He laughs with a shake of his head as he looks out the window where the snow is falling a little harder now.

“Equal opportunity lingerie is a thing. A really smart woman told me that.“

Warmth floods through me at his comment, at the pride I feel and the disbelief still rifling through me.

“I’m serious. It’s a brilliant idea and I hate that I never thought of it. There are a lot of changes I need to make at the company . . . and I’m hoping you’ll be there with me to help me make them.“

“Why?“

“Because you’re the only one who seems to tell me the truth. Subtlety isn’t your strong suit and I need that.“

“I don’t even know what to say,“ I mutter because as much as his words have left me speechless, his fingers on the back of my neck distract me.

“Say yes, and accept this too,“ he says while sliding an envelope across the table toward me.

I look at him with an inquisitive smirk before grasping the envelope and opening the flap. What’s inside makes me gasp aloud. It’s a check payable to me for $20,000. Before I can say a word or even process what I’m looking at, Archer interjects, “You can’t cash that until you say yes.“

When he realizes I’m still in shock, he adds, “Jules, that’s a signing bonus for the new position. One that’s well deserved. And it takes care of the rent due problem the prick left you holding. There’s another perk to working on the twentieth floor—corporate car service. Use it while yours is being repaired from your run in with the asshole.“

I can only stare at the unexpected man sitting across from me—still trying to digest what is happening.

“Hey, Jules? One more thing.”

“Hmm?”

And before I can speak, his lips meet mine in a kiss that’s devastating to my senses. Every part of me sparks to life and then burns under the fire he’s ignited.

When he leans back and the taste of his kiss is still on my tongue, he whispers in my ear, “I’ve been thinking of doing that all day.”

It takes me a second to find the words that his unexpected kiss just knocked from me. “That’s all you’ve got?”

He throws his head back and laughs loud enough that I’m sure the rest of the patrons are looking our way. “No worries there. I’ve got a lot more than that.”

“I’m looking forward to you proving it.“

He leans forward and presses a kiss so very opposite from the last one to my lips. Where before was hungry, this one is tender and soft and packed with unspoken emotions I don’t even dare to think about.