Bran’s chuckle fades from my scope of comprehension when a knock grabs my attention. Looking up at Baron, I hum softly and hold up a finger. “So, am I still picking you up from the airport?”
“No, we’ll get a cab. You should sleep in, Delaney. You sound tired,” I tense at that, and Bran sighs heavily. “Or maybe I’m tired as shite meself. I’ll call you tomorrow when we get home, okay? Cannae complain about it, either, since you did the same thing.”
“Aye, aye, I’ll let you struggle with the cabbies,” I agree before my brother and I hang up, and I look over at Baron curiously. “What’s up?”
“What’s up? It’s almost 11 at night, love,” Baron chides gently, and fire flickers up my neck and into my cheeks. “Was that your brother?”
“He’s coming in tomorrow morning. He said he’d be landing about noon-ish,” I reveal as I stand up, hastily shutting down my computer. Grabbing my purse, I slip my phone into the side pocket before shouldering the strap. “What’re you still doing here?”
“Waiting for you, of course,” Baron shoots me a charming smile, and I pause pushing in my chair. The huge issue I’ve been dancing around for days floods my mind’s eye. Just tell him. Just say it! ‘Baron, I’m pregnant’. It’s three words, so why is it so hard? “Delaney?”
“Huh?” I blink, and Baron arches a brow quizzically. “Oh, nothing. I was just thinking. . . that’s very sweet of you.”
“Well, I had another motive,” He confesses, and I leave my office to shut off the lights and close the door behind me. The hallway is empty, the offices around me clear and dark. It’s just us, and Baron grabs my elbow gently to tug insistently. Concern knits his brows. “Whatever is going on with you. . . if you need some time off, you’re getting that assistant. Training is less important than giving the rundown on your projects, which I can do. I just can’t stand seeing you like this, love. You’ve barely left your office in days. I heard from the chef that you even ordered room service, and you’ve never done that before.”
“I can’t leave.” I start, but Baron holds his thumb to my lips to caress them tenderly. Sucking in a sharp breath, I tense at the intensity in his eyes.
“It may seem that way, Delaney, but you’ve worked more the past four months than anyone should. You need a break. This is a perfect time. You’ll give your assistant the run down and let her pass or fail on her own, and I’m not completely incompetant, myself. Tom is also available. I haven’t approved Granby’s replacement, and with him and I splitting the chores, Tom’s freer than usual,” Listing off reasons, Baron smiles warmly, encouragingly, at me. Anxiety threads through my veins, making my blood sluggish. “You’re within your rights to have a consecutive few days to yourself instead of one here or there. And taking an hour nap in my suite doesn’t count as restorative.”
“W- well, if- if you insist,” I whisper, reaching to prod my face experimentally. “Does it really show that bad? I thought I did my makeup well this morning.”
“I just know you, love,” My heart stutters, and I bite my bottom lip as Baron presses his forehead against mine. His face becomes a blur, but the sincerity in his eyes shines so brightly and clearly. “You can’t hide from me, Delaney. Not since the bar at the airport. I see it, even if I don’t know what it is. . . I still see it.”
My mouth dries, and I can’t breathe past the dense lump in my throat. The anxiety in my gut roils angrily, and I close my eyes to force a shallow breath through my nose.
“You. . . have no idea how much that scares me, Baron,” I stop walking and just let my head hang.
“Delaney, please, just tell me!” He whispers harshly at me as if he’s too scared to chide me in his normal tone.
I shake my head. I don’t know why it’s so hard for me to get those three words out. Baron grabs hold of my arm and I feel him pulling me in the direction of his office. He flicks on the lights in his large office and he guides me to the couch.
“Can you at least tell me what I can do to make this better. I feel so helpless.” He pushes a strand of hair out of my face.
I look up into his eyes and can see the genuine concern and care there. I know there’s nothing that I can tell him to do. He can’t fix what’s broken inside of me. No one can.
I reach my hands up and wrap my arms around his neck, he doesn’t move to reciprocate but he doesn’t pull away either. The man is gorgeous. He’s kind and ambitious. He’s generous and all around a great guy. It feels like I’m dragging him down with all my baggage. I don’t know what he sees in me but I know he truly cares for me. He desires me. He’s safe.
I lean in and kiss him gently, suckling on his bottom lip and then his top.
“Delaney, we don’t have to do this.” He pulls back slightly.
“Please, Baron. I need this. You’re the only person that makes me feel good. I need you.” I admit and wait patiently for him to make his mind up. I doesn’t take long.
He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me closer to him as he attacks my mouth passionately. I return his kisses and my mind swirls with the sensations of his hands on my body.
The smell of the pub bathroom tries to push it’s way into my senses, I rip my mouth away from his and lean against his neck smelling him instead. I want Baron to replace all the hurt with him. I want him to erase every memory of that day with memories of him.
He doesn’t miss a beat, he kisses my cheek and down my jawline. When he gets to the spot below my ear he sucks hard and my body bows into his.
“You sure? You sure you want to Delaney?” He asks out of breath, his hand already skimming under my shirt. Fingertips grazing my breast.
“Yes. God yes, Baron.” I moan and push myself harder into his grasp.
“Fuck, I always need you. What you do to me Delaney.” Baron murmurs before he lifts my shirt and pulls it over my head. The cloth is away from my skin for a microsecond before his lips are skimming the surface. My nipples harden in the cups of my bra and my mind flashes a memory of them scraping against the hard wall in the bathroom.
“Baron, kiss me.” I say, my breathing is rapid and my words are strained.
He leans up to do that but I thread my hands in his hair and guide him towards my breast. He takes the hint and flips the fabric down before he sucks the taut peak of one of my nipples into his mouth. He sucks softly at first but it’s not enough.
