I feel her gaze on me as I walk across the cafeteria, but I keep my attention on Robert and the story he’s telling. If Taylor wants me to hide our relationship, it’s probably better I keep a safe distance in a room with so many spectators.
In the afternoon, she comes into the trailer to do some work. I’m on the phone with our client, discussing the progress of the project.
“The concrete pour went well. Did you get the photos we sent?”
Taylor finds the papers I left for her on Hudson’s desk and starts flipping through them. I move my gaze down her slowly as the client asks about the next steps.
“We’ll begin framing this week, so you’ll be able to see the progress during your site visit in two weeks. Soon after, we’ll install the air barriers.”
Taylor frowns at a piece of paper and then carries it over, mouthing her question.
“Does this need to be filed?”
I nod and she turns to leave, but I catch her wrist, keeping her there beside me. My thumb brushes her pulse point and I lean back in my chair, looking up at her, appreciating this quiet moment after a hectic morning.
The client asks more about the site check and I confirm that my partners will be here as well. “Steven will walk you through the framed building so you and your team can confirm everything has been placed in accordance with the blueprints, even if it’s still in progress.”
Taylor smiles down at me and I tug her closer, bringing her down onto my lap.
She protests, but I shake my head, knowing she’ll do as I say while I’m on the phone. She’s nothing if not a dutiful employee.
I wrap my arm around her waist. She sits perfectly quiet with her head against my chest. A sudden warmth takes hold of me and I realize I’d want her to stay here like this all day if it were possible.
“While I’ve got you here, I got a call from our interiors coordinator in Austin and she mentioned that your team was still wavering on window selections for the patio on the west elevation. We’ll need to put in that order soon if you don’t want delays.”
The client assures me they’ll confer with the Austin office and make their decision soon, and then the call ends.
Taylor is still on my lap, but when I set my phone back down on my desk, she attempts to stand.
“Someone is going to walk in.” She frowns as I pull her back down onto me. “Ethan…”
I silence her protests with a soft kiss, my hand wrapping around the back of her neck. She doesn’t give in to it right away; in fact, she sits perfectly still while I tease her mouth, parting her lips. She smiles and leans against me and I tilt my head, finally kissing her deeply. Her hand flattens over my heart and she softens, accepting my advances and meeting them with desires of her own. Our tongues touch and her moan is hot wax dripping down my skin. I pull her up higher on my lap and slip my hand between her jean-clad thighs.
The door to the trailer opens and Taylor flies off me, the back of her hand flat against her mouth as Robert walks in with Hudson. They’re talking animatedly about a basketball game when Robert’s gaze catches on Taylor’s back. He frowns and glances to me, but my steely gaze warns him not to say a word. Hudson is, again, completely oblivious.
“If you wouldn’t mind scanning that,” I say, picking up the paper Taylor brought over earlier and adding another sheet on top of it that outlines the notes from my phone call with our client.
She nods silently and rushes back over to the desk.
I feel guilty for what could have just happened, and I’m not surprised when Taylor leaves a few moments later without meeting my eyes.Chapter 28TaylorEthan’s in the shower when I make it back to the cabin later that night. I purposely stayed away after dinner, trying to cool my temper, but it didn’t work, and when I pull that door open and step into the steaming bathroom, I’m still annoyed with him. What if Robert and Hudson had seen us!? What if they did see us and just decided to keep their lewd comments to themselves?!
Ethan is rinsing his hair, his tall, toned body on full display. He turns and spots me, and there’s not even a hint of embarrassment on his face. The man is too arrogant for his own good.
“You nearly got us caught today,” I accuse, my voice harder than I thought it’d be.
I’m glad. I don’t want him knowing how close I am to pouncing on him.
He soaps up his palms and lathers his chest and arms.