“You have to be less distracting today.”
“If you say so.” His mouth is trailing farther down my body.
“I do.” A moan leaves me when he sucks my nipple into his mouth. If it were up to me, I swear I would never leave this bed.
My fingers sink into Paxton’s hair when his mouth reaches my sex. It doesn’t take him long to have me coming for him. He picks me up like I’m a doll, carrying me into the bathroom where we shower, and he takes me against the shower wall.
I love oral sex, but I need this. I’m not one for affection, but with Paxton, it’s different. I find that I crave it more than I ever thought was possible for me. The feel of his body pressed to mine, him inside of me. It’s a deep connection that I didn’t know I needed and longed for.
“I have to have a talk with Mac,” I tell Paxton as I get dressed.
We don’t have plans to go anywhere. In fact, we haven’t since we arrived. The past two days have been a crash course on all the information that Paxton and I pulled together over the years.
There is a lot, and it’s not about what other families are up to in business. No, he has whole dossiers on them. Everything in their lives. The man takes stalking to a whole new level. It’s not only about knowing the information; it’s about putting it to use. Paxton can read anything once and know it. It’s branded into his brain.
Mac has been putting a bunch of it into some computer program. I don’t understand the program she is working on, butshe assures me that once it’s completed, it will simplify certain areas. She’s been in and out of here but during times everyone is discussing things. I haven’t gotten a moment alone with her, and she’s doing it on purpose.
Paxton only nods, putting on a white shirt before pulling on slacks. I wear a sports bra, activewear leggings, a fitted jacket, and sneakers.
“She’s off.” I feel a tension between us, and it can’t go on.
“Okay.”
“That’s all you have to say?” I’m not sure what I am looking for him to say.
“I agree with you. It’s good that you notice when a person is off and you’re going out of your way to confront it. It’s your place.”
Shit. He’s in agreement and approves. That’s what I was searching for from him. He must read this on me or hell, with him he’s simply inside my head. Which is both terrifying and freeing; it makes me feel seen in a way no one else ever has.
“Hey.” He tugs me closer, his hand tangling in my curls that I have not yet pulled back. When I’m in the bedroom with Paxton, I leave my hair down, enjoying the attention he gives it. “I’m with you, and there isn’t anything wrong with that. Being a leader is about questioning even yourself. That’s why you have people in your inner circle you trust to have your back and help guide you.”
“I trust you.”
“I know, but it’s still strange for you. You haven’t known me long. And hey.” He shrugs a shoulder. “I get it if you don’t. We’ll get there.” Paxton is more than willing to work for anything.
“I trust you,” I say again, not wanting him to think I doubt him. Paxton gives my ass a squeeze. “You always know where my mind goes.”
“Good, it’s what I strive to do.” A low chuckle leaves him.
“We’re going to be a good team,” I say with confidence. “Now kiss me, and let’s go see what everyone is up to and share a few of the ideas we came up with last night.”
When we make it downstairs, I head for the library, where everyone has been coming and going. When I enter, I see Mac, alone, her attention on the laptop in front of her. I feel Paxton step back, leaving us.
“Morning.”
“Hey.” Mac gives me a smile.
“Are you going to keep avoiding me?”
“I’m not avoiding you. I’m here.” She grabs a folder from the stack next to her.
“You don’t want to talk about it.”
“What’s there to talk about?” I make my way over to her, placing my hand on the desk she’s at. There are a handful in here now.
“You didn’t do anything wrong. It was my mistake.” I should have had a man on her. She’s always watching our backs. There should be someone watching hers, whether she is in the field or not. I know she’s feeling guilty over a situation that wasn’t her fault.
Believe me, if I thought for a second she did anything wrong, I would be upfront with her. You can’t lead a family if you’re not honest with them. There’s no room in a lot of the situations our family finds itself to feel bad for someone if they mess up. One mistake can cost a life. I would hold any one of my family members accountable. That’s not the case here, though.
