As if conjured by magic, the sound of the door opening echoed down the hall and then there she stood. Mirabelle Walker, M, in all her made up, colorful glory. Her hair was pink today, matching the glittering pink shadow on her eyelids and the shimmering gloss on her lips. Loki didn’t think he’d ever seen a more beautiful sight in his life.
“Loki, are you still there?” Steele asked from the phone line.
“Oh, um, yes sir. I’m still here.” His gaze was locked on M in the doorway. She was soon joined by Everly, with the baby in her arms, and Alexandra, who pushed past the other two and came in to sit on Hunter’s lap.
“Did you tell him yet, baby?” Alex asked Hunter after giving him a long kiss.
“Nope. Not yet. Cam here’s been hogging all the spotlight.” Hunter hiked his thumb toward his buddy, who was now cooing to his infant daughter like an idiot. Loki couldn’t help but smile.
“What’s your decision, Loki?” Steele demanded. “I don’t have all day.”
“Put him on hold again,” M mouthed to him and Loki did as she asked.
“I’m sorry, sir. One more second.”
“Loki, I’m warning you—” Whatever else Steele had been about to say was cut off as Loki hit the hold button again. “What’s going on? Why is everyone here? And what were you going to tell me, Hunt?”
“Alex here has decided to invest some of her hard-earned movie money in our company.” Hunter kissed his fiancée’s cheek. “Her financial advisors have been bugging her for months to diversify so this is the perfect opportunity.”
“Plus, I like to feel as if I’m making a difference,” Alex added. “You guys need the money and I know you’ll spend it wisely. Consider it an investment in my husband’s career.”
Loki sat back, considering the offer. “I’ll require a significant initial outlay and subsequent infusions of cash each year, indefinitely, until we get on our feet. Are you willing to take that on?”
“Whatever you need.” Alex smiled then snuggled closer to her soon-to-be husband. “I’ve instructed my accountants to handle all the paperwork and give you anything you ask for, within reason.”
“So, what do you say?” Cam asked. “Should we take over Norse Security ourselves?”
“Hey,” M said, walking into the office to perch on the corner of Loki’s desk. Her position gave him an excellent view of her smooth, creamy thighs beneath her short black leather skirt and damn if his body didn’t tighten in response. “I want in on this too.”
Those words shocked him out of his lusty imaginings. “What? What about your promotion?”
“What about it?” M shrugged. When he raised a brow at her, she rolled her eyes and gave him an irate stare. “Fine. I turned it down, okay?”
“Why?” He scowled. “That promotion was everything to you. You worked your ass off for it.”
“Not everything. Not anymore.” She slid off the desk to sit in his lap, her sweet scent and warmth surrounding him. “Look, I think you and I made a pretty good team, in and out of the sack, and I’d like the opportunity to explore that further.” With those last words she slid her fingers up his chest to tangle in the hair at the nape of Loki’s neck, making him shiver. “That is, if you’re interested.”
Oh. Fuck. Yes.
He was more than interested, but after years of deception and suspicion, he had to be sure. “I’m interested. But you realize this means us trying to live with each other, both in business and outside of it, right? Twenty-four seven. You and me.”
Her smile started small then grew as she looked deep into his eyes. “Yes. I realize that.”
“No more pretending,” he said, cupping the back of her head and pulling her closer.
“No more pretending,” she said, closing the tiny gap between then and kissing him deeply.
The world around him fell away and there was only his M, in his arms, in his life once more. Hope and happiness swelled inside him, shoving aside the cold loneliness he’d thought he’d have to live with forever. All he wanted was to hold her and love her and keep her with him forever.
Until the sound of a clearing throat broke them apart.
M buried her face in his neck and Loki looked over her head to see four pairs of curious eyes watching them. The light on the phone blinked angrily and he reached over to push it one last time.
“Steele? I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to decline your offer. We’ve decided to buy you out and take over Norse Security ourselves. I’ll have my attorneys contact your attorneys next week. Thanks anyway.”
His backer blustered and cursed, but Loki just hung up.
A huge cheer erupted from his office. The guys shook hands and the girls hugged. Even Cam’s infant daughter got in on the celebration by letting loose a healthy wail. Loki kept M in his lap, his arms locked tight around her waist, holding her close. While the others chattered amongst themselves, Loki whispered in M’s ear, “Are you sure you want to be saddled with a charming chameleon like me? Half the time I don’t even know who the real me is.”