Free Twisted by Christa Simpson Page B

forehead.  "Oh my gosh, that was close."
    "Too close," Edwin added.
    "Well, if you are going to give it a go, you’ll have to
learn how to keep your hands off each other at work," Aliah said smirking.
    "We better let Edwin get back to work," I said,
gazing up at him through long, dark lashes.  I gave him a quick peck on the cheek
and, as I turned to leave, he playfully swatted my ass.
    "Later baby," he said, smirking.
    "Yes.  Save it for later," I stammered.  I couldn’t
believe he didn’t learn anything from our run-in with his boss.  Though my eyes
were narrowed, I still caught a glimpse of that amazing smile before I hooked
Aliah's arm and walked with her out the door.  I smiled back at Edwin, unable
to help myself.
    "You better quit looking at him like that, or everyone's
gonna know," Aliah said quietly
    Edwin’s disturbingly sexy chuckle told me that he had heard
her.  She was lucky he was the only one, or I would have had to kill her.  I
didn’t want everyone else up in our business, and privacy in our office was
practically non-existent, but I couldn’t wipe the ecstatic look from my face.
    "I can't help it.  It's like I picked the lock to a
treasure chest and now that I found my treasure, I can't stop staring at it... and
touching it," I added, giggling.  What a relief to finally get it off my
chest.
    "Good for you.  I'm sure you'll work out all the minor
details this weekend.  I'm looking forward to working it out with Hunter
this weekend too."  She raised her eyebrows suggestively and her tone was
vulgar.  What a slut.  We both broke out in laughter.
    "Aliah?" Bailey called, from the depths of his
corner office.  "Can I see you for a minute?" he boomed.
    "Gotta go!"  Aliah breezed past me and rushed into
Bailey's office.
    As if he hadn’t heard us babbling in the hall, I waited a few
seconds before I passed his door and got back to work.
    EXCITED
TO PICK UP my last papers of the day, I stood from my desk with a bounce.
    Owen popped his head in my doorway, startling me.  "You
ready to call it a night?" he asked, noticing my smiles.
    I looked at my computer confused.  "Night?  It's only
3:35 Owen."
    "Yeah, but you and a group of others are leaving for
that trip tonight right?"
    "Um… yeah."
    "So, I thought you could use the time so you don't have
to rush.  It's a long weekend after all.  I bet traffic will be hell."
    "Owen, since when did we leave the office early on a
long weekend?  You don't have to do that."
    "Since now.  You've been working really hard lately, you
deserve it.  Get out of here."
    "You're sure?"
    "Yes.  Go."
    "Okay.  I really appreciate it.  I'm just finishing up
the report on the Chancellor file.  I'll clean up once I get it on your
desk."
    "If you insist, but it'll still be here on
Tuesday."
    Owen headed back to his office and excitement drove me to the
copier at lightning speed.  Maddie was standing at the long counter binding some
documents.
    "Hey Maddie!  If you can believe it, Owen just told me I
can go now!"
    "Miller agreed to let us go at 4:00!" she said,
equally as enthusiastic.
    "So we driving up together then?" I asked.
    "Yeah.  I might as well catch a ride with you and Edwin
since we'll all be ready early.  TJ isn't off work until 6:00.  Aliah can catch
a ride with him and Hunter.  She won't mind, will she?"
    I imagined Aliah's assault on Hunter in the backseat of TJ's
jeep and smirked.  "Um, no.  I'm sure she won't mind.  At least then we can get there before dark.  What do you say we pick you up around 5:00?"
    "Great!  I just have a few things left to pack.  It
shouldn’t take long at all."
    "Okay, we'll see you then."
    I hustled back to my desk and read over my report.  Everything
was in order, so I packaged it up and put it on Owen's desk for signing.  He
was nowhere to be found.  I slipped past Edwin's office, to have a quick chat
with Aliah, since it was still a few minutes before Edwin's quitting time.
    "Hey girl, you getting off