“You’ve got something up your sleeve. Do you have a secret boyfriend?” she asks, rubbing her palms together.
“No, of course not!” I exclaim a little too vehemently.
“I don’t believe you. But if you want to keep it a secret, so be it. Make sure you tell me about it soon though because it’s about time you had some gossip about you. Carpe diem,” she says meaningfully again.
I giggle and wish I could tell Jemima everything. She might not judge me considering her own history with men, but she would be worried about me because it’s not generally a good idea to sleep with the boss.
That’s part of why Marcus and I are keeping our relationship a secret. We’ve been together for a few months now, but only a select few people know about us, like my mom. Of course, Pam loves Marcus. She swooned the first time she met my handsome boyfriend, and hasn’t stopped talking about him since.
I only wish we could be that open with everyone else because it’s not like me to keep secrets, but you have to do what you have to do. At that moment, Jem speaks, interrupting my thoughts.
“How are things going with the spring line, by the way?” she asks curiously. “Did you send the specs to the manufacturers? What did they say?”
I nod.
“Not yet, but soon. I’m nervous to hit send, but I think I need to just accept that I know what I’m doing. I wouldn’t have this job if I wasn’t good enough.”
“That’s my girl!”
“There is something else I want to talk to you about, though. The summer line.”
Jemima grins. “I’ve been working on it, and I’m sooooo excited about this line. It’s going to be the best thing we’ve ever put out.”
I blush. “Do you really think so?”
Jem nods furiously.
“I do. I know I’m not the target audience of the new line, but that’s kind of the point. We’re trying to be size-inclusive, and this is going to be incredibly exciting. The House of Steele is going to be the talk of the town.”
I blush and my breathing comes fast. I’ve poured my heart and soul into the new line, and it feels like everything’s riding on it: my reputation, my name, our business, and even my employees’ confidence. It makes me happy to hear Jemima raving because she’s been in fashion for a while now too, and she knows what she’s talking about.
“I’m really glad you like the idea,” I say.
She perks up.
“I love it! It’s going to be amazing. And one more idea: what if we did a plus-size bathing suit line?”
My eyes widen. “You think?”
Jemima crows.
“Absolutely girlfriend! Bigger ladies like to swim too, and why not design sexy swimsuits that show off their curves? Maybe in that trendy African batik print that everyone loves? It’ll be amazing.”
I nod.
“I think you’re right. Good thinking. Let’s definitely talk about it some more, and bring it to the team.”
She winks.
“You know they’ll love it.”
I smile at her, feeling lighter once more.
“I do think they will, and this is exactly why I want to move my office back out onto the floor. It’s conversations like this that get my creative juices flowing. I can’t stay in a tiny white office by myself all day.”
Jemima’s about to say something, but then Marcus’s assistant materializes out of nowhere.
“Hey Addy. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
“Sorry! You found me. What can I do for you?”
“Mr. Steele wants to see you in his office for a meeting.”
I force myself not to blush. I love when Marcus calls me into his office because sometimes, we have actual business issues to discuss. More often than not though, I end up bent over Marcus’s desk, enjoying his company in a wholly different way.
“Thank you, I’ll head over right now. Bye Jem.”
My friend grins.
“See you later, Addy. And don’t forget about the bathing suits!”
“I won’t,” I assure her with a smile before following Marcus’s assistant to his office. My heart is racing in the best way possible because I’ve been crazy stressed all day about the spring line, but now with these ideas for the summer line and my decision to move out into the shared workspace, things are going to be fine.
Now, a meeting with Marcus is just what I need to calm down … or rather, to heat things up all over again.
9
Addy
I smooth my skirt down outside of Marcus’s office, a bit self-conscious. Visiting my boyfriend at work always makes me nervous, even when I’m excited because it’s scandalous and fun. Will people hear us as we moan? I try to be quiet, but sometimes, my screams can’t be entirely muffled.
“Thank you,” I say to Marcus’s assistant.
Hannah nods.
“You’re welcome. If you need anything, I’ll be outside.”
I smile weakly at her before opening the door to Marcus’s office. God, I hope Hannah’s never heard me and my boyfriend going at it. If she has, she’s not saying anything. Good woman.
As soon as I’m inside, Marcus pulls me into his arms and kicks the door shut. I let out a little squeal of shock.
“I can’t keep my hands off you,” he growls in my ear. “Fuck, baby, you’ve got me so horny.”
I giggle.
“Already? But we just made love this morning, Marcus.”
He merely nuzzles the space between my breasts hungrily.
“That was hours ago. I need more now.”
Marcus kisses me again, this time a little softer. I hate that we don’t get to do this all day long. I’d give anything for us to share an office and take sex breaks. Unfortunately, we both have actual work to do and can’t just mess around all day and all night. It has to do with running a business, and designing clothes people want to wear. Oh yes, responsibilities.
I pull away and smile up at Marcus.
“As
