Her smile is too knowing, too filled with unspoken suggestions. “I missed you, Mr. Jones,” she purrs, leaning in closer than necessary when I push the button, and the machine splutters out hot coffee.
I have to tell Hunter to buy a new coffee machine. Good coffee is crucial for happy workers.
“Work isn’t half as fun since you’re not around,” Stephanie says with an overemphasized frown, pushing me to talk to her as I grab my mug.
I try to sidestep her, keeping my voice neutral. “I’m sure Hunter is a much nicer boss than I ever was.”
But she’s persistent, clutching my sweater and pulling me closer. “I like it rough,” she whispers, her breath hot against my ear while she presses her body to my front.
This woman needs to fucking go.
But before I can even react, there’s a gasp at the door. I turn, my heart sinking as I see Sloan. Her eyes are wide, hurt, and her notebook and a muffin she’s holding clatter to the floor.
“I… sorry, I wanted… Hunt-I… I’ll go,” Sloan stammers, her voice trembling, then she turns and flees.
“Back the fuck up,” I growl out at Stephanie, who looks surprised.
Cursing under my breath, I quickly disentangle myself from her, setting down my mug with a clatter, my mind racing.
This can’t be happening. Not when things were finally starting to look up.
Running toward the door, I snatch up Sloan’s notebook on the way. Then, bolting out the door, I glimpse her retreating figure.
“Why does this girl always have to run?” I grumble, chasing after her. I’m glad I am wearing sneakers, jeans, and a sweater today. This little chase would suck in a suit and dress shoes.
She’s fast, but desperation lends me speed. My heart pounds in my chest, not just from the physical exertion but also from the fear of losing her again. Just before reaching the house, I finally catch up, grabbing her waist. I hoist her over my shoulder despite her protests.
“Let me down, North,” she hisses between pants, her voice muffled against my back.
“If you don’t want me to catch you, you’ll have to run faster,” I retort, half-joking, half-serious. My breath comes in short bursts. I’m physically tired, but more than that, I’m emotionally drained.
I’m not going to lose her again. I didn’t fucking do anything this time.
I open the door to the house when she tries again. “Put me down. This is ridiculous!” Closing the door behind us, I set her notebook next to the coat rack before carrying her up the stairs. “I’m not a sack of potatoes,” she exclaims, slapping my back.
God, I love her fire.
In my room, I set her down on the edge of the bed. Her eyes are downcast, a mix of hurt and anger written all over her face. I lift her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze. “You ran from me,” I say softly, my heart aching at the thought. “We need to fix this, Blue. You can’t keep running away. I chase Lio enough as it is. At thirty-five, I’m getting too old for this.” She remains silent, so I lean in, brushing her lips with a soft peck, drawing a frown from her. “Stephanie threw herself at me. I did not encourage that in the slightest. I want you, Sloan,you. Nobody else. I want you so bad, I’m willing to share you with my brothers. I don’t know what else I can do to make you believe me because you already have all I am. I’m yours, Blue, in every way. Skin and bones, heart and soul.” Her eyes fill with tears, and she bites her bottom lip, which I gently free with my thumb. “Talk to me, baby,” I coax softly.
“You wantme? Even with all my craziness? You could have someone like her, beautiful and normal,” she whispers, a single tear tracing down her cheek. I brush it away with my thumb.
So it’s more about her insecurities than what she thinks she just saw.
I can work with that.
Crouching in front of her to meet her eyes, I confess, “Lately, I’ve pictured myself being happy. I’ve pictured how it would look, not being angry all the time anymore, not only surviving butliving.And every time I’ve pictured myself happy, it’s with you.”
Her bottom lip quivers, just like Lio’s before he cries. I suppress a smile, realizing I have two precious crybabies, and I love them to pieces.
“I choose you, no matter what,” I declare, kissing her softly on her trembling lip. She wraps her arms around my neck, deepening the kiss and filling it with all the unspoken emotions swirling between us. Her arms tighten, pulling me closer as if trying to merge us.
Breaking the kiss, I rest my forehead against hers, both of us catching our breath. “Blue,” I whisper, my voice laden with emotion. “I mean every word. You’re not just a part of my life. You’re the fucking essence of it. I don’t want a day without you.”
“I forgive you, because I don’t want a day without you either,” she whispers, and it feels like the weight of all the guilt and sorrow lifts from my shoulders like the breath leaving her beautiful lips.
I want to take it slow with her, to make sure I don’t push her like I did last time, at least not now, not until she’s secure in this, sure about me. But she’s the one pulling me closer again while scooting up the bed. She lays down and pulls me on top of her, my lips to hers.
I’ve been dreaming about this. I’ve thought about her every night since I first had a taste. The way she tasted on my fingers. How soft her skin is on my rough hands. I fantasized about having her in my bed, in every fucking position but mostly having her begging for my cock on her knees. The sounds she would make if I’d ever got the chance again to pleasure her.
