“Are you sure we don’t need to make an appointment?” I asked. “I’m sure he’s busy.”
“Nah, we have one, technically.” He held up his phone. “I told Bailey to let me know if he’s in a meeting, and she’s been keeping me up to date. He’s free.”
I nodded and stood. Gosh, I should have sprayed all over my body with antiperspirant. It would be just great if I ended up with sweat spots when Gabe saw me.
I closed my eyes and drew in a calming breath. “All right. Let’s do this.”
Rhys patted me on my shoulder. “You’re awesome.” He sang the last bit, and I couldn’t help it, I smiled.
We exited my office and walked side by side to Gabe’s at the door. I grabbed Rhys’s hand before he could turn the knob.
He didn’t speak, simply gave me a moment to collect myself. I willed my heart to beat slower, and I did my best to silence the loud voice that kept screamingyou suckover and over again.
When I was sure I wouldn’t nervous-puke or, worse, fall flat on my face at Gabe’s feet, I took my hand off Rhys’s.
He didn’t ask me if I was okay; he simply squeezed my hand before opening the door and walking into Gabe’s office.
The alpha didn’t look up from what he was working on. He said, “One day, you’ll open the door and see something you don’t want to.” His tone was dry, and there was no anger there. But the image of Gabe and me, his big body between my thighs as he thrust into me on his large wooden desk, flashed before my eyes.
My mouth might as well have been the damn Sahara Desert, it was so dry, and I would certainly have tripped if it hadn’t been for Rhys steadying me.
He gave me a quizzical look, and I knew if I gave him the sign, he would extricate me from this meeting. But since the main reason for wanting to run in the other direction was the simple fact that I wanted his brother to do dirty, sexy things to me, I figured it was best I stayed put.
I spied a look at Gabe and found his eyes on me. For a split second, I could swear he was having the same thoughts I was, but the look was gone so quickly, it probably was me projecting my feeling on him.
Gabe looked away from me to Rhys, and I felt the loss. Which was crazy…then again, that seemed to be my word of the year.
I pulled myself together and took a seat in one of the two chairs in front of Gabe’s table. Rhys took the other. I’d decided against a whole presentation this time. I had the mock-ups on my iPad.
“So,” Rhys spoke first, “since you’re all boring and want the same—”
I jumped in, interrupting Rhys before he said something that’d put Gabe in a bad mood. “I took all your suggestions and created a new idea that keeps everything the way it was, but still updates it and makes it stand out in this competitive market.”
Gabe leaned back in his seat and linked his fingers together, studying me. I tried not to make any sudden moves, and it was like he could tell because I swear his lips twitched.
“All right then. Let’s have a look.” He leaned forward and held his hand out. I gulped and picked up the iPad I’d placed on my lap like it was my baby and I was trying to protect it from judgment.
My hands shook as I lifted the tablet, but I stopped it and handed it over, making sure not to touch Gabe as we made the exchange. But it felt like he purposely touched my hand and even held on. I finally looked up, meeting his gaze, and it was only then that he let go.
My heart thumped in my chest, and my palms were suddenly sweaty. It took everything I had not to wipe them on my pants and even more not to stare at Gabe. This was the height of unprofessionalism. Not only that, but I’d just gotten out of a relationship; I couldn’t…shouldn’t want to start anything with anyone. Wasn’t there even something on the grief sites that said not to date…or maybe that was AA. I had been watchingMadam Secretaryfrom the beginning for like the fifth time while I worked yesterday, and maybe I was like Stevie, always picking the wrong guys…
I squirmed in my seat; was it hot in here? Dammit, why couldn’t I stay on task? It felt like whenever I thought about Gabe, all the oxygen got sucked out of the room. When I was in his presence, I forgot everything else.
I groaned mentally.You soooo need to get your priorities straight. Work first.
The silence seemed to drag, and no one spoke. I finally looked back up and saw that Gabe was studying the tablet. I couldn’t help wondering which option he was on. Was that a smile?
I looked over at Rhys, and he gave me a small thumbs-up. It seemed he was seeing what I was. I finally blew out the breath I hadn’t even realized I’d been holding.
So imagine my devastation when Gabe looked up at me, then over at Rhys, and said, “I’m not sure. I need to think on it.”
Rhys growled, and it took me aback for a second because it sounded surprisingly animalistic. He jumped to his feet and pointed at Gabe. “You liked it. I know you did—you’re just being stubborn because it was my idea.”
“Rhys.” The warning was clear in Gabe’s voice, but my friend just kept going.
“I know you liked one of them. I was watching you. You smiled.” Rhys’s voice was insistent. “Kian saw it too”—he looked my way—“didn’t you?”
I opened my mouth to reply, but before I could, Rhys said, “This would be great for the company, and you’re just being too pigheaded to see it.” Rhys snapped, “I swear, you’re saying you look out for everyone, but—”
