Free Still In Love With Her by Z.L. Arkadie

won’t fight for her. But I want to see that offer in writing. And I want you to add an executive health package. And profit sharing.”
    “Is that all?”
    “No. You know that fancy penthouse health club upstairs? I want her to have a full membership to that for as long as she works for your company.”
    “Done, done, done, done, and just to put you at ease, done again.”
    I sigh. “So is that it? Have you gotten your kicks for the morning?”
    Robert’s expression turns serious as he takes the seat Mavis abandoned. “I’ll be shadowing you this week.”
    “Why?”
    “You don’t need to know why.”
    “I do if you’re getting your kicks.”
    “What do you mean by ‘kicks’?”
    “Grinding my ass, declaring you’re going to sleep with me, and looking at me like you’re fucking me in your thoughts.”
    He sniffs. “You make it too easy. But I promise, no more funny business. You don’t want me, I get it.”
    I narrow one eye. “Do you?”
    He shakes his head. “Yes.”
    I laugh. He’s impossible.

    Our first meeting is with Linda and her team. We review the event schedule for the next three months as it applies to Prime D TV. Linda continually mentions the fact that I won’t be available when things go wrong. We get through that meeting and the three more afterward.  
    At ten minutes until two, Robert asks, “Do you eat lunch?”  
    We’re heading back to my office for our next meeting with the Bugsy’s Blue miniseries international marketing team in London.  
    “You’re hungry?” I ask.
    “That’s just too easy,” he says.
    “For food?”
    “Yes. You haven’t eaten all day. No wonder you’re losing our hills.”
    “Our hills?”
    He slides his hand down my hip.
    I slap it away. “No touching.”  
    “Okay, but you’re going to have to let me take you to dinner tonight.”
    “Nope,” I say as we walk past Mavis’s desk. I catch the wink Robert gives her.  
    She accepts it with an obligatory smile.
    “Is this how your schedule has been all along?” he asks as we enter my office.
    I plop down in my chair and link into London. “Yes, boss.”
    “I have to eat. I’m going to ask our executive assistant to order lunch. What do you like?”
    “Mavis knows,” I say just before Rayford Riley says, “Hello, Maggie.”
    “Hello, Rayford, Betis, and Magnus.”
    “I hear you’re leaving us, yes?” Betis, a pure redhead like Prince Harry, says.
    “Unfortunately, I am. You shall be missed.”
    Robert walks out to have Mavis order lunch, and he closes the door behind him. He’s back fifteen minutes later when we’re almost finished solidifying the media strategy for the new show.  
    An hour later, Mavis lets in two men who set up sushi dishes on my small table. Robert digs in before we bring the meeting to an end.  
    Mavis knocks on the door. “Ten minutes before your next meeting with the print publications division.”
    “Cancel it,” Robert says. “Maggie’s done for the day.”
    “Tell them I’ll be there,” I say.
    “Tell them that Robert Tango says the meeting and all meetings on Maggie’s schedule for the remainder of the day are cancelled. She’s worked her quota.”
    I’m too stunned to object again. Mavis looks at me to gauge my reaction. I just shrug. She nods and backs out of the office.
    “What the hell was that?” I ask.
    “Shit, I didn’t know you worked this fucking hard.”
    “Vince knows how hard I work. If you were around more, you would too.”
    “Vince…” He closes one eye. “You haven’t mentioned him all day.”
    I raise my hand and show him my ring. “The last I saw or heard from Vince, he fucked me and made me wear this.”
    He drops that smirk. “Your engagement ring?”
    “Yes,” I say, studying the pretty cluster of diamonds.  
    He snorts and sets a plate of food in front of a chair across from where he’s sitting. “Eat now, Maggie.”
    The smell of Asian spices stimulates my appetite. I go right over and dig