Because every fiber of my being is currently screaming,Touch him.I know how good it’ll be too—those strong hands gripping my hips, palms big enough to really get a handful of my tits, biceps that look like they could haul me anywhere I want to go.
See?
Trouble.
Sterling is at his desk when we arrive.I’m praying he doesn’t see us, except, no, Lucky’s walking us straight toward him.My heart slips and bangs against my ribs, struggling for purchase.
“Lachlan?”Then he sees me.“What?—”
Lucky grabs Sterling’s arm and keeps walking, now with the two of us in hand.“Conference room’s back here, yeah?”
“Yes, but?—”
Lucky isn’t listening.He’s on a mission, and apparently, it’s to steer Sterling and me into the conference room, ignoring the obvious stares along the way.He closes the door behind us, and I drop into the nearest chair.It doesn’t help much.I still feel like the rug has been pulled out from under me.
Sterling doesn’t look much better.
“Are you done?If you wanted to talk—and I know we need to—there?—”
He’s stopped by Lucky’s brow rising.I’ve never seen Sterling stop for anything.Anyone.
“Nope, this isn’t about us; it’s about Mia.”
I’m not sure what to focus on first.The us?Somehow, I’ve managed to wedge myself in the valley between their past and present, and I shouldn’t find that as enticing as I do.
Even if the glimmer in his gaze makes it clear Lucky would be on board for that.Emphatically, hungrily, eagerly on board.
There goes my heart again.
Flushing, I blink up at Sterling.That should be safer; he’s never looked at me with anything other than …
Oh.
Lucky was right.I shouldn’t have touched that crystal.
“I don’t understand what’s happening.”
“What’s happening is, we’re going to make things right.You wouldn’t have been late this morning if it wasn’t for me, and?—”
“That’s not true.”I would’ve been late regardless.
“If anyone has the pull to change that, he does.”
“I want to help—you have no idea how much—but it’s complicated.”
“Always is with you.”
I freeze.Sterling is staring at me.The seconds pass, a slow trickle, until he looks away, blowing out an explosive breath.
“There’s more going on here than you realize, Lucky.I’m already too involved, and?—”
“Fuckin’ hell, Mac.”Lucky squares off against him, tall enough to be eye to eye.“Again?I mean, not that I’m surprised.She’s—tell me you at least handled it better this time.”
Sterling looks away, causing Lucky to curse again.
I’m lost, and it’s completely different from losing myself in my work or chasing what I want off the beaten path.That’s the good kind of lost, where I still know where I’m going and how I got there.
No, this is the type of lost that is too close to cluelessness, to standing beside a group of people who all turn their backs on you.
