Porter (Men of Lovibond 3)

—WPB

I can’t not smile when I read Porter’s use of my words last night when I told him I was falling in love with him. “What does the W stand for?” I should definitely know the full name of the man I’m falling in love with.

“William.”

I want so badly to go to him but it’s too risky. “Well, Mr. William Porter Beckman, thank you for the flowers and the coffee and the wonderful weekend. I’ll show you some proper appreciation later.”

“You’re quite welcome, Miss Frances Ameline Dawson. And I look forward to your proper appreciation.”

I put the card inside my purse instead of returning it to the envelope. “It’s inevitable that I’ll be asked about the flowers today. What should I tell people?”

“Say whatever you like.”

“Okay. What would my very handsome, sexy, insatiable boss like me to do today?”

“There are so many ways I could answer that question.”

I’m not the only one who has thought about all the things we could do in here behind a closed door.

“Rephrase. What kind of graphic design and marketing would you like me to do today?”

Porter sits on the corner of my desk. “How far did you get on the merchandise?”

“Maybe halfway.”

“I want to see what you’ve done so far.”

Porter has already fired up my computer so I navigate to the merchandise folder. “I came up with another idea when I was lying in bed last night.”

“Me too. That we’d have lunch at my place today.”

“Silly boy. Did you forget what I told you about my period starting today?”

“I haven’t forgotten.”

I stop navigating through the folders and look at him to see if he’s serious about what I think he’s suggesting. “Are you into that?”

“I don’t know. Never tried it.”

He doesn’t look repulsed. “Are you wanting to try it?”

“Are you wanting to try it?”

“I asked you first.”

“Well, when I said that we’d have lunch at my place, I meant we’d pick up food and actually eat lunch together. But then you brought up having period sex.”

“I brought it up… and now I’m dropping it.” I open my girly T-shirt designs first. “Ladies cut.”

Porter moves off the corner of my desk and stands behind me, leaning over my shoulder. He’s not touching me but his body calls out to mine. My attraction to him is insane.

“Those are cool.”

“There you are.”

Why does my dad walk in every time Porter gets near me? “Oh, hey Dad.”

“What’s going on? Why is your desk in here?”

I say nothing, waiting for Porter to take the wheel on this one.

“The separation was making it impossible for me to give Frankee the supervision she needs. I’ve been very pleased with her work and would like to give her some additional responsibilities. But I felt it wasn’t the right thing to do unless I was readily available to guide her.”

Oh damn. He’s good.

“I know Frankee’s learning a lot being under you.”

It’s easy to learn when you stay under your boss as much as I do.

I look up at Porter. “It’s unreal how much I’ve learned being under Mr. Beckman.”

My dad’s brow wrinkles. “Are these flowers for you?”

“They’re from me. Just a token of my appreciation for a job well done her first month at Lovibond. She has lifted a lot of burden from my shoulders, so I’m free to work on other things that need my attention.”

“I’m proud that Frankee being here is working out for you. I just wish this wasn’t temporary. I don’t want my little girl moving to Austin.”

I thought my dad might come around about my move. He hasn’t. “Daddy… you act like I’m moving to the other side of the world.”

“You might as well be. But that’s not a conversation for us to have here and now. I’ve gotta clock in and get to work.”

I wait until my dad is gone to look at Porter. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re as smooth as Ex-Lax?”

He chuckles. “You’re comparing me to shit? The man who eats your pussy? And fucks you into oblivion? And gives you mind-blowing orgasms?”

“And makes sweet, passionate love to me after telling me he’s falling for me. Don’t forget that one.”

Porter looks at his office door and then grasps my chin and quickly kisses my mouth. “Yes. That, too.”

Last night was different. It wasn’t sex. It wasn’t fucking.

We made love.

And we didn’t talk about it afterward. I’m glad; I think words would have ruined that special moment.

Porter simply held me in his arms until I had to go home. And every second was perfect.

He releases my chin. “I liked the way things went last night.”

“I liked it too. And I’d like more nights like that.”

“That can be arranged.”

Secret embraces. Stolen kisses. Whispered conversations. That’s my daily routine with Porter.

I love my workspace being inside his office. Even when we’re working and not talking, we’re still together. I get to steal glances at his handsome face and hot, muscular body whenever I like.

You’d be surprised how close you become when you spend every day with a person.

Porter hasn’t been in the office much today, so I’m happy when he returns after being gone. “You look pleased.”

“I am. We finally worked out the problem with the sweet potato cream stout. A batch is being bottled as we speak.”

“That’s great. I know you’re glad to have that worry off your mind.”

/> “That’s one of my worries off my mind.”

“Did you talk to your mom?”

“I did. She said she feels okay. Just tired.”

Her second chemo was two days ago. “That’s to be expected. Doesn’t mean anything’s wrong. Did you tell her you were coming to visit?”

Porter has been feeling so much guilt about not being there for his mom as she goes through her treatments. I’m glad he’s going to see her.

“I did and she’s very happy. Sounded like it really lifted her spirits.”

“I know it did. I’m sure she misses her baby boy.”

“She wants me to bring you.”

Wow. I in no way had expected that. “Really?”

“Yeah. She enjoyed talking with you and would love for you to come home with me.”

“Is that what you want?” I don’t want him to take me if he’s only doing it for his mother.

“I would love to take you home to meet my family.”

“When would you want to leave?”

“Mom wants us to eat dinner with them so I’d like to leave Birmingham by two.”

“And we’ll come back late Sunday?”

“Not too late. I always try to be back by six.”

Looks like I’ll be using Tuscaloosa as an alibi again. “I think I can do that.”

“Do you have another sweet lingerie set you can pack?”

“You want to have sex at your parents’ house?” Hmm. I don’t know about that. Seems disrespectful. Especially with this being my first visit. I sure don’t want them to think I’m a slut.

“Yes. Tomorrow will make five days since I’ve had you. I’m horny as fuck.”

I’ve never gone home with a man to his parents’ house. I don’t know how this works. “What will the sleeping arrangements be?”

“We’ll sleep in my old bedroom.”

I’m the one with the young parents but there’s no way they would let a guy sleep in my bed with me. “Your mom and dad will be okay with that?”

“I’m thirty years old. They don’t care if my girlfriend sleeps with me in my bed.”

Oh, swoon. “You just called me your girlfriend.”

“You enjoy putting labels on us.”

“Excuse me? You’re the one who just labeled me your girlfriend.”