The Deal (London Suits 0.50)

“Come for me.”

His words sent me over the edge, and I shattered around him, and he was right there with me.

I lay in his arms, completely spent, with him still inside me, and his arms came around me, running up and down my back. He brushed my hair off my face and kissed my forehead lightly.

“I could get used to this.” The sincerity in his voice had me tipping my head up to look at him.

“Get used to what?”

“You and me. Together.”

“Me too.” I smiled shyly at him. I sat up carefully, letting him slide out of me, then stood up, wobbling on shaky legs. “I’m going to use the bathroom.” When I reached the door, I turned back to see him still lying there, with his hand flung over his face. Fuck, he was so gorgeous. And mine. Hopefully. Crossing my fingers for luck, I walked inside his ensuite bathroom, closing the door softly behind me.

15

Avery

Ethan broke the kiss, looking dazed. “I’m going to be late for my meeting. Got to go.” He stood, striding towards his office door, then paused, turning back towards me, uneasiness in his dark eyes. “Babe…” He met my gaze. “I’m sorry to do this to you. Could we reschedule tonight’s meal? I need to get the Stark project wrapped up by the end of the week, before we run out of time. Delia can check my calendar and book in another date.” Noticing my downcast face, he spun on his heel and beckoned me over. “Come here. Please.” As I reached him, he wrapped me in his arms. “I really am sorry. Next week will be quieter, I promise.” He kissed my forehead, then released me and was gone, leaving me standing there.

Alone.

Again.

We’d been seeing each other for four weeks and two days…not that I was counting. We’d been keeping it quiet in the office so we didn’t attract attention to ourselves, but I was pretty sure that everyone knew. He was trying, he really was, but there was always something work related that took priority. I’d known it would happen—Barrett London meant everything to him. I’d hoped, though, that he could carve out a niche for me in his life. So far, he’d cancelled more plans than he’d kept. I could understand him not having time during the day—we were at work, after all—but his work seemed to be taking up most of his evenings and weekends, too, leaving very little room for anything else.

Sighing, I headed out of his office and sank into my chair.

“Want a coffee?” Luke stood, stretching.

“Ooh, yes please. Actually, could I have a tea? Thanks.”

He returned a few minutes later with a mug of tea and a chocolate digestive biscuit.

“Yum, just what I needed.” I dunked the biscuit in my tea, then took a big bite.

“Shh, the biscuits are from Eddie’s personal stash. Don’t tell him.” Luke winked at me.

“My lips are sealed.” I leaned forwards, across our desks, the words tumbling from my mouth before I could change my mind. “Luke? Could I ask you something about Ethan?”

“What?” Luke stared at me curiously.

“Has he always been this…busy?”

> “With work? Yeah. It’s his company, Aves. His first love. He lives for it.”

“Does he cancel plans with you?”

“What’s this about? Is this about you and him?” Luke’s eyes narrowed, and he placed his mug down, giving me his full attention. I withered under his intense gaze.

“Never mind,” I muttered. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

He sighed. “Okay. To answer your question, yeah, sometimes he cancels plans. Things happen.” Shrugging, he continued. “Did—”

His words were cut off by Eddie’s shout.

“Who took my biscuits?”

Luke and I stared at each other, wide-eyed. “Quick! Hide the evidence.” He shoved the rest of his biscuit into his mouth and swept the crumbs from his desk. Laughing, I discreetly hid the other half of mine underneath some of the papers that littered my desk. Thankful for the chance to drop the subject, I grabbed a stack of receipts from my in tray and started tapping away on my computer, pretending to be engrossed in my work.