“I can bring you back to your car later after you’ve had a chance to decompress. How does that sound?” I smile at her, my voice level even though my mind is full of all the things I’m dying to say but won’t. At least not yet.
She’s silent for a minute or two before she sighs heavily.
“Okay. I don’t want to drive, but I don’t want to stay here. Do you think anyone is still here? God, I hope not. Oh shit, I have to get Abby. Poorbaby’s been in my office this whole time.” She starts to get up, but I lay a comforting hand on her shoulder.
“How about I go get her and your purse? I can check to see if anyone’s still here, and then we can sneak out to the parking lot together.” I hand her a bottle of water from the conference table next to us after unscrewing the cap.
“Here. You sit here and drink this. I’ll handle everything.”
She gives me a bemused look before nodding her permission.
“That’s the first time a guy’s ever said that to me.” She chuckles softly.
I feel a mix of annoyance and sadness at her comment. My lady should have been treated like a queen.
“Well, that’s a damn shame because you deserve that and so much more.” I stand with her still in my arms, before reluctantly settling her back down on the empty chair. As much as I love holding her, I need to get her out of the office.
“You stay here. I’ll be right back,” I say, with an encouraging smile, before heading toward the door.
I close it softly behind me and scan the area. Everyone has left for the day. Thank God. I’ll be able to get her out of here without being seen. She’ll be relieved, because I know she’s embarrassed right now. I hope knowing there are no witnesses helps, not that she has anything to be ashamed about.
It’s a quick trip to grab Abby, her leash, and Joslyn’s purse. She comes to me eagerly, probably because she knows we’ll be stopping by my office to grab my keys and a dog treat or two. Okay, maybe a handful, because she really is the goodest girl.
When we get back to the conference room, she makes a beeline for Jos, who slides to the floor in a heap, pulling her close and burying her face in the soft blonde fur. I give them a moment, turning away and straightening up the conference room. It’s easy to see the beautiful bond they share. Abby nuzzles her hair, snuffing softly, while Jos holds her furry body close.
When she’s ready, Jos stands up. She’s slightly wobbly at first, and I rush to her side to support her until she’s able to hold her own. The strength of this woman. It blows me away. She lets me hold her hand all the way to the car, and I can’t keep the happy grin off my face. I consider it a win.
Chapter Eighteen
Joslyn
We arrive at Damon’s building, and I’m finally starting to feel like I’m not a complete wreck. He parks the car in the underground garage, and we head over to the elevator. He has to swipe his card to get to his floor. It gives me peace of mind to know it’s a secure building. The elevator takes us to the top floor, which is a surprise because he doesn’t seem like the penthouse type.
The hallway outside the elevator has only two doors, and we head to the one on the right, his hand at the small of my back. I love how that feels. It’s protective but in a non-threatening way. He’s been so solicitous the entire way here, which I find incredibly endearing. It’s refreshing being treated like this.
Walking into his place surprises me yet again. It’s gorgeous. I’ve underestimated this man. The decor is very modern, done in blacks and grays with a few maroon accents. It’s both masculine and distinctly him. I chide myself for my shock, apparently, not every man lives like a frat boy. Who knew?
“Your place is lovely,” I say, as I explore the open floor plan. It combines the kitchen, dining room, and living room into one large, tastefullydecorated space. A huge black leather sectional takes up most of the living room. It’s facing a gigantic wall-mounted TV. I bet watching hockey on it is spectacular. A tall dining table with seating for four sits next to a breakfast bar attached to the kitchen. The best features, by far, are the enormous picture windows lining the back of both the dining and living rooms. The stunning view of downtown Denver is breathtaking.
“Wow, this is beyond incredible,” I say, completely captivated by the city skyline spread out in all its glory. The sun is just setting, and the golden pink sky is magnificent. I love a good sunset, but this is breathtaking.
“Right? It’s the main reason I chose the building. I love it,” he replies, coming to my side to admire the view.
It would be so easy to lean into him, so comforting. I miss his solid presence from earlier when he held me in his lap. He felt so safe and warm. I shiver.
“Are you cold? Here. I’ve got the best blanket,” he says. “My sister gave it to me for Christmas. I’m almost positive that she only bought it so she’d have one here when she comes to visit.”
He wraps a soft gray blanket around me, and it feels so luxurious, like I’m holding a cloud. It’s glorious. I need to find out where his sister bought it. It’s incredibly soft, and I’d love to have one for my place.
“Do you want to sit on the sofa and relax while I throw together some dinner? I can bring you a glass of wine. Why don’t I grill Abby a chicken breast for dinner?” He looks at me expectantly. He’s so considerate. Also, how cute is it that he’s willing to cook for my dog? Be still, my heart.
“Um… Sure, chicken would be wonderful. I’m sure she would love it. Although she may not be that hungry, she gets treats all day long at work.” I look pointedly at him because I’ve told both him and Jacob that she’s going to gain too much weight if they keep it up.
He smirks at me and winks, clearly unrepentant. I can’t help but chuckle. Once he gets Abby’s dinner settled, he holds up the wine bottle with a questioning look.
“I’d love a glass of wine, but I’d prefer to sit at the breakfast bar so we can talk while you cook.”
He smiles as if I’ve given him a gift and gestures toward the comfortable barstools lined up at the counter.
