Although Reginald appeared laid back and easygoing, the look on his face spoke volumes. First and foremost, he was a businessman and not to be underestimated.
“Good. I wouldn’t want that to interfere with you two presenting your findings to the board next week.”
Jay’s fingers slid over her bare skin and closed around her ankle. He gave a gentle squeeze. A silent message to play along. The feel of his strong hands on her naked flesh brought back heated memories of last night, making it most difficult to form a coherent thought. She suppressed a shiver, censored the provocative slide show in her mind’s eye, and worked to speak.
“Nothing will interfere with our presentation,” Jay said. He glanced at Laura. “Right?”
Laura tried for casual and prayed her voice didn’t betray her. She gave a tight nod as they exchanged a look. “That’s right,” she agreed.
Reginald slanted his head and focused on Laura. “I’m assuming everything is going according to plan, then?” he inquired with an unwavering stare.
Jay squeezed again. His touch was most distracting and evoked a myriad of sinful thoughts.
She cleared her throat and centered herself. “Naturally,” Laura said with much more confidence than she felt. “We’ve been working long and hard into the night on this.”
Long and hard being the key words. She neglected to tell exactly what was long and hard.
“Of course, you both know how important the grant money is to the research center. And if all goes according to plan, by the time next winter rolls around you can both begin preliminary trials on Pleasure Prolonged, the new serum designed to give men prolonged erections and multiple orgasms.”
They nodded in unison and then Jay redirected the conversation. “Any leads on the break-in?”
“We’re still working on it.” Reginald gave an angry shake of his head as his gorgeous wife Veronica came up beside him. “Detective Doyle seems to think it’s an inside job.”
Veronica puckered her pouty lips, shook her silky raven locks off her shoulders, and slipped her slender arm around Reginald’s protruding middle.
“At least Laura was smart enough to keep the files outside the office,” Reginald added.
Jay grinned at her. “That’s my Laura. The brilliant one.”
The brilliant one.
Not the sexy one.
Or the hot one.
Or the one he wanted to take to bed again, strip naked, tie up, and run his tongue all over until…Oh boy!
Veronica piped in and helped her purify her thoughts, jostling her back to the present.
“Come on, Reggie, you know the rules, no shop talk. And you’re needed at the barbecue,” she cooed.
Reggie, as his wife so lovingly nicknamed him, draped his arm around Veronica’s shoulder, turned his back to them, and tossed the words over his shoulder, “I expect that report on my desk before the board meeting.”
When they stepped away, out of earshot, Jay leaned in and whispered, “How does a pit bull like him get a pussycat like her?”
Laura shrugged. “Beats me.”
A sexy grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Maybe he keeps her topped up with libido enhancer,” he teased. “It’s amazing what that stuff will do to a person.”
Laura swallowed. “Yeah, real amazing,” she agreed, forcing a smile. Her stomach lurched and then growled. She knew all too well how powerful the enhancer could be. So did Jay.
“Are you hungry?”
It was as good an explanation as any for her rumbling tummy. “Yes.” She jumped at the switch in subject, not wanting him to know the real reason her insides twisted.
Laura turned her attention to Erin as she opened the patio doors and stepped outside. She’d changed into a bright yellow one-piece swimsuit that accentuated her gorgeous curves. With a wave of her hand, Laura motioned for her to come over.
Jay stood and cocked a questioning brow. “The usual?” he questioned in a soft tone. “Hot dog, just mustard?”
“Yeah, thanks.” Her heart tightened with his thoughtfulness. God, he was so adorable. As he walked away, he dragged her focus with him.
Erin slipped into the chair beside her. Her voice broke Laura’s concentration. “How’s your boyfriend?”
Laura’s chin came up a notch. She gritted her teeth. “He’s not my boyfriend.”
“Well, you want him to be, don’t you?” she teased.
Laura rolled her eyes. “What are you, twelve?”
Erin chuckled and stretched out her legs. “Heads up, Laura, crouton alert two o’clock.”
Laura glanced up to see Max Baker coming her way. He adjusted his glasses and swiped his hand through puffy blond curls that reminded Laura of dandelion fluff.
“Be nice, Erin,” Laura warned. “You shouldn’t call people names.”
Before Max reached her, the director blocked his path and engaged him in conversation. From the intent look on Reginald’s face, Laura surmised it was a very important topic.
Erin shrugged. “It’s not my fault he has the personality of a soggy crouton.” She paused, got quiet for a moment—a rarity for her—and then as an afterthought added, “Or the breath of an open coffin.” She threw her hands up in the air. “And why the hell doesn’t he get a haircut? He looks like a damn chia pet.”
Laura stifled a chuckle. “Erin…shh…he’s going to hear you.” She reached out and swatted Erin’s thigh.
Erin shook her head in dismay. “I take it back, Laura.”
“You take what back?”
She blew out a resigned breath. “You were right, you are a geek magnet.”
Laura’s lips thinned to a fine line. “You know how I hate to say I told you so.” She set the ice pack aside and reached for her drink.
Leaning in, Erin whispered, “I bet all his imaginary friends have a crush on you, too.”
This time Laura couldn’t help but chuckle. The grin quickly fell from her face when she watched one of the piranhas climb from the pool and cuddle up with Jay as he made his way to the barbecue. The piranha’s smile was as fake as processed cheese slices. Laura’s stomach plummeted. The slut piranha squeezed water from her hair with her long manicured fingers and let it slide down the front of her chest in a provocative, inviting manner.
Laura didn’t swing that
