The lodge was sadly booked up for the night, and the gate to the marina was closed, so we couldn't get back to the same yacht we were on earlier without a gate pass. I suggested we drive the convertible to a secluded part of the beach I knew about. Eric didn't refuse the idea and let me drive.

I parked in a nearby, quiet neighborhood that had its own boardwalk on the beach. It was empty, as I expected. I switched off the engine and then turn the key just once to allow the battery to run so the radio could play music for us.

It didn't take long for us to shift to the convertible's back seat, where I quickly proceeded to rip off his slightly stained red shirt, breaking off a few buttons in the process. He kissed my neck as I ran my fingers up his smooth and flexed chest, over his defined muscular traps, and down his equally muscular back.

He hoisted me with effortless ease onto his lap, making my dress ride up and stop just at the cusp of my ass. I could feel his excitement stiffen on my thigh when he realized I wasn't wearing anything under my dress. He put on hand behind my head and guided my lips to his, while his other hand explored my breasts and hips. He pulled at the fabric of my dress, so the sleeve came off my shoulder.

I parted from his lips long enough to remove my dress over my head. I now sat there, in the open air, completely naked on my fiance's lap. The moonlight and light from the solitary, dim streetlamp, were all that illuminated us. But I could feel the intensity in the faint glimmer of his hidden eyes. It was almost animalistic. I loved it.

Eric then wrapped an arm around my waist and held on tight to me as he shifted us, so that I was lying along the back seat, and he was above me. I leaned up a little and helped him undo his belt and khaki pants. He removed them, along with his boxers and threw them in the direction of the front seat. He and I were now naked together. He didn't hesitate as he held up my hips slightly and entered me.

The initial sensation was always the best. The feel of his penis exploring deep within me and hitting spots in just the right way. Moving with the right amount of thrust and hunger. He took it slower this time than he had over the last few weeks. We had all the time to enjoy ourselves now. There was no trial he was stressing over. There was no work assignment for me to get back to. There was no Ryan. There was just Eric and me.

Our rhythm picked up naturally this time. And as it did, I moved my hips to match his movement. It was so perfect for both of us that we came together. Which also hadn't happened in a long time. It felt so incredible and pure. Eric collapsed his hot and sweaty self on my equally hot and sweaty body. We were spent.

The warm weather breeze brushed over us as we returned to a state of normalcy.

"I missed this." He looked in my direction as we put our clothes back on. I still couldn't see his face very well in the darkness, but I knew he was probably giving me a loving look.

"Me too."

He climbed back to the front and sat down in the driver's seat this time and turned the engine back on. "I wish life back home didn't cause us to rush so much."

I nodded as I fidgeted with my dress once more to make sure it was comfortable again. Then I proceeded to take my place in the passenger seat. "Well, we'll just have to be better at making time for each other from now on."

We buckled our seat belts, and Eric reversed out of the parking spot and started our trip back to my parent's home. "You're right-"

Eric was cut off by the sound of my phone ringing in my purse. I reached down and grabbed my clutch that was on the floor by my feet. It was almost eleven, so I figured it was probably my mom or dad, checking to see if we were okay. But when I saw Ryan's name on the screen, I instantly tensed up.

I quickly declined the call and put the phone on mute, before putting it back in my bag, which I placed back at my feet.

"Who was that?" Eric slowed to a stop behind a car at the red light.

"Dunno. I didn't recognize the number, so I just declined it."

Eric smiled over at me and brushed my windswept hair with his fingers. "You're shivering. We can close the top."

I nodded and said it was a good idea. Though I was feeling cold from the wind, I was shivering because of the rage I felt towards Ryan.

He probably knew I was with Eric, and he still had the nerve to call me. Had Eric seen, what kind of explanation could I have given? I didn't work for Ryan anymore. Plus, it was late and the weekend. His calling me would have sent up red flags for Eric, which would have inevitably changed the loving feeling into something I didn't want to face now or ever.

**********

I was sad that we had to fly home so soon. Though I missed the warm weather and seeing my parents, I also felt happy to be back in New York.

It was Monday now, and life for Eric and I went back to our everyday routine. We agreed to keep our promise about making more time for each other. We vowed that we'd start by having lunch together at least once a week, if not more.

I went into the office early, before most people would arrive, as I wanted to catch up on anything I had missed on Friday. I sat down at my computer and turned it on. While I waited for it to load, I went to the break room to make a cup of coffee. I passed by the copy/mail room and remembered seeing Peggy and Ryan in there. But I didn't have any negative feelings like I had initially. I just laughed lightly to myself and shook my head as I walked back to my desk.

As it approached the time for people to start showing up for work, I heard Adam, Ryan, and Peter's voices as they walked towards the area where Adam's office was. They all noticed me, and all but Ryan presented me with a welcoming smile.

"Good morning." I looked away from my computer screen and politely greeted them.

Adam was the first one to speak. "Good morning, Vicky. Don't you look radiant."

"Thank you."

"See, boys, this is what I'm talking about," Adam gestured with a palm out to me. "This is the kind of dedication we need to be looking for from our employees. Vicky spent all weekend at the beach, and what does she do when she returns? Gets back to work without a second thought. I love her dedication."

The men nodded in agreement with Adam's statement, while I blushed and thanked him for the compliment.

"Speaking of employees," Peter spoke up. "Ms. Ashcroft, I'm sorry to announce this, but Peggy was let go on Friday, while you were out."

The heat around my neck rose. "What? Really? Why?"

Peter shook his head. "While we cannot disclose the reason for it, we're bringing this to your attention because we will need you to help assist Ryan until we can find a new assistant for him."

"But what does that mean for me and my apprenticeship with you?" I directed my question to Adam.

"You'll still be my apprentice. There's no question about that. But if you don't mind the extra workload, for the time being, you'll also return to assist Ryan." Adam explained.

I leaned back in my chair, looking at the three brothers collectively, in disbelief. So they expected me to do the workload I had from Adam, plus the workload I would get from Ryan? I knew I was not getting paid anywhere near enough to do two jobs. "Couldn't Ashlee help instead?"

"She could," Peter agreed. "But you're the better option since you've already worked for Ryan and know to pick up where Peggy left off."

"Guys," Ryan stepped in. "Don't worry about it, really. I can live without an assistant for a week or so."

I don't know why I didn't just keep my mouth shut. But I lowered my eyes down and said, "I'll do it."

"See! Dedication!" Adam said, almost sounding proud of himself as if he was the one that discovered me, to begin with. "And as a thank you, Vicky. We are going to bump your pay. Permanently."

The sound of that statement made me feel better at accepting the extra workload. The men agreed with Adam totally. They thanked me again and proceeded to go into Adam's office, closing the door behind them. I could hear the vibrations of their voices and laughter through the walls as they talked about whatever they were talking about.

I took a deep breath, trying to rid my growing feeling of frustration. It wasn't working, so I grabbed my earphones from the top drawer of my desk. Clicking them into my computer, I turned on Pandora. I went to my heavy metal station as I returned to focusing on work.

I bobbed my head subtly to the music as I typed away at the computer. The heavy guitar chords and drum beats filled my ears and flowed through my body. It washed away the annoyance I felt to what I was about to endure at work. It washed away the anger that was growing inside, as I realized that I would probably not be able to have my weekday lunches with Eric like we had agreed to. But it still couldn't wash away the anger I still held towards Ryan for calling me Saturday night.

**********

Thankfully, I wasn't going to start working for Ryan until Tuesday. They had to run things through H.R. before allowing me to start working for both brothers and increasing my pay. Which meant I was still able to meet Eric for lunch. While we were eating, I told him about what had happened.

He nodded in understanding and was supportive in all the right ways. Eric stabbed his fork at his salad. "So how much more are they going to pay you?"

"They are going to raise my salary by $3,000." I smiled at the thought. I didn't expect to get paid that much more but didn't argue when they presented me with my new salary information.

Eric looked impressed. "That's awesome. And you deserve it. But you make sure Ryan treats you better this time. Don't hesitate to go to Adam or H.R. if he's rude to you in any way." He looked at me seriously.

I drew an X over my chest, promising I wouldn't just let things slide this time. Which I definitely wasn't going to allow. After spending a fantastic weekend in Naples with Eric. It was clear to me that I didn't want anyone else but him. Working for Ryan again was not going to be like the last time. Though Ryan and I hadn't been alone yet since I returned, I knew that this time I was going to keep my head on straight and my legs and emotions closed.

Ryan and I were over, whether he liked it or not.

"What did Peggy say when you texted her anyway?" Eric asked, bringing my attention back to our conversation.

I shook my head. "She said she couldn't tell me why she was let go. But she said she was sad she didn't get to say goodbye to me. She also said she was probably going to go back to L.A. and work over there instead."

The truth was, Peggy did tell me why she was let go. She admitted that she tried to hook up with Adam again after Ryan had rejected her advancements on Thursday night. She mentioned that Adam turned her down and then proceeded to tell Ryan what she had done. They told her that she wasn't suitable for the position of assistant to Ryan any longer, and there was no other position for her at the company.

I apologized to her for what happened. She insisted it wasn't my fault. But if she had only known, I'm pretty sure her being fired was entirely my fault. I couldn't help but feel guilty.