Talia didn't see Zeke the rest of the weekend. That little gift allowed her to explore the house. After recovering from her migraine, she wandered aimlessly. Talia was surprised how many rooms were dedicated for entertainment. Two rooms had movie theatre level screens and sound system. One room was a recording studio. The Olympic size pool had two gazebos and a pool house attached. The highlight for Talia was the kitchen. Stainless steel galore, marble countertops, country sink in the middle island with two high end stoves. She imagined the meals she could cook in it. The two refrigerators were filled with fresh foods. She couldn't find junk food anywhere. That was going to change.

By Monday morning she still hadn't run into Zeke. While eating breakfast she heard movement on the second floor, but she hightailed it out of there before having to see him. Her drive into Dirty Laundry was longer now. Zeke lived outside of the city which made her commute close to an hour. By the time, she'd arrived to work her coffee was drunk and she had to pee like a racehorse.

Talia threw her purse on her desk then sped to the ladies room. As she exited the bathroom she caught sight of Vanessa leaving her cubicle.

Talia took the long way around to her desk. Looking around she didn't see anything amiss. Her purse was where she'd thrown it, papers were neatly stacked and her laptop was still shut. She wasn't sure what Vanessa was after, but it didn't appear she got it.

"Morning!" Mel said cheerily.

"Morning."

"How did your weekend go?"

Slurping followed her question. It reminded Talia that her coffee was already gone. She'd have to make a coffee run before lunch.

"Well?"

"Oh sorry. It kinda sucked."

"Why?" Slurp.

Mel was her work bestie but she worked for Dirty Laundry just like her. Trust wasn't something people did in their line of work. Information could be used against you.

"Migraine."

"Oh No! Was it a bad one?" Slurp.

"Yeah. Nothing a little caffeine, meds and sleep couldn't cure."

Mel stared. A hurt look crossed her face. She swallowed then smiled.

"I'm glad you're better." She went back to her desk.

A wave of guilt crashed over her.

Shrugging off the feeling, Talia opened her laptop to work. Music streamed through her earbuds as she composed the next feature she was working on.

Time was funny while she worked. It ebbed and flowed with the words. A buzz around her pulled her from her typing. She pulled her earbuds out and looked around. Women stood together talking in whispers.

"I think that's for you." Mel leaned against their shared wall.

Talia stood in time for a bouquet of beautiful flowers to come into her view.

"For you." A deep voice spoke behind the flowers.

"Wha?"

Zee Jaxon placed the vase of flowers on the desk. Purple and Blue Roses with Lilies mixed among them flowed out of a crystal vase. In two steps he was in her personal space boxing her against the desk.

"I wanted to make it up to you." His whispered words tickled her ear.

"That wasn't necessary." She protested.

"It was. Plus, I figured it would be fun to make a bit of a scene here."

"Bringing me flowers is making a scene now? I know you. You have done way worse."

"That isn't the scene. Ready?" A devilish glint caught his eye.

"Wha-"

In a matter of seconds, Zee pulled her into his arms and crashed his lips against hers. Her shocked eyes met his. A silent plea asked her to play along. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck. He groaned into her mouth and pulled her close. The longer they kissed the better it felt. Talia lost herself in the moment.

When they finally parted, Talia and Zeke stared at one another. Realization rushed into her. She just kissed her brother's best friend. And she liked it. She liked it too much. With the dazed look on his face, it seemed he may not have been acting.

Talia shook her head. Can't think that way. This was just a means to an end for both of them.

He cleared his throat. "I'll see you tonight, sweetness."

With one final kiss on the cheek he swaggered out of the office. He was sure to smile and wink at admiring women along the way. Why did that make her want to scream? Talia needed to get her emotions under control or this was going to destroy her.

"Whew! That was fricking hot!" Mel said.

Talia smiled as she fell into the desk chair.

"No one can deny you two are together now."

"Oh please! He's an actor, Melody. It takes more than a kiss in a public place to convince me or Catherine." Vanessa pointed toward Catherine who was walking toward them.

"Talia." She snapped. "Nicely done."

"What? You really bought that? I thought you were smarter than that, Catherine." Vanessa snapped.

Catherine's laser gaze had a new target. "If I were you, Vanessa, I'd focus on working on a story instead of picking a fight with me. You won't win."

Vanessa huffed walking back to her desk.

Catherine stared at Mel and Talia. "That had better have been real, Talia. Don't make a fool out of me."

Her clipped heels could be heard across the office as she made her way back to her office.

"How could anyone think that was fake? The sexual energy between the two of you could be felt by everyone." Mel shook her head then went back to work.

Dread, guilt and fearflowed through her.