“Ohmigod,” Erin blurted as realization dawned. The three of them had been matchmaking.
Reginald narrowed his gaze. “Erin, are you feeling okay? You look a little flushed.”
“I just…I just…”
Laughing, Kale stood and gathered her into his arms. “I think Jay knew how I felt about you from the first minute I set eyes on you.”
He hugged her tighter and Erin melted into him. She lifted her gaze to his. “And obviously Laura knew how I felt about you too.”
A broad smile stretched across his face, the director piped in, “We all knew. Heck, everyone at the wedding knew.” He waved a dismissive hand. “Now go on. Go celebrate your success and your love and do what young people do.”
Erin and Kale both turned to leave. “Oh, and one more thing.” The director’s words stopped them mid-stride. They both turned back.
He angled his head and put on his best stern face. “Please keep your home videos where they belong. In your home.”
Mortified, Erin’s hand flew to her mouth. She felt color bloom high on her cheeks. “Ohmigod, how—”
Reginald shook his head. “It’s my job to know everything that goes on here.” He stood and moved around to the other side of the desk. “Now go. You have a celebration to attend and a wedding to plan.” He waved his hand. “And do try to stay out of trouble,” he added with a wink.
Epilogue
Six months later
The knock on the door was a welcome distraction from the endless packing. God, who knew she had so much junk. Erin stood and padded softly across her small living room. Warm summer sunshine spilled inside the entrance as she swung open the door.
“Since when did you start knocking?” She stepped back and motioned for Sam to enter.
He grinned and nodded toward Kale. “Since you married him.”
“Hey, Sam,” Kale called out. “You’re here just in time to help me load the truck.”
Erin turned back to Kale and smiled. She loved how her two favorite guys had become such good buddies. She would miss Sam’s daily visits when she moved across town. But now that they were married, they definitely needed a bigger place. And after the success of Pleasure Prolonged, and both their advancements, they could now afford her dream house in the burbs.
“I really hate that you’re moving, you know.” He touched his hand to her stomach. “Now I won’t get to see the little guy every day.”
Erin’s heart softened. “Or the little girl,” she corrected. “And of course you can see little Sam any time you want.” She winked at him.
“Sam?” he said.
“Yeah, it’s a great name for a boy or a girl, don’t you think?”
Surprised registered on his face. He blinked. “Really?”
Erin chuckled. “Yes, really. Kale and I want to name the baby after you.”
Sam put his hand over his heart. “Thank you, Erin. This means so much to me. It’s an honor.” Suddenly a frown crossed his face. “But I still don’t want you to move so far. When will I see little Sam?”
“I believe as godfather you have special privileges that allow you to visit any time you want.” She motioned for him to grab a chair before turning her attention to Kale. “Should we tell him?”
Kale carried a box to the door, dropped it, then came back to stand beside her. “He looks like he needs something to cheer him up.”
“Tell me what?” Sam asked, his blue eyes sparkling with renewed interest.
“Well, Kale and I had a conference with the director yesterday. And since Kale is going to take leave to stay home with me for the first couple of months, we’re going to need someone to oversee the Pleasure Exchange experiment in our absence.”
Sam’s mouth dropped open. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
Erin could barely contain her excitement. “Yup, you get the lead. You’re getting your own lab and your own team.”
Sam jumped up. “Really?”
“Congratulations, Sam,” Kale said, patting him on the shoulder.
“You’ll be testing a female libido enhancer,” Erin added.
The corner of his mouth lifted as he wrapped his arms around Erin’s waist and swung her in the air. “Hot damn.”
Kale furrowed his brows. “Hey, watch my baby.” He put a protective arm around Erin and pulled her close.
Erin rolled her eyes. Now that she was pregnant, he doted on her every need and treated her like a china doll. But she loved every minute of it.
Sam laughed and stepped back. “This is fantastic news.”
Kale nudged him. “Just think about how much fun you’re going to have testing that one.”
Erin chuckled. “I know at least a dozen women around the lab who’d be anxious to sign on as your test subject.”
And maybe, Erin thought, maybe he’d find love during his experiment the same way she had.
Cathryn Fox
A former government financial officer, CATHRYN FOX graduated from university with a bachelor of business degree, majoring in accounting and economics. Shortly into her career, Cathryn quickly figured out that corporate life wasn’t for her. Needing an outlet for her creative energy, she turned in her briefcase and calculator and began writing erotic romance full-time. Cathryn enjoys writing dark paranormals and humorous contemporaries. She lives in eastern Canada with her husband, two kids, and crazy chocolate Labrador retriever. When Cathryn isn’t writing, you can find her reading, relaxing with her family, or watching a big-action flick.
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By Cathryn Fox
PLEASURE PROLONGED
PLEASURE CONTROL
Coming Soon
PLEASURE EXCHANGE
Credits
Cover photograph by Jonathan Storey/Getty Images
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
PLEASURE PROLONGED. Copyright © 2007 by Cathryn Fox. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right
