Forbidden Love

7

Lourde

The last few days were a whirlwind of managing contractors for the eight kitchen installations in the Brooklyn townhouses, unpacking and sorting the last of my things, and planning a housewarming party.

“What a week!” Olivia said, stopping by my temporary desk. “If it wasn’t for your help this week, Lourde, I think these fine lines would be deep crevices.” She pointed to the corners of her eyes, where, honestly, there wasn’t a line in sight.

I laughed, but hell, I should thank her. For once, it was nice to be a valued member of a team. Prior to this, I’d never had to work for anything, and my purpose was lacking unless I wanted to be a permanent charity ball planner—which I certainly did not.

“I’m loving it,” I said truthfully.

She arched a perfectly plucked eyebrow. “Really?”

“Absolutely. The fast pace, the hardhats toeing the line with politeness versus being direct with the contractors so they get the job done properly… all of it. I love It.”

“Okay! This job does suit you.”

I shrugged. “Guess so.”

She eyed me. “Or maybe it’s the people here. I’m not sure which,” Olivia said, sitting at the edge of my desk, tapping her fingers on the swatch samples I had fanned out like a color wheel.

Shit, she knows. How could she possibly know?

“Definitely the job.”

A grin rose into the corners of her mouth. “If you say so.”

“I do!” I pressed, trying to sound as convincing as I could.

“Barrett looks at you…” she paused before opening her mouth again, “… differently.”

“Well, I’ve known him for such a long time. He’s friends with Connor so…”

Why was she still staring at me with that shit-eating grin on her pretty face?

She folded the color wheel back together. “Well, the girls around here have definitely upped their game since you arrived.”

I glanced up at her. “What? How can they up their game? They’re all models. Does Barrett just hire beautiful women?”

“Ha! I certainly don’t put myself in that category.”

“Well, you ought to. You’re a stunner, Olivia.”

“Yeah, well, it’s a pity men are threatened by a successful woman. But regarding your question, Barrett does like looking at beautiful things. Whether they are lines of a building or women.”

My chest heaved even though he said there was no one else but me. Temptation was all around him.

“But in his defense, he’s fired all the inept workers. The ones who work here can actually do their job.”

“So they are smart and beautiful… great,” I said through gritted teeth.

“And by the looks of the higher heels and shorter skirts this week, they’ve noticed you, Lourde. Or should I say, noticed you pulling the boss’s attention?”

Heat stretched across my shoulder blades up to my neck. I had gotten close to Olivia this week, but even so, keeping our relationship under wraps, for now, was in everyone’s best interests. I could actually imagine Pepper and Grace liking Olivia too, but regardless, I couldn’t tell her about Barrett and me. Not until I told Connor.

“Ladies, what are we discussing over here that’s so important?” His dark voice settled in the crevices of my belly.

“There you are,” Olivia said.

I stared up from my seat, and his eyes softened when meeting mine. Fuck, I’d missed him the last few days. Like a hurting, heaving ache to the artery.

“Just talking about the intelligent women who work here,” Olivia said, letting out a chuckle.

He took her in curiously, then glanced toward me. I lowered my gaze, filing away the folders on my desk for fear of being caught.

“I think you’re feeding Lourde nonsense. Go home. Get laid, Olivia, and enjoy the weekend off.”

“Ha! I think I’ve scared all the men in Manhattan away. Might have to go to Long Island to find me a real man.”

“Shit… poor bastards.” Barrett laughed.

“Smartass,” she tsked.

“Do you always talk to each other like that?” I asked like a spectator enjoying the duel playing out in front of me

“Like what?” Barrett questioned, completely oblivious.

Olivia rolled her eyes. “Mostly, yeah, but considering the fucktard of a week you’ve had, Barrett, you’ve been in a particularly good mood.”

Barrett stood calmer than the Dalai Lama while a blush swept across my chest, clawing at the base of my neck. One of these days, my damn skin was going to out me if I couldn’t figure out a way to get myself under control.

Her mouth curled into a knowing smile that trumped any rebuttal Barrett surely had. “Well, if I have the weekend off, I’m getting the hell out of here.”

“Who are you kidding, Olivia? You’ll be checking your emails every five minutes.” She looked over her shoulder and frowned.

“Enjoy your weekend, you two.” She smirked and walked away.

“Hmm… I think she may be onto us,” Barrett said, lowering his mouth to my ear, his stubble brushing against my jaw. There were only a few people left in the office, and I knew Barrett was watchful of curious eyes.

“I think so too.” I wanted him to trace me with kisses and taste me with his expert tongue. I didn’t care if it got us caught. I needed his hands on my body.

I pressed into his jaw scrub. “I’ve missed you,” I said.

He pulled back from the side of my face and tilted his head down, his hooded eyes chained to mine. I watched his Adam’s apple bob up and down as he traced my lips with his molten gaze.

Heat pooled at the base of my stomach. “Come home with me, Lourde?” His words came out with aching need that matched mine.

“I was hoping you’d say that.”

* * *