“You did the right thing, even though I hated it.” I jerked her skirt completely up. “I was immature, still am, still pass out when I see snakes, even pictures of snakes make me lose an erection, serious problem. No snake art, all right?”
She threw her arms around me. “Just don’t turn around then.”
“Not funny. You need this erection, don’t you?”
“Oops, forgot.” She wiggled against me, “Can I rip your shirt and make the buttons go flying?”
“I mean, is there any other way to do it?” I said while she reached for my shirt and ripped it open.
Her gasp was all I needed to feel like a man again. “You like?”
“What, do you have a gym in your office?” She ran her fingers down my stomach. “I’m going to name them.” Then she leaned down. “My precious—”
“Okay, you’ve been alone way too long, need you, now.”
She threw her arms around me as we stumbled back against the now black leather couches. Shoes went flying, inhibitions were lost, the wine hadn’t even been finished yet.
Our kisses were mature.
Different.
But at the same time, more aggressive, needy, because it had only ever been her for me. “I love you too. I always have. I always will.”
I didn’t prep her.
I didn’t need to.
She was ready for me, and I’d been waiting to be with her for years.
We joined.
And that was it.
She was mine.
I rolled my hips.
She moaned my name and hooked an ankle around me, pulling me closer as we tumbled off the couch, her on top as she rode me. Her breasts jiggled beneath her blouse, so I tore it open since they were crying touch me.
The vision of her riding me, of her mouth parted, her body arched to take me in, was more than my tiny brain could handle, and when she raked her nails down my chest, I exploded.
Thankful that she was right with me, always right with me, wasn’t she?
Both of us out of breath, she fell against me, her hair tickling my chin. “Are we going to get fired?”
“Nah, I’m your boss. Fuck me anytime you want. Really, I’m available morning, noon, night, holidays, especially my birthday—”
She kissed me again.
And then, of course, another knock sounded.
We both groaned and quickly put our clothes back together.
When she opened the door, it was another bottle, this time it was champagne.
“What’s going on?” She pulled off a sticky note that read,” Open the envelope, idiots.”
“Max,” we both said and then sighed.
I grabbed the envelope, took a deep breath, and dumped out the contents. Inside were two keys and a note.
“What’s it say?”
I started reading in disbelief and then laughed.
“What? What is it!” she yelled, smacking me in the arm.
Some things never changed; they should, but they didn’t. I rubbed the sore spot.
“Dear Interns.” I laughed again. “I knew you could do it. You see, sometimes it takes a few years for love to mature, like the fine wine I sent earlier, and other times all it takes is the place you fell for each other and suffered together to make you realize how much you’ve been suffering on your own. Please accept this penthouse as another bonus for doing such an excellent job. Oh, and if you could please hand out the matchmaking cards attached to this note, that would be great; I see great things for my future. Oh, and bonus, I’m ordained, so you know who to call when you get married, and Mark, I already picked out a ring, I know what she likes. That was creepier than I intended. I just love my employees and want what’s best for them. Yes, I’m eccentric. But I also know people. And you two were meant to be. Report to work in two weeks; consider this an early honeymoon. Oh, and PS, you’re the new bitches in charge of the Emory Games. We start next month, YAY!”
We both groaned and then realized what he’d actually done and told us.
“Wait.” Olivia started pacing. “He not only knew everything but was patient enough to pull all of this off and knew he could?”
“I need to sit.” I pulled out a chair and stared at her, then the note, then her. “I can’t believe I’m saying this but, he’s an evil genius.”
“I would vote him into office,” Olivia agreed, shaking her head. “I mean, we’d probably all die after giving him a big red button, but still.”
“Huh.” I dropped the note, then looked at her, really looked at her. “I’m thankful for him, just don’t ever tell him, or I’ll deny it till the day I die.”
Tears filled her eyes. “Me too.”
“Still hate you, though.” I winked.
“Same.” She laughed, then launched herself into my arms and whispered in my ear, teasing it with her tongue. “So what do you think about trying out that bathroom again and—”
I picked her up and ran.
And did exactly as Max said.
Used the next two weeks familiarizing myself with my soon-to-be wife.
And the new penthouse that had always somehow been… ours.
Confessional Number 3
Max
“And that’s why I’m the best,” I said to Rick as I sat back and turned off the cameras to the penthouse after they ripped each other’s clothes off. “I’m not just a hotelier; I’m a guru of love. I saw the sparks, turned them into seeds, then I fed them and watched them grow!”
Rick nodded slowly. “Wise words, wise words. Since the matchmaking part of the intern program was a wild success, do you have any plans to continue it?”
“Do pigs fly?” I laughed.
“Um, no, no, they don’t.”
“Well, I do, in my own private jet, so yeah, I’m gonna torture another couple. Did you see the ratings around the company? It’s our best-kept secret, everyone’s favorite time of year. I’m their version of Christmas, Rick, so I gotta give the people what they want. Besides, I have my eye on a few candidates.” I rubbed my hands together. “I do God’s work, Rick. Never forget that. In fact, tattoo it on your ass.”
“Ha-ha, you’re hilarious, sir, and—“
“Not a joke, Rick. Get that tattoo, or you’re fired.”
“Right away, sir. By the way, how’s Dustin?”
“Married, two children, happy as a clam, finally got all the nerves beat out of him. The first time he yelled back at me, I shed tears real tears and gave him a promotion, proudest day of my damn life watching that little chick turn into a real bird.”
“Fabulous, sir.”
“Yes, yes it is. All right, now our plans for next season…Let me tell you about the next couple.”
“I’m all ears.”
“You will be.” I smiled wickedly. “You will be.”
Want More RVD?
Did you enjoy Office Hate?
Then check out these other Romantic Comedies!
Bro Code
Co-Ed (Knox & Shawn’s story)
Seducing Mrs. Robinson (Leo & Kora’s story)
Avoiding Temptation (Slater & Tatum’s story)
The Setup (Finn & Jillian’s story)
The Consequence Series
The Consequence of Loving Colton (Colton & Milo’s story)
The Consequence of Revenge (Max & Becca’s story)
The Consequence of Seduction (Reid & Jordan’s story)
The Consequence of Rejection (Jason & Maddy’s story)
Acknowledgments
This was a book meant for my readers as a way to say thank you. I want to make you guys laugh and am so thankful to all of you.
I love what I do but you guys make it the best!
About The Author
Rachel Van Dyken is the #1 New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of over 90 books ranging from contemporary romance to paranormal. With over four million copies sold, she’s been featured in Forbes, US Weekly, and USA Today. Her books have been trans
lated in more than 15 countries. She was one of the first romance authors to have a Kindle in Motion book through Amazon publishing and continues to strive to be on the cutting edge of the reader experience. She keeps her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, adorable sons, naked cat, and two dogs. For more information about her books and upcoming events, visit www.RachelVanDykenAuthor.com.
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Ember (Phoenix & Bee’s story)
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Debase (Andrei & Alice’s story)
Mafia Royals Romances
Royal Bully (Asher & Claire’s story)
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Scandalous Prince (Breaker & Violet’s story)
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Summer Seduction (Marlon & Ray’s story)
Summer Nights (Marlon & Ray’s story)
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Stealing Her (Bridge & Isobel’s story)
Finding Him (Julian & Keaton’s story)
Wingmen Inc.
The Matchmaker’s Playbook (Ian & Blake’s story)
The Matchmaker’s Replacement (Lex & Gabi’s story)
Bro Code
Co-Ed (Knox & Shawn’s story)
Seducing Mrs. Robinson (Leo & Kora’s story)
Avoiding Temptation (Slater & Tatum’s story)
The Setup (Finn & Jillian’s story)
The Dark Ones Saga
The Dark Ones (Ethan & Genesis’s story)
Untouchable Darkness (Cassius & Stephanie’s story)
Dark Surrender (Alex & Hope’s story)
Darkest Temptation (Mason & Serenity’s story)
Darkest Sinner (Timber & Kyra’s story)
Ruin Series
Ruin (Wes Michels & Kiersten’s story)
Toxic (Gabe Hyde & Saylor’s story)
Fearless (Wes Michels & Kiersten’s story)
Shame (Tristan & Lisa’s story)
Seaside Series
Tear (Alec, Demetri & Natalee’s story)
Pull (Demetri & Alyssa’s story)
Shatter (Alec & Natalee’s story)
Forever (Alec & Natalee’s story)
Fall (Jamie Jaymeson & Pricilla’s story)
Strung (Tear + from the boys POV)
Eternal (Demetri & Alyssa’s story)
Seaside Pictures
Capture (Lincoln & Dani’s story)
Keep (Zane & Fallon’s story)
Steal (Will & Angelica’s story)
All Stars Fall (Trevor & Penelope’s story)
Abandon (Ty & Abigail’s story)
Provoke (Braden & Piper’s story)
Surrender (Drew & Bronte’s story)
The Consequence Series
The Consequence of Loving Colton (Colton & Milo’s story)
The Consequence of Revenge (Max & Becca’s story)
The Consequence of Seduction (Reid & Jordan’s story)
The Consequence of Rejection (Jason & Maddy’s story)
Curious Liaisons
Cheater (Lucas & Avery’s story)
Cheater’s Regret (Thatch & Austin’s story)
Players Game
Fraternize (Miller, Grant and Emerson’s story)
Infraction (Miller & Kinsey’s story)
M.V.P. (Jax & Harley’s story)
Red Card
Risky Play (Slade & Mackenzie’s story)
Kickin’ It (Matt & Parker’s story)
Liars, Inc
Dirty Exes (Colin, Jessie & Blaire’s story)
Dangerous Exes (Jessie & Isla’s story)
The Bet Series
The Bet (Travis & Kacey’s story)
The Wager (Jake & Char Lynn’s story)
The Dare (Jace & Beth Lynn’s story)
The Bachelors of Arizona
The Bachelor Auction (Brock & Jane’s story)
The Playboy Bachelor (Bentley & Margot’s story)
The Bachelor Contract (Brant & Nikki’s story)
Waltzing With The Wallflower — written with Leah Sanders
Waltzing with the Wallflower (Ambrose & Cordelia)
Beguiling Bridget (Anthony & Bridget’s story)
Taming Wilde (Colin & Gemma’s story)
London Fairy Tales
Upon a Midnight Dream (Stefan & Rosalind’s story)
Whispered Music (Dominique & Isabelle’s story)
The Wolf’s Pursuit (Hunter & Gwendolyn’s story)
When Ash Falls (Ashton & Sofia’s story)
Renwick House
The Ugly Duckling Debutante (Nicholas & Sara’s story)
The Seduction of Sebastian St. James (Sebastian & Emma’s story)
The Redemption of Lord Rawlings (Phillip & Abigail’s story)
An Unlikely Alliance (Royce & Evelyn’s story)
The Devil Duke Takes a Bride (Benedict & Katherine’s story)
Kathy Ireland & Rachel Van Dyken
Fashion Jungle
Single Titles
A Crown for Christmas (Fitz & Phillipa’s story)
Every Girl Does It (Preston & Amanda’s story)
Compromising Kessen (Christian & Kessen’s story)
Divine Uprising (Athena & Adonis’s story)
The Parting Gift — written with Leah Sanders (Blaine and Mara’s story)
Office Hate: An Enemies to Lovers Romance Page 12