Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 35197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
For July.
As the women walk by, I turn my back and duck my head, so they won’t clock me. When they pass by, I unclip a security card from one of their pockets and slip inside the building, the need to see July and reassure myself that we’re on solid ground multiplying by the second.
CHAPTER
TWELVE
July
I stare over at the window with tears in my eyes, resolutely focusing on my work. I have at least one more hour, then I’ll go home. Theo will find me.
There’s no question of that in my mind.
I’m more upset because I feel walked all over. Put in a corner.
Managed.
Not listened to.
Worse, I let it happen.
Taking a deep breath, I release it and attempt to focus. I’m the only one left in the office, everyone else having fled to happy hour at five o’clock on the dot, including the two women who imprisoned me here. I open my reference sheet to make sure my back-up plan idea meets all the necessary criteria and—
Footsteps.
My fingers freeze on the keyboard.
Those aren’t the footsteps of a co-worker, they’re too…slow. Creaking. Not the crisp and purposeful gait of someone who spends eight hours a day in this office. I lift my gaze to the monitor of my computer and see a shadowed figure in the reflection, weaving in and out of the cubicles behind me. I’m in trouble. No one is on this entire floor, except me.
And this person. Whoever they are.
I pick up my stapler, intending to use it as a weapon, stand up and turn around.
My hand drops like a five-hundred-pound boulder when I see Theo coming into view, his beautiful face splitting into a wry grin.
“Theo,” I breathe, pressing a hand to my chest. One might assume my heart would slow down once I realize I’m not about to be accosted, but no. It speeds up. My throat tightens, warmth crowding behind my eyes. Seeing his rugged soldier’s frame in this professional environment brings home exactly how different he is from everything in my life. How new.
How beloved and perfect and gorgeous.
Without a second thought, I drop the stapler and run to him, jumping into his arms and wrapping my legs around his waist, listening to and loving his gruff whisper of my name. “I missed you so much,” I say, meaning every word. In fact, it’s an under exaggeration. I’ve been yearning for him since I left his side this morning. “How did you get into the building?”
“I stole your co-worker's security card.”
“Of course you did,” I giggle into his neck. Why am I crying? How am I laughing and tearing up at the same time? “I’m sorry I wasn’t outside at five pm. They—”
“I know. I heard them talking.”
I pull back, chewing on my lip. “And you came to rescue me?”
“Which way to the dragon I need to slay?” His smile slowly fades. “Why are there tears in your eyes, baby? Did I scare you that much?”
“No,” I whisper, shaking my head. “I’m just relieved you’re here. I’ve felt really alone today. Alone used to feel normal, but I know what it’s like to be with you now.”
Tenderness blasts across his face and he kisses me hard. “You’ll never be lonely again. Not even at work. There’s something called FaceTime I learned about today.”
“You need a phone to use FaceTime.”
He tucks his tongue into his cheek, looking a little smug. “Good. I got one.”
“You did?”
“Uh-huh. Planning on filling it with pictures of my girlfriend tonight.” He kisses the underside of my chin, his right hand rasping down the center of my bottom, tugging me closer so I can feel the stiffness between his legs. “As soon as she’s done working.”
“It might be another hour,” I say, with obvious regret, even as I flex my thighs and rub myself on that thick tower he keeps all for me.
“I’ve waited my whole life for you, July. I can wait another hour.”
I almost gasp from the sudden pressure in my chest. Welcome, happy pressure. I never expected a man to come along and remind me I’m someone worth waiting for, but he has. All I want to do is revel in the safe and cherished feeling he gives me. “Maybe I can take a dinner break.”
He half grins, nods. “I’ll take you out.”
I settle my mouth on top of his. “I’m not hungry.”
Obviously getting my message loud and clear, his chest begins to rise and fall. “I am. I’m starving.” He drags his mouth around to my ear. “For that delicious little cunt you’re hiding under your skirt.”
My breath is carried out of me on a whimper. I’ve never gotten wet so fast in my life. Except for maybe every other time I’ve been in this man’s presence. My tummy muscles pull like piano wire, my inner thighs turning the consistency of hot oil. I drop my head back and shake my hair out, one of my flats tumbling to the ground. It’s particularly satisfying to feel like a sex siren in the middle of this place, this office where I’ve only ever felt like a grunt. Someone who gets thrown a bone once in a while, but ultimately caves to the whims of her boss and co-workers.