Both Jack and Nate are staring at me, wide-eyed, shock overtaking their features.
“Not that I’m in it for the money—because I’m not, I have enough—but how many raises have you given me? Even though I’ve been just as involved in growing this business as you two are?” I raise my eyebrows and wait for them to answer. When they stay silent, I say, “One. One raise, even though I’ve busted my ass.” With that, I stand, head held high and adrenaline buzzing. “So, boss? Go ahead and dock my pay, because I’m taking the rest of the day off.”
I storm out of the office and slam the door behind me. Ella calls my name, but I ignore it as I head toward the stairs, not wanting to take the time to wait for the elevator. I know exactly where I’m heading.
I’m going to get a fucking coffee and a kiss from my woman.
27
Maggie
Iglance over at Ian. He has one hand draped over the steering wheel as the other drums on the middle console. The muscles in his forearms ripple with every motion.
Even as I try to look away, my eyes are drawn to him. Normally, it would be because I find him so attractive, but today, I’m worried about his demeanor.
When he showed up at the coffee shop, I could tell something had happened. His body was taut with tension, and his expression was so severe that customers gave him a wide berth. He ordered coffee and sat in the corner of the shop for the rest of my shift, scowling the whole time. When I brought him a refill and asked him again what was wrong, all he did was kiss the back of my hand and tell me he would fill me in later.
After I got off work, we stopped by my apartment so Icould pack a bag, and now we’re on our way to his house. I’m not sure how best to help him. I want to do my best to be there for him the way he’s been for me. I debate whether I should suggest he call his therapist.
When we come to a stop in his driveway, I’m just about to climb out when Ian calls my name. I shift in my seat to face him. His fingers bury in my hair, and he takes my lips in a slow kiss. His lips are firm as they move against mine, and my body sways closer like I’m magnetized to him. I’m completely lost in the moment as he deepens the kiss. When we’re both breathless, Ian pulls back and stares down at me with his hand still cradling my head. His face is softer than before, but it still has an edge to it that hurts my heart.
“Ian, I don’t want to push you, but do you want to talk about what happened?”
With a sigh, he glances over my shoulder, his entire body tense as he utters with a tinge of anger, “What the fuck is he doing here?”
“Who?” I try to turn my head to look out the window, but Ian’s hand is still in my hair.
He releases me and reaches down to unbuckle me. “Fucking Jack. Let’s go and get this over with.”
I’m bewildered at what’s happening, but I open my door and step out. Jack’s standing on the stairs leading to Ian’s porch with his hands shoved in his pockets. He’s wearing sunglasses so I can’t see his eyes, but it seems his stare is intense and fixed on us. The charged energy rolling off both of them is palpable.
While I suspected something happened with work since Ian showed up in the middle of the day, it makes me sad for him that it seems to be something between him and his best friend. I know how important the relationship he has with these men is.
Taking my bag from me, Ian intertwines our fingers as we walk toward the front porch.
Jack inclines his head and pushes his sunglasses onto the top of his head. “Maggie, good to see you.” His stare moves to Ian. “Can we talk?”
Ian leads me past Jack to the door without responding. He unlocks it as I look between the two men, worried I’m about to be in the middle of something I shouldn’t be.
We step inside, and Ian turns back to Jack, who’s still standing in the same spot on the porch.
“Are you coming inside or not?”
Jack follows us inside, and I try to pull my hand from Ian’s. “I’ll go to the bedroom. Give you two some privacy to talk.”
Ian’s grip on me tightens. “No, I want you here with me.”
The vulnerability in his voice both shatters and warms me.
“Okay, I’ll stay with you.”
The flash of relief in his hardened features has emotion clogging my throat.
Ian and I sit on the couch, and Jack takes the chair to the left of us. He leans forward with his elbows on his thighs and claps his hands between his legs. No one says anything, and I start to fidget. Ian slides his palm over my thigh to calm me, and I place my hand on top of his, waiting.
Finally, Jack breaks the silence. “Ian, I owe you an apology. For multiple things.”
Ian rears back a little but doesn’t confirm or deny Jack’s statement.
