Page 55 of Getting Down to Business

“I was going to make chicken nachos and watch Jason Statham blow shit up.”

“Ooh, that sounds fun too. We can do that before we go out.”

“Fine. I’m in. Maybe we can have sex before we leave. Can you do a British accent?”

“Top of the morning to ya.”

“Irish.”

“Right. G’day, mate.”

“Aussie.”

“Uh. By jove, I think I’ve got it.”

She stopped walking to look up at him with her brows pulled together.

“Let’s just stop this now before I’m so repulsed I can’t ever sleep with you again.” She yanked open the door to her favorite café and he preceded her inside, while fighting the urge to hold the door for her. She might not be his girlfriend, but she was still a woman and his father had ingrained certain manners in him.

He subtly pulled her chair out as the waitress brought water to the table. They ordered immediately and Liss frowned.

“That Wallace guy from mergers is over there with Martin’s executive assistant, Wendy.” Alyssa nodded in their direction.

“Ooh. Do you think they’re having an affair?”

“Not everyone who eats together is having sex, Gray.”

“We are.”

“Shh.” She glanced in their direction again as if they could hear the conversation from the other side of the room.

“They can’t hear us.”

“We can’t look like we’re talking about sex.”

“How does that look?” he wondered.

“I’m not sure, but it’s different. So, how is your day going? Are you ready for the meeting this afternoon?”

“You mean am I ready for a nap?”

She laughed and nodded.

“It would be more exciting if you let me sit next to you and spread your legs—”

“Knock it off. When we’re at work, I am just a coworker. When we’re at home, I’m your roommate. When I’m in your bed, I’m your lover. You have to keep this straight or everything is going to get messed up.”

“When we go out for drinks are you my girlfriend?” He didn’t know where the question had come from. He blamed Doug and his earlier dissertation.

She looked him dead in the face.

“I am never your girlfriend. Ever.”

Got it.

* * * *

Alyssa knew she probably went overboard with her declaration at lunch. But it was important he knew there could never be anything real between them.