Last night, she’d curled up in my arms, and I listened to her even breaths. It’d taken me another hour to fall asleep.
This morning, my pesky erection had been demanding either relief or medical attention, but Autumn had had to get to work. I’d dropped her off at school. She’d shyly given me a kiss before she’d gotten out of the car. And then I’d returned to her dining room table for my meeting. A meeting I’d thought was about approving the renovation schedule and costs had become a not-unexpected chastisement for interfering with the bouncers at Glitter and subtle prying about why I’d returned home.
If they were so concerned about a family emergency, I wouldn’t tell them I was married. I should be flattered they were worried I’d pull up stakes and leave, but at thesame time, I was irritated as hell. Getting pestered was what I got for years of diligent service.
The irony chafed. The board worried about my absence when few of them actually lived in Nevada. Or if they lived there, they were at their second or third homes around the world. I blew out a hard breath, wishing I could shut my laptop and make the condom run now that the board meeting was over, but Taya was still on the line.
“Can we switch this to camera mode?” she asked from the other end.
“Is it necessary?”
The silence on the other end told me no. Taya wanted to make this call personal, but I no longer had personal business with her.
“Very well,” she said. “Are you ready to tell me what’s really going on?”
“I’ve said all there is to say.”
“Gideon.” She used the same tone when she cozied up against me in Glitter & Gold. The sultry way she said my name let me know she was thinking of sex.
Every time I thought of sex, I saw Autumn spread out before me, her legs wide and her pussy glistening. I heard her screaming my name and felt her tremble around me.
My erection was returning. “Taya, do you have a handle on the next meeting?”
“I... Yes?” My abruptness must’ve thrown her. “We’re reviewing Q3 reports from the marketing team, so?—”
“Good. Have Grant write up a summary for me and I’ll review it before the weekend. Otherwise, you know how to reach me.” I clicked off before she could argue.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. I wasn’t acting like my usual self. I’d never cut Taya off when it came to work and I’d never shirked my duties, even if they meant monotonous meetings with data that made my eyes burn.
But I had a family emergency. I had to buy condoms.
I pushed away from the table. Sprinkles pounced, jumping on my lap and curving her tail around my forearm. I paused for a moment and scratched behind her ears. Her purr ignited, and I rubbed her head too. She stood on her hind legs and propped her front paws on my shoulder. I let her sniff my mouth, give me a head bump, and then she jumped down.
She’d done that a few times while I was working. I didn’t hate it.
I grabbed the keys and left. It only took five minutes to get to the tractor supply store. In Vegas, I had a personal assistant I called when I needed clothing. I couldn’t be bothered to shop. If I had to, this type of store was more my style. Everything I could need under one roof—tools, snacks, and clothing.
No condoms. I checked.
I bought a ball cap, mostly for camouflage. Some of the older workers were not so discreetly gawking at me. Next were more jeans and sweaters. I grabbed a couple of shirts. When I passed by a rack of heavy-duty socks, I selected a few pairs.
An older woman with graying brown hair stopped by. “Oh, we have a basket for you.”
I was about to say I didn’t need one, but my arms were loaded. “Thanks.”
She held the plastic container with handles while Idumped my pile inside. “You could use a cart. I’ll get one for you.”
“Oh no, you don’t have?—”
“The boots are right behind you.”
“Excuse me?”
She smiled, her soft-brown eyes twinkling. “You’re clothing yourself head to toe. Figured you’d want some boots.”
I turned. The aisles of work boots, cowboy boots, and loafers that weren’t far removed from slippers were to my left and right. Had this place expanded since I moved?
Boots. Did I need boots?
