We had a very cute routine going where he came to the store every day after everyone left the brownstone, and we worked in companionable silence until at least one of us was done.
“No.” With a frown, he went back to sitting behind his desk.
My stomach jolted. Lately, even with all the shit going on, I was still done before he was. He could just about make me melt into a puddle with nothing more than a kiss or those magic hands, yet I was failing miserably at helping him relax.
Liam typed on his laptop while I texted with Skye.
Skye: I’m SO on board with this!! It’s one hell of a good idea. I’m also going to give Sam a piece of my mind. I don’t care if he has to deliver the furniture personally; this is unacceptable.
Tess: You do that.
Skye was great at putting the fear of God in everyone, though to be honest, this wasn’t Sam’s fault at all. Still, extra motivation never hurt.
I quickly drafted a newsletter, specifically aimed at our VIP segment. Once I was done, I looked up at Liam. He was frowning at his screen.
I got up, sashaying my hips in an exaggerated manner as I went over to him, hoping to catch his eye. I didn’t. He only noticed me when I sat at the edge of his desk, mirroring his earlier pose.
“Mr. Harrington, you’re so focused lately that my attempts at seduction go unnoticed. I’m losing my touch,” I said in a mock serious tone.
“Not at all. I just have a lot on my mind.”
I sat in his lap, shimmying a little. “Tell me.”
“It’s not worth it.” He waved a hand, planting a quick kiss on my chin. He trailed his fingers down the sides of my body before attacking my armpits. I shrieked with laughter, hanging on to him for dear life.
“Stop. Stop! How did you know I have ticklish armpits?
“Because that’s where you tickled me. Figured it was your weak spot too.”
When I straightened up, I noticed he was still not in playful mode. He was still thinking about his troubles...which he wasn’t sharing.
Lately, he was evasive whenever I asked him about his day. I didn’t want to insist too much, though. What if he got sick of my questions? No, no, no. I didn’t want to go down that negative path of thinking. He didn’t have to share every thought like I did. Maybe I couldn’t help him relax right now, but I could love him with all my heart and hope that was enough.
“Well, okay, since you’re so secretive, I’m just going to have to try all my tactics to get that sexy smile I like so much.”
He leaned back in the chair, wiggling his eyebrows. “All of them?”
“Every single one.”
“How will you start?”
I traced my finger in a small circle around the top button of his shirt. “I could start here...” Then I quickly moved to the last button right over his belt. “Or here...”
He groaned a bit, rocking his hips a few inches forward. I pushed him back playfully.
“Nah...I don’t think I’ll start here after all.”
Something flashed in his eyes, and I knew I was close to unleashing all that passion inside him. I leaned in, kissing the side of his neck, then his Adam’s apple.
“I love you,” I whispered.
“I love you too, babe. If you go on like that, this desk is going to see some very inappropriate things.”
I smiled against his skin, shimmying some more in his lap. “Just the words I was hoping to hear.”
***
On the day of the pre-opening party with the family and our VIP clients, I was in a complete frenzy. To be honest, I’d been like that ever since we decided on the idea. Thankfully, a certain sexy man doted on me all the time, as if he knew it was just what I needed.