Twenty-four
Austin
My phone glows in the darkness of my home office. It’s nearly midnight. Danica’s name appears on the display, and I feel that familiar lurch in my stomach, the one that says this is more than just casual. But at this hour, any reply risks the wrong impression, as if I’m scavenging for a late-night rendezvous.
I tap out a message, keeping it sincere.
Me: Hey, just saw your text. Can’t stop thinking about you. Excited to hear all about the interview over dinner tomorrow night.
There. Clear intentions, nothing to misconstrue.
Dinner feels like a step forward, a step toward something real with Danica. Emerson’s email earlier confirmed that I’m not the only one who thinks she’s great. She’s thrilled about the possibility of Danica joining her team, and somehow, that feels validating to me. It’s ridiculous but true.
I crash into bed, leaving the curtain open, letting the City’s lights play across the ceiling. The Bay Bridge sparkles in the distance. I drift off, Danica’s image the last thing in my mind.
But a series of seemingly unending pings drags me from slumber before dawn has even considered breaking. My phone is a riot, each buzz and beep a proclamation of my new, unasked-for status—interim CEO of EnergiFusion. Mason’s PR team didn’t waste any time, and now, the press is a hungry pack, howling for insights into Justin’s disappearance.
“Damn,” I mutter, swiping through the barrage. Skipping my morning run isn’t a choice, it’s a necessity. With a resigned sigh, I throw on a pair of jeans and a shirt—no tie, no time. I message ahead, and despite the ungodly hour, Steve is waiting for me with a paper cup of coffee by the time I’m ready. The drive to the office is a blur, lit by the pale light of early morning.
When we pull into the parking lot at six thirty, Rhys and Theo are already there, just emerging from their vehicles, faces drawn tight. We exchange nods, acknowledging the storm we’re about to enter.
“Morning,” I call as I approach, trying to inject a note of normalcy into a day that promises to be anything but.
“Morning,” they echo back, the word sounding more like a battle cry than a salutation.
We step into the building together. It’s going to be a long day, but at least for now, we’re facing it as a united front. I settle at my desk and send a notice to the staff to let them know I’m only stepping in until Justin returns, which opens the floodgates of well-wishers and ass kissers. The office slowly wakes up as it fills with staff. Curious eyes are watching everywhere I go.
I’m fielding a call at almost a decent hour when Crystal storms in, her voice like a siren. “You pushed him out, didn’t you? Just so you could take over!”
Her accusation is a slap to the face, and I feel every eye in the office pivot toward us. “Crystal…” I start, but I can tell she’s not looking for explanations. She’s looking for blood. My phone feels like a lead weight in my hand as I set it on my desk, my mind racing for the right words.
“Hey, hey…” Theo appears and steps between us with a placating gesture. His calm, steady presence does what my stumbling words can’t—begins to deflate her anger. “It’s not like that, and you know it.”
She huffs, arms crossed tightly, but her voice drops to a seethe. “You guys should’ve told me, not some blasted news alert.”
Theo nods apologetically. “You’re right. We should have come to you first.” He glances at me, silently urging me to back him up. “This was decided over dinner last night, and Mason sent a note to the PR company. We didn’t think they would move so fast.”
“Yes,” I add quickly. “It was never our intention to sideline you.”
“I’m skipping over why I wasn’t included in last night’s dinner. But I want to know why I wasn’t considered to take my husband’s place,” Crystal continues, on to her next objective. “I’m a founder. I know what he was doing better than all of you.” Her eyes are sharp, seeking an underlying truth I cannot voice.
The silence stretches, but I clamp my mouth shut. Her understanding of operations is solid, but her volatility is a wild card we can’t afford to play, especially not now. “Look, Crystal,” I say, choosing my words carefully, “We know you have more important issues to think about, with Justin’s disappearance. We didn’t want to intrude on your grief or add to your stress. It’s only interim, until Justin returns.”
She snorts, clearly unimpressed, and turns on her heel. Her departure leaves a wake of whispers that I try to ignore. Theo gives me a brief nod, a silent acknowledgment of the bullet we just dodged, before retreating to his sanctuary—the lab.
The day continues in a blur of meetings, phone calls, and emails. I’m with my team in the lab, working though another test to see how our battery holds up, when my phone rings. Danica’s picture flashes on the screen, and I answer, eager for the reprieve.
“Hey, I’m about to head into Mister Jiu’s,” she says, the background noise of Chinatown bustling around her.
“Wait, Danica.” I glance at the clock—too many hours left. “I’m sorry. My day got away from me. Can you grab something to go? Meet me at the loft?”
“Are you sure?” There’s disappointment in her tone. “We can reschedule.”
“No, no,” I insist, feeling the day pressing in. “I want to see you, hear about your interview. I just need… I have a few more things to wrap up here.”
“Okay,” she replies, after a pause that feels too long. “Takeout it is. See you soon.”
“Thanks. I promise to make this up to you.” I end the call, my chest tight. This is all too much. I’m not used to having things outside work I want to consider.
But I feel differently than I used to. There’s no denying that, no matter what my title is currently. I don’t want to be here anymore today. Everything I’m working on can wait until tomorrow. I return to my office and shut down my computer with a decisive click, the screen fading to black. As I head down the hall, the team remains busy working in the lab.
“Where’s the fire, Austin?” Harrison, the head of EnergiFusion’s lab, arches an eyebrow in challenge.
I flash him a smile, doing all I can to project confidence. I can leave when I want. It’s okay to have work/life balance. “Got a date with a hot strawberry blonde,” I tell him, slinging my jacket over my arm. It feels good to have something personal to look forward to, even if it’s just dinner at home.
“Ah, the mysterious redhead in all the photos,” he teases, pushing away from the doorframe. “You’re smitten.”
“Something like that,” I admit.
“Go on then.” He chuckles, waving me off. “Don’t keep the lady waiting.”
“Thanks, Harrison. You don’t stay much longer either. There’s always plenty to do tomorrow.” I stride toward the elevators, the evening ahead adding a spring to my step.
Traffic lights throw reds and frustrate me as Steve drives to the loft, but I know I’m stressed mostly because I lost track of time. The car has barely come to a stop when I throw the door open and hurry up the stairs. Danica’s door’s open, and as I push through, there she is, framed by the soft light of the kitchen as she unpacks containers of Chinese takeout.
“Hey,” I greet her, the stress of the day evaporating as she turns to me with a smile.
“Hey yourself,” Danica replies. She moves closer, and I pull her into a kiss, savoring the warmth of her lips. For a second, I’m tempted to carry her straight to the bedroom. Damn dinner and everything else. But no, we need this time, sitting together, talking.
“Here,” she says, pulling back just enough to hand me a cold Sie-Tang Lao beer.
“Thanks.” I pop the cap and take a long swig, letting the crispness wash over my tongue. We settle at the table with cartons of egg foo young and General Tso’s chicken.
“So, how did the interview go?” I ask. Her future, her stability—it matters more than she knows.
Her eyes light up. “I think it went really well,” she begins, breaking apart her chopsticks. “They seem interested. I’m trying not to get too excited in case they don’t offer me a job, but I thought the chemistry was good.”
“And the salary they mentioned is what you’re looking for?”
She nods, a small frown creasing her brow. “Yeah, it’ll have to be a studio once Anna gets back, but it’s better than needing roommates.”
“Definitely,” I agree, reaching for my phone. My thumb hovers over the screen, bringing up the email from Emerson. “She sent this to me earlier,” I say, handing the phone to Danica. “Emerson thinks you’re a perfect fit for their team.” I watch her eyes scan the glowing words.
“Wow,” she breathes. “That’s… That’s amazing.”
“See? I told you,” I say, pride swelling in my chest. “Red Rabbit’s end was a door opening.”
“Thanks to you,” she murmurs.
“Hey, I just pointed you in the right direction. You’re the one impressing them.” I reach across the table to squeeze her hand. “Now, let’s eat before this gets cold. You’ve earned it.”
We dig in, and I realize I’m ravenous. Our conversation flows freely, and by the end of the meal, I’m feeling completely satiated. Well, in every way but one…
Just as I’m contemplating that, my phone buzzes, and I dig it out of my pocket. Sandrine’s name flashes on the screen.
Sandrine: Can I come over? I miss your big cock in my tight pussy.
I don’t feel a thing, except maybe annoyance. Talk about the opposite of what’s on my mind. I don’t want to see her, and I’m not going to worry about her showing up unannounced. I had Jim change the codes and locks after I realized she’d hosted a party here. She can’t touch me or what I have now.
I let the phone drop to the table and run my hand through my hair, suddenly aware of what that means. It was more than just changing locks. It’s changing my life. Because it’s Danica who’s here with me, not anyone else. And it’s Danica who’s slowly becoming the center of my world. For a moment, that takes my breath away.
“Everything okay?” Danica asks.
“Better than okay,” I reply, mustering a reassuring smile as I slide the phone away. The message remains unanswered, drifting into obscurity like a leaf in a stream.
“Good.” She stands, collecting the empty takeout boxes. I’m entranced by the simple act of her existing in my space.
“Let me help you with that,” I offer, but she waves me off.
“Nonsense. You’ve had a long day. Besides, there’s something else you can help me with…in the bedroom.” The glint in her eyes is all the invitation I need.
She drops the mess in the kitchen, and we make our way to her room. The door clicks shut behind us. This is where we shed the weight of our separate worlds. Here, it’s just us. I kiss her, and our hands roam, pulling at clothes, eager to feel skin against skin.
“God, I want you,” I breathe against her neck, my fingers tangling in her hair.
“I want you too,” she whispers, unbuttoning my shirt.
In a tangle of limbs and hungry kisses, we fall to the bed. The world outside fades away as we move together, our bodies finding a rhythm that’s both familiar and exhilarating. She’s fire and silk beneath me, and I lose myself in the intensity of her touch, the sound of her breathy moans.
I’m rougher than usual, passion and need driving me to claim her with a fervency that borders on desperation. But she matches me, move for move, her nails digging into my back, urging me on. She loves this—loves the primal connection between us—and so do I.
Every concern, every doubt, evaporates in the heat of the moment. There’s only Danica, with her fierce heart and soul that somehow intertwine with mine. She’s the anchor in my stormy sea, and I’m thinking she might just be the real thing, the one who breaks all my rules and reshapes my world without even trying.