Once Upon a Dare (Risky Business)(43)

“Hmmm?” Sipping from the paper cup, she closed her eyes as the scalding liquid burned a path to her belly, warming her from the inside out.

“You still haven’t told me if you’re going to see Alex again. Spill! Right now or I’m taking my coffee back.”

Olivia’s grip tightened protectively around the paper cup. “You are not getting this coffee back. Not even over my cold, dead body. And, no, I am not planning to see Alex again.”

Shame ripped through her. She’d called Alex Sunday night and given him the old “it’s not you, it’s me” speech. He was a great guy, but there would never be anything between them. Much as she hated to admit it, he just wasn’t Cole. Not that Chloe would understand, since as far as she knew, things with Cole were one and done. Thankfully, a knock at the door killed any further discussion of Alex. Her jaw dropped at the sight of an outrageously large bouquet of long-stemmed roses and white calla lilies…on stilettos.

“These just arrived for you.” Gabby peeked around the blossoms and stepped forward slowly, being careful not to spill any water on the carpet. “Should I just put them on your desk?”

“Holy crap!” Chloe blurted out, her gaze flying to the mammoth arrangement that nearly toppled Gabby.

“Uh, sure. The desk is fine.” Olivia sprang to her feet and came around to help. When they got the flowers settled on the desk, leaving zero work space, she thanked Gabby and turned her attention to the sweet-smelling new addition. She took a deep breath, inhaling the intoxicating scent of summer.

With oversized blossoms and crisp, vibrant colors, they were easily the most beautiful and extravagant flowers she had ever received—not that she was exactly accustomed to floral deliveries at the office. Or anywhere else, for that matter. And calla lilies just so happened to be her favorite flower. It was an incredibly sweet gesture, but who could have sent them? Clients didn’t send gifts like this, no matter how much they appreciated her work. She tore the card from the bouquet and read it silently.

For a real Vixen.

Cole.

Desire stirred low in her belly, roaring to life at the very thought of his touch. She could resist his perfect smile, his cut abs, his sinful tongue. She could even handle his cocky I-can-make-you-come-whenever-I-want attitude. But this? What was this? Naked friends—correction, ex-naked friends—didn’t send flowers to each other, did they? Maybe they did and she’d missed the memo. She had been out of action for a while.

“So, am I supposed to guess or are you going to tell me who they’re from?” Chloe asked. She was trying hard to appear casual, but the mystery was obviously killing her.

“There’s no signature,” Olivia told her, shrugging apologetically. It wasn’t exactly a lie. She had her suspicions, but he hadn’t signed his name, so how could she be sure? “I can’t imagine who would have sent them.”

She quickly tucked the card in her pocket, where it would be safe from curious eyes, including Chloe’s. No way could she admit who they were from. People were already talking about her and Cole as if they were practically headed to the altar. She wasn’t ready to open that can of worms just yet. Or ever.

“And they say size doesn’t matter!” Chloe scoffed, flicking one of the roses with her index finger.

“This isn’t funny!”

“Tell me about it,” Chloe said with a devilish grin. “I can’t remember the last time a guy sent me flowers!”

“It’s not like that,” Olivia argued, rubbing her temples. Whatever the flowers were, they meant something. Guys didn’t just send a woman flowers without wanting something in return. She had a pretty good idea what that something was when it came to Cole. Why couldn’t he get it into his head that she couldn’t just openly screw the boss?

“Riiiight,” Chloe drawled, rolling her eyes. “There are only two reasons a man sends flowers like these—he’s getting some action or he’s trying to get some.”

“Well, he can forget about it. My vagina is officially closed for business,” Olivia swore, crossing her arms emphatically. She was definitely not going to have sex with Cole again, no matter how big his arrangement was. Not even if he tried to lure her with those ridiculously gifted hands of his.

Or that mouth.

Nope. She was done with sex. At least for now. She just needed to set Cole straight.

Again.

She shooed Chloe out of her office and headed straight for Cole’s, letting herself in without knocking and shutting the door behind her.

“Olivia—”

“Have you lost your mind?” she hissed through clenched teeth. She stalked across the office and placed her palms on the desk, leaning into his personal space. “You can’t just send me roses at work!”

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth and she knew he wanted to laugh. Jerk. Why did he have to be so sexy when he was being such an ass?

“Remind me again why I can’t send you flowers?”

“Because,” she sputtered, trying to remember why it was wrong. There seemed to be a sudden disconnect between her brain and her mouth. Probably had something to do with all the blood rushing to her center. “What will people think?”

“I sent you flowers; I didn’t propose to you,” he said, flashing her his trademark dimpled grin. “And you’re the one who pointed out that people already think we’re sleeping together. Why not run with it? You really need to loosen up.” His smile turned seductive, his eyes hooding with desire. “I could help you with that, you know.”