Page 69 of Miss Typed

He let out a heavy sigh. “All right.”

“And you don’t have to tell me about how she’s a good girl and deserves better. I’m well aware.”

He flashed me a hard look. “I would never say those words to you. Frankly, I’m happy if you’re happy.”

My jaw clenched. “But?”

“But—does she know you’re trying like hell to leave Dubai?”

“No. Not yet.”

His expression softened. “Has your plan for trying to leave here changed?”

“Definitely not.”

He expelled a long breath. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to complicate things for you or throw a wrench in things.”

No. He wasn’t. I was doing that all on my own. “She knows I’m not offering a relationship.” We’d agreed to dating; that was it. And yet I felt like shit for selling her short. “Come on. Let’s hit the gym.”

Whenever I couldn’t deal with my emotions, I punished my body. I had to concentrate on my arms and chest since my leg was so swollen, but it was still a satisfying workout. I’d feel it tomorrow for sure. I hadn’t been easy on Reid, either, but he’d done the weight routine without protest. That was the thing about a best friend. They had no qualms about sticking with you through good times and bad.

I returned to my apartment, expecting Chloe to be in my bed, but I heard the shower instead. It only served to worsen my mood. Before the accident, I wouldn’t have hesitated to join her. Now, however, I would drink my protein shake in the kitchen and sulk.

She came out of my bedroom dressed in last night’s clothes and went about searching for her shoes without noticing I was here. I took the moment to observe her. She was sexy without a clue as to her effect on a man. She didn’t need makeup or fancy clothes. She was naturally exquisite. And fuck it, she’d wanted me to be her first time. Wanted me to touch her like no other man had touched her. There was nothing selfish for wanting to take what she was giving.

“Sneaking out?”

I watched her clutch her chest, clearly startled to hear my voice.

“No, but I thought maybe you did.”

“I went to the gym. Made Reid go, too.”

She grinned. “I bet he hated every minute of it.”

“He did.”

She bit her lip. “Uh, so, I guess I’ll be going.”

Not a chance. “Come here.”

She walked slowly towards me, stopping a breath away. “Where do you want me?”

Her question made my cock take notice. As I lifted her up easily and put her on the counter, I enjoyed the way her eyes darkened with desire. “Sit on the counter with your legs spread, so I can finish eating my breakfast.”

* * *

The only downside about great sex was it made you crave more. Over the last year, I’d missed it, but my body had adjusted to self-release and going without. Now that I’d reawakened my drive, it was back in full force. And solely focused on the woman curled up with me for the second night in a row. So much for establishing “dating” boundaries or giving her time to recover. I was like an animal whose primal urges trumped everything else.

“Are you okay?” I asked in the candlelit room, the sound of our breath filling the space. We both lay there drenched with sweat, her naked body cuddled against my right side. I was careful to keep my prosthesis out of the way. Despite my leg aching, I’d kept it on during our latest venture, which had included me taking her from behind.

“I’m good. I hope your apartment walls are soundproof?”

Even with the proofing, I had no doubt we’d been loud enough to penetrate the walls, which brought up a thought. “Under no circumstances is this ever happening in the office.” This newfound physical relationship had limits. Especially since Reed had frowned on her still working for me.

“Shame. I have some definite fantasies about you and your desk.”

Flipping her over on her back, I hovered my face inches from hers, trying to convey my seriousness. “It’s not happening, Chloe. Ever.”