I will tell him the truth and give him a choice, the same way he gives them to me. Laying it all out is risky, but it is a risk I am willing to take if it keeps him safe, and if it givesusa real chance.
“That’s great," I say, forcing a smile. “Two months will go by in a flash.”
He grins as he nods towards my backpack.
“You ready?”
“It’s not even five o’clock yet,” I say.
He smiles.
“I think we can leave early on account of the boss.” He winks at me. My cheeks heat as he approaches me at the table. “I have it on good authority he’s in a pretty good fucking mood, so…”
His icy blue stare finds mine, and I hold his gaze like he truly is made of glass.
“Unless you’ve changed your mind…”
I shake my head. “No, we can go. I think… I think we both could use a break, right?”
He grins, leaning forward to kiss me softly, ever so quickly.
“I love it when you submit,” he whispers, kissing me once more. “Now come. I have a plate of chicken nuggets with your name on them.”
And with that I grab my backpack and follow Sloane out the door, my heart in my throat.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Sloane
The minute we get in my car, Oliver’s mouth is on mine and he’s crawling into my lap. I smirk, loving these little moments. The ones hidden behind closed, locked doors. Sometimes I think it would be easier to be out, but I also like to hold on to as much privacy as I can. Not just because of my shareholders or company matters, but because there are very few things I can claim for myself in this way.
And I want Oliver all to myself. I want to keep him as part of my personal oasis. My sweet little Rabbit.
I move to grab his cock, but he swats my hand away. For a moment, I think perhaps he’s going to take charge and lead me, but he doesn’t. His kiss turns from frenzied to something much more pronounced. Slow, passionate. He grabs my jaw, hisfingers trailing along my trimmed facial hair. He holds my neck with care, with reverence.
I know it makes no sense. Oliver and I have only known one another for barely a week, but…
My mother always told me, before she died, that one day I’dknow.I’d meet the woman who would rewrite my code. And when I’d find her, I’d know.
The same way she and my father knew when they met one another, that there would never be anyone else.
My father kept that promise until he shot himself.
Chickadee said he died from a broken heart. After my mother died, he became a shell of the person he was. Without her, there was no point. I didn’t matter enough for him to stay, and part of me always resented that, but… the small, hopeful part of me felt a strange satisfaction that in the end, he’d chosen her.
Because she was the love of his life. Not me, not his inventions, not his relentless corporate pursuits that left us with thousands of dollars in debt, at the time.
I’d never believed her, then. My mother.
I was young and sure I knew everything. Parker had just moved away to continue law school, and so I rationed that love didn’t exist for people like me. People who lived in the shadows. People who couldn’t love others without a list of rules and guidelines to adhere to.
But I knew as I looked at Oliver across the table today as Ericson told me Phantom was operational, that she was right.
I knew when I looked at him then, that there would never be anyone else.
No one would ever compare to Oliver Green and his sharp wit, his wicked little tongue, and his sweet, soft heart.
His forehead falls against mine, and he lets out a heavy breath.
