Page 66

She stood on her tiptoes and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. Then she gave Armand a nervous wave, her cheeks turning a shade of pink, before disappearing into her building.
“Sir,” nodded Armand, eying my sweatpants.
“Not a word,” I muttered.
He smiled at me and opened my door. I slid into the car and he closed it behind me. I couldn’t wait to take these damn things off.
A moment later Heart was at my window, my suit folded neatly in her arms. I rolled down the window and she handed it to me.
“Thank you,” I said.
“Thankyou,”she said, leaning against the window with her elbows.
“Can I see you again soon?” I asked.
“I’d like that.”
I reached up and wrapped my hand around the back of her neck, pulling her toward me. I kissed her softly at first, before her lips parted slightly to welcome me in. I felt her tongue against mine as she leaned in closer. She tasted like orange juice and pancakes, and I couldn’t get enough. She was making it very hard to leave.
After a moment of getting lost in each other, again, she pulled back with a dreamy look in her eyes. She stepped away from the car and gave a little wave. She was still watching as I reluctantly drove away. I knew I had to see her again. And soon.
***
When Monday morning rolled around, I stopped by my favorite coffee shop in Manhattan. I ordered my usual Americano, along with lattes and pastries for the office. I didn’t think I had ever done that, or at least not in a very long time. I was in a giving mood though. After my weekend with Heart, I felt like a new man.
Balancing the coffee holders in one hand and pastry boxes in the other, I entered the large glass doors of my building. I handed out coffee and pastries to the lobby and security staff, who took everything gratefully. I rode up the elevators to the floor of my office and found Margaret standing there with her clipboard, ready to give me the rundown of the day.
I handed her a latte. She looked at me confused.
“For you,” I said. “I also have fresh croissants and berry Danishes here.”
“Um, thank you, Mr. Jacobs,” she said, taking the box and walking it over to the front desk.
“What’s this all about?” asked Brody, his voice booming.
“Just thought I would treat the office today. Everyone’s been working hard,” I said, drumming my fingers on Margaret’s desk.
“Oh?” Brody raised an unconvinced brow.
I handed him a latte, still hot in my hands.
He took a sip. “Mmm. Mocha. My favorite. Thanks, bro.”
I never understood how he could drink that crap. It was practically chocolate milk with caffeine, but then again, Brody was kind of like a child.
He walked with me down the hallway to my office.
“You’re in a good mood today,” he commented.
“Am I?” I asked innocently.
“Yeah, you have been for a few weeks now.”
“Well, I did close that deal early this morning. The one with London.”
I had been up at 4 a.m. on a video call with a leading tech giant overseas. It had gone surprisingly well, and now we were teaming up for a huge collaborative release the following year. We had done work overseas, but nothing like this. This would be a huge foot in the door for European markets.
I took a sip of my Americano, wondering if my brother was going to pry further. It was Brody. Of course, he was going to.