The picture of Daredevil slips from between the pages of my journal. My sexy solo sessions alternate between JP and the faceless Daredevil under his boomerang-shaped hat.
Two hot kisses in the space of weeks. I think the universe is helping me make up for lost time.
It feels silly bringing the photo here. I thought if I squint hard enough at it, the past would rush back to me.
The happy girl in the photo seems to be saying, Be brave, we’ll find our way back to each other!
I need to connect the dots between me and her.
Because this person? She’s a stranger to me.
Kissing my boss? That’s not my style. I’m careful, cautious. My job is all that’s keeping me vaguely sane right now-even with Taylor as boss woman.
But now, I’ve blurred the lines with JP Wolfe, turning into some stereotypical office joke. From what I’ve seen, these situations rarely end well for the women involved. Meanwhile, the men just carry on, respect intact.
As if I, Memoryless Woman, need any more confusion in my life.
For all I know, he’s got a revolving door policy with the women in the office. Am I the flavor of the week? Would things have gone further if I hadn’t bolted?
Does he regret it?
That kiss.
Hot as fuck.
No man has ever looked at me with such intensity before. He felt thick and heavy and fucking delicious between my legs.
My nipples are still hard, like his phantom fingers are still brushing over them.
I give Daredevil another lingering once-over. He’s tall, ripped, just like JP. Imagine if it were actually him…
But that’s just stupid. JP Wolfe wouldn’t be caught dead at a comic convention.
Matty erupts with a snort so loud, everyone in the villa must hear it. The poor guy bolts upright with a startled expression.
I can’t help cracking a smile. Well, there’s my alarm clock-time to roll up my sleeves and show Taylor and JP Wolfe that I’m not completely useless.
Following a lavish breakfast delivered from one of JP’s nearby hotels, we’re huddled around a large table on the lawn. Taylor holds court at the top, next to the glaringly empty whiteboard.
I keep eyeing everyone, trying to work out if any of them caught our steamy little moment. They all seem blissfully oblivious, engrossed in Post-its and half-demolished croissants.
What’s the post-kiss protocol with Wolfe? Pretend it never happened?
“Earth to Lucy.” Taylor clicks her fingers, shooting me a stink-eye. “Are you losing your memory again?”
“Sorry,” I mutter, trying my best to look innocent. “Could you run that by me again? The heat’s making my brain a little… gooey.”
Dwayne stares at me. “I’ve been watching you and something’s not right.”
Oh God.
Taylor repeats her question, saving me from more scrutiny. But then, there’s a shift. Like someone cranked up the voltage, and now the air is crackling with energy.
Uh-oh.
My fingers tighten around the cool glass of orange juice, nerves coming alive in my belly.
I throw a quick, terse reply at Taylor, trying to maintain a professional facade, but the truth is, I’m on edge.
Seriously on edge.
Everyone’s heads turn.
I risk a peek, immediately regretting it.
Holy fucking hell. That’s quite a sight.
Dressed down in snug jeans and a simple white T-shirt, he’s less Wall Street tycoon, and more beach hunk on a photoshoot. This casual JP thing is a disaster; it’s making him way too human.
“Morning,” he announces with a megawatt smile, and the team responds like a well-rehearsed choir.
My breath catches as he strolls over. He looks so damn self-satisfied.
There are two options for him to sit.
My eyes land on the vacant chair beside me. Panic surges.
Please don’t sit here, please don’t sit here…
He strides past the other chair.
My silent prayers are left on read.
Don’t, don’t…
But he does, easing into the chair next to mine with that satisfied smirk.
He murmurs my name in that low rumble that sends shockwaves straight to my clit.
“JP,” I squeak back, sounding like I’ve just swallowed a whole lemon, rind and all.
This is shaping up to be one long, sweat-drenched day.
“Matty was just about to share the user research findings,” Taylor announces, addressing the unfairly handsome distraction to my left. “It’s about what our top spenders expect from their cashless casino experience.”
Matty, usually unflappable, visibly tightens in his seat. His eyes flick to JP. “We interviewed twenty top spenders. They love the idea but want to know their data will be secure with the large amounts they’d be transferring.”
He takes a breath that might’ve sucked all the oxygen out of the air, then says, “They’d also love if we could expand the cashless experience beyond gambling to things like the spa and restaurants.”
JP leans back, a hand casually resting on my chair. “Good to know. Let’s look at how we can extend this to the rest of the resort amenities.”
“Matty and Lucy will sketch out some designs to prototype and test,” Taylor chimes in. “The hurdle might be getting the high rollers to spare their time.”
I nod, already itching to get started.
“I’ll handle that,” JP says, his gaze sliding over each of us. “You just focus on pushing the boundaries of the possibilities.”
As he speaks, his leg brushes against mine under the table. It’s probably accidental, but my body jolts like I’ve been hit by a Taser.
“Moving on.” Taylor scans her notes. “Wendy, what insights does the user research offer about low-income guests using the cashless casino wallet apps?”
Wendy adjusts her glasses, rifling through her notes. “Some are concerned about overspending without cash on hand. Many try it once, then ditch the wallet app altogether after that.”
Matty grins wryly. “Yeah, it’s like raiding the minibar your first night. You know you’ll regret it, but in the moment, it seems like your best life choice.”
I choke as my orange juice goes down the wrong pipe. Damn.
“Easy there.” JP’s low murmur skates down my spine, leaving a trail of goose bumps.
My face flames as I manage a nod.
The irony of it hits way too close to home, since kissing Wolfe was my version of polishing off the minibar-a deliciously bad idea that felt amazing at the time, but now, it’s like I’m nursing the mother of all emotional hangovers.
And now, Wolfe is staring at me like he’s ready for round two. His eyes say this isn’t over between us… not by a long shot.