AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Outwardly, he nodded, grinning as he took a step back from the work table in his office to inspect our finished portfolio in all its glory. A dozen posters were spread across the tabletop and ready to be displayed.
“Holy shit,” he murmured in awe, scanning his gaze across our hard work. “I think we’re done. I think we’re really done.”
“And just in time, too,” I said, standing beside him, my hands against my heart as I breathed out a relieved and proud breath that it was finally finished.
But my stepbrother rounded on me with an incredulous blink. “Are you kidding me? I’m usually up until midnight the night before the presentation, scrambling to get it together. I’ve never been done this early. This is awesome.” Lifting his hand for me to high five, he reiterated, “We are awesome.”
Feeling the love, I laughed and slapped my palm against his, then hopped on my toes with excitement as I turned back to the portfolio. “We really are, aren’t we? Our department has the most amazing artists ever. I wonder how Hayden’s portfolio is coming along.”
Brick laughed and nudged his shoulder into mine. “Thinking about your design? Don’t worry, kid, it’ll do fine.”
My stomach didn’t agree, but I nodded because I wasn’t sure how else to respond. “Yeah,” I said, for something to say.
Yawning, Brick checked the time, only to mutter, “Damn, I didn’t realize how late it was. Get out of here, already. I’m closing up shop. After last night, I need about twelve hours of sleep to recuperate.”
Startled to see it was nearly three hours later than I usually left work, I gathered my things and waved Brick goodbye. All the other offices were darkened. It felt strange walking the halls without light, but it reminded me of the sneaking around I’d done the night of the Halloween party, which in turn, reminded me of Ezra.
Pretty much everything reminded me of Ezra these days.
I rode the elevator to the first floor, remembering how I’d confessed to him what my name was in this very space. Then I walked outside to the parking lot and took in my rusted old beater sitting under a street light, remembering how he’d gotten two flat tires in this very lot the night before. I did a walk around my vehicle before getting in, but all my tires were fine, thank goodness.
And after that, I drove home alone, remembering how he’d tried to push me away last night. I didn’t much like being pushed away from him. I hoped he came to his damn senses… And soon. I was so over being miserable and alone.
When I made it to my neighborhood, I found a spot to park two blocks from my building and trudged home through the dark, cold night, wondering where he was and what he was doing. Had he thought anymore about where he wanted things to go with us? Was he missing me as much as I was missing him?
By the time I stepped off my elevator and onto my floor, I’d pretty much convinced myself he was never going to talk to me again, and miserable and alone were going to be my life motto whether I liked it or not.
Then I turned down the hall toward my apartment, only to find him there, waiting outside my door.
He lifted a pair of black, size eleven high heels.
My heart soared.
Ezra!
“I managed to stay away a full twenty-four hours,” he said, stepping toward me. “That’s impressive, right?”
I smiled. When he took another step, I dropped my purse and hurried to him, jumping at the last second so he’d be forced to drop the shoes and catch me.
He did with a laugh, smashing his lips against mine and then burying his face in my hair.
“I don’t know what’s going on with me,” he said into my throat. “I think I’m well and truly addicted. I kept telling myself it’d be safer for you if I just stayed away. But then this itching, nagging need to see you kept spreading through me like some kind of rash. My body knew you were just down the hall the entire day. You have no idea how badly I wanted to walk by Carmichael’s office, if only to calmly glance inside for a glimpse of you. It’s been driving me crazy. I missed you. I missed you so much.”
I turned my face to the side so I could kiss his cheek. “I missed you too.”
He clutched me harder, a moan echoing from his throat. “This is bad, isn’t it?”
“I don’t know,” I said, lightly, a smile tugging at my lips as I squirmed out of his arms so I could gather up my purse and his shoes and urge us toward my door. “I like knowing you want to see me.”
“You don’t understand,” he growled, pressing into me from behind while I fumbled to unlock my door. “This feeling is not normal. Or natural. I haven’t even known you a week. How can I become so attached so fast? That’s borderline stalker behavior, isn’t it?”
“Well… Stalkers are unwanted, for one thing. And I’m actually a fan of whatever this is you’re experiencing, so… That suggestion’s off the table. Obsession, on the other hand—”
He nodded diligently as I opened my door. “You think I’m obsessed?” he asked, following me as I turned to face him before backing into my apartment. “I’m obsessed with you, aren’t I?”
When he shut the door at his back, I bit my lip, relishing that predatory look on his face. He wanted to kiss me again.
“Well, if you’re obsessed, then I’m obsessed.”
