I pressed my fingers over his lips. “Let’s say anyone not on your personal enemies list.”
“In that case, no.”
“That means you don’t deserve more pain, either. And let’s face it, being away from me will definitely cause you pain.”
He smiled and cupped my cheek. “Truer words were never spoken. I’m still scared of fucking this up.”
“How about this?” I kissed his forehead. “If you can’t believe in yourself yet, let me believe in you enough for both of us.” I kissed his cheek. “Because I’m not sure we have other options here.” I brushed my mouth against his lips. “Because I’m already in too deep to walk away unscathed.”
He rolled gently on top of me and kissed me. His lips were soft and plying. I opened for him. He slanted his mouth and dove deeper into me, setting me on fire from inside out.
When we came up for air, I wrapped my arms round his neck. “Ben Hayes, are you agreeing to date me?”
“On one condition.” He rolled onto his back and took me with him. “You’ll have to be on top tonight. Otherwise, it might kill me.”
I straddled him and wiggled until he moaned. “Did I say you were getting laid tonight?”
“Pretty sure you did. At least, I heard it somewhere. Maybe I said it inside my head.” He arched under me, as hard and ready as I was wet and willing. “What if I ask really, really nicely?”
I pulled off my shirt, unclasped my bra, and tossed them both aside. “Then it’s possible I can be persuaded.”
After Ben fellinto a deep sleep, I crawled out of bed and went to the bathroom, where I borrowed his toothbrush and washed my face. When I crawled back into bed, he turned from his back onto his side and pulled me against him.
“Glad you’re back,” he murmured.
I snuggled up tight against him. “I was gone less than ten minutes.”
“Mm. I mean back in my life.”
I kissed his shoulder. “If you like it so much, remember not to leave next time.”
He kissed the back of my head. “I will. And if I go all stupid again, remember to come after me.”
23
BEN
Iheaded down the stairs to scrounge up some breakfast at 0730, half an hour later than I’d planned and still a little worse for wear. Through the half-glass walls, I spotted Kat and Sam in Kat’s office and Pasco in the IT room, talking either to himself or someone on the other end of his computer.
I waved to all of them and headed into the kitchen. Wheeler and Bloom were there again. This time, instead of staring at their phones, they were poring over blueprints. I patted Bloom on the shoulder as I passed him on my way to the coffeepot. I said a general, “Good morning. Are those plans for the L&M office building?”
“Yes,” Bloom confirmed. “There are two more sets printed out for you and Lang, assuming he ever shows.”
Wheeler glanced up at me and grinned that shit-eating grin. “He manages to look like holy hellandlike he got laid last night,” he said to Bloom. “The boy has talent.”
“The boy is nearly thirty years old,” I muttered. “And when I’ve recovered from yesterday, I’ll be happy to kick your ass over comments like that.”
Wheeler didn’t stop grinning. “So, I’m smarter and better-looking than you and have three years’ experience on you. It’s good to be me.”
I didn’t have the energy to engage with him before breakfast, so I dropped it and focused on filling a plate with the French toast and bacon that were in the warmer on the stove. “Is this Pasco again?”
“Yep,” Bloom said. “Jensen, who’s technically Pasco’s boss, but I wouldn’t mention that to Pasco, started the tradition. The majority of the meals here come pre-prepped, but most days, breakfast is courtesy of IT.”
“What kind of strange fucking organization have I stumbled into?” I sat down at the table and started on the French toast, which was a fucking party in my mouth. I might have pulled a look that was something like my O face.
“Right?” Wheeler said. “Don’t question it, mate, just thank the breakfast gods and roll with it.”
“Understood.” I pointed my fork at the blueprints. “Since this operation is in two days, can I assume there are planning sessions today?”
