others. Would you like to hear the message from Max?”

“No,” Eric says at the same time I say “yes.”

“Dear me, that is confusing,” Bingley fusses. “But my queen is the admin, therefore I obey her wishes above all others. Ergo: Max would like you to know that he’s on his way over. He’ll escort you to the office, where police officers will interview you about last night’s events.”

Well, that’s a sobering start to my day.

“I’m going to physical therapy this morning,” Eric says. “And then we’ll see about lunch, okay? I’ll come back into Manhattan either way, to see how you’re doing.”

“It’s a date,” I promise him.





36





Eric





It’s another sweaty, painful morning with Chip the therapist. But I take my punishment like a man.

“Good effort!” he says when I’m about three quarters dead, his voice as cheerful as always.

“Thanks,” I gasp, rolling up off the mats.

“Did you hear we’re getting a bunch of snow?”

“Really?” It rarely snows in Manhattan. Not more than a dusting, anyway. And never in December.

“Yeah. Like, eight inches. Might have to cancel our session tomorrow if the subways are shut down.”

“What a shame,” I say as sweat drips into my eyes.

Chip laughs as he walks away. “You sound really broken up about it. Come on, man. Go reward yourself with a shower and a protein shake.”

But my real reward is a trip into midtown to have lunch with Alex. After my shower I put on a nice shirt and slacks. On my way into the city, I text her. Still have time for lunch?

By the time I reach Manhattan, I have a reply. Your dad and brother are here to rehash the situation. But I’ll kick everyone out of my office as soon as I can.

When I reach the front desk of her building, I have to wait in line for a visitor’s pass. This is a theme in my life, although Alex is worth it.

“ID, please,” says the young woman behind the desk. “Who are you here to visit?” She gives me an appreciative once-over.

“Alex Engels.” I set the ID down on the countertop.

“Do you have an appointment?”

“She’s expecting me for lunch. Do you want me to call upstairs and ask her to approve the pass?”

“Hang on…” Her shiny nails make a clickety sound on the keyboard. “She added you to her approved list. I’m printing your pass now.”

“Thanks.”

A moment later I’m passing through the turnstile and then riding the elevator to the top floor. It’s easy to find Alex’s suite, because Rolf is parked at a desk right outside.

“You again,” he says with a scowl.

“I told you I was the boyfriend.”

He rolls his eyes. “Big security meeting, though.” He hooks a thumb toward Alex’s door. “They’re not finished.”

“That’s okay. Those people all like me.” I can see a flash of my dad’s gray hair through the slats in the blinds that shield the office from curious eyes.

When I open the door, conversation stops.

“Eric,” my brother says. He’s standing in front of a whiteboard, a marker in his hand. “After last night, I can’t put you back on Alex’s detail. I need to use my pros.”

“I’m not here for that,” I say, crossing to Alex where she sits behind her desk. As soon as I reach her, Alex beams up at me, ready to receive my kiss, which I give her. “I’m here because I was invited to lunch. But please carry on. I’ll just sit here and look pretty.” I park my ass in a chair against the wall.