Undersold(21)

“I mean, you’re gorgeous, rich, and powerful. I’m just a normal girl from Levittown.”

“Listen to me. I feel drawn to you in a way that I can’t explain. You make me want to break my rules. More than that, you’re brilliant. How many apps did my company buy this year?”

“You guys bought three, including mine. As far as I know, at least.”

“Exactly. Two others. And those two were built by teams of programmers and developers and marketed heavily. You’re the first software developer we’ve ever bought out who created and implemented her own designs. It’s amazing.”

“I don’t know,” was all I could say.

“I do know. Listen to me. What I said at dinner, it was to protect both of us. I thought you understood that, and that’s why I assumed you wanted to remain professional. There’s nobody else, and I am far from embarrassed.”

Things were starting to click for me. He never did mention anyone else, and his story was always the same. His need for privacy was his main motivating force, and his desire to protect me from the spotlight came second. And he did choose me, he did buy my app, and he was actively working with me to create and develop my product. Even without the promise of sex, he wanted to work with me.

“I want you. I haven’t stopped thinking about you.”

He leaned in and kissed me again, hard, and I felt myself beginning to melt. I was dizzy with confusion and emotion, and his body so close to mind wasn’t helping at all.

“I want you too,” he said as he pulled away. I leaned in after him and wrapped my arms around his broad shoulders and kissed him again. All I could feel or think about were his muscles underneath my hands and his mouth moving against mine, and the sound of his breath. I felt like I was losing myself in him, and it felt good.

We broke apart and he looked me deep in the eyes.

“Let’s try this again,” he said.

“I’m up for that.” My words came out in a whisper.

“Alright then. Tonight at my place. I’ll cook you dinner and we’ll have a proper, private date.”

“That would be perfect.”

“I’ll send my car for you at seven. Does that work?”

“That absolutely works.” I couldn’t manage a more complex sentence.

I couldn’t believe this man truly wanted me the same way that I wanted him. I couldn’t believe that I was the only one. My mind was a buzz of desire and disbelief.

“What about your rules?” I asked.

He smiled. “I’ll tell you about those tonight.”

I had no idea what they could be, but I nodded. I could feel excitement building in my chest.

“Tonight then. For now, let’s pretend we just had a productive business meeting, shall we?” He gave me that grin again, and I laughed.

“Well, we did have a productive business meeting. Up until the unproductive part, at least.”

“Those are always my favorite parts,” he said, teasing.

“Oh, I prefer the business,” I said, teasing right back.

He laughed. “Alright then, Miss Woodall.” He rocked back onto his heels, stood up, and walked back to his desk. I took a moment to gather myself, and my things, before standing.

“Have a good day, Mr. Green,” I said.

See you tonight, he mouthed to me.

I pushed open his door, and then closed it behind me. Janice smiled as I came out.

“How’d it go?” she asked.

“Oh, same as always,” I replied. Inwardly, I was doing cartwheels. I could feel something in my life shift dramatically. I’d be going to Shane Green’s house that night. Janice smiled and nodded, then went back to work like nothing huge had just happened.





13.


The car showed up promptly at seven. I knew Shane had worked late from the text he sent me: Stuck in the office still. Thinking of what I want to do to you later. I had a pretty good idea what that was, and it sent my body into thrills trying to imagine it.

I got into the back and the car started out. He wasn’t there waiting for me, but that made sense; we were meeting at his place, after all. We moved south toward Center City, but stayed on the East side of Broad Street. After a bit we crossed over into the Old City area. This was one of the most expensive parts of Philadelphia: old, historic brownstones, beautiful townhouses and cobblestone streets. It was called Old City because it was the historic district, and it was where the founding fathers lived. I had walked through this area, and even been in one or two of the older houses on tours, but I’d never been in a modern house anywhere near here. It was known as the rich section of the city, and for good reason. It was quiet and idyllic, and every house looked expensively manicured.