Going Down: The Elevator Series by Katherine Stevens Page B

going to have my cake and eat it too, because I really, really wanted to eat that cake. I wanted to eat the heck out of that cake.
    I put my arm around her shoulders. “I’m not too proud to admit you might be onto something. I can only promise that I’ll try to ease up on the overthinking. Thank you for always supplying an ass kicking when I need one. Are you ready to go back to our table?”
    She shook her head. “Not yet. I promised we’d talk about Cole, and I always keep my word.”
    Perfect. This was exactly the topic I’ve been trying to avoid.
    “Tell me what you think of him.” She reapplied her lipstick in the mirror. “I know I should’ve consulted you before I interviewed him, but it all happened so fast. I knew another firm would scoop him up in a heartbeat if I didn’t make him an offer. He’s going to make a great assistant for you. I just had a feeling about him, you know?”
    Oh, I know, all right.
    “Well, I haven’t really had much time to talk to him today.” That isn’t a complete lie. “But I think he’s going to fit in well with the rest of the office.”
    “Me, too.” She elbowed my arm. “Plus, he’s easy on the eyes, so that doesn’t hurt.”
    “Maggie!” I pushed her shoulder playfully. “You sound like Cameron. Don’t be crass. He’s not a sex object.” He’s my sex object.
    “Oh, please. Cameron was showing his wang to the new hires. I’m just admiring the finely chiseled physique of one. It’s not as if I’m going to mount him in the elevator.”
    I felt all the color drain from my face just as a seal-like bark of laughter slipped through my lips.

Cici vs. Divinyls
     
     
    The rest of the day was fairly uneventful. I managed to keep my hands off my assistant for almost a solid hour after lunch, which was a new personal best. Baby steps.
    Cole tapped on my open door as he walked in. “Mind if I come in?”
    “Not at all, Mr. Danvers. Please come in for a completely professional meeting between two employees.” I spoke entirely louder than necessary.
    The door clicked behind him. “I’m certain that threw everyone off our scent.”
    “My stealth skills are second to none.” I stood when he reached my desk. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
    “First off, hearing you say the word ‘pleasure’ is damn near pornographic, and I’ll need you to start working that into your vocabulary more often. Secondly, I have an odd request.”
    “I doubt that. I’m redefining odd on an hourly basis.” I grabbed ahold of his hand. Odd was being this close to him and not being in contact.
    “Well, I know I already know you in the biblical sense… and we’re apparently going to be seeing quite a bit of each other during the week.” Cole seemed flustered for once. “I was wondering if… um… I could have your phone number.”
    I covered my mouth to stifle the laugh. “Could we possibly do things any more out of order?” I snatched my phone off my desk and handed it to him. “Want to trade?” He let out a breath as if he hadn’t been certain of my answer. I added myself to his contacts list and passed his phone back.
    Upon receiving mine back, I flipped to the Cs in my list. I looked twice but there was no Cole. I glanced up to him in askance, but before I could even pose the question, he answered, “I’m under Elevator Sex God.”
    I don’t think I’ve ever chortled so hard in my life, but I did right then and there. “My very own deity. Your humility is awe-inspiring. Should I bow or curtsey?”
    He placed his hand under my jaw. “I’d prefer to have you kneeling if I had my druthers, but this is neither the time nor the place.”
    My panties just turned to ash. I like playful Cole.
    I pulled his hand to my mouth and sucked his index finger in ever so briefly. “What could I possibly do on my knees, Mr. Danvers?”
    The hard copies of the Happy Bear Bubble Bath marketing campaign hit the floor before I finished batting my lashes. His need was