Chapter 22
Dakota
The press talks more about the scandal than the technology itself, which drives Anna crazy, but I guess that's what most people want to see.
Fortunately, the company's stock has skyrocketed. Not that she follows her company's stock prices, but it's always positive. Meanwhile, I watch the cursor blink on my computer screen while trying to write a resignation letter that just won't come together.
Anna, the time has come to…
No, too personal.
Dear Ms. Sinclair…
Even worse. Sounds absurdly formal after everything we've been through together.
I delete the line for the fourteenth time and run my hands through my hair with a frustrated huff. How do you explain in a letter that you're leaving precisely because you love her too much? The threat's been neutralized. My work here is done. Anna's destined for great things. I… I'll just be a burden to her.
It's the right thing. The professional thing. The ethical thing.
So why does every attempt to write this damn letter feel like my heart's being ripped out?
I stand and walk to the window. Soon, her company will be one of the most important in the world. The technology she's developed will revolutionize the planet, and Anna needs to focus on that, not on an ex-bodyguard who can't maintain professional distance.
I return to the computer:
I hereby submit my resignation from the position of…
I growl and delete it again. The words sound hollow, empty. How do I explain that each morning, seeing her drink coffee while reviewing reports, my heart stops? How do I tell her that the idea of not protecting her feels unbearable, even though there's no threat anymore?
The door sound startles me. Anna enters the office with that smile that lights up any room. She wears her typical black turtleneck sweater and her hair pulled high in a ponytail.
She's beautiful.
“I was looking for you,” she announces, perching on the edge of my desk. “What are you writing?”
I quickly close the document on my computer, with such haste I look like a teenager caught doing something forbidden.
“Nothing, did you need something?” I cover, trying to paint on my best smile.
“Marcus is retiring,” she continues. “The company's going to grow tremendously in the coming months. I'll need to restructure the entire security department.”
“Yeah, I imagine,” I respond cautiously, not quite sure where she's going with this.
“I want you to be the new head of that department.”
“What?”
“You wouldn't be my bodyguard anymore, but the security chief for the whole company. You know, we'll have to travel a lot. New facilities, meetings with governments… I need someone I trust by my side.”
“Anna…”
“We'll have to share lots of hotel rooms… some free days to see the world…”
“Anna…” I insist.
“Seriously, I need someone by my side who understands the importance of what we're doing,” she continues, leaning to kiss my forehead. “Someone who knows how to protect not just people, but also the technology. Someone brilliant, professional, maybe a little paranoid… and who also drives me completely crazy,” she adds, biting her lower lip.
“Don't you think mixing personal and professional could distract you too much? Not to add pressure, but your responsibility with the new technology is…”
“We've already mixed them,” she interrupts, covering my mouth with her hand. “And it's worked perfectly. Look at everything we've achieved together. Besides,” she adds, wrapping her arms around my neck and straddling my legs, “did you really think I'd let you leave?”
“How…”
“Dakota,” she whispers near my ear. “I saw the blank document titled 'resignation letter' on the computer. You've been working on it for three days and haven't managed to write a single word. And I know you. I know you're torturing yourself over it.”
“I think it's the right thing. I don't want to hold you back,” I admit, closing my eyes with a long sigh.
“The right thing is for us to stay together. As a team and as a couple. As whatever destiny has planned for us.”
She kisses me softly, and any doubt I might have had vanishes.
“Is that a yes?” she murmurs against my mouth.
“It's a 'you're completely crazy, but I love the idea,'” I respond, pulling her closer to kiss her again.
“You know? I think we need to celebrate properly,” she suggests, starting to unbutton my blouse.
“Here? Now?” I ask, raising my eyebrows.
“Why not? I locked the door when I came in, and you should keep your boss happy,” she jokes, unbuckling my belt.
She does it with delicious slowness while kissing my neck, giving me goosebumps each time I feel the tip of her tongue slide across my skin.
“I love you, Dakota Martinez,” she whispers in my ear before biting my earlobe.
I lift her and sit her on the desk, pushing aside documents and folders that fall to the floor without either of us caring. Her pants and underwear soon join them while I kiss every inch of exposed skin.
She tangles her fingers in my hair, pulling slightly to press me against her body, and when my tongue reaches her sex, she arches her back and lets out a moan that echoes through the office. Her stomach tightens with each kiss on her clit, she places her right foot on my back, caressing me with it and moving her hips as she seeks more contact with my mouth.
“God, Dakota,” she sighs my name like a prayer.
I look up and freeze in awe. Her rapid breathing, the light crimson flush covering her chest, the way she looks at me… Everything. Drives me absolutely crazy. In these moments, she's no longer the brilliant inventor who'll change the world. She's just Anna, my Anna; vulnerable and beautiful.
I lose myself in her, in her body, in each of her kisses, in her caresses. In the way she moans my name when she reaches orgasm. In how she clings to me afterward, trembling slightly while catching her breath.
“I think I'm going to love having you as head of security,” she jokes, kissing my head.
“Only think?”
“You're an idiot,” she hisses, hugging me.
“I'll be the best head of security you've ever had. Because I love you, and the job will just be an excuse to stay by your side. You'll change the world, Anna Sinclair.”
“We'll change it together,” she corrects, sitting back on my legs and curling against my neck.