HOLDEN
Ihate the office. Absolutely hate it. It’s loud, distracting, filled with people, and I’ve done everything to avoid coming here in the past. I’d call, email, then I’d say screw it and let it be the other guys problem. It meant I didn’t have to drive, didn’t have to deal with anyone’s looks or questions, and didn’t have to fight my urge to move through the loud main floor like a man being hunted.
After Italy and with Sophia, it’s not quite as hard. I can focus on her moving through the crowd, taking care of people who come up with a few words. She really is something else. The way she fixes problems so quickly without letting them distract her, how easily she takes charge when she’s in her element. No wonder I can’t imagine a day without her.
She reaches back for me to make sure I’m still there, and I smile but keep my hands to myself. I’d be too tempted to push for more. Italy ruined me that way. Being without her for more than a day turns me into an animal.
How many times have I jerked off since I’ve been home? How tempted was I to bend her over the counter this morning and ruin that perfect outfit? I take a slow breath as she opens a door for me.
Gunner looks up from his desk as we enter, and Sophie makes sure to shut the door this time. Smirking, Gunner looks between us. “Did we have a meeting planned, or is this some spontaneous fun I’m sensing?”
“Head out of the gutter.” Sophie points at him.
He leans back in his chair and settles for a wolfish smile instead of pushing the point. Sophie sits in one of the chairs and motions to me. “He’s all yours.”
“But I like you as a friend.” Gunner chuckles.
I roll my eyes and refocus on the issue. Gunner looks at the charges I’ve flagged on his computer and nods. “I’ll have to talk with Neal about this one since that’s his client. This other charge specifically … it’ll take some research. I’ll talk to Roman too.”
“It was done while we were in Italy,” I say evenly.
“Of course. When the cats are away, the mice will take all the shit they can.”
“Not the saying.” Sophie’s foot bounces on the floor.
Gunner glances from her to me then walks out of his office. “Be right back. Stay out of trouble, you two.”
I pace behind Sophie, glancing out at the crowd. At least Gunner’s office is quiet. It also smells like old tobacco and whiskey. Not the worst combination, almost warm. A lot like Gunner himself, honestly.
Sophia stands and rubs my arm. “You’re safe here, Holden.”
“I know.”
And logically, I do. We’re in New York. We’re in an office I’ve spent time in before. No one here is going to suddenly unload. People come to their offices every day and embrace the chaos. It’s normal and easy for most. It should be easy for me. Logically it is. I came to fix an issue, and I’ll be able to leave soon enough.
But my emotions don’t give two shits about what’s logical. My gut is screaming for me to leave. My head can’t help dragging up the crowds from overseas, the damage they promised when we were stuck in one. It’s so easy to miss something with so much going on, and it could be fatal and-
“Holden.” Sophie’s hands grab mine tightly.
I focus on her. Her hair is coming free from her pins. I brush it from her face with my knuckles, unwilling to let go of her hands. She’s a shot of sanity. Every touch calms, keeps me in the present, pulls me out of my head.
But I know it’s not fair for me to rely on her for that. She smiles and kisses my knuckles. “Do you remember when we were at the garden?”
“Yes.”
“Remember how peaceful it was, all the birds?”
The birds were nice, actually. I’ve never been a huge fan of them but seeing how little they cared about everyone, how they could just tune out the children laughing and playing, how they just focused on enjoying the pond … damn, even ducks are better at relaxing than me.
“That’s what I think of when I get overwhelmed. A place that I liked, a place where I felt safe and happy.” Sophie continued. “And it’s easier if it’s real, from my experience anyway.”
Like her being in my room, on top of me, riding me hard and fast, her moans echoing. No, that’s a memory best put to work, not used to relax. I lick across my bottom lip as I look down at Sophie.
She shoves me slightly. “Don’t look at me like that … here.”
I arch an eyebrow and pull her closer to me. She shivers. “Hold, we have to … save that for home.”
“Later then?” I whisper.
She bites back a smile and nods.
I still remember when she came into the house from work and started stripping. I wouldn’t stop her this time. I’d let her tear it all off, then make the most of it, of her. We’d get all her frustration taken care of, talk, cuddle, cook. It could be a hell of an afternoon.
Her cheeks turn pink, and I pull a hand free to brush over her jaw and bottom lip. Fuck, I want this woman. I want to see her every day, hear about her work, make her laugh, make her moan. Sophie leans towards me slightly.
“You’re more relaxed now.”
Because I’m thinking about her, not someplace in Italy, I smile and nod once. Gunner still isn’t back though. I glance at the office, at everyone not paying attention, and drag her against me. Sophie gasps.
“A preview of later?”
She gives me a nervous nod, and I devour her mouth. Patience means nothing with her in front of me. I lick along her tongue, pull her hand to my chest, and devour the moan that comes from her throat.
I kiss her again, feeling her body press to mine as she changes the angle on me. She’s not allowed to taste this good, to stir me up with just a kiss, to make it impossible to think of not going further. I bite her bottom lip so hard she squeaks.
Laughing, she covers her mouth as she pulls back. “So I get more of that when I get home?”