Carrie's POV

Tyler's shower is all white marble with chrome hardware, and is as spacious as my kitchen. He opens the glass door, and I step inside, noticing several showerheads, and all kinds of fancy nozzles and knobs on the walls.

"Your shower has a bench," I comment, noticing the solid marble rectangle at one end of the stall. "Do you get tired in the middle of washing up, and have to sit down?" I joke.

"It's not exactly meant for rest," Tyler informs me, and I'm a little bewildered. But then I notice the wicked smirk on his face, and I realize my naive mistake. Of course, shower sex.

Tyler turns a couple of knobs and warm water pours down from the ceiling. I stand under the flow of water and close my eyes, letting my hair soak.

"You're fucking stunning, you know that?" Tyler says, and I feel his large hands pull me by the waist.

I look up at his face, as water drops slide down his cheeks, and jaw, and drip off his lips, and I can't help but wonder if Tyler knows just how unbelievably breathtaking he is.

"I think you're the stunner," I tell him, honestly.

He gives me a broad smile, and says, "I'm glad you think so. Guess we're a good match then."

As water cascades down our backs, Tyler kisses me, slowly, tenderly, holding me in a tight embrace. He tells me to turn around, and I do, feeling anticipation growing in my belly.

Suddenly I feel a soft soapy sponge glide over my shoulder.

"Keep still," Tyler instructs, as he continues to gently wash my neck, and back. I didn't expect this, but being washed by him feels incredibly intimate, and sensual. He squeezes the sponge over my chest, and the soapy suds slide down my stomach. Tyler reaches around me, and softly massages my skin, placing gentle kisses on my wet shoulders.

I keep looking over at the stone bench, and wondering if we're going to be putting it to use, but then Tyler thrusts a shampoo bottle in my hands, and I snap out of my lusty daydream.

"Here, for your hair," he tells me, and begins washing his own.

I wash, and rinse my hair, and Tyler finishes his own brisk washing routine. Before I know it, he shuts off the water, and hands me a towel to dry off.

I guess there won't be any shower sex after all, and I can't hide the tinge of disappointment.

Tyler wraps a white towel around his hips, and tosses me one of his t-shirts.

"For you to sleep in," he tells me.

"Oh, I thought I should probably head home," I say, and watch him frown at me.

"Baby, come on, stay the night with me," he implores, approaching me close.

I take in his pleading eyes, and his spectacular body, still glistening with wetness, and I start to forget all reason. Nevermind that I don't have any clothes to wear to work tomorrow. I'll just leave extra early to stop by my house before work. I convince myself that spending the night wrapped up in Tyler's arms is worth the early morning inconvenience.

"Okay, I'll stay, but I have to get up early to make it to work on time," I warn him.

"I promise not to make you late," he says, and kisses the tip of my nose.

We get into Tyler's ginormous bed, and he scoops me up in his embrace, spooning me from behind. I love being held by him. It feels so warm and safe.

"Thank you for being so honest with me tonight," I tell him.

"I'll always be open with you," he says, and squeezes me tighter.

"I'm a little surprised you didn't ask me about my past romantic escapades," I tell him.

Tyler shifts, and I hear him exhale a heavy breath. "I don't want to know. The idea of you with another guy is not something I want to even think about."

"I've only been with one guy, I mean my experience pales in comparison to yours," I say, staring out into the darkness of the room.

"Still. If it were up to me, I'd wipe your memory clean of that ungrateful dick, and the only man you'd remember being with would be me."

I'm a little taken aback by Tyler's dominant stance, but truth be told, there have been times when I've wondered what my life would have been like if I never met Jonah. If he wasn't my first. If it really was only Tyler...

After some time, I hear Tyler's breathing become calm and even, and I realize that he's drifted off to sleep. Being this close to him makes me want to never leave. He's everything I could ever dream of. Considerate, honest, smart, and sexy as hell. Just hope he doesn't get bored of me. I mean, whatever it is he finds appealing about me, I really hope it lasts. Because to be perfectly honest, I'm not even sure why out of all the women he could have, he chose me. 

It's just after 5 am, and I am sneaking out of Tyler's penthouse on tip toes. It took all of my willpower not to stay in bed with him, and enjoy the heavenly sensation of feeling his heartbeat pressed against my cheek.

But I have to be responsible. Ugh, sigh.

I get an Uber and stop by at home to change before heading to work. Hopefully Tyler doesn't mind, but I kept his t-shirt, and I'm not planning on washing it either, as it is permeated with his unmistakable, sexy scent.

At work, Kenneth requests to see me in his office, and I feel myself begin to perspire. Hopefully it's good news.

"Carrie, sit down," he tells me, and motions to a chair in front of his desk.

I look at him expectantly, my palms getting a little sweaty. There is something intimidating about Kenneth, and he's hard to read. He could be offering me a promotion or firing me on the spot, it's really impossible to tell.

"I wanted to let you know that thanks to your creativity, and ingenuity, we landed Korlana coffee. That's a huge client, and it is chiefly due to to your efforts. They loved the TV spot you came up with, and we were able to close the deal like that." Kenneth snaps his fingers.

"Wow, Kenneth, that's great news!" I'm so excited that my work is getting recognition, it's a very fulfilling moment, and I am soaking it up.

"Also," he continues, taking a seat on the edge of his desk. "I have some other news."

"Oh?"

"I've discussed it with Samuel, and some other senior partners, and we've all come to a consensus, that...you should become a permanent member of our team here at Ruby World."

I cannot contain myself. I get out of the seat, and stretch out my hand, and Kenneth extends his. "Thank you, thank you very much," I practically squeal, as I shake my boss' hand vigorously.

"It's well deserved," he says, and smiles at me. "You will get an official employment contract today from HR, and I think you'll be pleased with the salary package."

"This internship has been so educational, and I look forward to growing creatively here even more. Thanks for having faith in me."

"Welcome to the team," says Kenneth, and gives me a wink.

I'm a little surprised at this informality, but I don't put too much weight on it. I am beyond excited, and proud of myself. Can't wait to share the news with Tyler, and Alex, and my mom.

I leave Kenneth's office, and text Alex the good news. I'll wait to tell Tyler in person.

I'm too excited to sit at my desk, so I decide to step outside for some fresh air. When I exit the elevator into the lobby, I am shocked to see Jonah walk toward me.

"Jonah? What are you doing here?" I ask, feeling completely blindsided.

"Carrie, I was just going to come up and see you," he explains.

"Why, what's the matter?" I ask, and he takes me by the shoulder, and approaches me closely.

"Carrie, we need to talk. I've been meaning to call you..."

I notice that Jonah's usually perfectly combed blond hair looks a little disheveled and he's got an overall uncharacteristically scruffy appearance.

"Is something wrong?" I ask, trying to discern his shifty gaze.

"Yes, isn't it bloody obvious? You fucking dumped me, remember?! God, it hasn't even been a week, and I'm already losing it. But you, you seem rather cheerful. Guess it's not really tearing you apart at all, is it. Look, I swallowed my pride and came here to ask you to take it all back."

"Take what back?"

"Your words. The break up. Everything. Look, I know I haven't been the perfect boyfriend that you read about in your trashy romance novels, but I think you really made a mistake there, Carrie. I mean, I was planning on asking you to come spend Christmas with my parents in Connecticut. That's major! Bet you didn't know that."

"Jonah, that's all very sweet, but it's a little too late for that now," I tell him.

"How can it be too late? We spent two freakin years together. Doesn't that count for something? Come on, just give it another shot. Don't make me beg."

"Jonah, I'm sorry you're having a hard time, and I don't want to make you feel worse, but...it is in fact too late... I'm with someone else now."

Jonah's grey eyes go wide, and his face distorts into a pained grimace. "What the hell did you say?"

I lower my voice. "I said, I'm with someone else."

"How is that fucking possible? It hasn't even been a week!" He looks at me then with a kind of a spiteful gaze. "Have you been fucking someone else behind my back?"

"No," I say, but my subconscious is tapping her foot, and giving me a wry smile. Well, technically it's true, I didn't sleep with Tyler until after our breakup, I try ease my guilty conscience. "I mean, I've known him since before you and I broke up, but we've just now started dating."

"Well, don't you move on fast," he says, and squints at me. "And who is the lucky fella? Is he someone from work?"

"You don't know him," I say, wishing I could just run away from this interrogation. "Look, Jonah, I've had a really good day at work... Kenneth offered me a full time position at the firm, and I am not going to let you ruin my good mood."

"Kenneth? Oh, now it's all coming together. You and Kenneth, eh? Do all the female employees get busy with the boss? Well, that's rich, Carrie. Way to 'earn' your promotion."

"What in the hell are you implying?" I ask, putting my hands on my hips, and scowling at him.

"Oh, nothing. I hope you two find every happiness together. Just don't be surprised when he tosses you aside for another hot new intern."

"I am not sleeping with Kenneth," I hiss at him. "And I got my promotion based on merit, nothing else."

"Sure. You tell yourself whatever makes you sleep easy at night, sweetheart." 

My annoyance with Jonah is at an all time high. "His name is Tyler, okay? He's Tiffany's brother," I finally tell him, feeling exasperated.

It takes a moment for Jonah to connect the dots. "Well, if he's anything like his sister, I'm sure you'll have a trashtastic time getting whatever it is you need out of your system," with that Jonah leaves the lobby through the revolving door.

I am left seething in the lobby, feeling mad at myself for letting Jonah get to me.