Layer by Layer (Riggings Brothers 1)

This week has flown by. Royce had a packed schedule, and I’ve barely seen him. We had dinner Monday night, but he ended up having meetings that ran late Tuesday and Wednesday, and I already had plans to have dinner with Hadley last night. Royce tried to convince me to come over after, but Hadley came back to my place, and we stayed up way too late talking about anything and everything. Her wedding is just a couple of months away, and we had a lot to catch up on. I’m so excited for my best friend. Derek is a great guy, and anyone who sees the way that he looks at her can tell how much he loves her. They are definitely my example of couple goals. I want that one day.

I can’t help but think about Royce. We’ve shared stolen kisses, and any excuse he can find to touch me while we’re at work he takes full advantage of. I can’t help but wonder if he could be my future. If he will one day look at me the way that Derek looks at Hadley. My phone ringing pulls me out of my thoughts.

“Riggins Enterprises, this is Sawyer.”

“Hi, Sawyer, this is Sasha, Mr. Peterson’s assistant. Something has come up, and he’s going to need to reschedule his meeting this afternoon with Mr. Riggins.”

My eyes quickly scan the books, and I see a Mr. Peterson on Royce’s schedule for three o’clock. “Would you like to go ahead and reschedule?” I ask, hoping she’ll volunteer the reason for canceling before I have to ask her.

“Yes, however, we’re not sure when. Mr. Peterson has had a death in the family. Can I call you next week once I know more?”

“Certainly, and please give Mr. Peterson our condolences.” Ending the call, I click on Royce’s calendar and remove the meeting. I then pull up my email and send him one letting him know why the meeting was canceled, before diving back into typing a few letters that Grant dictated yesterday. I’m focused on what Grant is saying, which is why I startle when I feel Royce’s hands on my shoulders. Tilting my head back, I smile. “Hey.”

“Hi, beautiful.” He bends to place a kiss on the tip of my nose. “I got your email.”

“Gives you a little catch-up time,” I say, swirling around in my chair to face him.

“My thoughts exactly. We leave in thirty.”

“Wait. What do you mean we leave in thirty? It’s two o’clock in the afternoon.” I’m sure I’m looking at him like he’s lost his mind.

“It is, and I’m using my time to catch up.”

“And that includes us leaving because?”

“Because it’s been a hell of a week without you. Stolen kisses here at the office are not going to cut it. I need you in my arms.”

“We’re having dinner tonight,” I remind him.

“Change of plans. Our night starts in thirty.”

Grant walks past and stops when he sees Royce at my desk. “Hey, man, got a minute? I got Scott on the line for an update on Idaho. Thought you might want to sit in. I saw your schedule was clear.”

“Fuck,” Royce sighs. “Yeah, I’ll be right there.” With a nod, Grant turns to head back to his office. “I’m sorry. I’ll make this quick.”

“Royce, I can’t leave. We can’t just slip out early.”

“I’m the boss.”

“And I have responsibilities.”

Another heavy sigh leaves his lips. “Fine. Come with me.” With my hand in his, he leads me to Grant’s office. Peeking his head in the door, he says, “I’m going to hop on the call from my office.” With that, he turns and leads us to his office. Once inside, he shuts the door and takes a seat behind his desk, pulling me into his lap.

“What’s going on?” I ask, looking over my shoulder.

“What’s going on is that I can’t wait a minute longer to hold you, so you’re going to sit with me while I take this call. Then, I’ll give you thirty minutes to wrap up whatever it is that you need to do, and we are out of here for the weekend.”

He doesn’t give me a chance to respond before he hits the conference button on his phone, and Grant’s voice fills the room. Not willing to make my presence known, I lean back against his chest, and he wraps his arms around me. I feel his lips press to my temple. He keeps one arm around my waist, while the other rests on my thigh. I’m wearing pants today, and I make a mental note to never wear pants to work again. Only skirts from here on out. Anything that gets me closer to him and gives me the chance to feel his skin against mine.

“Thanks for your hard work, Scott. I think the two of you can take it from here,” Royce says, not bothering to say goodbye before he taps the button on his phone that ends his connection to the call.