“Personal, huh?” Zeke’s voice is gentle, but I can hear the curiosity lingering beneath the surface. “Like a secret diary or something?”
“Not exactly,” I hedge, my mind racing. How do I explain this without revealing too much? “It’s more like…a work in progress. Something I’m not ready to share yet.”
Zeke nods slowly, his eyes searching my face. “I get it. We all need our secrets, right?”
I feel a rush of gratitude for his understanding, mixed with a twinge of guilt for being so evasive. “Right. Thanks for…you know, not pushing.”
“Hey, I’m just here for the incredibly hot sex, remember?” Zeke winks, breaking the tension. “Although I gotta say, the air of mystery is pretty intriguing.”
I laugh, the knot in my chest loosening slightly. “Oh yeah? Well, maybe someday I’ll let you in on the big secret. If you’re lucky.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” Zeke grins, pulling me close. As his lips meet mine, I push thoughts of the papers and all they represent to the back of my mind. For now, at least, I can just be here, in this moment, with him.
4
ZEKE
I squint at the sunlight streaming through unfamiliar curtains, momentarily disoriented. Then it all comes rushing back—Benedict, last night, the mind-blowing sex. I grin, stretching like a cat in his impossibly soft sheets.
Reality sets in as I check my phone. Shit. I’m gonna be late for work.
I bolt out of bed, searching frantically for my clothes. No luck. Then I spot a neatly folded stack on the dresser—Benedict’s joggers and a T-shirt. He must have set them out for me. My heart does a little flip at the thoughtful gesture.
As I tug on the joggers, I remember they’re a bit snug in certain areas. The T-shirt isn’t much better, clinging to my chest and arms. I look like I’m cosplaying as Benedict’s slightly buffer evil twin. But it’ll have to do.
I find Benedict drinking coffee outside in the garden. On the same bench I took when I jumped the palace wall the day we met. He smiles as he sets the cup down.
“You were sleeping so soundly I didn’t want to wake you. Have I made you late?”
I rush over and steal a coffee-flavored kiss.
“Not at all. It just means I can’t have my way with you before I go.”
His eyes scan my body. “And you’re wearing my clothes again. I guess I’ll expect you to return them at some point.”
“You bet.” I give him another kiss and then dash out the door, jumping in my car. Thank fuck I’m close to the office and have a spare uniform in my locker. As I speed through the city streets, I can’t wipe the dopey grin off my face. Last night was…wow. Just wow.
I’m still floating on cloud nine when I walk into the security office. Big mistake.
“Well, well, well,” drawls Luca, leaning back in his chair with a shit-eating grin. “Look what the cat dragged in.”
I roll my eyes, heading for the coffee maker. “Morning to you too, asshole.”
Gabriel wolf-whistles. “Damn, Zeke. Those joggers leave nothing to the imagination.”
I pour my coffee, steadfastly ignoring them. But I can feel my cheeks heating.
“Is that…is that a hickey?” Ryan gasps in mock horror. “Our Zeke? Scandalous!”
I clap a hand to my neck, cursing internally. Benedict must have left his mark after all.
“All right, all right,” I grumble, facing my gleeful coworkers. “Get it all out of your systems. And quick because I gotta go change.”
They’re practically vibrating with glee. Luca clasps his hands together dramatically. “Our little boy is all grown up. Doing the walk of shame like a champ.”
“It’s not shameful if you're not ashamed of it,” I shoot back, unable to keep the grin off my face.
That sets off a fresh round of catcalls and teasing. I take it all in stride, laughing along with them. This is what I love about this crew—we bust each other’s balls, but there’s real affection underneath.
