Before the Storm

Chapter 12

Ihead to the office today even though I feel like being anywhere but here, but there is money to be made and paperwork to be filled out. Time is money, after all. I just wish Meadow would text me. I want to know what she is thinking. I know she can handle our lifestyle. Sometimes I wish the guys and I had done something different with our lives, but then the mundane lifestyle would never be for me. I like the danger we put ourselves in every day. It gives me the high I need.

My secretary has been annoying all day, or maybe it is just my attitude. But she is about to get fired if she calls me again to let me know about some bullshit investment. Stacey is a nice girl, but she has been getting on my nerves lately. She keeps making advances toward me. I don’t want her, and I never mix business with pleasure. I hear the phone on my desk start to ring, so I answer on the first ring.

“Hello, sir. Sorry to bother you, but there is a Miss Meadow here to see you. She says it’s urgent. I already told her you didn’t have time for walk-ins, but she was rather insistent,” Stacey informs me with a little bit of attitude.

“She isn’t a client, Stacey. You will do well to remember that. She is allowed in my office whenever she wants, whether I have a client or not. Do you understand? Now send her in,” I spit out. Maybe I should have tried to sound more professional with my assistant, but my heart started to race when she said Meadows’s name. Her coming here has me imagining the worst news. After all, it hasn’t even been twenty-four hours.

“Yes, sir. She is on her way in now,” Stacey replies sheepishly.

I hang up, not giving Stacey a reply. I may be considered an asshole at work, but I am great at my job. Moments later, Meadow opens the door and walks in. My heart skips a beat just looking at her. She is so fucking gorgeous it’s unbelievable. I openly gawk at her beauty while she looks around my office. Our eyes meet when she sees me standing next to the window, and I get lost in her beautiful brown eyes. Time feels like it stops when I stare at her. I don’t know how I’ll be able to give her up if she decides she doesn’t want us.

“I didn’t expect you here so soon. I know we threw a lot at you this morning,” I say and cross the room to get closer to her.

“When I got home, I lay in bed, expecting to read but fell asleep instead, so I am sorry I haven’t texted you back. When I woke up, I sat down with my roommate. She asked how my night went, and I told her it was one of the best nights of my life. I truly mean that, but then I told her you dropped a bomb on me that I wasn’t so sure I could live with,” she explains. I nod in reply, knowing what is coming next.

In an attempt to prepare for her rejection, I shut my eyes, unable to look at her face when she tells me she doesn’t want us. Waiting for her to speak, I tense up, but then I feel her soft lips press against mine. I open my eyes and, sure enough, she is kissing me. Tears start to build behind my eyes, and I throw everything I have back into this kiss and devour her mouth. I wrap my hands around her waist and drag her close to my body. My only thought right now is how amazing this woman is and how good she fucking tastes. She tastes like a sugary cupcake, and I need more. My tongue demands entry, and she gives me access. I don’t hesitate to take my fill of her. Meadow is my addiction, and I never want to be sober again.

We finally break apart, gasping for air. I still can’t wrap my head around Meadow kissing me. I assume this wasn’t a goodbye kiss but making sure, I ask, “That kiss wasn’t a goodbye kiss, was it?”

“No, Knox, it wasn’t, but there are some things I want to discuss with all of you. I just couldn’t let another minute go by without you knowing that I want this with all of you,” Meadow says, smiling from ear to ear, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“That is music to my ears, baby girl. I technically have a few hours left of work, but since I am the boss, why don’t we head home and talk through everything going on in your pretty head?” I smirk. She nods yes. I ring up Stacey, telling her to cancel the rest of my day and that I am headed home. She sounds shocked but agrees to call my last two appointments for the day and reschedule. Shutting off my computer and grabbing everything I need, I take Meadow’s hand, and we exit my office. Stacey zones in on our joined hands and has a look of disappointment on her face that she quickly masks. I take note of it, though, and decide to talk to her about it later.

Since Meadow drove here, we take separate cars home. Looking at the piece of crap she drives, I worry she won’t make it a block, let alone all the way to our house. I wonder how she would feel about an upgrade. I can’t have my girl driving around in something that will probably fall apart if you look at it wrong. When I get to the house, I will talk to the boys about it. I bet they will agree.

We both pull into my driveway, and I park right behind her, laughing about blocking her in. She can’t leave now, which makes me happy to know she isn’t going anywhere. I unlock the front door and let her walk ahead of me; I am a gentleman, after all.

When she walks inside, I get a good look at her ass. She is wearing leggings that hug her in all the right places, and I groan and bite my lip, my dick hardening in my pants, all because of her fucking out of this world ass. Leggings should be illegal in public, at least when Meadow is wearing them. I discreetly adjust myself, but Meadow must notice because she starts to chuckle.

I yell for the guys, not hearing anything right away. They must be in their rooms because the TV is off, and no one is sitting on the couch. I saw them leave work around noon since they didn’t have anything on the calendar for the rest of the day. Movement upstairs, lets me know they heard me.

“Hey, you’re home early. Did you hear anything from Meadow yet, also did you bring food home? I am fucking starving,” Phoenix asks as he starts descending the stairs.

“Well, if you hurry your ass down here and shut up, then you can see for yourself,” I say and sigh while Meadow is over here chuckling, amused by Phoenix. He finally graces us with his presence, walking a little slower since he is still recovering from the bullet wound. When he turns the corner and sees Meadow standing next to me, his eyes light up, his cheeks turn a bright pink, and he smiles so wide, he could be the joker.

“Oh my God, you’re here! Knox, she’s here! Wait, is it a good here or a bad here? Oh, who cares. You’re here!” Phoenix says, grabbing Meadow and pulling her into his arms. She looks like she can’t breathe with how tightly he is holding onto her, but she wraps her arms around him anyways.

“Enough, let her go. You’re hurting her, and you shouldn’t be doing much since you still have a fucking gunshot wound!” I scold. He immediately releases her and apologizes. Aidan starts making his way down and stops when he sees Meadow. She gives him a quick wave, and he nods. I stare Aidan down, letting him know I am unhappy with how he greeted her. “Let’s move this to the table. Meadow has a few things she wants to discuss with us. No, I do not know what they are, so don’t bother asking me,” I tell the guys.