Going Down: The Elevator Series by Katherine Stevens

which nothing in my thirtyish years on this planet could ever prepare me. Mindi, from accounting, was lying face up on Cole’s desk, her legs in the air above her, with a two-hole punch between her knees. She squeezed and released it with her legs like a ThighMaster, while Cole stared at the ceiling.
    “So, I get this part. It’s really working my inner thigh muscles. I just can’t get the paper in there to make the holes. Did yours come with instructions? Maybe if you hold the paper I can punch the holes.” She craned her neck to the side in an attempt to get Cole’s attention.
    Frozen in disbelief, I watched her like a train wreck. That probably wasn’t even the best analogy for what was unfolding before me.
    “So you started yesterday, huh?” She popped her gum while talking and flexing her thighs. Cole didn’t answer, his gaze locked on the ceiling. “They usually bring all the new people by and introduce them. I wonder why Cici didn’t bring you over to meet me. I’m going to talk to her about hogging the new man meat for herself.”
    Cole started to hum to himself, ostensibly to drown out Mindi’s nasally monologue. She was undeterred.
    “I think this is good for your abs, too. Sometimes, when no one’s watching—”
    “That’s it!”
    Mindi simultaneously jumped and tried to scramble off the desk, but only succeeded in falling to the floor.
    “Jesus, Cici. I didn’t hear you come in. You should wear a cow bell or something.” She picked herself up and adjusted her skirt.
    “And you should wear a muzzle. Cole, I need you in my office urgently. We have work to do.” I opened my door and he all but ran inside before Mindi could realize she had been insulted. I closed the door behind me and locked it.
    “Where have you been?” He tossed up his hands. “I thought you got here before me. I didn’t know what to do.” He pointed accusingly at the door. “I’ve never seen anything like that!”
    “I’m sorry. I got waylaid a bit. So now you’ve met Mindi, the office trollop. I would put on gloves and throw away that hole punch if I were you. I know where it’s been. She was one of the many people diddling my old boss.” I set my bag on my desk and straightened my dress.
    “Should I barricade this door?” he asked, still wide-eyed. “Do you think she even knows how to work a door handle?”
    “I’m so sorry, Cole. I swear, there must be something in the water here. I’ve seen pornos with actors who were less amped up about sex than the employees here.” Present company definitely not excluded.
    His head snapped up. “Tell me more about these pornos you watch.”
    “Did I say pornos? Because I meant gritty art house films… on Pay-Per-View.” I laughed.
    “I like a woman who’s a patron of the arts.” He closed the distance between us and pushed me against my desk. My breathing accelerated as he placed his hand behind my neck, pulling my lips to his. I wanted to get to know his mouth better than his own dentist. This kiss was slower, yet still full of need. He moved to knock everything off my desk, but I put my hand on his chest.
    “Wait.” I tried to clear my head. “I want to be spontaneous and sexy, but I just finished reorganizing these files before I left yesterday. Do you think we could be spontaneous on the credenza instead?”
    He laughed in return. “I don’t see why not. In fact, I have no problem trying out all the sturdy furniture.”
    I grabbed his hand and walked him a few steps over to the credenza. “Hmm, how much weight do you think this thing holds?”
    Cole pushed on the top, as if gauging it. “Would you rather I call the manufacturer or submit it to human trials?”
    “Well, aren’t you thorough, Mr. Danvers?” I fumbled with his tie, loosening it, and tossing it to the ground. His shirt buttons were undone in record time.
    “It’s my job to be thorough, Ms. Carrington.” He wagged his eyebrows like a cartoon character, and I couldn’t help but