Page 124 of Teach Me Your Ways

“So,” I said, stalking toward her with what I hoped was a sexy grin. “Where were we?”

She raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching. “I believe you were about to make a very inappropriate comment about me livening up your office.”

“Right,” I said, closing the distance between us in two strides. My hands found her waist. I pulled her against me, my lips brushing her ear. “And then I was going to show you exactly how much I appreciate your… decorating skills.”

She giggled, the sound light and teasing, and it only made me want her more. “Grady,” she said. “We can’t.”

“Why not?” I murmured, trailing kisses down her neck. “Door’s locked. Felix is gone. No one’s going to interrupt us this time. Lift up that skirt for me.”

She laughed again, squirming in my arms as my hands slid lower, gripping her ass through that swishy skirt of hers. “Because,” she said, trying to sound serious but failing miserably, “this is your office. And we’re supposed to be professionals.”

“Professionalism is overrated,” I growled, nipping at her collarbone. “And you’re making it very hard to not want you. I don’t give a damn about professionalism right now. All I care about is you. And I’m not waiting another second to show you how much I want you.”

I saw the brief hesitation. Then, without a word, she reached down and hiked up her skirt, revealing the curve of her thighs and the edge of her lace panties. My mouth went dry.

“Good girl,” I murmured, my hands sliding up her legs to grip her hips again. I spun her around gently, pressing her front against the edge of my desk. Her hands braced against the surface as I leaned over her, my lips brushing the shell of her ear. “You’re so fucking beautiful, Cece. You have no idea what you do to me.”

She shivered under my touch, her breath coming in short, shallow gasps as I trailed kisses down the side of her neck.

“Grady,” she whispered, her voice trembling with need. “Do it.”

I unbuttoned my pants and freed myself, not bothering with anything else. Finding her wet and ready was exactly what I expected. I knew we couldn’t make it a habit to fuck in my office, but I had to have her. I promised myself I would practice more restraint in the future. The moment I slid inside her, I knew that was bullshit. I had no restraint when it came to her.

The Library was buzzing when we walked in, the usual mix of students and locals. It felt different walking in with her hand in mine. I’d never been one for public displays of affection, but with her, it felt right. Like I didn’t care who saw us or what they thought. She was mine, and I wasn’t hiding it.

Felix was already at our usual table near the back, a bottle of whiskey and three glasses waiting for us. He looked up as we approached, a grin spreading across his face. “There they are,” he said, raising his glass in a mock toast. “I thought you were going to make me drink alone.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help smiling as I pulled out a chair for Cece. “Never,” I said, sitting down beside her.

Felix poured us each a drink. He slid a glass toward Cece first, then me. “To new beginnings.”

We clinked glasses. I took a sip, the whiskey smooth and warm as it went down. I had never really given a lot of thought to the new beginnings toast. People said that shit all the time but what did it really mean? I got it now. I had just stepped into a new life. It had shit to do with my career and everything to do with Cece and Sophie.

They were my new beginning.