Page 123 of Caught in the Axe
He crossed his arms and hit me with a smile so warm I almost stumbled back. Here I was, lecturing him, almost yelling, and he was so calm and collected.
“Lila, there’s no one I believe in more than you. I’ve never seen such determination, and I’ve spent time with some incredibly successful people. I just want to invest in your potential in any way that I can. I’m so sorry if I insulted you or made you feel uncomfortable.”
My eyes stung and my throat went thick. God, he was such a grown-up. An actual man. He listened, he validated my feelings, and he apologized so willingly. What a fucking turn-on.
He opened his arms, and I walked right into them, kissing his handsome, bearded face.
“You are obnoxiously mature,” I complained.
He shrugged. “I want something real with you too. Don’t think I forgot about that part. But you have to realize that one of the keys to success is knowing when to accept help.”
“How about I promise to work on that?” I lifted a brow and nipped at his bottom lip.
He dropped his head back and groaned. “I hate that I need to leave. We have so much to talk about.”
“It’s fine. We can talk when you’re back.”
Pulling me close again, he hummed. “It’s only two days.”
I soaked in the feel of him, knowing it wouldn’t tide me over. “I’ll be here.”
He rested his chin on the top of my head. “I don’t want to leave you.”
If only we could spend the next few days talking and fucking and laughing as well as figuring out how the hell we were going to make this work when he was headed back to Boston soon and I was headed to New York.
But we were too close to the finish line now.
“I’m good.” I squeezed him in reassurance. “Just stay safe. There’s plenty of time to figure out the future.”
“As long as you’re in it, I don’t care.”
I pulled back. “I should let you get packed up. I’ve got my marching orders from Sara, and I won’t let you down, boss.”
His eyes softened. “You could never let me down.”
We regarded one another for a moment too long. I wanted to say it, but I couldn’t get the words out. It would be so natural and easy right now, here in the building where we’d first met.
But the words got stuck in my throat.
He coughed and took a step back. “I should get organized.”
I nodded, giving him some space and helping to arrange some of the papers spread out on his desk.
“You know, it’s only noon, and I’ve already yelled at two Hebert brothers today.”
Owen barked a laugh. “You want me to find Finn? You can tell him he’s too tall.”
“Ooh, I’ll tell him his hair is too shiny. That’ll wound him.”
“Or that, as a dad, he’s too perfect.”
I giggled.
“You should go for the hat trick. I find your yelling very sexy.” He gently smacked my ass.
I swatted him away. “Take care of yourself.”
Chapter 41
