Page 17 of Brighter Together

Tommy doesn’t answer straight away. His gaze stays on mine, and for once there’s none of the usual impatience in it.

Only concern.

It does something stupid to me.

For the last half an hour, Lee has had me checking doors and watching my phone, every message carrying the threat of what might happen if I don’t do what he wants. Now Tommy is standing in front of me, angry on my behalf because another man ignored a no.

The contrast catches somewhere behind my ribs.

“I mean it,” he says, his voice quieter now. “If he makes you uncomfortable, tell me.”

I swallow. “I will.”

Tommy watches me for another second before nodding.

“All right.”

He turns towards his office, one hand sliding along the edge of my desk as he passes.

Those bloody hands again.

“I forwarded you an email from the bank,” I say before my brain wanders somewhere deeply inappropriate. “You need to look at it before lunch.”

“Right.”

“And your coffee’s ready in a minute.”

He glances towards the machine. “I didn’t ask for one.”

“You’ve been awake since five.”

For the briefest moment, something softer crosses his face.

“Thanks, Ella.”

“You’re welcome, sir.”

He stops.

I bite the inside of my cheek as he very slowly turns his head towards me.

“I told you.”

I give him my most innocent smile. “What?”

“You know what.”

“I’m being respectful.”

A tiny muscle moves at the corner of his mouth.

“Of course you are.”

He disappears into his office and closes the door behind him.

A ridiculous little burst of happiness fizzes through me.

Whatever else happens today, at least I’ve discovered one extremely entertaining way to get under Lord Grumpiness’ s skin.