“Or are you going to tell me you have a thing for your new co-worker?”
Rationally, I know she and Maddie were baiting me and Hunter when they’d swooned over Oliver-fucking-Chambers, but the situation with Katarina has made me every shade of insecure. I’m relieved to see the confusion on Grace’s face. She’d remember a truth easier than the lie.
I continue staring until her eyes widen. “Oh.”
“Yes, fucking, oh,” I repeat, but that one little noise from her mouth has my balls contracting. “Say it again, Angel.”
“You want me to tell you Olly is hot?”
She winces at my growl. “No, Grace. I want you tomake that ‘oh’ sound again.” My voice drops when I add, “Only this time, go a little deeper. Like you’re going to do when I finally perch you on the edge of my desk and push my tongue deep inside you.”
Grace clenches her thighs together. “Duke,” she warns with a whimper. “You’re the one who’s supposed to be strong for the both of us.”
Her words hit me like a bucket of ice-cold water. I have to protect her. I can’t fail. When I wrap my arms tightly around her this time, it’s me I’m restraining. “No fucking. No kissing. No dry humping,” I say, adding to our list. “But I need to hear you come, Angel.”
“You want me to fake it?”
“No, I damn well don’t,” I say through gritted teeth. “I want a copy of our recording.”
Grace quirks an eyebrow. “Is that wise? Could someone find it?”
Yes, is the simple answer. “Put it on a flash drive so I don’t have to download it. It’ll be safe in my office.” I glide my hands over her hips. “As are you apparently.”
A lopsided smile rounds her pink cheeks. “We can still make our lists,” she says, wriggling more than necessary as she unwraps herself from my embrace and climbs off my lap. “And it sounds like I have a new one to add. Something about the edge of your desk and your tongue.”
“That’s my list,” I correct. “You work on your own.”
“Oh, I intend to,” she says as she straightens the dress I don’t get to unbutton today.
After unlocking the door, I want to kiss Grace goodbye. I hate that I can’t do that either. My hand goes to the small of her back as she leaves my office. “Thank you for your time, Mrs. Hamel,” I say loudly in case there’s anyone within earshot, but there’s only one person close by.
Ed’s wearing a wide grin as he tips his head to the two coffee cups on his desk. “I thought you might have worked up a thirst,” he says innocently.
I scowl at him. “I made Grace coffee.”
“You did?” she asks, her hand going to her hip. “I don’t remember that.”
I open my mouth to defend myself, then remember. “Shit, they’re still sitting by my coffee machine.” I had them ready, adding the hazelnut creamer to Grace’s just as she likes it, but one look at her in that green dress and the coffees had gone completely out of my mind.
Ed hands Grace her to-go cup. “At least I know how to treat a woman.”
The bastard thinks he can play me, but he’s given me an idea. Forcing myself not to watch as Grace disappears with her coffee, I hand Ed something from my pocket and wait for his reaction. His eyes widen.
“Why are you giving me this?”
“You say you know how to treat a woman. Well, I want you totreatmy woman,” I say, keeping my voice low as I tip my head to the black Amex card clutched in his white-knuckled hand. “Grace’s apartment is getting a security upgrade tomorrow and I’d rather she didn’t spend her weekend with some dick contractor trying to hit on her. I want you to take her out. Do whatever you like. Buy whatever you like.”
I can literally see the dollar signs flashing in Ed’s eyes. “You shouldn’t say things like that to me, Duke. There’s the most stunning pair of red leather Prada boots I’ve been drooling over for weeks.”
I roll my eyes. “You might have mentioned them once or twice before, but try to remember you’re meant to be entertaining Grace.”
“They’re unisex. We could get matching pairs.”
I sip my coffee. “Do what you like,” I repeat, knowing I can trust him. “Just look after her for me. She’s new to the city and she needs friends. And please keep her away from sleazy nightclubs, including Heatrush.” I haven’t forgotten Calder’s open invite. “Take her to a spa or something. And if she complains about spending my money, convince her it’s for research.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I’ll give our girl a crash course in overindulgence.” He slips the card into his pocket. “It’s just a shame you can’t come with us.”
I can’t help but laugh. “No offense, Ed, but if I were able to spend the weekend with Grace, you wouldn’t be invited.”
