As tempting as it is to accept her offer, I know we’ll lose ourselves in each other for much longer than we can afford. It’s already past midnight, and I need her on top of her game for the presentation.
Me
I would, but you need to rest. Big day tomorrow.
Andrea Walker
But I want you now :(
Me
Consider it your reward for a job well done. I’ll fuck your brains out all you want after the presentation.
Andrea Walker
But I can’t sleep without a good night kiss.
This fucking greedy woman…
In less than two minutes, I’m in front of her door, knocking. She eagerly opens it and poses with a hand on her hip and her elbow on the door frame, looking triumphant. Her flannel shorts and mismatched T-shirt are nothing like the delicate nightwear I’m used to, but I still find myself craving to rip them off of her.
Without wasting a second, I dominantly give her the kiss she begged for. I practically fuck her mouth with mine, one of my hands slipping under the elastic of her shorts to grope and fondle her perfect ass. She moans and clings to me with an arm thrown around my neck.
Before it can derail, I rip myself from her and step back. Her cheeks are flushed, her lips temptingly wet, and I want nothing more than to carry her to the bed behind her and fuck her.
Instead, I say, “Now, go to bed, Andrea.”
Utterly shocked, she tries to negotiate. “Lex—”
“No, no more pleading. I gave you your goodnight kiss. Now you can sleep.”
She looks almost scandalized to hear that I won’t give in to her demands. “Good night. And enjoy the blue ovaries, Walker,” I say before leaving, struggling to contain a smile.
It’s about time she remembers who’s theboss. Though, if I’m being honest, she could probably bring me to my knees without having to try hard.
I might be her boss, but she holds the reins in this thing between us.
And I’m not even mad about it.
Chapter 26
As we’re all having breakfast together, two and a half hours before the conference, what’s about to happen really hits me. The guys are doing great, aside from Mace, who looks a little off, and I sit here, alone in anguish. My breathing grows short, the lump in my throat so intense it’s painful to swallow. My vision’s blurry, and I understand my eyes are watering. I’m having the worst case of stage fright, even though I’m far from being near the stage.
Oliver’s the first one to notice. “Andy, are you okay?”
I look up from my bacon and eggs, only to see everyone’s attention is on me. Pride wants me to say yes, but playing it off doesn’t feel right, so I shake my head. We need to find another solution. I can’t do this.
“Anything we can do to help?” Brian asks. As suspected, his eye is still swollen and even darker than yesterday. It serves as a harsh reminder that there is no other solution.
I look at the guys, wishing they could help, but only one person might be able to do that right now. Whatever silent plea I give Lex, he gets it.
“Shit,” he mutters, getting up from his chair. “I’ll take care of this. Everyone else, you can head to the convention center. We’ll meet you backstage half an hour before the presentation.” Ignoring the guys, he wraps his hand around my arm. “Come with me.” I obey, a surge of anguish overtaking me. He lets go once I’m up to press his hand on my upper back instead.
“Do you want me to come?” Oliver offers.
Lex doesn’t answer for a moment, and it takes me a few more seconds to get that Oli isn’t asking him. He’s asking me. I shake my head and smile reassuringly, not trusting my voice.
The professional and detached facade stays on all the way to the elevator. However, as soon as the doors close behind us, Lex pulls me close and wraps his arms around me comfortingly, resting his chin on top of my head. In his strong embrace, I rapidly relax, his warm and solid form reassuringly familiar.
