“My point is, you can—on occasion—go the nuclear option when all the situation calls for is a little nudge, not a scorched earth policy.”

Alright.

Well, he had me there.

Even if he didn’t seem to grasp why I needed to handle my crew and our business with a firmer hand than he did. Why I often had to do something unhinged to get the same result that he might get with a few firm words.

“Fine,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “But this isn’t some asshole who tried to fuck over the family for three months in a row. This is just a businessman. I’m not going to light any part of him on fire.”

“Or sever anything. And his balls stay uninjured.”

“You drive a hard bargain,” I said, getting a chuckle out of my boss. “I know how important this is. I haven’t even raised my voice to him. And he was thoroughly un-kicked in the balls when he walked out of here.”

“Glad to hear it. Now, I got a message from my wife.”

“Which must be about books.”

A much safer topic than Soren’s balls. That had left un-kicked, sure, but likely quite blue.

“She wanted me to remind you that the ‘alien’ book came out today, so you need to get a copy so she has someone to talk to about it.”

“Oh, right. I completely forgot.”

“Is this one of those books that she’s gonna want to reenact?” he asked, eyes bright.

“Oh, definitely. It’s gonna be a complete fuck-fest.”

“Better go get myself some electrolytes on my way home,” he said, rising from his chair. “Let me know when the paperwork is signed and filed.”

“Will do.”

Renzo made his way out, and a few moments later, I walked out of my office, depositing the two mugs on Bass’s desk. “These mugs are too heavy.”

“They hurt your delicate wrists?” he teased. “Didn’t I hear you once dangled a man over a roof?”

“Well, I was only holding one leg,” I said, getting a little chuckle out of him. “I’m heading out.”

“Where to?”

“To buy a book.”

And lots of batteries to put in Mr. Good Vibrations.

Maybe if I gave that thing a real workout, I wouldn’t be so susceptible to Soren’s charms next time I saw him.

Or, at least, that was the lie I was telling myself as I walked to the bookstore.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Saff

I had myself convinced that I was all good on the desire front as I slipped into the navy blue sheath dress to go to Soren’s office.

With its knee-length skirt, high bodice, and uncomfortable cap sleeves, I felt surprisingly unsexy, despite the tight material.

In fact, I was so distracted by the weird, scratchy material as I rode the elevator up toward Soren’s office that I wasn’t even thinking about the man himself.