Page 56 of The Edge of Summer
I hook my thumbs into the sides of my panties—a lacy black thong that I mostly wore for me, but also a little bit for him—and tug. I wiggle them down my hips and past my thighs. They hang from an outstretched finger for a moment before they drop to the floor.
His Adam’s apple bobs as he watches me. “What are you doing?” he asks.
“We already defiled my workplace,” I reply. “I think it’s only fair we do the same to yours. I promise I’ll be quiet, and no one will even know.”
I guide his hand to my waist. His palm moulds to my side, anchoring him. I can see the war he is waging with himself. The ever-responsible Luke Bowman wouldn’t dream of fucking a woman at work. But I want him to be a little reckless with me. I want to peel back the layers of propriety and watch him lose some of that control he holds so dear.
“Kiss me,” I breathe.
He shakes his head. “I can’t.”
“No one is stopping you, least of all me. If you want me, Luke, come and get me.”
I lean back, my palms braced on his desk. At this angle, my chest strains against my shirt. Luke’s eyes darken as he watches my breasts heave with every breath I take. I have all but splayed myself before him, yet he is still trying to resist.
“Goddamn temptress,” he murmurs. With reverence. With awe.
He stands abruptly, his desk chair flying backwards and hitting the wall. Then he steps between my parted thighs. I sit up, my chest meeting his abdomen. With the hand not on my waist, he grasps my chin, tilting up until his eyes can search mine.
“Are you sure about this?” he asks. “If you say yes, then you’re mine, for however long we decide to do this. I don’t share.”
“Yes.” I tip my head back in quiet relief, and then I meet his stare once again. “And for the record, Chief: I don’t share either.”
His lips curl into a smirk. “Then we have a deal.”
And then his mouth descends on mine, capturing my surprise. This is what I asked for, but I’m mildly shocked that he caved. Still, I don’t let that stop me from looping my hands around the back of his neck and tugging him closer. Need, pure and heady, washes over me. I want his hands on me; all over me.
Like our first kiss, I feel the energy flowing between us, sending tingles straight up my spine. We fit so well together, Luke’s body folding over mine like it was more than pure chance we ended up here. His hand on my waist moves,brushes my thigh, and then it slips beneath the fabric of my skirt. I widen my stance, eager for him to reach my centre again.
Except the phone ringing on his desk pulls me right out of the moment. I narrowly avoid headbutting Luke in the nose as the abrupt sound makes me jump. Judging by the look on his face, reality has come crashing back in and our moment is over.
He clears his throat. “I should probably get that.”
As Luke takes a step back, he runs a hand through his hair, fruitlessly trying to tame the strands. I smooth a hand over my ponytail, ensuring it’s still in place. Then I slide off the desk and adjust my skirt. The phone rings for another few seconds, though time seems to awkwardly stretch forever as he makes no move to pick it up. Finally, it stops, and the room descends into silence.
I bend at the waist to retrieve my discarded thong. As I stand, I fold it over in my hand before stuffing it into the pocket of Luke’s pants. Then I pat his stubbled cheek with a grin.
“See you around, Chief.”
CHAPTER
TWENTY-ONE
DELILAH
Travellingthe now-familiar road to Haven House, I think about all the ways my life has changed since moving to Kip Island in May. Not only have I found a genuine friend in Clara, but her family has welcomed mine without hesitation. One day I’ll pay them back for all the kindness they spent on strangers. I truly don’t know where I would be without them.
They make me feel a hell of a lot stronger than I am.
The hulking metal gates are open when I turn into the driveway, and after a moment, Haven House comes into view. It really is beautiful. Once I’m parked between Gabe’s truck and Clara’s Volkswagen, I hop out of the car and then help Sophia from her seat.
Clara must have heard us pull up because the front door swings open just as we ascend the steps. “No Parker today?” she asks.
I sigh. “Not today.”
When I knocked on his door to remind him it was timeto leave, he was conveniently still in bed, pretending to sleep. They say to pick your battles, and I knew that wasn’t one I would win. Not that I feel like much of a winner lately anyway.
The three of us head straight for the kitchen. Maggie and John are putting the finishing touches on the food, and Gabe sits at the table, scrolling on his phone. When Clara walks by, she flicks the back of her brother’s head.
