Page 91 of Soul Mates: Hercules Valentine and I

“Oh,” I say, intrigued. “Did you make progress with Mason last night?”

Her smile broadens. “Mm-hmm.” She looks like a sweet little girl who’s just been given a lollipop for being good.

“Is he the reason you’re still working at VTI?”

Lake wraps an arm around my waist. “Well, I don’t work at VTI for the money. Last night, my patience paid off in a big way.”

My eyes expand as I gasp. “Sex?”

She shakes her head. “More than sex. I took him on a carriage ride in Central Park. We walked on the frozen pond. And then we sneaked into Sheep Meadow and made love on the grass. Being with him was everything I knew it would be.”

We enter the VTI building’s rotating drum.

“Wow. That sounds life changing,” I say, thinking about me and Hercules in the elevator.

“It was. But I won’t quit until we’re done withShop-a-Lot.” She sighs. “I have to tell my dad too. But hey, why did you leave early?”

I look down at the cement as we walk across the lobby.How do I tell her? And should I mention screwing our company’s owner in the elevator?That doesn’t seem kosher.

“Lark Davenport?” I quickly look over to where Hercules welcomed me yesterday morning. He’s standing in front of the door to the executive elevators. “Ladies, over here.”

Lake looks at me with wide eyes.

“Come on,” I say.

She squeezes my arm twice as we head toward Hercules.

It’s beenquiet so far. However, the awkwardness looms loudly. I catch him staring at me through the metal panel in front of us. I wonder what he’s thinking. If we were alone, I would apologize for running away last night.

“So, Mr. Valentine, are you enjoying your painting?” Lake asks.

Ah… there’s his delicious smile.

He lifts his eyebrows twice while looking at me. “Yes, I am.”

“Which part do you like most? Her top or her bottom?”

I elbow her discreetly.

“All of her,” he says.

The two of them chuckle, but I’m too mortified to join in.

“You made me very rich last night. I mean, I can retire.”

I almost feel a little jealous when he sets the full power of his steady gaze on Lake. “You’re a very talented artist, Miss Clark.”

She tilts her head. “You see… I’ll stop calling you Mr. Valentine when you stop calling me Miss Clark.”

He snorts a chuckle. “Duly noted.”

“Lark, how was your night?”

What a compound question that is. “Umm… I…” Thank God the doors open. I feel like a bumbling fool.

He’s still watching me.Why do I feel as if we should kiss or something?

“It was fine,” I finally say.