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“Making sure we don’t get interrupted.” His voice sends goosebumps down my spine. I should be worried—he’s probably angry with me—but being trapped in the elevator with him, being near him, has me questioning how I ever walked away from him in the first place.
“How’s the new job?”
Disappointment settles in my belly at the innocuous question. “Oh. It’s good. Still getting used to it, but so far I like it.”
His brows furrow and I want to run my fingers over them, ease the worry from his face. “Where is it again?”
A nervous laugh escapes me. “I’m over at Hype. I’m a junior copywriter and copyeditor. So far they mostly have me proofreading stuff other people have edited, but I’m enjoying it. My editor said she would start assigning me articles next week.”
Theo nods, his eyes never leaving mine. Is he searching for something in my expression the same way I’m searching his? For some glimmer that he misses me, that I haven’t ruined everything.
“So you’re writing? That’s great. I’m really happy for you, Sophie.”
“I miss you.” I blurt out before my brain can stop me. “God, I miss you so much.”
For a second the silence in the elevator is deafening. My heartbeat pounds in my ears and I hold my breath, shocked at my confession. “Teddy, I’m so—”
My apology is swallowed by his searing kiss and Theo’s arms pulling me flush against his body. Our tongues dance and his hands are everywhere but it’s not enough, not close enough. My fingers wrap around the lapels of his jacket, pulling myself up on my toes as I pour everything into the fire between us.
With a groan, Theo backs me into the corner of the elevator. Sliding his hands down my sides, he cups my ass and lifts me up, pinning me against the wall with his hips. His already-hard cock teases me as he grinds his hips against me, while devouring my lips with his. “Fuck, Sunshine, I missed you too.” He groans between kisses.
The clearing of a throat behind him startles a gasp from me and I pull back. Theo’s assistant, Mercedes, stands in the open elevator doors, a knowing smirk on her face. “I see you’re back early…from lunch.”
Theo grins at me, a hint of the playful man I met outside these walls peeking through. “Mercedes, cancel the rest of my afternoon. And take a long lunch.”
“Consider it done. Sophie, it’s good to see you,” Mercedes adds as Theo pulls me past her.
“Hi Mercedes, it’s good to see you too!” I call over my shoulder as Theo drags me towards his office. “Teddy, slow down!” I laugh as I trip over my own feet, giggles escaping me. The fizzing in my veins from earlier has moved into my heart, Theo’s hand in mine pushing away the loneliness that has been eating at me since I left Mailbox.
The floor is empty, since only Theo and Mercedes have offices up here, the conference rooms flanking his office abandoned on a Friday afternoon. Theo looks back over his shoulder at me, a predatory glint in his eye. My giggles die on my lips as his gaze drops to my breasts. “Sunshine…”
“Yes?”
“Say it again.”
Neither of us look where we’re going as we walk towards his office, the open door beckoning. “Say what?”
He drags me through the open door, spinning me past him to slam it shut and lock it. “Do you know how many times I have dreamed of this? Of having you here in my office?” He stalks toward me, unbuttoning his jacket and sliding it off his shoulders, I back up and he follows, dropping his jacket onto the chair next to me. My ass hits the edge of his desk and I squeak. There’s nowhere to go, nowhere to hide from this man who has pursued me relentlessly, openly, with no pretense that he wants anything but me.
“Let me be absolutely clear, Ms. Alexander.”
I shiver at the sound of my name on his lips.
“I never stopped missing you, or wanting you. Not seeing you every morning when I arrive, and every evening when I leave, has been agony. I’ve been an absolute terror around here since the day you quit, growling at everyone, simply because you’re not here.” He steps closer, dipping his head low to whisper in my ear, his lips tracing along my skin as he confesses. “But you, more than anyone, know that I only play the part of the asshole boss. My soft, squishy heart can’t take it if you’re not willing to do this for real. No pretense, no hiding.”
Tears gather in my eyes as his words penetrate my stubborn heart. I can’t speak, my mind and heart overwhelmed as he kisses along my neck and under my jaw. My hands grip the desk behind me, holding me up or anchoring me in place, I don’t know.
He’s not angry with me? After all the times I pushed him away—insisted I didn’t want this, that I was fine without him—he can so easily tell me he still wants me, still wants us?
“How can you still want me? I was such a bitch to you.” I croak out, my voice breaking on the last words.
“You were scared. Protecting yourself and Emma. If anyone understands about lashing out to protect yourself, it’s me. I’d just never experienced it from the other side before you.” His lips are warm and tender against my skin, contrasting with the rough stubble of his beard. One of his hands wraps around my waist, pulling us close. “And you were an asshole, not a bitch. You weren’t trying to hurt me on purpose.”
“But I did hurt you. And for that I’m sorry.” I let go of the desk to run one hand against his cheek, burying my fingers in his hair. With a groan, Theo abandons my neck to bury his face between my breasts kissing and nipping at the swells, as I lightly stroke the soft strands beneath my palm.
“Apology accepted, but you haven’t answered my question.” His hands slide up my ribs to cup my breasts.
“Teddy…” His name is a sigh as his thumbs brush over my nipples, heat pooling in my core. Any resistance I had is gone, evaporated by the heat in his touch. “I don’t work for you anymore.”
