Love Bytes Read Online Free PDF Page A

straight through for that bonus.”
    Alyssa dug into her Styrofoam cup and scraped the sides, a sound that irritated Rogers. As the newest programmer, she had a huge case of hero worship for Violet and, from what he saw, a schoolgirl crush on Francis.
    He frowned, and then rearranged his face into a more pleasant expression. In less than two weeks, this all would be over and NorthStar Tech would be no more.
    “Violet is the best at what she does. If anyone can pull it off, she can.” To his relief, she dropped the plastic spoon in the cup and tossed it in the trash. “I was so thrilled when I was hired here.”
    Pete nodded. “They’re both great to work for. Hands off, not looking over your shoulder.”
    Lemmings . Violet ran this place like a nursery school and Francis allowed it. No other programmer’s job required him to speak to end-users, idiots who didn’t realize that the fault wasn’t in the software, but in them. It was amazing how many calls he fielded per week on that preschool software they’d produced their first year in business. He couldn’t imagine how much that would increase with the newest product. But it wouldn’t. Because they would fail. There would be no software and he wouldn’t have to answer phones ever again.
    He bit into his sandwich with renewed relish.
     

Chapter Six
     
    The tiny office/storeroom they provided with the contract was cold and drafty. In addition, every duct housing in the building routed through there, or so it seemed. Joe tapped on the keys of his laptop, the screen glowing in the semi-darkness. He should bring in a lamp, or at least something that gave him the semblance of an actual workspace. The smell of the brewed coffee was less here, but every time the blower kicked on, he would get a blast of Jamaican roast along with dry heat.
    Violet, or Vee—he’d call her anything she wanted him to call her—was more than he’d anticipated. After he’d seen where she’d worked, he expected a skinny little computer geek with glasses and hair in her eyes, not to mention flat chested.
    But the famed Violet Connelly in the flesh was nothing like the underground Violet of his imagination and he sat back in his chair, reliving their encounter. Underneath that wool coat, he’d bet, there was a nice body, if the swell of her bosom was any indication. The sexy way she nibbled at the corner of her lip when she was trying to pay him for the coffee, the way those brown eyes widened when he guessed her cream/sugar ratio, it turned him on. In addition, he had the best vantage point to see her come and go, the point of the whole assignment.
    Work done, he was going to stretch his legs with a walk around the office complex when he heard voices through the vents. Surprisingly clear.
    A male voice: “Violet, come in here. I want to show you something.”
    Violet: “Sure you do. This is the most interesting bathroom in the office complex, isn’t it?”
    Joe sat up at his desk, running through the layout of the building in his head. If he had it right, then it was NorthStar Tech right above where he was, which explained Violet. But who was the man? It couldn’t possibly be that partner of hers. He settled in his chair, grinning. The walk around the complex could wait.
    The male voice again: “You needed a break.”
    “You needed a top-off.”
    “Does it matter?”
    Pause. Silence. Joe strained his ears and heard the passionate sounds of kissing.
    Violet: “That’s enough. I have work to do.”
    “You’re not leaving.”
    Silence. More kissing.
    The man’s voice, softer but still clear: “How about now, Violet? Still have work to do?”
    “Maybe not.”
    More silence. Joe leaned forward in his chair, holding his breath.
    Then he heard it, a whisper of a moan, a sound so erotic that his own body responded. Who was she fucking?
    “You like that?”
    Violet’s voice was still soft: “Yes…” Then, “Oh,” followed by a breathy moan.
    Joe squeezed the arms of his