“Fuck off,” said Luke. “And don’t get too comfortable. There are hundreds of attorneys just like you in this city, all of whom would cost me a lot less money.”
“And none of whom are as good as I am at keeping your sorry ass out of trouble,” said Mason with a grin. “I’ll look forward to the next time, Claire.”
They watched until he closed the door behind him and then Luke punched a button on the intercom and Colin answered.
“Reschedule my afternoon appointments and hold my calls, please.” He pulled Claire into his arms, grateful when she came willingly. “And Colin,” he said, pressing his lips to Claire’s temple, the spicy floral scent she wore swamping his senses and making it difficult to concentrate. “Send the movers to Ms. English’s apartment.” He felt Claire squirm in protest, and he tightened his grip on her.
“Of course,” said Colin over the intercom. “Are they to pack everything?”
“Yes,” he said, still keeping a grip on Claire. Now that her moving in was a reality, he worried she’d try to slip away. “Have them deliver everything to my place.”
There was a pause on the other end of the line, and he could just imagine what his assistant must be thinking. Colin had seen Luke with dozens of women. It must be hard for him to imagine Luke with just one.
“Of course, sir. I’ll get right on it,” he said, sounding pleased. Maybe not so surprising after all.
“Now,” said Luke, pressing a finger to Claire’s lips when she started to protest again. “I’m going to do what I’ve wanted to do since you walked into my office looking like a sexy librarian.” Her lips curled in a smile against his finger and then he bent, replacing it with his mouth, kissing her until she softened in his arms. He had no illusions about the challenge her moving in would be for both of them, so for now, he intended to enjoy the warm, pliant women nestled in his arms. “How are you doing, partner?”
His lips never left her skin as he laid a trail of kisses along her jaw and nuzzled the tender skin behind her ear. She arched into him, tipping her head to give him better access. He tugged at the pins holding her hair back in the smooth twist, tangling his fingers in her auburn waves as her hair spilled into his hands.
“Good,” she said, sounding a little breathless. “I’m really good.”
“Good.” He tipped her head up so he could kiss her again, losing himself for moment in the feel of her lips warm and sure under his. He wanted more than a kiss and a quick grope in his office. He wanted to take her home and figure out together exactly what that meant. “Let’s go home,” he said when he found the strength to break the kiss and take a step away from her.
She nodded and turned toward the door, stumbling on her heels. Wrapping his arm around her to steady her, he looked down into her pale face, concerned.
“When was the last time you ate, Claire?”
“I told you that you were going to have to feed me when you made me miss my lunch to get over here,” she said, looking sheepish. “It’s not my fault this time.”
She had told him, and he’d forgotten. Fine, food first and then home.
“Fuck, woman,” he said, steering her toward the door. He kept his arm around her in case she felt lightheaded again. “I can see taking care of you is going to be a full time job.” And it was one he wanted more than any other job he’d ever had.
