Office Intrigue (Office Intrigue Duet Book 1)
Page 36
“Was anyone planning to spend time with her over the holidays?” Justin asked.
I glanced at Landon. I hadn’t spoken to him about it, but I had intended to see her. No way could I go two fucking weeks without seeing her. I’d probably go out of my mind.
And that honestly had nothing to do with the fact that I wouldn’t get sex otherwise. Although I was hesitant to act on my attraction to Luci, that didn’t mean I could ignore her entirely.
“I was going to call her,” Landon admitted. “I haven’t nailed down anything at this point, but I was going to see her. Or try, anyway. Take her to dinner or something.”
Justin glanced at Ben, then back to me. “Unfortunately, we’ve got a lot going on. I’m not sure we can see her much until after Christmas.”
Ben took a sip of his drink before speaking. “I’m willing to change some things around. I’m spending Christmas Eve with my momma, but I’ll be available before and after.”
As I sipped my drink, an idea came to me. I glanced at my brother and he nodded, as though he had read my mind. Sometimes I thought he could actually do that.
“Let me call our folks,” Landon told Justin and Ben. “See if they’d be willin’ to do somethin’ different.”
“Like what?” Justin was obviously curious.
Fortunately, my brother didn’t show his hand before he was ready to play it. “Give me until tomorrow mornin’. Then we’ll let you know.”
“As long as someone’s going to take care of Luci,” Ben said firmly. “Otherwise, I’ll shift what I have to. I don’t like the idea of her spending the holidays by herself.”
I didn’t like the idea either, but if it came down to it, I would rather be the one to spend time with her. Well, Landon and I. That was my possessive streak coming out, though.
“She won’t be spending them alone,” I assured them.
No matter what my brother and I came up with, Luci would not be spending the holidays by herself.
I would make damn sure of that.
INTRIGUED out of the OFFICE is available now!
♥▫▫▫▫♥▫▫▫▫♥
Want to see some fun stuff related to the Office Intrigue Duet, you can find extras on my website. Or how about what’s coming next? Find more on my website: NicoleEdwardsAuthor.com
If you’re interested in keeping up to date on any of my series, as well as receiving updates on all that I’m working on, you can sign up for my monthly newsletter.
Want a simple, fast way to get updates on new releases? You can also sign up for text messaging. If you are in the U.S. simply text NICOLE to 64600 or sign up on my website. I promise not to spam your phone. This is just my way of letting you know what’s happening because I know you’re busy, but if you’re anything like me, you always have your phone on you.
And last but certainly not least, if you want to see what’s going on with me each week, sign up for my weekly Hot Sheet! It’s a short, entertaining weekly update of things going on in my life and that of the team that supports me. We’re a little crazy at times and this is a firsthand account of our antics.
Acknowledgments
First and always, I have to thank my wonderfully patient husband who puts up with me every single day. If it wasn’t for him and his belief that I could (and can) do this, I wouldn’t be writing this today. He has been my backbone, my rock, the very reason I continue to believe in myself. I love you for that, babe.
Chancy Powley – This was a tough one, I know. It tested our friendship and I hope you know that you mean the world to me. I thank you for everything you do for me, all the wonderful suggestions and ideas, and especially for letting me bounce mine off you.
Allison Holzapfel – Our friendship has grown stronger the past few months and I’m so glad that I have you. This book tested all of us, but I thank you for the time and dedication you put into reading it and giving me your input. The book is better because of it.
Amber Willis – You don’t particularly care for BDSM romance, but you dug in and powered through. I thank you for all you do for me, and for being my friend.
Karen DiGaetano – You’re probably the fastest reader I’ve ever met, and I thank you for taking the time to read through this book – twice – and for giving me your input. Thanks to you, I decided to elaborate some and add a few more perspectives. The book is certainly better because of it.
Wander Aguiar and Andrey Bahia – You two are class acts in every way. Thank you SO much for giving my characters life. Working with you is a true pleasure and I look forward to what the future has in store for us.
Thank you to my proofreaders. Jenna Underwood, Annette Elens, Theresa Martin, and Sara Gross. Not only do you catch my blunders, you are my friends and it is an honor to call you that.
I also have to thank my street team – Naughty (and nice) Girls – Your unwavering support is something I will never take for granted. So, thank you Traci Hyland, Maureen Ames, Erin Lewis, Jackie Wright, Chris Geier, Kara Hildebrand, Shannon Thompson, Tracy Barbour, Nadine Hunter, Toni Thompson, and Rachelle Newham.
I can’t forget my copyeditor, Amy at Blue Otter Editing. Thank goodness I’ve got you to catch all my punctuation, grammar, and tense errors.
Nicole Nation 2.0 for the constant support and love. You’ve been there for me from almost the beginning. This group of ladies has kept me going for so long, I’m not sure I’d know what to do without them.
And, of course, YOU, the reader. Your emails, messages, posts, comments, tweets… they mean more to me than you can imagine. I thrive on hearing from you, knowing that my characters and my stories have touched you in some way keeps me going. I’ve been known to shed a tear or two when reading an email because you simply bring so much joy to my life with your support. I thank you for that.
By Nicole Edwards
The Alluring Indulgence Series
What’s hotter than a Texas cowboy? Seven Texas cowboys.
All with a heart of gold and a sexy, devious side.
Kaleb
Zane
Travis
Holidays with the Walker Brothers
Ethan
Braydon
Sawyer
Brendon
The Austin Arrows Series
The Austin Arrows know what it’s like to be the best in the NHL. They’ve been there.
Now they just need to figure out how to get back.
The SEASON: Rush
The SEASON: Kaufman
The Bad Boys of Sports Series
Meet the most wanted players in sports . . .
one ridiculously hot alpha male at a time
Bad Reputation
Bad Business (2018)
The Caine Cousins Series
Give me some knuckle-scraping bad boys, please.
Hard to Hold
Hard to Handle
The Club Destiny Series
Come see how hot these powerful men and their lovely ladies can get.
All from the comfort of the infamous Club Destiny.
Conviction
Temptation
Addicted
Seduction
Infatuation
Captivated
Devotion
Perception
Entrusted
Adored
Distraction
The Coyote Ridge Series
The Walker brothers started it, but it ain’t over yet.
Curtis
Jared (series crossover)
The Dead Heat Ranch Series
Love cowboys?
Love smokin’ hot cowboys and the sweet, sexy cowgirls they love?
Come on in and stay a while.
Boots Optional
Betting on Grace
Overnight Love
Jared (series crossover)
The Devil’s Bend Series
Sexy is just the beginning for these down home cowboys.
Add in a little country music, some big dreams and you’re in for a ride.
Chasing Dreams
Vanishing Dreams
The Devil’s Playground Series
Come hang out at Devil’s Playground - the hottest nightclub in Las Vegas, Dallas and New York!
This is a spin-off series from Southern Boy Mafia, featuring those who work at Max Adorite’s nightclub, Devil’s Playground.
Without Regret
Without Restraint
The Office Intrigue Duet
There’s something about an office romance...mixed with a lot of BDSM.
Office Intrigue
Intrigued Out of the Office
The Pier 70 Series
A day on the lake... who knew it could get this hot? This is a m/m series.
Reckless
Fearless
Speechless
Harmless
The Sniper 1 Security Series
The Kogans and the Trexlers are in the business of protecting those who need to be protected.
And their motto is: Protect... by any means necessary.
Wait for Morning
Never Say Never
The Southern Boy Mafia Series
Everybody loves a bad boy!
Beautifully Brutal
Beautifully Loyal
Standalone Novels
Just to spice things up a bit!
A Million Tiny Pieces
Inked on Paper
Writing as Timberlyn Scott
Unhinged
Unraveling
Chaos
Naughty Nice Holiday Novellas
Because naughty holidays can be oh so nice
2015
2016
Because Naughty can be oh so Nice®
Table of Contents
DEDICATION
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty-One
Twenty-Two
Twenty-Three
Twenty-Four
Twenty-Five
Twenty-Six
Twenty-Seven
Twenty-Eight
Twenty-Nine
Thirty
Thirty-One
Thirty-Two
Thirty-Three
Thirty-Four
Thirty-Five
Thirty-Six
Thirty-Seven
Thirty-Eight
Thirty-Nine
Forty
Forty-One
Forty-Two
Forty-Three
Forty-Four
Forty-Five
Forty-Six
Forty-Seven
Forty-Eight
Forty-Nine
Fifty
Fifty-One
Fifty-Two
One
Acknowledgments