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anticipation.
    A sharp knock echoed through the room, followed by Scott’s insistent, “We need to talk.”
    Rae’s already hammering heart almost tore from her chest. Disappointment crashed over her at the interruption. They broke apart and she rested her forehead against his chest.
    He dropped his chin onto the top of her head, his quiet, “Fuck” echoing through her skull. “Figures.” He stepped away, irritation etched into the lust that raked over her when he looked at her again. “Sorry.”
    “ No worries.” She hopped off the desk and straightened her clothes. If only she could just as easily smooth over her soaring blood pressure. She ran her hands through her hair even though he hadn’t touched it, and dropped back into the chair. Her crossed legs didn’t stifle the insistent need between them.
    Zach closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and adjusted his slacks before unlocking and opening the door. “What’s up?” His question was casual, any traces of his earlier growls gone as he let Scott in.
    Rae twisted in her seat, arm draping over the back so she could watch the exchange. Did she look as casual as Zach did? There was no way the torrent of emotions pouring through her was staying off her face. Would the flush of her lips show? Was her chest heaving as she searched for missing breaths?
    Scott looked between the two, brow raised. “Did I interrupt something?”
    “ Nope.” Zach gestured to the empty seat next to Rae.
    She failed to ignore the sting that flitted through her at the casual denial , but what had she expected? She certainly hadn’t planned on telling anyone, and that was even if something had happened.
    “ Just trying to reach an agreement.” Zach dropped into his own seat. “Playing nice, burying the hatchet, all that.”
    “ It’s about fucking time.” Unlike his business partner, there were very few situations that made Scott consider his language. He didn’t sit. Instead his footsteps carried him from one side of the room before he spun on his toe and headed back in the other direction. Scott pacing was never a good sign. “Just got off the phone with Vance. They’ll be in the office. Tomorrow.”
    One of the executives from Digital Media , and as she understood, about the most foul word anyone in the office could use. Rae was on her feet again in an instant. “That’s my cue.” She couldn’t bring herself to meet Zach’s gaze. Instead, she nudged Scott. “Call me.”
    “ Yeah.” Scott sounded distracted.
    Rae bypassed the elevator and headed straight for the stairs, not sure she could face anyone until she found more of her composure. What the hell had she been doing? Halfway to the parking lot her phone vibrated through her purse, startling her. After fumbling to swipe her passcode, she pulled up the message from Zach. Stupid, shaking hands.
    Later? The single word all but flashed at her, obliterating any chance she had of finding her center any time soon.
    Her fingers moved with more self -assurance than she had in the entire rest of her body, defying her indecision, and hit send. Definitely.

CHAPTER FIVE
     
    Zach paced the sidewalk outside the restaurant. Management and human resources from their new parent company were in town to “check out operations.” He took a drag off his cigarette and exhaled, checking his watch again. Looking at the time every thirty seconds didn’t speed anything up, but he didn't know what else to do. Protocol meant Zach and Scott were obliged to take their guests out for the evening, get to know them off the clock, and play nice.
    He didn't want to play nice with the people who were stealing their company. He exhaled and raked his fingers through his hair. At least Selina, the head of HR, had been pleasant to look at and fun to flirt with. An evening breeze brushed his skin, but didn't chase away the heat of frustration.
    Vance, the Chief Technology Officer at DM, had been making passive-aggressive comments since he'd arrived