Sink: The Lost World Read Online Free

and headed out the door with the binder under his arm.
    Gavin checked his watch.
    “That gives us an extra hour for lunch,” he said. “Where shall we eat? I heard of this really good Chinese place just down the road.”
    “I have plans,” Zoe said, picking up her things.
    “Seriously?” Gavin said. “I thought that was just a line to get rid of the suit.”
    “Nope,” Zoe said.
    “All righty then,” Gavin said. “Looks like it’ll just be me.” He sighed. “I can just see my fortune cookie now: ‘You will die unhappy and alone’.”
    “Your cheap manipulation tricks won’t work on me,” Zoe said.
    “Maybe I’ll ask Rosetta,” Gavin said.
    “Good luck,” Zoe said.
    “Have a good time,” Gavin said.
    “I’ll try to,” Zoe said.
    She felt the heat rise to her cheeks, and the smile spread across her lips as she stepped out of the meeting room and into the corridor.

2
     
     
    Zoe and Bryan fell back onto their pillows, a thin layer of sweat on their faces.
    “Thank you,” Zoe said, panting. “I needed that.”
    “You’re not the only one,” Bryan said.
    Zoe felt the cool silk blankets against her skin. The Hope and Anchor was one of the better hotels in town, and afforded them a view over the river and market.
    “Stressful day at work?” Bryan said.
    “Like you wouldn’t believe,” Zoe said. “I’ve got a new client. He’s very demanding.”
    “I’ll bet,” Bryan said. “I hope he’s not too tough on you.”
    “I don’t think he knows how to be otherwise,” Zoe said.
    “Hm,” Bryan said. “Sounds like a problem. I hope he’s at least attractive. Better to have someone good looking screaming at you than someone who’s not.”
    “Oh, he’s good looking all right,” Zoe said. “But he doesn’t scream at me. He’s just cold and hard to read.”
    “Many bosses are,” Bryan said. “They use it as a smokescreen for how they really feel. A boss has to appear calm and in control at all times.”
    “Still,” Zoe said. “He could crack a smile now and then.”
    Bryan’s harsh demeanor in the meeting room was gone. He smiled a smile that turned his eyes up, into beautiful sparkling pools.
    “Why did you end the meeting so abruptly?” Zoe said. “You could have let me go over the details.”
    “I thought you hated giving presentations?” Bryan said.
    “I do,” Zoe said. “But after I’ve done all the work I’d prefer to go through it anyway.”
    “I thought I was doing you a favor,” Bryan said.
    “You did,” Zoe said. “But next time let me know so I won’t have to prepare all the documents.”
    “Noted,” Bryan said. “But let’s face it, you would have done it anyway.”
    “Not necessarily,” Zoe said.
    “Yes necessarily,” Bryan said. “It’s not in you to do a bad job. It’s one of the reasons you’re my girl.”
    “A workaholic who finds a perfectionist attractive,” Zoe said, rolling her eyes. “How original.”
    Bryan grinned and kissed Zoe on the forehead.
    “But you know, there are some issues we need to cover,” Zoe said.
    “I read your report,” Bryan said. He quoted from memory. “‘There is very little chance any long term damage will occur to the area or the local residents of Lakota.’”
    “Show off,” Zoe said.
    “What can I say?” Bryan said. “I hang on your every word.”
    “I’m going to take a shower,” Zoe said.
    She climbed out of bed, completely at ease with her nakedness. Bryan liked the way she looked, and she enjoyed the way he looked at her.
    The water was almost scalding, the way she liked it. Steam billowed up in great thick mists in the cubicle. She let it wash her body, and smiled at the intimate moments she’d just shared with Bryan. She dried her hair with a towel as she came back to the hotel room.
    Bryan sat on the edge of the bed in his underwear in thoughtful repose.
    “Bryan?” Zoe said. “Is everything okay?”
    “Everything’s fine,” Bryan said. “In fact, more than fine. I