by Nikki Duncan
When she returned to her office, resigned to the reality that she wouldn’t mind a second date, Darci woke her computer up and typed in her password to email to one of her vendors. She was in the middle of the email when a pop-up zoomed into the middle of her screen with random letters scrambled in the box. At first she thought she’d gotten a virus, but then the letters moved, formed words.
Thank you for being stood up with me. It was fun.
Her only virus was a programmer named Victor.
Chapter Four
Victor rolled his head, stretching his neck, as the code blurred on the screen before him. The giant wall clock to his left showed the time to be nine o’clock and the darkness outside said it was not morning. Grabbing his phone, he sent a text message to Lindy.
Can you go let Groot out and feed him?
This is the 8th day, her response came, and he could easily see her shaking her head. How long r u going to work like this?
Until I finish this project.
R u eating?
I’ll get something when I get home.
I’ll take care of it.
Thx. He set the phone aside and looked at the monitor in front of him. He hadn’t spoken with Darci since their lunch, had only caught a few glimpses of her as she went into her office in the mornings, but she’d been on his mind.
Thinking of her always made him smile, and he was smiling as he changed screens and hacked into her computer to leave her a message.
Working late. You crossed my mind. Thought I’d say hi.
She couldn’t respond, so he got back to work until the code again blurred before his burning eyes. Turning away for a short break, he picked up the milky-white orb sitting on the buffet behind him. Less than an inch in diameter, weighing less than a pencil, it sat in the palm of his hand. As his body temperature heated it, the sphere changed. It adopted his skin color for a brief moment before lightening and becoming unseen.
When they were finished with the orb and its accompanying software program, a computer command would activate the camouflage using a room’s atmosphere to turn the orb invisible. Another command would activate the audio and video recording capabilities.
There was no way of determining how the information from the remote-controlled orb would be used, or what actions would be taken as a result of the intel gathered, but the potential lives saved from not having to send agents undercover was immeasurable.
As with many technological developments, the possibility of it being used as a weapon existed. For that reason, only Trevor and Victor were up to speed on every element of the orb and any contractors Trevor hired different parts of the job out to.
Sirrahmax, a company known for some x-ray lenses they’d developed, had made the external skin of the orb. Tests had been done to ensure no external force could destroy the alloy used.
A local chemicals lab was testing corrosive liquids and powders to identify a viable option to be inserted in the center of the device within a protected pocket. The amount needed to be powerful enough to fully melt a computer chip but not lethal enough to damage the orb’s external skin. Sirrahmax would do the testing of the corrosive element to determine how it affected the skin.
Victor was writing all the code for the controlling software and the orb itself. If anyone tried to tamper with or weaponize the orb’s coding, a self-destruct would kick in, the corrosive element would be released and the orb’s chip would be melted, rendering the orb useless.
Blue Chip would be kept on retainer to provide updates as needed and ensure system stability. He still worried about how the government would use the orb.
“I hope you don’t bite me in the ass,” he said to the orb.
“I’ll try to resist.”
Victor, and his heart, jerked at Darci’s greeting from the door. He’d been talking to the orb—a sign of how tired he was, because he never talked to himself or inanimate objects.
He looked her way as he placed the orb back on its cradle. Darci stood in the doorway with one foot slightly forward and a large brown bag dangling from her grip.
“I heard you haven’t been eating.”
“How’d you get up here?”
Darci was the last person he’d have expected, though given Lindy’s parting text she shouldn’t have been. I’ll take care of it. It, as in Groot and Victor. It should have occurred to him Lindy would use the request as a reason to contact Darci.
“There’s an invention called an elevator,” she deadpanned. “Maybe you’ve heard of it.”
“You’re cute. Why did Lindy call you?”
“Thank you.”
She moved into his office, closing the door behind her, and glided to the couch and chairs that sat around a large coffee table. Like the other times he’d seen her, she was dressed in sophisticated slacks and a blouse that was unbuttoned enough to showcase her diamond tie necklace. Even her makeup still looked fresh.
“I’m not sure it was a compliment,” he said as he stood and walked toward her. “How’d you get past security?”
She only smiled as she sat in the center of the sofa and opened the brown bag.
“Jace is going to have a conniption. We may hear reports tomorrow of head bowling.”
“Is that a new game you techie types play? I hope you like Italian.”
She lifted out three aluminum containers with white paper lids and then a package of aluminum foil. Scents rose and wrapped around him, awakened his hunger.
“It could be starting tomorrow.” Entranced with her, the food and the odd route their conversation was taking, he lowered to the cushion beside her. “I’ve been known to eat it on occasion.”
“Not knowing your tastes, I brought a few options.” She placed the aluminum foil packet on the table. “Garlic knots, manicotti, chicken parm and calamari.”
He looked into the bag and pulled out the fork and napkin packets. “It all sounds good. Why did Lindy call you?”
She smiled again and began opening the boxes. “You’re pretty well secluded up here on the top floor of the ivory tower.”
“Yes. A floor that requires a special escort or access card. Everyone’s gone for the night, so how’d you get past the security?”
“Lindy’s worried about you, thinks you’re working too hard.” She pushed the manicotti toward him and then reached for the calamari.
“If I’m not working here I’m working at home.” He took a bite of the manicotti and pushed the tray to her.
She nudged the calamari toward him. “Sounds familiar.”
“You take your work home?”
“Shopping for jewels is a never-ending task. It’s about more than the right necklace or pair of earrings.”
He reached for a garlic knot, brushing her knee with his arm as he did. The spark was almost expected, but still surprising. Easing his arm back, he held her gaze. “How so?”
“It’s about knowing the client as much as their wedding theme.”
“Doesn’t every woman want extra flash on her wedding day?”
She shook her head. “There are as many couples who go for basic simplicity as there are those who prefer flare. Others are somewhere in the middle and some don’t mind the flash if it can be Earth-friendly.”
“How do you make flash Earth-friendly?”
“Depends on what they want, but, as an example, I work a lot with a jeweler, Ecoura, who specializes in eco-friendly engagement rings. Specifically, they use renewed gold and natural diamonds. And for every engagement ring sold they plant a tree of the couple’s choice in celebration.”
“That’s pretty cool.” He wiped some sauce from the corner of his lip and asked. “You’re not going to tell me how you got past security, are you, Darci?”
Her lips curled into that way of hers that was becoming a temptation the more he saw it. “You don’t like mysteries do you?”
“We work on sensitive stuff up here. It’s important to know the material is secure.”
“It’s secure. And for
the record, you’re not the only one on this floor tonight.”
Trevor. He’d let her up and was staying in the apartment off his office. So the matchmaking didn’t stop at the Tulle and Tulips ladies. “Pass the chicken parm.”
They settled into an easy pattern of conversation, much like they’d experienced during their lunch, as they passed the containers back and forth, eating more than half the food. Amazed at how little they had left over, at how healthy of an appetite she had given how thin she was, he helped her pack up the leftovers.
“Do you have a fridge in here?” she asked. “I suspect you’ll need the leftovers sometime soon.”
“Yeah, and thanks again for the delivery.”
“I hate to see a hot guy starve himself into nothing.”
Victor leaned forward, easing closer to her. “You think I’m hot?”
“At least when you put on a tux.”
“No.” He leaned closer still, wanting to test the limits of the spark he’d found with her. “You called me hot.”
“You gonna let it go to your head?”
“Maybe.” He traced a fingertip along her neck, brushing back the hair that had fallen over her shoulder. “Or maybe I’ll just kiss you.”
Darci leaned back against the cushions and met his gaze. “If you must.”
Smiling, he traced the necklace with one hand. He rested the other along the edge of her jaw. His fingers and palm tingled. His heart raced. The craving to feel her lips against his was almost tangible, but he couldn’t close the remaining distance.
He could only stare into her eyes. She rested a hand on his chest, flexing her fingertips against him. The pressure, ever so light, filled him with warmth.
“I thought you were going to kiss me.”
“Yeah,” he whispered as he closed the remaining distance. The moment he placed his lips against hers, she curled her fingers into his shirt.
Soft and pliant, she tasted of calamari, garlic and marinara. She tasted of the kindness she’d shown by delivering him dinner. She tasted of the passion she’d shown by indulging her healthy appetite.
She placed a second hand on his neck and pulled him in. He accepted the invitation and deepened the kiss. When she opened for him, he eased his tongue into her mouth and explored the depths.
Lips and teeth and tongues moved, brushing and gliding. Satin slipped beneath his fingers as he lowered a hand along the collar of her blouse. She dropped her shoulders, rolling them back. The move pressed her breasts out, shifting the opening of her blouse the smallest bit.
Dipping a finger in, he traced the edge of her bra. She gripped his shirt tighter and released the tiniest of moans into his mouth. A caveman roared inside, demanding that he haul her to the floor and strip her bare. He’d never exchanged more than a handshake with a woman in the workplace. That they didn’t work together made no difference. Making out at work was unprofessional, but damn if he didn’t want to keep going.
Darci slid her fingers into the hair at the back of his neck. Shifting closer, she pulled him deeper. He’d discarded his jacket and tie and loosened his shirt collar hours ago. He still felt constricted by his slacks and shirt.
He eased back and feathered kisses along her cheekbone. “You’re a distracting woman, Darci.”
Her voice was a mumble as she arched her neck, angling closer. “I’m taking that as a compliment.”
“I meant it as one.” He shifted deeper into the corner of the couch without stopping the movement of stroking the line of skin just beneath her blouse.
“This goes against all my rules. You’re a client.” Her grip on his shirt released and she pulled back before standing and facing him.
“Lindy has her jewelry; our business is concluded.” Irrational fear filled the emptiness she left. Victor wasn’t ready for her to go. He wanted to get to know her better, to understand why she intrigued him so fully.
“Lori said basically the same.”
“You’ve been talking about me.”
“Lori’s been talking about you.” She smiled as she placed a knee on the cushion and lowered so she was sitting facing him. With a hand braced on the couch arm she leaned across him. “I’m not in the habit of showing up at a man’s door late at night with dinner and dessert.”
He glanced around her, looking pointedly at the table and then back at her. “Dessert?”
“I failed to buy anything. We may have to improvise.”
Her breasts brushed his chest with each breath, she was so close. His mind fogged with desire. He brushed his thumb along her bottom lip. “I could be open to negotiations.”
“I didn’t realize that fell under the description of a programmer’s job.”
He placed a kiss on the corner of her mouth. “I work with the toughest negotiator of them all. Trevor.”
“Do you ever win?”
He kissed the other corner of her mouth. “All the time.”
“So what are we negotiating?”
“The terms of a relationship feels like a crass answer.”
“We’re busy business people.” She turned into his mouth’s caress, pressing her lips gently against his. “Knowing the expectations before we start anything seems logical.”
“You’re good company, so I’d like shared meals.” Victor trailed kisses along her jaw and down the side of her neck. “And better desserts.”
“I can do meals.” Darci slipped the first button of his shirt free. “And dessert. I don’t have time for jealousy and I have no tolerance for violence.”
Her fingers brushed his skin, sending volts of electricity down his core and straight to his groin.
“Ditto on both.” He moved to the other side of her neck, reveling in her openness. “And I’ll add clingy. I don’t like clingy women.”
“Are we setting a time frame? I’m on the pill. And clean.”
“Until it’s not working.” Or one of us meets someone better. He didn’t say it, but they both knew the truth. They weren’t interested in a long-term relationship or the complications that came with them. “My condoms are at home, but I’m clean.”
“Then I’m good. So it’s just shared meals and sex for as long as we’re enjoying ourselves.” She unbuttoned the next button and twirled her finger in a circle over the next area of skin she exposed. “No hurt feelings if we want a night away from each other or if we aren’t available for a date.”
“No expectation of romance in the way you women typically define it.” He bit gently at her neck. She moaned.
If she agreed, he could give in on any other terms she may have, because without the possibility of a woman’s wrath if he forgot a date and didn’t provide flowers and candlelight, he’d just found himself in the perfect relationship with an amazing woman.
Chapter Five
Darci smiled instead of wasting energy on offense at his view of women and romance. She spent her days with brides. She was no stranger to how women viewed romance. The promise of something simple excited her.
“That didn’t piss you off?”
“I spend my days surrounded by women just busting at the seams with romance.” She unbuttoned two more buttons of his shirt and tugged at the bottom to untuck it. “It’s crazy making.
“I’m set on the jewelry front,” she continued. “Misty makes sure there are always fresh flowers around.” Pulling his shirt free, she unfastened the remaining buttons. “You’re covered.”
“I like you more every time you speak.” Victor ran his fingers over her necklace and then up and around the base of her neck. With a light pressure he encouraged her to move closer. “But if we’re finished talking, I can think of other things for you to do with your mouth.”
“I’m done.” Bracing a hand at his hip, she pressed her lips against his. Her pace matched his, or his matched hers, as they explored each other.
She shifted, moved her hands over his chest and pushed his shirt off his shoulders. He eased her blouse open, slipping one pearly button free of its hole at
a time. The cool air hit her skin, but Victor’s touch warmed her blood so she felt only heat.
His tongue danced with hers, never stopping and never rushing, as he removed her blouse. Grabbing her hips, he shifted her so she sat on his lap. She curled an arm behind his neck, slid her fingers into his hair.
Kissing had never been hotter, but she didn’t want to stop at kissing. Getting to her feet, she pulled Victor with her. Once he was standing, she reached for his belt buckle and then the button of his slacks.
He stepped out of his shoes and kicked them under the couch while unfastening her pants. Easing down the few inches necessary, he again claimed her mouth. This kiss was more urgent, more demanding.
Her slacks slid to the floor, followed by her panties. She stepped free of the clothes and her heels at the same time, making it necessary for him to bend a few more inches to keep their mouths connected.
He hugged her body against his lean and muscular one. He was built like a runner or swimmer, defined but with angles instead of the curve that came with intensely worked muscles. She could think of no way to describe him other than unexpectedly delicious.
The way he held her his erection rested low on her hip, close enough that a minor shift would have him between her legs. Her inner walls constricted.
Growing hungrier by the moment for the feel of him, she placed a foot on the couch and lifted herself higher before doing the same with the other foot, moving higher again until his arousal settled below her with only a hint of pressure. Pulsing with need, she rubbed herself against him, silently begging him to enter.
A moan rumbled free of Victor’s throat. He angled his hips, shifted his grip to her ass. His long fingers massaged her flesh.
She nipped his bottom lip as she rolled her hips, rubbing against him again. “Victor, please.”
“Is it too much?” he asked against her ear.
“If I say yes will you make me wait longer?”
“I see pros and cons of both sides.” He chuckled, which shook his body, which shook her body, which ramped her need up another level.
