AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His door was open, his head down in his hands. He looked miserable. Like I felt.
“Hey, you.” My voice was hoarse, and I cleared my throat. “Can I come in?”
He jerked like he’d been hit with an electric shock, and he stood up. With his bloodshot eyes, I guessed he hadn’t slept much.
“I just called you,” he said.
I took a few unsure steps inside. “I forgot my phone at home.”
We stared at each other in silence as the seconds ticked on into what felt like years.
“I’m sorry,” we said at the same time, then laughed at the awkwardness of it all.
“I’m surprised to see you.” He stepped around his desk, muttering a rushed explanation, “Not that I’m not glad you’re here. I am. I’m really glad you’re here.”
My heart fluttered at his unmistakable tension, a sign that maybe things weren’t as bad as I anticipated. “You’re rambling.”
“I know.” He shook his head, a sad sort of smile threatening his lips. “I don’t know what to say besides I’m sorry.” He sat on the front of his desk, his shoulders hanging in defeat, and I positioned myself between his knees.
“I shouldn’t have called you materialistic or said I would leave you. It’s no excuse, but I was—”
“Angry. I know.” He placed his hands on my hips. “I was angry too. You’re right. It’s ridiculous to get so upset about a jacket. I never want you to think I care more about shit like that than I do about you.”
“I am sorry George ruined your jacket, and you’re right, if it were something of mine, I would’ve been upset. We may not hold the same value for certain things, but I want you to know I won’t ever judge you for it. It’s still strange sometimes,” I said, pausing to gather my words together, and he tugged me two inches closer. “It’s strange sometimes to remember it’s not only me anymore. I’m stubborn and stuck in my ways, and being with you is forcing me to challenge my views and…” I trailed off with a self-conscious shrug.
“Me too, Gem. As soon as I said what I did, I wanted to take it all back. I didn’t mean it. I love your place and your habits. They’re weird and wonderful, and I wouldn’t want you to be anything else than exactly what you are.” He dropped his forehead to mine, breathing his words into my mouth. “A little vegan socialist who has a devil cat and sucks at loading the dishwasher.”
I tossed my head back and laughed, feeling lighter than I had in years. Stepping backward, I held up the dark jacket from my bag. “I got this for you. It’s not real leather, and I bought it from a thrift store.”
He swiftly looped his arms inside it.
“I won’t be offended if you hate it,” I told him, tugging on the well-worn, spotted collar.
“It’s perfect. Like you. Thank you.” He pulled me into a tight hug, his nose buried deep in my hair. “I’m so sorry, Gem.”
“Me too.”
He straightened up, taking me with him, kissing away my reservations about us not fitting into each other’s lives. True, we were opposites—from our music choices and diets to our bank accounts—but that wasn’t what mattered. As long as we stayed true to each other and what we were together, we’d be okay.
“You’ll still come to the auction with me tomorrow?” I asked as he tucked a wayward strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering on my neck.
“Of course.”
When our lips met, we consumed each other with hurried licks and nips like we’d been apart for months instead of a day. Needing physical reassurance, I yanked at his tie, loosening it from around his neck, but he cursed and held me at arm’s length. “We can’t. Not here.”
I blinked around the room. I’d almost forgotten we were in his office. Although, it wasn’t like we were out in public. We were alone and would remain undisturbed. I locked his door then turned to him, smiling at his frightened rabbit look.
“Gemma, I’m working.”
“Well…” I prowled my way back to him. “It seems like you need a break.”
He checked his watch. “I have a meeting in ten minutes.”
“Perfect.” I stood on my toes, sucking and nibbling at his throat as I dragged my hands down his chest and sides until I reached his pants.
“You’re a troublemaker,” he rasped, his voice thick as I unbuckled his belt and knelt down to the floor.
“Maybe you need a little more trouble in your life.” I dropped his pants and underwear to his knees, and he let out a deep, throaty groan when I kissed his hip bone.
