Perfect Chaos

“No. Just right.” Her arms come over my shoulders and we relax in the water, quietly settling—calm and peaceful. “Sooooo right,” she hums dreamily, and I think I actually do, too.

But then my thoughts start to gather again, but this time there are more of them, and it’s all centering around my business. Work. The politics. It’s Sunday tomorrow, and then it’s Monday. Another working week. Another week of skulking around. I can’t do it. “Can we talk about something?” I ask.

“What?”

“About work.”

“What about it?” She’s stiff at the mention of it, and I instantly despise myself for ruining our sanctuary. But this needs to be discussed.

“We should talk about how we’re going to approach it.”

“How about we don’t approach it?”

“Lainey, you can’t tell me you’ve fallen in love with me and expect me to treat you like every other member of my staff.”

“You’ve fallen in love with me too, remember?”

“Yes, and I don’t want to hide that. Not from anyone.” I turn over on her front so I can see her, not liking where this conversation is heading. I’m prepared to face the gossip. The judgments. The inevitable wrath of Sal. “You’re happy sneaking around?”

“It’s . . .” She glances away. “It’s just easier that way for now.”

“Easier?” I could laugh. “You find it easy?”

“It’s got to be easier than facing the gossip. The assumptions and the looks.”

“You’re still worried about what they’ll all think?” That’s crazy. “I’m the boss, Lainey. It’s my company. I’ll see who I want, and they’ll like it or lump it. Anyone questions it or gives you a hard time, I’ll fire their arse.”

“You can’t do that,” she sighs.

“Watch me.” I’m deadly serious. “I don’t know about you, but I can’t pretend I’m not besotted with you anymore.”

“Sal . . .” She frowns. “You can’t fire your partner.”

“I’ll deal with him.” My partner will just have to get used to it. “Although I’m not sure how I feel about you working for my best friend.”

“Me neither,” she replies quietly, looking down at me and brushing some waves from my forehead. “What is it about me?” she asks, looking truly intrigued by her own question.

I expect it’s the same thing that every other man sees in her. Beauty. Softness. Sexiness. Vulnerability. Her addictive allure. But I don’t say that. “Everything.” It’s the easiest answer ever. At first I thought it was the forbidden factor. Scratch the itch and it would go forever. How wrong I was. My skin is still prickling with want now, and I know it always will be. I was a fool to ever think I could get Lainey Summer out of my system with a quick fuck. An absolute fool, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. “You make me happy.” I slide up her body and kiss her tenderly on the lips. “I love how strong you are, how determined.” I place my hand over her chest, feeling her heart beating. “I love that when I kiss you, the world disappears. I love that I can’t go a minute without thinking about you. And most of all, I love that you’ve found the man my father always knew was there. Is that enough?”

She bites her lip and nods. “It’s enough,” she says, massaging at my scalp. “But can you promise me something?”

“Anything.”

She slides down the tub, taking me with her until our bodies are completely submerged under the water. Her arms wrap around my shoulders, her legs around my waist. “You’ll let me tell Sal.”

I try to lean back, but she increases her tight hold, preventing me from pulling away. “You want to tell him?”

“He’ll think you want me for just one thing.”

My eyebrow arches. “What makes you think I don’t?”

“Hey.” One of her arms releases me and makes a play for my arse, her nails sinking in viciously.

“Ouch! Fuck, Lainey.” Water starts to splash around us, and I spin our bodies until my back finds the tub. “Remove your nails.”

“Apologize,” she demands, keeping her hand under my arse, her nails sunk snuggly in my flesh.

“I’m sorry,” I all but squeak, reaching under my back and prying her hand away. “You sly sod,” I breathe out, my eyes falling into annoyed slits. “That fucking hurt.”

“Turn over and I’ll kiss it better.” She grins, dipping and catching a nipple in her mouth, sucking softly.

A deep groan of appreciation rumbles up from my tummy, my cock rousing from its slumber. “You can keep kissing there. I’m feeling much better.”

She laughs and reaches for the vanity unit for a condom, and I blink at the vision of water pouring from her torso. “Lift,” she orders, moving down a little as she rips the packet open. I do as I’m bid and watch in fascination as she rolls the condom on before resuming position, reaching down between us to guide me to her. Oh, holy good Lord, here we go again. Will I ever get enough of her? My hands land on her thighs and brace, my teeth gritting. And when she lowers, watching me carefully, I start to shake, water rippling around me.