Page 92 of Shark’s Pride

I’d already packed my change of clothes and makeup bag into my truck and would transfer it all into the Abstract Catering van so I could change after supervising the event setup team.

I’d also handpicked the setup and service teams for the event. Only top-tier staff members, with experience in high-end service etiquette, had gotten the call. While we’d briefed everyone in presentation specifics for each dish, I’d still be overseeing the garnishments and final touches for everything that got plated, with Rio overseeing logistics and service flow. We’d taken every measure to ensure things ran smoothly, including a pre-event run-through at the site. Barring any unforeseen catastrophes, the day would be a success from our end—but even if the sky fell, I could count on Rio to roll with it. The woman was an ace in a crunch and handled disasters like a champ. She promised that if anything crumbled apart while I was being Sebastian’s very public date, I wouldn’t even know about it until the next morning back in the kitchen.

I adored that woman. And I’d made sure to tell her, plenty of times, during the preparations for this important day. While things between us weren’t completely back to normal yet, the quick prep for the groundbreaking had brought us together in a lot of cool ways, working toward our common goal. I hoped the new camaraderie would translate back into sisterhood soon as well.

I double-checked the contents of my work satchel, making sure I had all the essentials. Smart pad, charger, cell phone, wallet, and emergency kit. It was all there.

After stowing the bag into the truck, I made one last dash into the house to find my man. Along the way, I indulged a big grin. My man. The happiness of that thought would never get old. Nor would the anticipation of getting to see him in all his dark, confident resplendence.

I was hoping to add one more descriptor onto that—naked—but when I entered the master suite bathroom, he was already dressed and knotting his tie in front of the vanity mirror. But God, did he look good doing it—especially in the ensemble he’d carefully picked for today. Though he hadn’t put on his tailored suit jacket yet, his crisp white shirt and dark navy slacks were breath-robbing statements on his ultrafine physique.

“Morning, handsome.” Though I said it quietly, parts of me were doing giddy shrieks at the opportunity to come up behind him, flattening my hands across his stomach.

“There you are.” He beamed at me via the mirror. “I was hoping you didn’t leave without saying goodbye.”

“Oh, bite your tongue, Mr. Shark,” I said as he turned, leaving his tie to hang loosely around his neck.

“I’d prefer to bite yours, Ms. Gibson.” He braced his hands to my hips and tugged me against him.

I laughed. But only a little. There was something to be said for the distraction of being held flush against Sebastian Shark’s body. “Sooo…I’ll see you at the site by…”

I purposely left the statement hanging open, openly fishing for his estimated arrival time at the groundbreaking site. After lowering a slow kiss to my lips, leaving me tingly from his mint toothpaste, he said, “I plan on being there by ten. And the press should start assembling by eleven. And then by twelve, I plan on you and I having our own private celebration…” Another slow kiss as he went on, moving my hair off my neck before kissing down the column of my neck.

“Baaaasss…”

I could barely rasp it out as he continued blazing a trail with the tip of his nose and then following with featherlight traces of his tongue. I moaned and repeated the protest, though my own skin betrayed me. Goose bumps rose on every inch of my body, as he noted when hauling me snuggly to his chest.

“But I haven’t finished telling you about my schedule yet,” he murmured against my ear while sliding his hands under my T-shirt. All too easily, he made his way up to my breasts. All too deftly, he palmed them into aching desire.

“Well, let me tell you about my schedule too.”

“Hmmm,” he hedged. “Okay.”

“Not okay,” I half-laughed back. “Because if I don’t leave this house on time, your fantastic food isn’t going to be ready on time. And if all the groundbreaking grub doesn’t happen, all your guests are going to go home hungry. And cranky.” I added the last part more for myself than him. It was getting harder and harder to resist his skillful, sensual touch. I’d already dropped my head between my shoulder blades, letting the lothario play me like a fine-tuned instrument. His private violin…

“Ohhh. The horror.” The gibe was full of wicked promise, and Sebastian delivered by biting my nipple through the fabric of my bra. I gripped his face on both sides. My libido and my better sense declared war on each other. Hold him in place or push him away? Give in or start adulting?

As usual, the man went ahead and made his own decision. He lifted his head while righting my T-shirt. In the same fluid move, he straightened to his full height. But when our gazes crossed, he brought back my inner conflict. His indigo eyes were hooded and glowing with desire. I didn’t doubt their accurate reflection of my own.

He heaved in a deep breath before finishing with “The presentation is set for eleven thirty. Everyone will be ready for food at noon.”

“All right.” Though that confirmation officially negated our own version of the “perfect nooner,” I reached for his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “You’re going to be amazing today.” This time I was the one who kissed him, deliberately lingering just a little longer than a peck. But I pulled back before we got carried away again. Remarkably, he seemed to appreciate it.

“I love you, Abbigail,” he softly declared.

“I love you too.”

“I appreciate all the support you’ve been giving me on this. On everything that’s happened…on the way here. It’s meant the world to me, Little Red.”

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.” Somehow I said it without a single teary tremor. “I’ll see you downtown.”

With our bout of mush giving me new wings of energy, I hurried downstairs and out to the truck. The man had gotten me behind—so worth it—but I did my best to make up for the delay by driving a little faster than usual. By the time I got to the kitchen in Inglewood, I was nearly back on schedule.

Inside the building, Rio was already swirling in her take-no-prisoners mode. I took a second to smile without her noticing. It looked like our pre-event timeline was proceeding without a hitch. Our plan was broken down by specific tasks, both at the kitchen and then on-site. We agreed I would break away about forty-five minutes before Sebastian’s presentation, to give me time for cleaning up. He’d asked me to join him in mingling with the crowd—and while I’d instantly said yes, I was more nervous about that responsibility than catering the entire event.

“Good morning, sunshine!” I called out while hanging my bag on the hook by my desk.

“Hey!” Rio was chipper but brief about the response.