Say You’re Mine (Falling in Love #2)

Chapter 8

8

EROS

M y girl tastes as good as I remember, but I need more. Lev stiffens for a moment before her small body melts into me. I deepen the kiss, and she doesn't try to stop me. Her tongue strokes against mine.

Last night was hell. One night in bed with Lev, and she completely destroyed me. The little brat blocked me. I saw it coming, but it still pissed me off. I repeatedly reminded myself to remain calm and patient. That she’d be in my office the next day.

That’s how I’d gotten myself to leave her building because I’d be so tempted to knock on her door. The one thing that held me back was recalling how she shied away from talking about her family, which isn’t a good sign. One of the first things I did this morning was issue an order for as many details as I could get on them.

I want Lev to tell me, but I worry over her too. When her mom called, she couldn’t get out of the hotel fast enough. It was excruciating to watch her leave in the taxi, knowing that there was nothing I could do about it.

When I pull away, we are both breathing heavily. I rest my forehead against hers. Her delicate hands are on my chest. I want to pick her up, carry her over to one of the chairs, and place her in my lap. She could sit and draw all day while I fed her and took care of her needs.

My thoughts are barbaric. I’m going to blame it on my upbringing. This is absurd, yet I possess no alternative explanation.

“Eros.” My name comes out as a little growl. Lev is coming out of the daze I put her in. Not that I’ll be cocky about it.

“Yeah, darling?”

“Don’t you darling me!” Lev pushes on my chest. Knowing that I partially deserve it, I give in and take a step back. Only one.

“You blocked me.”

“So you show up here?” Lev glances around, and I think by the time she finishes her question, it is directed at herself too. “Or—wait.” Lev cocks her head to the side.

“I like the gold.”

“What?”

“Your eyes. You used gold today.” Lev opens and closes her mouth. It makes her eyes shine. A little pixie. My pixie.

“Gold is my lucky color.”

“It suits you, but I’m guessing most colors do with your hair and complexion.” She blinks, staring at me.

“Don’t do that.” She waves her hand between us.

“Do what?”

“Butter me up. All noticing my makeup and saying nice things to me.”

“I find I notice everything when it comes to you, Lev.” Never have I been so attuned to another human being in my life.

I’m not an asshole or anything, but I usually don’t pay much attention to details when it comes to women. Hell, I don’t pay attention to them at all, if I’m being honest. But she changed that for me. I need to know every single detail about her, and I plan to spend forever learning them.

“Stop complimenting and start explaining what the heck is going on.” She tries to give me a stern look, but she only manages to become more adorable. I fight a smile, not wanting to piss her off.

Lev licks her lips. They’re a deep red today. “Stop looking at my mouth too.”

“You’re bossy. You want to take that chair?” I gesture toward the chair located behind my desk.

“Eros…” My name trails off. “Oh my god, Eros!” Lev snaps, putting it together. “You’re my freaking boss.” She stomps one of her feet.

She has adorable little boots on today. I know she toned it down for the office, but I want her to dress however she feels comfortable. I want her to be herself with me. I don’t think anyone ever gets that fully from her.

“I suppose, but I’m not a big fan of the word.” Bossing people around has never been at the top of my list of things I want to do. However, there are times when it's unavoidable. I also get Kate to do a lot of it for me.

“I can’t believe this.” Lev starts pacing back and forth. “This is a disaster,” she mumbles to herself.

“You blocked me.” I fold my arms over my chest and observe her. “I don’t think you’re supposed to block your boss.” Lev shoots me a glare that goes straight to my dick, which isn’t going to go down anytime soon.

I have no doubt that there is gossip already spreading through the building. People are wondering why I have my shades down. I never use this feature. They won’t guess the reason behind it is that I’m in here kissing the hell out of Lev. It would be at the bottom of the list. Except for Kate’s.

I couldn't hide it from her. She knew something was up yesterday from the emails I sent her alone. She came in with a smirk, ready to meet Lev. Kate is the older sister I never asked for.

“What am I going to do?” Lev walks over to one of the oversized chairs in front of my desk and plops down. “I needed this job.”

“You still have this job,” I remind her, going over to my desk to lean against it, kicking my feet out to almost touch her.

“You can't fraternize with employees, let alone your boss.”

“If that's the case, I have a few employees who need to be let go.” There are some couples around the office. As long as it doesn't interfere with work, I don't give a shit. It’s none of my business. Unless they act unprofessional at work and make it my business.

“You’re an asshole.” Lev shoots up from her chair. “Fuck you.”

The fuck?

Lev spins around, attempting to escape through the door. I snag her around the waist. We both notice at the same time that my office door is open and Max and Julie are standing there. Shit. I forgot I was supposed to go over a few things with them this morning. I need to remember to start locking my door.

I had a no-knock policy. If I had the door unlocked, you could enter. Normally it wasn’t an issue because I kept the door open and my blinds pulled. People could pop in and out of my office all day. That’s the first thing that’s going to need to change going forward.

“We'll come back.” They both quickly step back, letting the door fall closed.

“Let me go.” Lev releases one of her endearing growls.

“What pissed you off so damn bad?” I turn her in my arms but keep her snug to me.

“Seriously.” Lev is pissed. It’s not an act either.

“Babe, tell me.”

“Don’t babe me either.”

“Slipped out. My apologies, darling.”

“I’ll murder you in your sleep.”

“So you are going to share a bed again with me.”

“Fine, I’ll murder you right now.” My hold on her tightens.

“Please.” I try again.

“You just said that if you aren't allowed to bang your employees, then you need to let a few around here go.”

“That is not how I meant it.” Lev relaxes a touch in my arms. “I meant if employees weren’t allowed to sleep together, then there are a few couples that would have to be let go. I am aware of at least two such couples.”

“Oh.” She puffs out a small breath.

“No need to get jealous, Lev. I’m all yours.” Lev rolls her eyes, but I see the hint of a smile.

“Oh, shut up.” I run my fingers up and down her back, getting her to relax more. “Am I fired?”

“I thought you were trying to quit.”

“I need the job, I guess. Even though you kind of sorta tricked me.” Lev chews on her bottom lip. “But we’re friends.” She wiggles, trying to get free. I reluctantly let her go, for now. “So we need rules.”

“Rules?”

“I don’t know.” Her shoulders drop. “It sounded good.”

“You’re not my friend, Lev.” Never in a million years will I see her simply as a friend.

“Eros.” Lev lets out a sigh, sitting back down in the chair.

“Do you want me to lie to you?”

“Sure, I mean you already have.” I wince at that.

“It wasn't a lie.” Lev stares me down. “All right, call it what you want, but I knew if I told you who I was the other night, you wouldn't have been yourself with me. You wouldn't have offered me that dance or that kiss. Tell me I’m wrong.”

“I can’t.” She wrings her fingers together in her lap, and as badly as I want her, I want to put her worry at ease too. I don’t want this to come between us. I knew not telling her the other night was a double-edged sword.

“How about this? I’ll keep my hands to myself. I’ll let you lead.”

“Well, I’ll lead us to a nice friendship.” Lev’s chin turns up in defiance.

“Is that what you want?”

“It’s what I’m supposed to do.”

I lower myself to my knees, unwilling to loom over her at this moment. It’s damn difficult to not reach out and touch her.

“I want to give you what you want .”

“We don’t always get what we want, Eros.”

“All you have to do is ask.”

A half smile pulls at her lips. She is breaking my heart. “Friends, okay?”

I only stare at her. I already told her the deal. But then she holds her hand out for me to shake.

“Darling, I’m not—” I trail off when something catches my eye.

“You can’t call me darling. Unless you call everyone darling.” I gently grab Lev's forearm. “That’s not my hand.”

“I only call you darling.” I turn her arm. “What happened?”

“What?” Lev looks down at her arm. “Oh.” She jerks it back. “It’s nothing.”

“It doesn’t look like nothing, considering the bruise.”

“I’m like a peach. I bruise easily, and I run into crap all the time.”

“Now who’s the liar?” It takes every bit of control I have ever had to keep my temper at bay. My tone is soft.

“Eros.”

“Friends tell each other shit.” I interrupt her before she can tell me another lie.

“My father. He just grabbed me too hard.”

“Has he done that before?” She shakes her head no. I believe that. “Does he scare you?” I try to get some more information from her in another way. Her hesitation tells me all I need to know.

“He, ah?—”

“How about we get you started for the day?” I stand, letting her arm go. A look of relief crosses her face that I’m not pushing. “I have to speak with Max and Julie, but Kate is going to show you around.”

“Right, okay.” Lev stands. I step back from her, going around my desk to sit down.

“Kate is normally in the bullpen.”

“Bullpen?”

“The center of the office where people work at times. She likes to keep her eyes on things.”

"All right." Lev hesitates, running her finger across my desk. “I guess I’ll see you later.” I give her a nod. She turns to go.

“Lev,” I call when she makes it to the door.

“Unblock me in case I need to reach you for some reason.” Lev merely nods once more before vanishing through my door, taking a piece of me along with her.