“Cole,” I finally say, still smiling like an idiot to my boss. “Hi.” Getting caught reading a naughty sex scene is one thing. Getting caught reading a naughty sex scene by someone you’ve fantasized about acting out those naughty sex scenes with is another.
Especially when that person happens to be your boss.
“Hi, Alexis,” he says, smiling right back at me, his brown eyes shining in the afternoon sunlight. He’s one of the few people who always calls me by my full name. It annoys me when others do, but it’s sexy when it’s coming off his lips. “How are you?”
“Good. I’m just going through what I think are the last changes for Quinn Harlow’s latest book.”
“Perfect,” he says and comes into the office, leaving the door open. “That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about. I just got out of a meeting with the marketing team and they wanted to bump the release date up.” He leans over the desk, staring down at my Kindle. Black Ink is one of the biggest publishers in the business and is no stranger to erotic or taboo novels, but I suddenly feel shy that my Kindle is open to a page—the entire page—devoted to oral sex. Maybe it’s because I’ve wondered what Cole’s head would look like between my legs?
Stop it.
He’s right fucking in front of me. I’m already hot and bothered from the sex scene. I don’t need the image of Cole’s handsome face slowly trailing down my body as he kisses my neck, my breasts, the soft skin on my—stop!
“How soon?” I ask and clear my throat. “When do they want to release, I mean. And how has that changed the marketing plan? Quinn will want to know.”
“They want to move the release date up by a month, and the marketing has already started.”
“I think we can do that, then.”
He smiles at me, and my panties melt right off. “I knew you’d be able to handle this. And between you and me, I’m glad it’s you working on her book. You’re one of the best we have here.”
I shake my head. “You’re too kind.”
“Really,” he says and moves in a little closer. “Do I need to bring up The Fake Wife?” he asks with a laugh. I blush and shake my head. I took a gamble on a debut author’s thriller not long ago, and the book blew up. The movie came out over the summer and was a hit. “You’ve yet to advocate for a bad book. How do you do it?”
I shrug, looking up at him. “I just know what I like and go for it.” I don’t mean for it to sound as flirty as it does. I’m about to divert my eyes and blurt out something random to take the tension away, but Cole speaks before I have the chance.
“I like that about you,” he says coyly, giving me a sexy-as-hell smile. “You’ll talk to Quinn Harlow or her agent today?”
“Yeah. I’ll email them both right away.”
He goes on to tell me the details of everything, and I do my best to listen. I even jot down notes so I can explain everything in perfect detail when I talk to Quinn’s agent.
My mind starts to drift to Cole’s perfect cheekbones and the alluring way he smells. Cole Winchester is the Editor-in-Chief at Black Ink Press, and is the subject of many office fantasies. The moment you meet him, it’s obvious as to why. Besides his looks—tall, athletic, handsome-yet-rugged face that’s covered in a perfect five o’clock shadow all day—Cole is a diamond in the rough. He’s respectful of his employees. He’s responsible and always has his shit together. He’s an overall nice guy but can still command the room without even trying. Cole meets all the criteria on my to-date list.
Yet, he’s made it abundantly clear that he’ll never date anyone from work. Don’t shit were you eat and all, I guess. Though I like to think I could be his exception, like one of the leading ladies in the romance novels. And there’s that hope again rising in my chest. I’ve been told that not all is lost when you have hope. But enough of that optimistic bullshit. Having hope only prolongs the heartache.
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About the Author
Emily Goodwin is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of over a dozen of romantic titles. Emily writes the kind of books she likes to read, and is a sucker for a swoon-worthy bad boy and happily ever afters.
She lives in the midwest with her husband and two daughters. When she's not writing, you can find her riding her horses, hiking, reading, or drinking wine with friends.
Emily is represented by Julie Gwinn of the Seymour Agency.
Stalk me:
www.emilygoodwinbooks.com
[email protected]
Also by Emily Goodwin
Standalone Novels
One Call Away
Never Say Never
Outside the Lines
First Comes Love
Then Comes Marriage
Stay
All I Need
Love is Messy Duet Series
Hot Mess (Luke & Lexi, book 1)
Twice Burned (Luke & Lexi, book 2)
Bad Things (Cole & Ana, book 3)
Battle Scars (Cole & Ana, book 4)
Dawson Family Series
Cheat Codes
End Game
Side Hustle
Side Hustle: A Dawson Family Novel Page 31