"If you don't bring me a sunflower mug, I’ll be devastated," I joked, though the thought of her alone in the city made me protective. "I'll have a driver accompany you. Enjoy being a total stranger for a few hours. Go to a bar, see the Red Light District. I'll be here waiting."
"I can't promise sunflowers; I don't like them," she countered, smelling my neck. "But I’ll bring you something with lavender."
"That’s my second favorite scent," I groaned, squeezing her tighter. "Now hurry up, before I ignore Vanessa’s emails and spend the rest of the day fucking you in every corner of this penthouse."
???
When Megan finally returned, fully dressed and braced for the light snow beginning to fall outside, she found me in the living room. Vanessa’s face was splashed across the large TV screen, and she was complaining loudly about the company vice president, who apparently wouldn't leave her alone for a single second.
"You can come in, Megs," I called out with a smile. I felt a surge of quiet contentment when she didn't just stand nearby, but walked over and sank onto my lap to join the conversation with my friend.
"Is she always this dramatic about the board members?" Megan whispered playfully, her eyes shifting between me and the screen.
"Every single time they think they have a better idea than hers," I replied, resting my hands naturally on her waist as we both faced the glow of the video call.
Vanessa stopped her rant for a second, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene. "Oh, so the Judge is back from her walk? I hope Amsterdam is treating you better than the corporate drones in D.C. are treating me," she remarked with a smirk.
"You look beautiful, Megs! Sorry to steal Kelsey away, but she really needs to handle some business on this end,"Vanessa chirped, her image flickering on the large screen. I couldn't resist sliding my hands along Megan’s thighs as she settled onto my lap.
"I’m heading to the museum anyway! It’s no problem at all," Megan replied easily, leaning back against me.
"I wanted to go to the museum too, but you're monopolizing my day, Pumpkin,"Vanessa teased, rolling her eyes at me. She then turned her attention back to Megan."Megs, a word of advice: don't ever go art hunting with Kelsey. She’ll walk into a gallery and buy eighty paintings on a whim. I don’t think you have enough wall space in D.C. for her shopping habits."
I gave Vanessa a knowing wink, admitting we’d already crossed that bridge, while Megan subtly squeezed my hand.
"I’m a fan of sculptures, too," Megan added with a playful glint in her eyes. "And I absolutely love that she calls you 'Pumpkin'."
"I’m begging you, please don’t go to any artsy places together. It's a disaster waiting to happen,"Vanessa laughed. Megan leaned in and caught the corner of my mouth with a soft kiss before waving goodbye to the screen."Yeah... she only calls her that when she’s happy. Which clearly means you’re being wonderful to her," she whispered to me.
"She’s perfect. And I’ll buy her a whole gallery if she wants one, Pumpkin," I shot back, watching Megan as she began to stand up. I didn't let go of her hand, pulling her back just enough to kiss her fingertips without breaking eye contact. "See you later."
"And what if I decide I want a museum?"she asked, her voice trailing off with mock doubt.
I raised an eyebrow, a silent promise in my gaze that made her smile widen. "I can certainly arrange that," I vowed.
She bit her lower lip, and I was seconds away from pulling her into a real kiss when Vanessa’s voice echoed through the room, dragging me back to reality.
"You two are being strangely sweet and delightful. It’s sickening,"Vanessa joked.
"And you’re an international-level pain in my ass," I countered. Megan let out a bright laugh, blowing a few kisses toward the screen before finally heading out the door. The moment it clicked shut, I pulled out my phone and shot a quick message to her driver.
#34
"Spit on and shoved to agree. So I could watch all my heroes, sell a car on TV, bring out the old guillotine" - My Chemical Romance
An extravagant black luxury SUV was idling in front of the building's entrance. The driver introduced himself the moment I stepped onto the sidewalk, his professionalism as sleek as the vehicle. I gave him our destination and settled into the leather interior, immediately pulling out my phone to check in with Sarki.
"Besides all the glowing reports I've already given you... what’s the word on Peter?" I texted.
“He’s still holed up in his Jacksonville lair,”Sarki replied almost instantly.“But don't expect him to stay quiet for long. He knows he needs your public support by February if he wants to save face.”
"I’m trying to bank as much calm as I can right now so I’m ready to handle that mess when I get back," I messaged back, a frown tugging at my lips. "Keep me posted if anything out of the ordinary happens."
"Will do. Are you guys spending New Year's Eve at the penthouse?"Sarki asked.
"I wouldn't leave this place for anything in the world if I didn't have to!" I countered with a grin. "Actually, we’re heading to a club tonight. It feels good to be a total unknown for once. Speaking of which, you aren’t seriously letting your wife spend New Year's in North Carolina, are you?"
"My boss put me to work. And, well, we're still weighing our options because I wanted to invite someone else along,"Sarki explained.
