He nods slowly. “Alright. I’m guessing you need a minute to catch up with your marketing consultant onthe community open house that’s coming up, right?” he says just loudly enough for those around us to overhear.
“You’re the fucking best,” I reply in a whisper, full of gratitude. Dom gives me a nod and a subtle eye roll.
“Go.”
I don’t need to be told twice. Pivoting on my good leg, I resume my quest to get to Isla. Only now, it’s not just to be near her. Dom gave me the perfect excuse to get her alone.
It takes a second to find her, but I do, standing by the bar, chatting with a few of the other admin staff. I make my way there, feeling the anticipation build. Dating in secret is not for the faint of heart. Add in her responsibilities as a mother, and it’s proving to be a huge challenge to find time together, even with working in the same office. The need I have to kiss her is insane.
Finally, I reach the group. “Evening, everyone. Sorry to be rude, but I need to borrow Isla for a minute.” I put on an apologetic expression. “I know it’s mean of me to talk shop at a party, but something’s come up with the open house.”
Isla’s eyes widen but she remains silent. Thankfully, the other two people standing with her seem to buy my ridiculous excuse. I gesture toward the hall with my hand. “It’ll just take a few minutes.”
“Sure, that’s fine,” she says quietly. Then, giving the others a smile, she follows me out of the banquet room. We walk down the hall without talking, keeping a respectable distance between us. The first empty room I find happens to be some sort of storage room, judging by the stacks of chairs and folded-up tables. But I don’t givea fuck. My need for her is borderline desperate at this point.
The second the door snicks shut behind us, I press her up against it, my hands gripping her waist tightly as I push my lips against hers. She whimpers, looping her arms around my neck and holding me just as tightly. Her fervor matches mine, and for a second, my mind ponders whether I could do more than just kiss her in here. But reality intrudes. Between my leg and the fact that there’s a room full of people waiting for our return, a few stolen kisses is the best I can hope for.
Better make it worth it.
There’s no space left between us as I lift one hand to cup her jaw, my thumb grazing her soft cheek. I do what I wanted to back in the banquet hall and rain kisses down her neck, finding the bare skin of her shoulder. Her fingers curl into the back of my neck, anchoring me there. I take a deep breath in, letting the soft scent of her fill my senses.
Moving back to her mouth, I tease the seam of her lips. They part, ever so slightly, and I feel the invitation, the desire curling even deeper between us. I deepen the kiss, letting it say all the things I know deep down I’m feeling, but equally know I can’t yet say with words.
Voices filter in through the door, and we break apart, both of us breathing heavily. I look into Isla’s eyes and see the same thought written across her face.
“Just one more,” I whisper, and she nods eagerly before pressing her mouth to mine.
But one more will never be enough. I’m not sure anything will be.
26
ISLA
“Hey Mom.”
I look up as Charlie walks into my office. “Crap.”
He drops into a chair with a smirk. “Exactly what every kid loves to hear from his only parent.”
I cover my face with my palm and let out a groan. “Sorry kid, I won’t lie, I halfway forgot you were coming for lunch. I’m super behind on work and didn’t realize it was already that time.” My son straightens and shrugs. “It’s okay. I can just play vids on my phone.”
“Vids?”
That earns me an epic eye roll. “Video games, Mom, geez.”
I chuckle. “Sorry, I don’t speak preteen.”
“Isla are you—oh, sorry.”
I look up from the email I’m trying to finish typing again, and this time it’s Luca darkening my doorway. “Hi.” Do I sound breathless? God, I hope I don’t. Not that Charlie is paying any attention to me. No, he’s actuallylifted his head from his phone and is looking at Luca as well.
“Hey Charlie, didn’t realize you were coming in today. I’ll come back later.”
“No, it’s fine, what do you need?” I say, and I guess Luca hears something in my voice, because a concerned expression covers his face as he steps into my office.
“I was just going to ask what your plans were for lunch, but it looks like you’re busy.”
“We were meant to go for lunch, but she’s gotta finish work,” Charlie pipes up, his nose back in his phone.
