" I barked at

e from across the small, roun

I muttered, grabbing the lime wedge and tossing back the tequila like it was water. My throat

th beside me. "You're going to b

myself down it and esca

a brow but poured a

tail and finally asked, "Okay.

g, eyes wild, and hissed, "You reme

stranger? Matteo the

ned in dramaticall

y flew out of h

heard

re ki

d winced. "His name is Matteo Russo. He owns

e. "Oh.

et a drunken mistake, only to find that exact mistake sitt

again, this time whisp

ed me up and down with those smug eyes and said, 'Miss Hart, I presum

uth, but a laugh burst through

ple his files, and redo proposals because the font wasn't right. Said my skirt was inappropriate and my perfume

ughter now, which only m

napped, pointing an accus

use

me straddle a stranger like some barroom st

t encour

, 'He was hot. You were hot. Th

, it

not th

ay, I'm sorry! But come on,

. "My boss. In. A. Club. I tongue-mugged a bi

as your boss then," s

e damn CEO when he let me grind on him like a de

e a sly smile. "You t

against me now. It's like some kind of sick game to him. He pretends nothing happene

e wh

ked at me this morning and said, 'Let's keep it professional.' With this litt

laughed. "He's

ow he

gossip goblin she was. "Okay but... be

t her. "I

idn't

"Of course, I still think he's hot. That's the worst part. He's insufferable,

ed. "You'

m going to lose this job. Or snap and end up in jail. Or w

kay, but, silver lining? At leas

your next date spills ket

s just

You threw me t

picking up her glass. "They were

motional issue

Perfect match

he city lights blurred into warm golds and reds, and the buzz of the bar around us became a comfor

r a moment. "Keep my head down, work hard, rebuild my life after the wh

ay doesn't define your whole future. You're smart. You're stubbor

. "Terrif

said 'smug bastard' under your breath

d me. He jus

what they say if you can't qu

glass. "Chee

nd. The tequila burned less this time, or maybe I

"If I make it through this week without thr

serve a

restraining o

n. "Honestly, I

er a loo

bidden office romance. Hot boss, accidental hookup,

ng my purse. "If I ever marry that m

be the maid of honor at th

orst friend I

gly, "but I got you a

are currently r

re we