Page 86 of Into These Eyes
Touch.
She’s touched my hands and arms a number of times. Hell, she’s cried against my chest more than once, too. But does any of that mean anything, or are they simply things friends do?
Yeah, because I’ve held Benny’s hand and hugged the guy … never.
Then there’s the time she slid her hands under my shirt so she could touch my skin. And I’d ruined that by getting a fucking hard-on. I don’t know if that’d happened because her touch felt incredible, or because it’s been so damn long since anyone has touched me that way. Which she was kind enough to say she understood.
Maybe that’s why she wasn’t fazed by my reaction earlier. But, if she believes it’s an expected response because I’ve been deprived for so long, why take the risk of me seeing her barely dressed?
“Gavin?”
I wrench my gaze from the coffee that’s now waiting for me, and stare at the spoon she’s offering.
“Everything alright? You were miles away.” Those mesmerising eyes stare up at me, perfectly portraying curiosity. I know I’ll be adding that new expression to my collection of sketches when she leaves.
“I’m right here,” I tell her with a smile. “So, that’s it?”
“That’s it. Give it a try.”
I stir in a teaspoon of sugar, bring the mug to my lips and sip. The rich flavours sliding over my tongue have every tastebud standing up and cheering.
“Damn it,” I grumble, shaking my head.
“Do not dare tell me you like instant over that.”
“I don’t have a death wish.” I take another sip to make sure I’m actually awake. “You know you’ve ruined me for life. There’s no going back after this.”
“Ha!” She beams at me with satisfaction. “Okay, so I should get in the shower and head into work. Text me your Correction officer’s number. I’ll get hold of him and explain everything.”
I nod, taking another sip as my eyes follow her until she disappears into the hallway.
Now all I have to do is get the image of her standing naked under a cascade of skin-caressing water out of my head.
Yeah, living here’s going to be a goddamn fucking breeze.
Chapter 27
Jamie
At work a few days later, in a rare moment of quiet, I bring up Gavin’s electronic file in the system so I can finish off Liam’s affidavit. Only it’s not there. I can see a few notes and my own affidavit regarding my father’s Dying Declaration, but not Liam’s. Of course, Liam’s affidavit holds far more weight than mine. I should have made a backup. But our entire firm operates in the cloud. Without a username and password, no one but staff can access it, which is why I believed it was safe.
My first thought is that I’ve saved it in the wrong file. Not something I usually do, but not the end of the world. I perform a total system search of Liam’s name, but get no results.
Positive a file can’t be deleted from the server permanently, I query the IT department. They have no luck either.
Annoyed, and worried this could happen to any document our firm saves on the server, I rise from my desk to go and tell Eric, my boss, what’s happened. Before I take two steps, Simon saunters in and plonks himself down on one of the chairs reserved for clients.
“I was just on my way to see your father,” I tell him, my skin crawling as his eyes snake up and down my body.
“Something I can help you with?” he asks my breasts.
“No,” I say, using my usual impersonal, but not impolite, tone with him.
Finally, his eyes meet mine, a slick smile parting his thin lips. “You haven’t even told me what the problem is. Maybe we could barter? I help you out …” he waves a hand in my direction, “you help me out,” he points at himself. At his crotch to be precise.
I’d like to tell him to fuck off, but that probably wouldn’t go down too well with his father. Which is the only reason I keep my mouth shut. None of the other lawyers want him around either, but here he is and now we all have to navigate with care.
“As lovely as that offer is, I’ll pass.Again.” I stride around my desk and make a dash for the door. As I move past him, I feel the slightest brush against my backside. When I spin around, one arm dangling at his side, like he’s just let it drop.
