Page 34 of Stay With Me

Once inside, she closed the door behind her and took on a serious expression.

“Nick,” she began. “I don’t think you realize what kind of potential you have here.”

He looked at her incredulously, as he became slightly put-off at her seeming to doubt his abilities. “Actually, I’m quite aware of the potential this place. However, if you have anything to offer, I’m all ears.”

She took one step closer to him and pointed an authoritative finger at his face. “Youare a star.”

He had to chuckle. “I’m flattered you think so.”

“I’m dead serious, Nick,” she insisted as she took another step closer. “This place is a hidden jewel. It’s refined, yet comfortable. Current, but not annoyingly trendy. And you! You’re young, and sexy, and innovative. If you leverage this properly, you can potentially see success that you’ve never dared to dream of.”

He immediately began to wonder what she meant by leverage.And he became somewhat stuck on her use of the word “sexy.”

So he took a step closer too.

“And how might Ileveragethis?”

She took yet another step closer so that her chest was pressed against his, and then lifted her chin in an overtly seductive fashion. “I have a few ideas.”

He tilted his chin down and narrowed his eyes. “Do you?”

It’s a pragmatic business decision,he told himself.

And not a minute later, she was flat on her back on his desk, and he was leaned over her, with her legs wrapped tightly around his hips. Papers and file folders flew to the floor around his feet, and he steadied himself with one palm on the desk while he gripped his fingers deeply into the skin of her upper thigh.

Another couple of minutes later, she’d adjusted her skirt and flicked a wave and a smirk at him, as she made her way out.

“Five stars, Mr. Chapman.”

Andclickwent the door.

He stood in a daze for a moment before it hit him.

“A five-star review in the New York Times,” he said to himself as he grinned confidently and flopped into the chair. “Success beyond my wildest dreams and everything I’ve ever wanted.”

He gazed contentedly at the ceiling for a while before thebeep beepof an incoming text sounded from his phone.

He picked it up and glanced at the message.

I’m really excited about tomorrow! See you bright and early.

He curled his lips between his teeth as he stared at it.

Samantha.

He suddenly had that weird feeling again, only this time it was so intense that his stomach churned and he felt like an elephant was sitting on his chest.

He took a deep breath and shook his head, attempting to rid himself of the feeling, then typed out a reply.

I’m excited, too. Can’t stop thinking about you.

* * *

Nick rapped on Samantha’s door a few times and then checked his phone.

Five-fifty a.m.

Maybe arriving slightly ahead of time was a bit rude given the insanely early hour.