Chapter 5 - Drink Me

I had a vicious hangover on Saturday morning and decided it was no less than I deserved. As much as I'd resented Menzi's insistence on negotiating sex with as much passion as he would a merger, in the end I'd negotiated in kind. Because I wanted him enough to take a calculated risk and break my own rules.

I took comfort in knowing he was breaking some of his own, too.

After a long, hot shower, I made my way into the lounge and found Neo on the couch with his laptop, looking fresh and alert. Smelling coffee in the kitchen, I went through and filled the biggest mug I could find.

"Morning, sunshine," Neo called out.

With my much-needed dose of caffeine wrapped between both palms, I joined him on the couch.

He pointed at a box on the side table. "That came for you while you were in the shower."

I set my mug on the coffee table and picked up the box. It was wrapped in brown paper and twine, with my name written diagonally across the top in a decorative calligraphic flourish. Inside was an amber glass bottle with Hangover Cure painted on it in a white old-fashioned font, and a note tied with raffia around the bottle's neck that said, Drink me. Menzi's business card was nestled in the cushioning tissue paper.

As I studied the gift, I found it very apt. Since meeting Menzi I'd felt like I'd fallen down the rabbit hole into a fascinating and seductive world where few of the known rules applied. I was in uncharted territory that was both exciting and frightening.

I glanced at Neo, who eyed the bottle dubiously. "Cheers."