His low whisper hit her ear a second later. “You are so beautiful,” he told her as he came, gripping her hips and grinding himself into her.

Once he was done, she collapsed back against his chest.

His arms wrapped around her middle, pulling her tight. “That might be a timing record for us,” he said. “You were on fire.”

“At this rate, we’ll be through our top ten in a week,” Piper whispered.

“Then we’ll just have to make it a top twenty.”

10

__________________________

____________

Piper barely followed what her boss was saying. She kept nodding, but her mind was back at the movie theater with Michael. They’d stayed and eaten some of their popcorn, giggling like teenagers about what they’d just gotten away with. Then they’d slipped out before the movie had ended. She was sure all three people in the theater knew once they hightailed it out of there that they’d just had sex. But she didn’t care. It was totally worth it.

“So you were here working late on Monday night?” her boss asked.

She nodded. “Yep. Like I told you before, I had a backlog since I’d taken the previous Thursday off. My husband was on a business trip, and I figured I could make up some time Monday before he came home.”

Larry Henley, her boss, was in his late fifties. He was usually fairly easygoing, but today he was more on edge than Piper had ever seen him. “Do you know anything about the underwear that was left here?” he asked.

Piper shook her head. “No. Why would I know about that? What size was it anyway?”

“I have no idea, but I’m told they were small.”

“Sorry I can’t be of more help. Was anyone else here? Maybe they saw something?” Piper had been trying to get him to spill some details, but so far he wasn’t biting. “Or maybe the cameras picked up something?”

“We’ve already examined the footage. It shows you, an unknown male, and”—he cleared his throat—“another female we can’t identify.”

Piper’s eyebrows shot up. “Why can’t you identify them?”

Larry rearranged a few things around his desk before he answered. “He had on a ball cap, and she was wearing a mask. And the doors were left unlocked all night.”

“A mask?” Piper could barely contain her glee. What were the chances a masked woman would be here the night she chose to be naughty at the office?

Larry looked visibly ill. “Yes.”

Piper leaned in. “The masked woman is obviously your culprit. But riddle me this, why is it such a big deal anyway? We’re a progressive ad agency, and sex in the workplace happens all the time. In fact, I’ve heard from numerous twentysomethings lately it’s all the rage. I don’t get all the drama.”

“If I tell you something, do you promise to keep it quiet?” Larry said conspiratorially. “Piper, you’ve been a loyal employee for many years now, but I don’t want this information leaving this office.”

“Of course. You know you can trust me.” Piper nearly vibrated out of her seat wondering how soon she would be able to tell Caroline.

“We think an individual, or individuals, have been”—he cleared his throat—“hiring high-end prostitutes and bringing them here. Either that, or one of our employees runs an escort business on the side. This is not the first time the cameras have recorded a woman in a mask coming in and out of the office. The police are involved now, and whoever it is will be found out. They could serve jail time if they’re committing a crime. They will most certainly be fired.”

“No way,” Piper breathed as she sat back. “That’s crazy! But I don’t understand why anyone would bring escorts here. I mean, this isn’t exactly a five-star hotel. Are there bedrooms tucked away somewhere I don’t know about?”

Larry shrugged. “Why does anyone do anything? And no, there are no bedrooms here. The speculation is they come here for interviews or to drop off money. Who knows?”

“Well, I was in my office working,” Piper reiterated. “I had the door closed, and I didn’t hear or see anyone. But now I wish I had.”

Larry picked up some paperwork. “I’m sure we’ll resolve this sooner or later. I appreciate you coming in to talk to me. Until we figure this out, we’re hiring a guard to sit outside our doors after hours. We’re also getting new locks and issuing key-coded security cards as soon as Monday morning. That way we’ll know exactly who’s coming in and out.”

* * *

Michael had nothing but smiles for everyone when he arrived back at the office after his movie-theater excursion with Piper. He felt rejuvenated.

His main phone line rang, and he plucked it up. “Hello. Michael Collins.”

“Hey, you sexy beast,” Piper purred. “I had a great time today. I’m still reeling from it all. Well done, Mikey.”

“That’s the best lunch we’ve ever had, not counting you under my desk.” He chuckled, reclining in his chair.

“I have to run to a meeting, but I wanted to give you a quick call. You’re not going to believe what Larry told me today!”

Michael could hear the excitement in her voice. “Yeah, what did he say?”

“I can’t tell you all the details right now. It’s top secret. But I’m totally exonerated, so I didn’t want you to worry.”

“That’s great to hear,” he replied. “Now I’m dying to know.”

“Did you make any plans for us tonight? Because I asked Gillian to lunch next week, but she can’t break free from work. She just texted me that she could do an early happy hour tonight if it works, however. But since it’s Friday, I wanted to check with you before I said yes.”

“Gillian?” They hadn’t seen Brad and Gillian in a long time. “As in the Harrisons? That Gillian?”

“One and the same. And, yeah, I don’t want to burst your bubble, but it’s not anything sexy or top-ten related. I just wanted to catch up with her. Caroline and I are actually thinking of asking her and Emma to join our Thursday-night therapy group.”

“I didn’t make any plans for tonight, so go ahead,” he told her. “I wonder what Brad is up to these days.”

“I have no idea. I’ll ask Gillian. If he’s home, maybe we can try to make it a foursome? I’ll get back to you later.”

“Sounds good. Don’t forget, you’re on the docket next,” he reminded her, grinning like a teenager. “I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ve got.”

“I ordered it yesterday, express shipping. Should be here by tomorrow.” Her voice was filled with insinuation. “That’s all the hint you’re getting.”

“Ordered?” Michael’s mind raced.

“Yep, and it’s going to be a blast.” She laughed. “Gotta run. Love you.”

Piper hung up.

It was only three hours until quitting time. Michael was looking forward to the weekend with Piper, but now that he was free tonight, he had an idea. Something he’d been wanting to do for a while. He picked up the phone and dialed Jace Stratton’s work number.

He answered on the second ring. “Jason Stratton.”

“Hey, it’s Michael.”

“How’s it going?”

“It’s going great. I’m calling about your tools. You know how you always offer to lend them to me? Well, I want to take you up on it. Piper’s going out tonight, so I decided I’m finally going to install the flat-screen TV I bought a year ago on the bedroom wall.” It’d been on Michael’s to-do list for much too long.

“Are you sure you can handle that alone?” Jace chuckled. “The last time I saw you do any kind of home improvement project, your basement ended up with a foot of sitting water.”

“How hard can it be?”

“It’s not that hard if you have the right equipment. I can come over later and give you a hand. Do you have everything you need?”

Michael hadn’t thought of exactly what he’d need. “No, but my plan is to swing by the hardware store on my way home.”