I can feel myself harden as I take in her features. Her chocolate eyes are scanning my face, her hair is down and looks slightly disheveled, my fingers twitch with the need to thread them through her strands while I take her mouth. Her arms are crossed but that just draws attention to her ample bosom.
Thankfully, I have enough blood in my brain to grab Honey Cat off my shoulders. Once she’s safely on the ground and making her way over to her cat tree, I pounce. My legs eat up the distance separating Elle from me.
A small gasp shows Elle’s surprise but I use it to my advantage, cupping her face in my hands and attacking her mouth.
I waste no time using my tongue to explore every inch of her mouth it can reach. My girl doesn’t let her shock keep her frozen for long. She returns my need with equal fervor. Our teeth clash as we fight for dominance but the tension in my stomach loosens with every second she’s in my arms.
“Need you.” My admission is barely audible as I push Elle’s body, not stopping until her legs run into her desk. “You have me, baby.” Her response increases the need to taste more of her, I press open mouthed kisses starting at the corner of her lips, making my way up her jawline and down her neck. My shirt tightens in Elle’s grip, her breath is coming out in pants—her breasts rubbing against me with each inhale—the sounds she makes like a symphony.
She’s here.
She’s safe.
She’smine.
Chapter Fifty-Four
ELLE
Idon’t have time to go home and change my panties but I can’t find it in me to try and stop Patrick from putting his mouth wherever he wanted. My mind went blank as soon as his warm hands came in contact with the skin of my cheeks. I’m lost in the sensation of his mouth on mine. I feel him moving us back but I give no fucks. I’d let him take me anywhere as long as I got to stay in his arms.
“Need you.” Something in his voice stops all lust flowing through my body to screech to a halt. My hands fist his shirt, trying to get his attention. “You have me, baby.” I lean back in an attempt to remove his mouth from my body. A rumble escapes from Patrick’s chest is the only acknowledgement that he heard me but he doesn’t stop, sucking on my pulse point—it’s going to leave a mark.
“Patrick, baby. I need you to stop for a second.” I let go of his t-shirt and wrap my arms around his shoulders, crushing our bodies together which forces his head off my neck. “What’s going on, baby?” I’m doing my best to keep my tone soothing, taking one hand to rub my hand up and down his spine.
His body is so tense, it’s like hugging a statue. Patrick’s breath is hot as he lets out the biggest breath I’ve ever heard.“I needed to know you were okay.” Patrick’s voice is muffled against my body but I can hear the fear in his words.
My anger flares, prepared to fucking eviscerate whoever made him feel like this. I’ve never seen Patrick like this and it’s easier to get angry then confront the worry squeezing my insides. “I’m right here, baby. I’m okay. I’m kind of wishing I was still asleep but I much prefer being in your arms.” I never stop rubbing his back but I feel his arms grip around my body loosen slightly.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I whisper the question, I don’t want to upset him any further but I need to know who I need to deal with. “I do but I can’t right now.” His voice is so thick with emotion, I feel my heart squeeze. I need him to know he’s safe here, with me. “It’s okay, baby. Whenever you’re ready. I’m right here.” I press a light kiss on his temple and for a while, we stay just like that. Our breathing syncs—he inhales my exhales—and I pray this is offering him the peace he needs.
Too soon, we reluctantly let each other go. Patrick seems like he’s better but I can still see the tension in his eyes. “Thank you, sweetheart.” He reaches out to me and tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “You just tell me who I need to take care of. I don’t like my Intruder looking like that.” I’m scowling as I remember I wanted to discuss Patrick’s move to his new building.
My gaze is drawn to the corner of the office, his space. It’s almost barren. Patrick never added too much outside of what could fit on the desk I provided. It was a subtle way to show me that this was still my space and he wasn’t trying to overstep.
I don’t want him to leave.
“I’m not ready for you to go.” I confess and I feel like I should be embarrassed but I can’t let myself even consider it. It’s only been a few months but Patrick has really become my Intruder—in my life and my heart—and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Ineed to remember to do something nice for Lola for hiring him and forcing me to open up my space to him.
Patrick huffs out a breath. “This won’t change anything, sweetheart.” He’s wrong but it’s okay. I just hope the changes will be for the better.
Chapter Fifty-Five
ELLE
It’s still a work in progress but the new education building is amazing. Separate information displays that detail the process of caring for our bees, how we collect and produce the honey. I was surprised to see a display about the different ways we use honey, which is mostly all of what Mabel contributes to the Farm. Mabel was near tears when she realized.
Apparently, Patrick had worked with Jude on those informational displays in secret. When Lola let it slip that Jude was the one who helped, it was like a switch had flipped. Her eyes dried up and she all but stormed out of the building.
The rest of us stood in an awkward silence for a beat after she left. “Thank fuck Jude wasn’t here.” I grumbled. I had no idea what was wrong with Mabel when it came to Jude. Jude had been around for what felt like forever and it was within the last year or two that she became the Ice Queen around him.
Patrick rests his hands on my shoulders. “Did something happen between the two of them? “I wish I had an answer. Mabel is the friendliest of all of us and it’s always jarring to the system to see her so frustrated with Jude’s existence.”
Lola is chewing on her lip, looking unsure. “I don’t think so? I’ve never heard anything from either of them. Maybe it’s just a vibes thing, you know how Mabel likes to rely on that as an excuse for most things.” The conversation soon leaves Mabel and Jude and we start discussing the office once more.
“Paul was a really big help in getting everything perfect. I now understand why he’s Honeyville’s number one handyman.” Patrick lets out a little chuckle, “Say that five times fast.” We make our way out of the office, locking it up for the day. Lola walks with us for a bit but goes off to do boss lady things while Patrick and I head back to our—my—office.
“I’m going to miss seeing my grumpy girl every day.” Patrick admits. It comes out slightly tentative, like he’s worried about how I’m going to react. I let him stew for a moment before I intertwine our fingers, keeping my eyes on the path in front of us.
