His Naughty Lessons

** Harper **

When Harper exited the office building and found Eli waiting for her next to a Maybach S Class, she did a double take. "Going all CEO style on me now?" She eyed him suspiciously as he opened the door for her.

It was honestly still shocking to see this side of him. Now that she didn't have to avert her eyes just to avoid curious questions from her coworkers, she could finally take in the full sight of him dressed in a business suit, standing next to the luxury car like a celebrity posing for a billboard photoshoot, and she had to admit that the sight was ... probably the most glamorous one a man could ever make. The tailored jacket attenuated all the flawless lines of his body, hugging his broad shoulders before tapering down to a lean waist, making his already luring frame look even more playgirl-cover-worthy. The satiny shine of the fabric blended in with his features, bringing out the soft radiance of his back-combed hair and the crystalline gleam of his eyes. The whole image was the epitome of elite perfection, all sharp edges and polished details ... and sinful handsomeness.

Of course, Harper had always known he was handsome. But apparently she didn't know until now that he could keep redefining the word by stretching it to new limits.

If Eli noticed how intensely she was staring at him, he didn't show it. Instead, he smiled back sheepishly. "I didn't mean to be pretentious with the car. Justin — my assistant — left it for me. He drove it here in the morning, since it obviously wouldn't have worked to take my old Honda with the rest of the group in tow."

Harper peeled her eyes away from him with some effort and settled into the champagne-gold interior of the car. "Where are we going then?" she asked, trying to sound casual, though her head was still caught between the dizzying sensation from staring too much at the cover boy and the lingering grumpiness from that unwarned episode in the morning. "How many more shocking surprises do you have waiting for me today?"

Eli reached over and buckled the seatbelt for her like a humble butler. "Well, where we're going depends on how angry you still are with me. I have a few reservations ready ... A boxing lesson, where you can punch me however much you like. A paintball game, if you prefer something less violent or hands-on. A thrill ride, if you'd rather just scream away the fumes ..."

Harper's eyes went wide. "Did you seriously make three different reservations for tonight?"

Eli made a face. "Maybe more like ... six?"

"... You've got to be kidding me." A laughter broke free before Harper could bite it back. Whatever grudges she might've held a minute ago was now replaced by an absurd sense of amusement. "I'm not angry with you, Eli. I'm just ... I don't want to punch you, at least not yet, but I do want to know why you kept me in the dark all this time about something so important."