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We went to the movies, and I usually like to sit in the middle. Too close makes my neck hurt. But I had to relent once Enzo explained why we sat in the back row like I did with Laura and Christina. That just made me want to curl into his lap and never go outside again. We can’t have anyone who could sit behind us to stab or shoot us. The upside was his men sat down by the entrances, and he bought the entire back row. Our hands did a lot while we watched the movie.
All in all, it’s been wonderful spending time with him, and I don’t feel claustrophobic from it. Instead, I feel like I have an attentive boyfriend who makes me laugh, helps me around the house, and is just all around amazing. He’s spent the night at my place all week, and it surprises me how little I notice suddenly sharing my space with someone else.
I know it started out as a precaution, but I love it. I dread the idea of him going back to his place and not sleeping beside him every night. Sometimes I get too hot from being curled around him, so I roll over. He follows me in his sleep. I don’t get any cooler, but I love that he wants me even when he doesn’t realize it.
And speaking of wanting me. Holy shit. The sex just keeps getting better. We haven’t done anything kinkier than a few spanks and tying my wrists to my headboard. I want more, but he hasn’t suggested it. I guess he’s waiting for me, but I don’t know what I want to ask for.
The only issue is that I have no idea what’s going on. I’ve come home twice to him suddenly hanging up after saying a couple words in Italian. He’s come home three times frustrated, but he’s gotten his irritability in check the moment we hug.
I don’t know if this is just regular business or about me. I really don’t feel comfortable asking him about that. What am I allowed to ask without being too intrusive? Do I want to ask and get the blank stare Serafina gave me the night she lent me clothes? Do I want to hear him brush me off or be evasive? Do I want him to lie by thought, word, or deed? There’s the lapsed Lutheran in me.
I don’t want anything that could put a dent in what’s been blissful. It’s been so good that I can almost forget why he’s staying with me and pretend we’re a normal couple in love. Neither of us has said that yet, but we’re getting closer. I can feel it. I’ve caught myself more than once to keep from saying it, and I think he has too.
I’m in the office and need to focus on my work rather than daydreaming about my smoking hot boyfriend. I gotta admit it was thrilling seeing women check him out when we went to the movies and knowing he was with me. Maybe he intentionally ignored them, or maybe he’s so used to people staring that he doesn’t notice anymore. But he was wholly focused on me, and it made me feel like the most special woman in the world. He had no qualms about public displays of affection. His arm wrapped around my waist with his hand practically on my ass. It was just the right level of possessive and sexy.
I buzz my assistant through the intercom.
“Haley, do you have my calendar?”
I like a printed version at the beginning of the week, so I can keep track of what gets changed. I highlight moved meetings depending on whether the client rescheduled or I did. I want to make sure I never move things around more than the clients do. It means I’m at their whim, but it also makes billing easier.
“Yeah. I moved your Shapiro meeting to twenty minutes from now. He wanted to be here first thing this morning, but I told him you were unavailable until nine.”
She hands me the papers with his appointment box highlighted. Fuck. I didn’t realize he was even on my calendar for this week. I haven’t had to deal with him since running into him at the event. Enzo was with me then, but Marco’s in the hallway today. My nervousness shoots through the roof.
“Can you get Kelsey to sit in with us? Oh, and Murphy too.”
I hate thinking I need a man in there, but I do. I don’t trust Simon not to say something in front of a female paralegal. I doubt he would in front of a male one. I guess Susan overruled Anderson since fuck face is being allowed back in the office.
“Both?”
“Yes. And send them to me now, please.”
I click around on my computer until his files pop up. It’s only a moment later that both paralegals step into my office.
“Close the door, please.”
Murphy does as I ask as Kelsey comes to stand in front of my desk.
“I’d like you both present when I meet with Simon Shapiro. There was an incident the last time he was here, and I don’t feel comfortable being alone with him.”
“What did that asshat do?”
Kelsey crosses her arms and looks ready to come to my defense.
“The specifics aren’t important. I don’t trust him alone or with only one other person. Take notes. Speak up if you see fit. Just look like you’re in here to work.”
Murphy listens and only nods. He’s usually chattier and nosier. When he turns back to the door, I watch him. I dash my glance to Kelsey, who just shrugs and follows him out. I assume they’re both going to get their note pads. I move my laptop to my conference table and gather the paper documents I need.
I debate whether I should tell Enzo before or after the fact. If I don’t tell him at all, and he finds out, he’ll know I intentionally kept it from him. I don’t know how he would find out, but he’s resourceful. I’m at the table answering emails, my nervousness turning to resentment, when Haley announces he’s here and shows him in. Kelsey and Murphy follow him and slide into chairs at the table.
“Good morning, Mr. Shapiro.”
“Good morning, Michelle.”
The informality rankles since we’ve always addressed one another professionally. At least before he tried to molest me. Unfortunately, New York requires actual physical harm to claim assault. In other states, intentionally making someone reasonably in fear of physical harm is grounds for the charge.
He touched me, but the marks on my throat faded quickly. It would have been difficult to prove it, so it left me with little recourse. I didn’t want to push the issue and bring Enzo into it as the only witness. It would open the door to Simon claiming Enzo threatened his life. That would end up dominating the situation, cause more problems for my boyfriend, and remedy nothing for me.
