Looking at my schedule, I think a mini-vacation is in order. “Where to go?” I mutter to myself, pulling out my phone to scroll possible trip locations. I haven’t done a book tour. I pretty much stay home all the time. I need time for me.
After the meeting, I think I’ll go somewhere.
Chapter Three
Nick
I am out of my damn mind. I can’t take not seeing her anymore. It’s beyond intolerable. I’ve gotten to the point where it’s hard to even breathe now that I’ve decided to confront my feelings for her. I need to see if she has any interest in me. Although from the way she’s been avoiding me like the plague, I take it she’s realized my interest and doesn’t want it.
For someone who goes to the coffee shop three times a week, she hasn’t been there in ten whole days. Now, without a doubt, I know she’s avoiding me. Lillian’s meeting with my brother and father today. I’m not in that meeting because it’s not my area, and I’m swamped with my own work. Or so I tell myself. I know that if I go into that meeting, I’ll probably scare her with how bad I want her. I can’t do that.
I open my office door to go to my next meeting with the editing team and crash right into her. She stumbles back, and I catch her before she falls. Her eyes meet mine as our bodies are flush with each other. My cock stiffens instantly, and there’s no doubt she notices. As soon as I’m sure she’s steady, I let her go, then I watch as her eyes look up at me from head to toe. I’m in jeans and a polo, and I realize she’s never seen me dressed down. And my cock is too fucking huge to hide in jeans. Damn, I try to calm myself down before I nut in my pants. The way she’s staring at me only makes it harder. My girl wants me. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to knock you down.”
“I’m the one who got in the way. I’ve never seen you in jeans before,” she lets slip before clamping her mouth shut.
We don’t have to dress up unless we’re meeting with a client. Otherwise, it’s pretty laid back. “I usually do, but didn’t feel like it this morning,” I tell her, trying to deflect from the escalating tension. “By the way, good morning,” I add, realizing that I didn’t greet her at all.
A blush steals over her face, knowing that I caught her eyeing my body a little more than what’s considered polite. She can look all she wants; I don’t care one iota. She’s interested, and that’s all I need to know. It’s taken three years for her to finally notice. Damn, I would have worn jeans in front of her sooner. “I’m sorry. Hello, Mr. Knight.”
I’ve got to go before I pull her back into my arms and kiss her like I want to do. The thought of taking her back to my office and doing her on my desk holds a lot of merit.
“What time’s your meeting?” I ask, making small talk and hoping that my hard-on will start to go down. I should know better; in her presence, I’m constantly rock-solid.
“It’s in about five minutes,” she says, avoiding any eye contact with me. It reminds me of the fact that she’s been avoiding me.
“So is mine. Have a good day, Lillian.” She looks like she’s about to say something, but she closes her mouth. It’s then that my editorial assistant walks up to me. She gives me a huge smile that’s laden with enthusiasm. I think she’s a sweet girl, but I’ve no interest in her. She approaches with her iPad in hand, ready to go into our meeting.
“Good morning, Makayla,” I say while still having my eyes on Lillian. I catch the way Lillian gives a disgusted look. It’s crystal clear to me that my woman is jealous. Without a doubt, I’m certain that I’m going in the right direction, only now I have to find a way around this whole client thing.
“Good morning, Nicky. The rest of the staff are waiting for you.” She’s so damn bubbly, I just ignore it and give Lillian a lopsided smile and a shrug before walking off to my meeting.
I take a seat and do my best to pay attention, except all my thoughts are on Lillian and what she’s talking to my brother about. Jealousy tears through me as I think about him getting her smiles and hearing her lovely voice.
This has to be the longest three hours of my life. We have these meetings once a month to go over things we’re reading, group changes to a story, or possible suggestions. By the time we’re done, she’s gone from their meeting, and my brother and father are in back to back meetings, having lunch with two more potential clients.