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If that's Stryker, then I presume the man in his lap is his husband. Which means… I was in an elevator with my boss’s boss’s boss’s husband. Or however many it takes to get it right. I have no clue exactly how many levels of management exist between me and the man staring down the table at me.
Mr. Unknown, aka Mr. Stryker’s husband, whispers something in his ear. I can’t hear it all the way down here, but whatever it is, it makes him smile.
“You.” He points in my direction.
I nod, then announce myself. “Austen Page, sir.”
“Yes, Austen. Thank you for escorting my Aiden back to me. It’s a wonder he didn’t get turned around like last time.”
Aiden giggles and takes a sip of his drink. Neither of them elaborates on the story, so I go with a nod and a muttered, “You’re welcome” before taking my seat off to the side of the table.
The meeting begins shortly after as they go over company business. Typically, I’d focus on every word and find ways to give Evan my input. This afternoon, it becomes an impossible task.
Time passes quickly as the conversation flows through more and more business details. I finally find the focus I need around the dinner hour, to which I make sure the others are taken care of. I eat too, though I don’t much care about what it is. I’m too busy soaking up the experience of it all.
Eventually, Aiden begins to yawn as he speaks. It’s Stryker’s sign to end the discussions.
“This is all good work. I'm seeing improvement, which is what I always hope for. Let’s call it a night. I’ll be in town until tomorrow, so we can do a follow-up then if I think of anything.”
He dismisses us with a flick of his wrist. Everyone else works to flee the room, but I remain in my spot. My gaze catches on Aiden. Not because I desire him in some way or anything. It’s more that I’m fascinated by his dynamic with Stryker. He hasn’t left the man’s lap for anything other than to use the restroom twice in all the hours we’ve been here.
And even then, he simply tucked himself back in his lap once he returned. The intimacy of it all is overpowering.
I find myself wondering what it feels like. Not to be held, but to hold someone. Someone specific who has been on my mind all day.
As if I’ve conjured him with my thoughts, Corrin steps into the conference room with a sheepish look on his face. “Is Austen in here?”
Given Miguel Stryker of Stryker Global is in the room, you’d think people wouldn't freak out at Corrin’s arrival.
You thought wrong.
There are squeals mixed with gasps as they take him in. I don’t get a chance to answer before Corrin’s eyes lock on me. He grins, then moves past everyone else to get to me.
“What are you doing here?” I ask in lieu of a greeting.
He only smiles wider. “It was getting late. I hadn’t heard from you and wanted to come make sure you didn’t work yourself to the bone. The receptionist said you all were wrapping up soon. I waited outside until I heard some sound of dismissal.”
“Oh.”
I want to tell him that’s nice of him or thank him for coming to check on me. Anything to get the chaos of my mind to quiet down.
Corrin mistakes my silence for something else entirely. Or maybe it’s that he can read my mind. I’m not sure.
All I know is that he goes from standing in front of me to in my arms in a matter of seconds. From there, he’s on his tiptoes and pressing a kiss along my jaw.
Of course, I bend down even further to give him access to me. Not because of some arrangement we’ve made but more so that I enjoy his touch.
Every bit of his hands and lips on me is intoxicating. I want more of it. More than I should.
“This is an interesting turn of events.” Miguel Stryker’s voice is like an ice bath over my mood.
I turn to find him standing beside us, Aiden tucked to his side.
Corrin looks him over, his gaze assessing. “You’re the big boss, right?”
Mr. Stryker shakes his hand as he laughs. “That would be me. And you’re Corrin Ray of the band Loveless.”
“I am,” Corrin replies.
