Chapter Four
I was sittingat my desk supposedly going over subcontractor schedules, but in reality, I was daydreaming about a certain gorgeous Scotsman. I had heard a bit of his accent come out a few times when we’d talked on the phone the last two days. Every time I heard that slight brogue, I got a tingling in very nice places. My dreams were getting more and more interesting, too, with Connor as the star player. Last night, in particular, had been so hot I’d had to take a cool shower in the middle of the night. Connor had been crowding behind me up against the wall in that supply closet again, hands clasping my ass tight enough to bruise, biting marks all along the back of my neck while he fucked me hard and rough. I’d fucking loved it. I’ve always wished for a man big enough to control me, but protective enough to never take it too far. I dreamed of riding that line between rough and brutal, and from the way he’d acted on that first day, I had a feeling Connor might be into that, too. Well, maybe it was wishful thinking at least. I was enjoying that thought when there was a knock on my office door, and my dream man walked right into reality.
I had been expecting him sometime this morning to come in and sign our finalized contract so we could officially begin work. And no matter what Taylor and Avery said, I had not made a conscious decision to wear my best outfit for the meeting. I really just happened to like this slim fit white shirt, and if the bright ocean blue blazer happened to make my eyes glow a brighter blue, then I couldn’t help that, could I? And my favorite pastel plaid bow tie perfectly matched this blazer, so it had been no choice really. No, really.
Connor looked lumberjack chic yet again in another tight plaid button-down with the sleeves rolled up to show his strong forearms and wrists. Mmm, I was a sucker for nice arms. His light washed jeans hugged his thick thighs and ass lovingly. The look could have seemed too causal on anyone else, but Connor had the height and posture to carry himself like a CEO even in jeans and work boots. I admired his confidence. I was confident in my work, but I always felt like I constantly had to be better and more efficient than other people to make up for my short stature and perpetually youthful appearance. Logically I knew that my height had nothing to do with my ability to do my job effectively, but I still couldn’t shake the nagging thoughts. I had a feeling it was an echo of my childhood that I constantly strived for perfection, but I really didn’t want to psychoanalyze myself right now. I had been through enough of that years before. I was fine.
“Connor, please come on in. I have the paperwork almost finished. My partner Taylor should have everything ready in a few minutes.” I noticed his eyes, which had been smiling when he walked in and sat down, suddenly lost their sparkle. I missed them instantly and wondered what I’d said that had bothered him. Whatever it was, I wanted to change it immediately.
I started to ask, but before I got the words out, Taylor swept in with the stack of contracts. As usual, he was the height of fashion in his tailored black trousers, steel gray slim fit dress shirt, and gray herringbone button front vest. But it was the designer loafers that really put his outfit over into runway territory. How he made walking into a small office in Alabama, feel like a runway show in Paris I’d never know, but he made it work. As I was studying him closely, lost in thought, I noticed the exact moment he saw Connor for the first time. All of a sudden, my smooth best friend looked like a baby deer trying to stand up for the first time. He took a stutter step and would have dropped the contracts had I not rushed forward and grabbed them from his suddenly loose fingers.
He seemed to recover quickly though because he immediately turned on the charm. “Well hello, sugar, who are you?” He practically purred. Then, holding out his hand, “I’m Taylor, but you can call me anything, anytime day or night, gorgeous.” Connor automatically stood and reached for the offered hand. Taylor took this opportunity to step so close he was practically standing on Connor’s boots.
“Taylor, this is Connor McDaniel, the representative for the Mason building project. Now, that’s enough, leave the nice man alone before you scare him away.” I used a little more force in my voice than I would normally use with my friend, but I really didn’t like him being so close to Connor. Not that I was jealous, it was just unprofessional behavior with a client.Yeah, right.
Taylor cut me a quick look, then with a slight pout moved toward the door. “Okay, babe, can I get ya’ll anything?” He gave Connor a sloe-eyed look, “Anything at all?”
Oh, my God really?
“Taylor, enough!” I pointed to the door, “Out with you, we’ve got papers to look over.”
He finally got the less than subtle hint, “Fine, I’m out, holler if you need me.”
I finally let out a little chuckle at his ham-handed attempts to get Connor’s attention. I couldn’t take him seriously when he acted like that. It always worked for him at bars and clubs though. Huh, maybe I should pay more attention to the flirting where Connor was concerned.Nope, Connor is off limits for me. Keep it business, stupid, and don’t mess this up.
I finished lecturing my libido and got busy straightening the contracts. Connor still hadn’t said anything since he had walked in, so I raised my eyes from my desk to try to get a read on the situation. He was frowning at the now closed door and shaking his head slightly like he was having some sort of internal debate whether to do something or not. I hoped to hell it wasn’t about Taylor’s behavior.
He finally seemed to make a decision and turned back toward me. Meeting his eyes, I gave him a small smile to try and settle him a bit. Maybe Taylor’s flirting really had rattled him. From what he’d said the day we met, I had assumed he was gay, possibly bi, but maybe I had assumed wrong, or maybe he was in the closet. Oh, Lord, maybe he was straight, and I’d been fantasizing about a straight guy who would never even like me that way.
Okay, I needed to get this back on track ASAP. Clearing my throat, I decided to take this meeting by the horns and at least take care of the Taylor situation. “Don’t mind Taylor. He’s a huge flirt with a big personality. Our clients love his enthusiasm, but he can be a bit overwhelming on first meeting him. He’s harmless I swear. He doesn’t bite, well not unless you want him to.” Dammit, why did my mouth do this shit to me? I seemed to say the dumbest shit around this man.
Connor wrinkled his brow with a deep frown. Shit, I’d done it now. Any second he was going to get up, walk out the door and look for a firm that wouldn’t embarrass themselves in the first two days. But when he spoke, Connor was on a completely different train of thought. “How long have you and Taylor been partners?”
Oh, business talk, thank God. I can handle that.
“Um, yeah, Taylor came to work here about two and a half years ago. He’s been an invaluable addition to the team. He helps me with so much, and he’s become my mentor and best friend. Actually, at this point, he’s more like family. Aunt Helen has adopted him as an honorary nephew.” I snickered, “He’s even started calling her auntie when we’re not at work.”
Instead of getting rid of Connor’s frown, it actually got deeper. What the hell had I said now? “Right, that’s when he started working here, but how long have you been partners?”
Now I was frowning, not really following him, “Um, two and half years?” I had no idea what his deal was with these questions. What was he asking?
He shook his head like he was disappointed in my answer.What am I missing?“So you’ve been his partner for over two years, and he acts like that in front of you? I have to be honest here. I don’t understand.”
You’re not the only one, dude.
“I don’t like the way he was flirting right in front of you. It’s disrespectful to you and, frankly, you seem like a great guy and deserve better. I hope I haven’t overstepped, but I had to say something. If you were my partner, I would never act like that in front of you.”
The light bulb went on. Holy crap, he thought I meant Taylor and I were together. “Oh, no! We’re not partners like that. You misunderstood me. I meant he’s my partner in the firm. I’m actually single.” And just like that, I was bright red from embarrassment. I seriously needed to see someone about my runaway mouth. I let out a nervous sound that might have been a laugh or a groan. I wasn’t even sure. I looked up to see what Connor’s reaction was to my news and the gleaming smile I saw on his face hit me right in my chest, butterflies took flight, and I was giddy with the feeling. Good Lord, he was beautiful when he smiled. It was so stunning, and there was no way I couldn’t grin like a fool back at him.
Shit, I was in so much trouble. I needed to get this meeting back on track…again. I slipped a more business-like smile on my face and got Connor set up at my work table to start looking over the contracts. I then beat a retreat to the break room on the pretense of coffee. I just needed a few minutes to get over that smile and kill those damn butterflies.
As I walked into the break room, Taylor and Avery immediately grabbed me, one on each arm. Shit, no reprieve then. I heaved a heavy sigh. “What?” I asked, but I knew damn well what.
“Brother, you have been holding out on me. Why didn’t you tell me our newest client was that tall, dark and gorgeous bear of a man? He gives life to every lumberjack fantasy I’ve ever had with a little sexy construction worker thrown in for good measure. That dark scruff on his jaw is delicious.”
Avery leaned over and pulled one of Taylor’s dreads, “How the hell was your prissy ass ever married to a woman?” She was looking for a reaction because we all knew he hated to have his hair pulled.
“Woman, do not touch the hair! You know the rule. Unless we’re swapping bodily fluids, you’re not allowed to touch the hair.”
