Page 94 of #Bossholes

“Are you kidding me?”

She shakes her head and takes a few steps back. I’ll take that as a formal invite inside.

Snagging the groceries I left in the hall, I carry them in her apartment and close the door behind me. She glances at the bags, curiosity written all over her face, but she doesn't ask.

“So, you fucked up. Surprise, you’re human. The work shit we can figure out, but we have no intention of firing you. And this”—I put a finger under her chin, forcing her to meet my eyes—“us, it’s more important than the firm.”

“You sure?” Her voice is quiet. Small. Hate that too.

Damn, I really have taken a turn down the salty road today.

“Positive.” And because I can’t help it, I lean down and press my lips to hers. It’s been far too long since I’ve tasted her, and I need my fix.

Her arms wind around my neck, and she opens beneath me. I slide my tongue into her eager mouth and fuck it like I want to fuck her, nice and slow with deep strokes.

I kiss her with everything I have, with everything I am, and when I pull back, we’re both breathless. “Now what are you doing, tonight?”

She blinks several times, her mouth opening and closing a few times. She blinks again and gives herself a slight shake. “I was about to make dinner.”

“But you’re a terrible cook. Or do you mean, order dinner?”

“I was going to try to cook. We do need to eat something, and as much as Colin would love it, we can’t survive on pizza and Chinese food.” She laughs, finally giving me a small smile. It’s not much, but it’s a start. “Do you have a better suggestion?”

“Yep. I’m going to make us dinner.” I press a quick kiss to her lips and head to the kitchen, leaving her to stare after me.

She better get used to home cooked meals, especially with her being so close. She may not like it as much, but I love that she’s living right below us. Don’t get me wrong, I’d drive to the ends of the earth to be with this woman, but it’s nice having her so conveniently located.

I know she wants to move as soon as Colin is recovered, but we really need to figure out something more long term between the four of us.

Maybe we can buy a house and all move in together.

I’m full of good ideas today. #Winning.

“Wait.” She’s slightly vertically challenged and scrambles to keep up, peeking in the bags as soon as I put set them on her island. “You’ve been holding out on me, Wallace. I didn’t know you could cook. Did your parents teach you or a girlfriend?”

Her voice raises a few octaves on the last word, and I have to laugh. Until her, I didn’t do girlfriends. “No, my parents never cooked. They were too rich, too lazy, and honestly, way too drunk most of the time. Someone would have lost a finger or burned the house down. They did, however, have an excellent cook who made sure I knew how to take care of myself when I left for college.”

She nods and jumps up on the counter next to me, her gaze dropping to her clutched hands. “Are your parents…?”

“Alive?” I hedge, filling a large pot with water, salting it, and putting it on the stove. “Yeah. My dad was a lawyer too. He retired early, and he and my mom moved to the south ofFrance. We aren’t close, never were. Growing up, I was more of a nuisance than a child.”

“I know what that’s like.”

“And your parents?” I send a quick glance her way, grab the chicken breasts from the bag, and move around the kitchen, gathering the rest of my supplies. When she doesn’t answer right away, I add, “Don’t think I don’t notice how you avoid talking about them. Did they ditch you guys growing up or…”

She sighs, the sound barely audible yet holding a weight I suspect she’s carried for years. “They died about three years ago. Got loaded at a friend's house and then wrapped their car around a telephone pole. We were lucky they didn’t kill anyone else.” Her voice hardens, and her hands ball into fists on her lap. “They’re the reason Colin can’t hear.”

“But he’s got you to take care of him.”

“I wish I was around more for him growing up, but I was so focused on getting into law school. When they died, I was two years into my undergrad and had to drop out. My brother became the most important thing in my life.”

I grab her hands and place them on my shoulders, wedging myself between her legs. “He’s lucky to have you.”

She nods, wraps her arms around me, and snuggles against my chest. I stand there holding her for a few minutes. I’d like to say I’m loaning her some of my strength, but in truth, she’s stronger than all of us. This beautiful brave woman dropped out of school and sacrificed her dream to make sure her brother had a good life.

It takes a special person to put someone unequivocally above themselves.

She deserves everything, and I know when I talk to the guys, they’ll agree, if she still wants to go to school, we’ll make it happen. She’s not alone. We’ll be there for her and Colin. We’ll pick up the slack, help him with homework, fuck, we’ll help herwith homework. Wyatt, Brantley, and I will make sure all her dreams come true. Hers and Colin’s.

---