Page 20 of Dirty Husband

They're gone.

The desk is already clean. No computer, no files, no pens. Nothing.

I move closer. To inspect the damage.

The desk has been wiped down. It's already dry.

It's already cleared of any hint of me.

"Oh my God, Jasmine. I'm so sorry. I tried to tell him it was wrong, but you know how he is." Amanda, Mr. Billing's personal assistant, moves toward me. She rests her hand on my shoulder.

I turn, breaking the touch.

She presses her hand to her heart. Makes thatI'm sorryface. Her blue eyes fill with sympathy. Then with something else. Something happy.

She's… excited.

"I know losing this job is rough. But you must be over the moon. A whirlwind affair with your ex-boyfriend. And now you're getting married! Why didn't you tell me you knew Shepard Marlow?"

I motion to my cleared desk.

"Mr. Billings is upset you didn't tell him."

"It's really none of his business."

She scoffs. "You're engaged to a competitor."

Shep is hardly a competitor. Sure, he owns part of a venture capital firm, but they focus on business-to-business application development, not consumer technology.

"Seriously, Jasmine. It's so romantic. When did you see him?" She touches my shoulder again, this time a little more gently. "When did you first know? Did you look into his eyes and just fall in love?"

"Something like that."

"I didn't realize he was so handsome. Those eyes… is he as intense as he looks?" She raises a brow, so I know she's talking about sex.

My face flushes. The heat trickles down my body an inch at a time. I try to hold it off, to keep my thoughts in clearer places, but I can't.

His hands on my thighs.

His lips on my neck.

His cock driving deep inside me.

Shep was always caring, attentive, skilled. But it felt like he was holding something back.

Stopping himself.

Refusing to share some part of himself with me.

At the time, I didn't notice. Now that I've been with other men…

God, it's been awhile. Too long. I still think of him sometimes. Lots of times. The firm touch. The sure posture. The way his voice got low and demanding.

It scared me back then.

Now…

It scares me how much I want to hear that tone again.