Baby, Don't Lose My Number by Karen Erickson

definitely his lady friend.
    But she was more than that. She was his friend, his lover, his…everything. He enjoyed spending time with her. When she wasn’t around, he missed her. It was fucking ridiculous.
    He thought he might be full-tilt in love. Completely insane since he hardly knew her. Who fell in love after a week? No one did. And if they claimed they were in love, then everyone around them knew they’d lost their minds.
    They had gotten to know each other though. They talked for hours, sharing little things about their lives. Old stories, new ones, tidbits about their respective families and the like. She was sweet and smart and sexy. She laughed easily and was serious when needed. Hot as fire in bed and up for just about anything.
    Thinking about her now made him wish it was closer to five o’clock so he could surprise her at work by picking her up. Taking her back to her place where he’d strip her naked and push her down onto the bed. Rub their naked bodies together until their legs entwined and their breaths mingled. Kiss her pouty mouth, lick at her delectable tongue. Suck her nipples, suck her clit until he slammed his cock deep. Losing himself inside her for the rest of the night.
    Forget dinner. Who needed to eat when you had sex with the most beautiful girl on the planet?
    Yeah. Damn. He had it baaaad.
    Determined more than ever, he went and said goodbye to his mom, then headed to the local mall. The most dreaded place in the entire world—at least to him. He was going to go inside, find some nice store, find a saleslady to help him and he was going to buy Mia a gift. A gift that meant business. A gift that would reflect his feelings toward her. Nothing too crazy but damn, he had to let her know what she was to him.
    After an afternoon of shopping and with a package nestled in the front pocket of his worn out jeans, he went to her work, ready to pick her up. Something he’d never done before. He hadn’t even bothered calling. Thought he’d march right on in and find her. How hard could it be?
    He entered the building and went to the perky receptionist who greeted everyone, letting her know he was looking for Mia. Awareness dawned in her eyes and she called who he assumed was Mia on the phone but she didn’t answer.
    “I know she’s still up there,” the receptionist said as she hung up the phone and smiled at him. “I haven’t seen her leave yet. Surprising since she’s been leaving five o’clock on the dot all this week.”
    Jake could barely contain his grin. The reason she didn’t stay late at work anymore was because of him. She’d confessed as much on Monday night when she stopped by his place breathless and eager at exactly twenty minutes after five. The minute he let her inside she’d launched herself at him. “Can I go up and see her?”
    “I don’t see why not. Third floor, take the elevator and when it opens, go to your right and down the short hall. Last office on the right.”
    “Thanks.” He winked at her, earning a little giggle for his trouble and he went to the elevator, eagerly pushing the button. Tapping his foot, he waited for the elevator to arrive and when it did, a stream of people disembarked. Many of them cast a curious glance in his direction as they passed.
    Who knew he’d draw this much attention?
    Once the elevator was empty he got on and pushed number three. Tapped his foot again as he rode up the elevator, hoping like hell he wasn’t making a wrong step by coming to pick her up. Would she be happy to see him? He’d already planned on telling her he’d drive her to work in the morning. He didn’t mind.
    He’d do anything for her.
    The elevator doors opened with a quiet swoosh and he exited. Caught sight of the maze of cubicles before him in the large open room. Most of them were abandoned since it was just past five and he followed the receptionist’s directions. Headed down the hall toward the last office on the right.
    He stopped in stunned