“Well, if Colette manages to talk you into doing porn, definitely use that name.”

A sudden gust of wind made colorful leaves swirl at their feet. Zack shivered. He could feel the threat of autumn in the air. Murmur Inc.’s parking lot didn’t offer a whole lot of cover.

“So, level with me,” Alexa said after exhaling a cloud of smoke. “Is he really as good as you say?”

Zack feigned ignorance. “Is who as good?”

Alexa glared at him.

“Okay, okay.” He held up his hands in surrender. “I was just kidding. Yeah, John’s good. Like, could-work-here good. Though if he sucked, it wouldn’t matter. God knows I need the money, and he always makes sure I have a good time.”

“Yeah, speaking of which, you’re not fooling anyone with those bathroom breaks you’ve been taking after he calls.”

Zack’s face grew hot. “Please tell me it’s not that obvious.”

Alexa waved him off. “Only to me, and only because I’m in the habit of watching you when I’m bored.”

“Not creepy at all, by the way.”

“I have to spend all day on the phone with dirty old men. Momma needs some eye candy every now and then. Besides, you love being fawned over.”

“Guilty.”

Alexa finished her cigarette and crushed it out beneath her heel. Zack still had a bit left, so she shoved her hands into her pockets and leaned against the building to wait.

“Back to the topic at hand, is John really good enough to justify flouting company policy? If Colette catches wind of your ‘breaks,’ she won’t hesitate to suspend you.”

Zack shrugged. “I think so, though I don’t plan on getting caught.”

“I never thought I’d see the day. What is it about him that affects you so much? And don’t act like he doesn’t. I’ve never seen you like this before.”

“I don’t know. His voice is really something special, like the human equivalent of how a cello sounds. It’s not as deep as mine, but when he gets really turned on . . . I can’t even describe it. It drives me wild. And he’s creative too. And detailed. And he makes this delicious sound when he’s just about to—”

“Okay, I get it,” Alexa interrupted, pretending to cover her ears. “No need to give me all the details. I’m picking up what you’re putting down.”

Zack flashed her a cheeky grin. “Sorry, but it’s true. You should listen in on one of our calls so you can hear what I mean.”

“Yeah, but then I’d be as bad as the others.”

Zack arched a brow.

“You haven’t noticed? I’ve seen four different people hover near your desk when they know you’re talking to him.”

“Seriously?” Zack grimaced. “Ew. How did I miss that?”

“Beats me. You seem to block everything out when you’re talking to John. I even waved at you once, and you looked right through me.”

“Weird,” Zack said. “So, why are people eavesdropping on my calls?”