Professor Feelgood (Page 50)

“I know.” I stroke his handsome face. “I’m sorry. Work is … crazy.”

“How’s your new author?”

“Talented, but infuriating.” I haven’t told him the full story about me and Jake. It’s too exhausting to go into that much detail. “Today felt a hundred years long, and it’s not over yet.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Buy me copious amounts of grain alcohol and Valium?”

“Done.” He gives me a soft kiss, and for a moment, I forget about all the ways I’m letting him down.

He pulls back and leans his forehead against mine. “You’re one of the most intelligent, driven women I’ve ever met, and I know you love what you do. I have faith you can figure out how to make even the most untenable situation work.”

Yeah, any situation that doesn’t involve sex is a walk in the park. Figuring out how to be intimate, however …

There’s a knock on the door, and Derek and I step apart before he grumbles, “Come in.”

The door opens to reveal Eden’s best work buddy, Toby. He looks at me in surprise. “Hey, Ash! I didn’t know you were here. How are you?”

“Great, Tobes. And you?”

“Great!” He smiles down at me with way too much interest, like a giant, cardigan-wearing Golden Retriever. I’ve always known Toby had a crush on me, but I never encouraged it for the exact reason I shouldn’t have let things develop with Derek: He works with my sister, and the last thing I need is to be the source of any kind of awkwardness between my sister and her colleagues.

“Waiting for Eden?” Toby asks.

I nod. “Yep.”

He glances at Derek. “In here?”

Derek levels him with a glare. “Did you have a reason for being here, Jenner?”

“Oh, yeah.” Toby holds out a folder. “These are my stories for next week.” Derek is old-fashioned when it comes to running his online magazine. He still insists all the writers submit their drafts in paper form. Eden thinks it’s because he loves the power of wielding his red editing pen like a weapon. She often conflates Derek’s overbearing management style with the theory that he’s somehow compensating for having a small dick. I can attest that she’s very wrong.

Derek takes the folder and peruses the documents inside. “Do you want a medal for doing your job? Get the hell out of here.”

Toby nods then looks at me. “See you tonight?”

I give him a smile. “Absolutely. Can’t wait.”

Toby has been moonlighting at Romance Central as their technical director, and is the coding genius behind the new matchmaking app they’re launching. Eden has always said he’s the smartest person she’s ever met, and now, he’s proven it. Even before the app hits the market, he’s being hailed as the next big programming superstar.

As Toby goes, he gives me one last wave. When he’s gone, I close the door and turn to Derek.

“How is that you’re so sweet to me and such a hardass to your employees?”

He takes my hand and kisses it. “I learned a long time ago that no one respected me when I was nice. It’s screwed up, but it’s a fact.”

“But they think you’re a dick all the time. Eden has a theory that you get your grump on every morning by kicking puppies before breakfast.”

He shrugs. “I don’t care if my employees think I’m an asshole. My family and friends know I’m not. You know I’m not.”

In France, we’d had long discussions about how his marriage had broken down, and I was surprised that he was still on good term with his ex-wife. They were high school sweethearts who simply fell out of love. No cheating. No animosity. Further proof that in a world of petty men, he’s a rare exception.

He gives me one more kiss before throwing Toby’s folder of articles onto his desk. “Do you think there’s any way we can blow off this event tonight and just spend some time alone?”

I shake my head. “Even if I didn’t have to babysit my author, Eden would kill me if I didn’t go. And you’re one of the major sponsors for the event, so there’s no way you can’t make an appearance.”

He nods but doesn’t look happy about it. “I’d rather slice off my ears than attend, but if I don’t go, your sister may actually nail me to my office door.” He puts his arms around me. “Of course, if we come clean about our relationship, I could go as your date. I’d be able to pick you up, bring you flowers … dance with you. That alone would make going worthwhile.”

The romantic inside me swoons. I can just imagine how handsome Derek would be, all decked out in his tux. I get a mental image of us dancing in slow motion, all eyes on us as we gaze at each other.

I stroke the back of his hair. “Your text earlier said that you’re staying in Manhattan tonight?”

He smiles. “I’ve booked a suite at the hotel.”

“Then, maybe after you’ve fulfilled your sponsor obligations, and I’ve finished with my author, we can leave the party early. Eden will be staying over at Max’s, so she won’t notice if I don’t come home.”

“I love the way your mind works.” He kisses me, slow and sweet. Making out with him is fabulous. It’s when we go further that I get worked up. Which is why I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not going to get better unless I attack the issue head on. So, tonight, I’m determined to make love to this man until all my intimacy issues pack up and go home. I don’t care how long it takes. I need this relationship to work, because if a man as amazing as Derek can’t check all my boxes, then what hope do I have?

There’s a knock on the door, and we break apart right before Eden enters.

She frowns at us. “Why’s the door closed?”

Derek gives me a look, and for a second I’m terrified he’s going to expose us. But then he composes his face into an expression of disdain.

“I was trying to keep out people who annoy me, but clearly you didn’t take the hint.”

Eden gives him a sarcastic smile. “Stop making me fall in love with you.” She holds up her makeup bag. “Okay, sis, let’s hit the bathroom, so you can work your magic.” She waves at Derek. “See you tonight, boss.”

“Yeah, see you then.” He glances at me. “Nice to see you, Asha.”

The affection in his gaze gives me goosebumps. “You, too, Derek. See you around.”

As we leave his office and head toward the ladies’ room, Eden nudges me with her elbow.

“Okay, so … tell me about today. How awful was it? Did you end up murdering Jake? And if so, do you need help hiding the body?”

I laugh then launch into the details of my horrible first day. Eden listens intently and makes appropriately snarky, sympathetic comments in all the right places.

SEVENTEEN

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Burn Book

I GRUNT AS I DESPERATELY try to zip up my vintage Valentino dress. The damn thing has stuck halfway up, and no matter how much I contort myself trying to budge it, I can’t.

“Come on, baby,” I say. “I’ve been saving you for a special occasion. Don’t do this to me, tonight of all nights.”

It’s a gorgeous, sapphire-blue floor-length gown I found for a bargain basement price at one of my favorite retro stores, but alas, zippers in second-hand fashion are notoriously unreliable. Usually, I’d have Eden on hand to assist me, but she’s already at the event helping Max set up. Another bummer is that this is the only formal gown I own, so if I can’t get it to zip, I may be arriving in my underwear.