Shipped

by Angie Hockman

so you like the big ones then? The bigger the better. Isn’t that what she said?

Whoa, whoa, whoooa. Are we flirting? No way. My insides go all twisty and confused and heat flushes across my collarbone. I click on Graeme’s contact photo again. His full lips seem to smirk at me, and I have the sudden desire to mash my mouth against his, just to see how it feels. Either that or slap him.

“I’m looking forward to meeting you in person finally. And… and that’s it.”

“You know what, that’s not it. There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you…” He sucks in a deep breath. “You shouldn’t let James talk to you like that. It’s unprofessional. Take care.”

Graeme stands as well. When he glances up our gazes connect. He looks away, but then pulls a double-take. All I’m wearing is a bikini. And Graeme won’t stop staring.

Hehehehe

Gender is a social construct, but biologically, it’s a girl!

Shaking his head slowly, he walks away. After three steps he pauses. “I’m not the asshole you think I am.”

“You can afford to be nice because you don’t see me as a threat.”

“You have no idea how I see you.”

Even at this distance, I can tell he’s shaking his head. When he sees me looking, he points directly at me, draws an enormous heart in the air with both index fingers, then thumbs his own chest.

I like a challenge, and you give as good as you get.” “You have no idea.” Instead of sounding flippant, my voice comes out in a rumbly purr. Graeme’s eyes grow hooded. “Maybe not yet.”

“She’s perfect,” I murmur. “I think so too,” he says softly.

“Henley would never have to know.”

F U BITCH

“You gave me hope that maybe, just maybe, you might feel the same way about me as I feel about you.”

Graeme Crawford-Collins wants to kiss me.

“Well, I was trying to make you jealous, so let’s call it even.”

this man.

Turning to me, Graeme gathers up my hand, giving me plenty of time to pull away. When I don’t, he runs his thumb along the length of my palm. “I’m not Sean.”

I want to be happy. I want Graeme. I want it all.

“You kiss me like that, then you say you might not want to kiss me again? You’re killing me, Henley Rose.”

“And staff meeting Thursdays? They became my favorite day of the week. Because I got to see her face.”

“You’re welcome, although you really should thank my colleague, Henley. This was all her idea. She set all the wheels in motion.”

Why can’t things be easy with Graeme? I swallow a bite of pork. Why can’t things be easy with Graeme?

YES

“That’s a tough act to follow. Who wants to take that on?” Heads swivel, scanning the room. Graeme shifts beside me… and stands. “Me.”

The opening refrain to ABBA’s “Take a Chance on Me” pumps through the speakers. And my heart bursts like a piñata.

RAHHHHHH

Because I’m here and I’m ready to take a chance… on Graeme.

“I’ve wanted this for so long,” he murmurs, trailing kisses down my neck.

im in a state of toe-curling shock

And your dance moves…” He tilts his chin up, eyes wide. “Yes?” “Well, I’ve never seen anything like them.”

“This is sad. I’m sad for you, Henley. You deserve to be happy, and you’re never going to be happy working like a draft horse with nothing and no one else in your life.”

“You act like you’re the only one with a stake in this game. You’re not. I understand how this”—he motions between us—“complicates everything. But I was willing to give it a try. Because I care about you, Henley. But maybe I was wrong to.”

maybe im almost crying... so what

Graeme Cracker_Collins has followed me.

My breath catches when his fingers curl around my waist. I still.

i, too, am still

Sliding his fingers into my hair, he palms my cheek. His blue eyes blaze like stars. “You know, I think I could fall in love with you.”

“It’s James.” Her breath hitches, and I catch a jangle of earrings against the phone that sounds like she’s walking somewhere quickly. “He called a meeting of the executive board for one o’clock today. He’s presenting your fund-raising proposal.”

FUCK THAT BITCH

“And it looks like he’ll be traveling with us again soon for his honeymoon—to Mexico this time.

LETS GOO

“You know I like a woman on top.”

For the first time in my life, I feel like I’ve lived up to my namesake. I feel like a rock star.

adorable