Getting Down to Business. Allison B. Hanson

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      “Oh. No. I like things clean. Would that be a problem?”

      “No. I like things neat too.” He would have guessed that from the way she’d put fresh sheets on the bed before they had sex.

      “Good.”

      “Not good.” She shook her head and looked up at him, hands on her hips. “It’s not going to work out.”

      “Why not?”

      “Because you’re in it.”

      “Do you have a problem living with a guy, or is it me personally?”

      “It’s you.”

      The noise that came out of him sounded like a snort.

      “You could have pretended it wasn’t me.”

      “It’s not that you’re not great. It more that you are great.”

      “I’m great?” He couldn’t help the smile that crossed his lips. No doubt it looked smug. He couldn’t help it. He was apparently too great not to be smug.

      “Not that great. A little great.”

      “I’ll take it.” His joke made her smile at least.

      “We’ve had sex, and we work in the same building. For both those reasons, this won’t work.” She moved through the apartment toward the door and he knew she wasn’t going to budge. “Thank-you for your time.”

      “If you change your mind, let me know.”

      “I don’t have your number.”

      “I’m aware.” He held out his hand for her phone and she laughed.

      “Thanks, but I’m going to pass. Take care.”

      She opened the door and with a wave, she stepped out in the hall.

      “You’re kind of stubborn,” he called as she hit the button to summon the elevator to his floor.

      “I’m aware.”

      Chapter 4

      When Alyssa arrived at the coffee shop the next morning, she spotted Grayson in line ahead of her. With a sigh she left, unwilling to face him. She’d tossed and turned all night—not an easy feat on a loveseat—worrying that she was passing up a great opportunity.

      He didn’t know the real reason she refused to take him up on his excellent offer. To him, she probably did seem stubborn. But there was more to it than that. Much more. And yes, she was also stubborn.

      “You don’t have coffee,” Freddie pointed to her empty hands as she walked up to her desk. “Mayday! Liss doesn’t have coffee.”

      “I’m staying over here where it’s safe,” Mia said from the other side of her cubicle wall.

      “Guys, I’m not that bad.”

      “Remember the time Kenley said good morning and you freaked?”

      “She was too chipper. Anyone would have gone off.”

      “Poor Kenley.”

      “Don’t feel bad for her. She’s happily married and they have a yacht.” She was also pregnant. Liss was happy for her friend. It was nice to know at least one of them was capable of living a normal life.

      “So? How was the apartment?”

      “It was nice, but it won’t work out.”

      “Why? Did the guy not wear pants?”

      “He did.” Though she did find herself imagining him without them. And maybe she’d sized up the height of the countertops to determine if they were adequate for kitchen sex.

      She’d also imagined how frustrating it would be to lie in her bed listening to him in the shower. Naked.

      She rolled her eyes at herself. Of course, he would be naked in the shower. Get a grip!

      “I need to make a call.”

      “I’ll bring you some coffee. Just in case.” Freddie wrinkled up his nose and hurried off to save the villagers from the dragon’s wrath.

      Alyssa brought up her emails as the call went through. Kenley answered on the third ring.

      “New Haven Custom Boats. This is Kenley.”

      “It’s Liss.” She dropped her voice lower so no one else could hear her conversation.

      “What’s wrong? Why are you calling so early?”

      “I’m fine. I’m just wondering if I’m making a huge mistake and I wanted you to tell me I’m not.” Freddie set the cup down and backed away. She gave him a smile and blew him a kiss, which he pretended to catch and tuck in his pocket.

      “Am I just supposed to tell you you’re not making a mistake, or were you going to tell me the scenario so I can make the call for myself?”

      “I had sex with a guy.”

      “Many, as I recall.”

      “Not many. Some.”

      “Several.”

      “Let’s not argue over semantics. The point is you know how I feel about relationships.”

      “They’re to be avoided like the plague,” Kenley obediently filled in.

      “Right. But Sasha’s kicking me out and this guy has a spare room in a really great apartment and…and I passed on it, but now I’m wondering if I’ve made a mistake. I mean, I’m capable of having normal relationships with other people. Like you and Freddie and Mia. As long as I made sure he knew it wasn’t romantic, I might be okay. So what do you think?”

      “I don’t have enough information to offer an opinion.”

      “It’s two bedrooms with a huge kitchen, and—”

      “Not about the apartment.”

      “Oh. The guy is nice, and we get along really well. He actually works here. The sex was fantastic. All three times. He seems—”

      “Not about the guy,” Kenley cut her off.

      “Then what?” Alyssa didn’t know what she was missing.

      “I don’t know why you refuse to have a relationship with a guy. You’ve never said.” Right. She hadn’t. She didn’t talk about that. With anyone. Even her best friend.

      “It’s a long story.”

      “As you’ve told me many times. But СКАЧАТЬ