18. Mary
Chapter 18
Mary
I slam the phone down and exhale slowly. Find your middle. Another call about the VIP group arriving today. Pure chaos seems to surround me, and all I want is a moment of peace. My heart races from the stress while my eyes dart around the busy office.
Rubbing my temples, I steel myself and head to the booking apartment.
“Did you print the attendee list again?” My eyes scan the counter, searching for the welcome folder. Karen was supposed to prepare it, but of course she forgot. “And find the folder for the penthouse guests.”
Erik ducks into the back room. I sigh, glancing at my watch. Two hours until check-in and still so much to oversee. The VIPs will be here any minute, and—
Erik emerges with two folders and a printed list. “Here you are, Mary. ”
I snatch them from his hands. “Thank you.”
With folders clutched to my chest, I rush toward the elevator. As I step inside, I collide with a solid wall of muscle, and the folders tumble to the ground, papers scattering everywhere.
“Shit!” I drop to my knees, scrambling to gather the mess.
“I’m sorry.” A deep, familiar voice.
Connor.
Of course, it had to be him. He bends down to help me.
“It’s fine.” I keep my eyes off him, concentrating solely on gathering the scattered papers. Why did he have to be the one I literally ran into today?
“Let me help.” He reaches for a paper near my knee.
I snatch it away quickly. “I’ve got it.”
We work in tense silence, and I can feel his eyes on me as I rearrange the papers. Finally, everything is collected. I stand on trembling legs, clutching the papers to my chest like a shield.
“Here.” Connor holds out the folders with his hand.
The hand that pinned my hands above my head. My body responds immediately, a familiar warmth spreading between my legs. I grab the folders and turn around to go.
“Didn’t you want to get in the elevator?”
“Uhm…”
“There’s enough space.”
I walk backward inside the elevator and press the button, trying to ignore the thoughts coursing through my brain. Shouldn’t he be hiding in his server room ?
The second the elevator door closes, I feel his chest against my back.
“Blue.” Connor grips my hips, guiding me against his growing arousal, his teeth nipping at my ear.
A soft moan escapes me, and I’m back to yesterday. The way he felt inside me. I’m getting wet just thinking about it.
“We’re… at work… I can’t…” My body betrays me, grinding against his cock wantonly.
His lips trail kisses down the side of my neck. “Have a little fun.”
I can’t deny it. Being near him is like an addiction I can’t kick. I know it’s wrong, but it feels so right in the moment.
“What if someone sees us?”
“Let them watch,” he growls, nipping at my earlobe.
And just like that, my tenuous restraint snaps. I turn in his arms, my folders pressed between us, meeting his kiss. We stumble back against the elevator wall, his hands cupping my face while his tongue explores my mouth .
“I need you, Blue. Right now.” His voice is rough with desire.
My resolve weakens at his words. But the ding of the elevator jolts me back to reality.
I move away, adjusting my clothes. “I have to go. The VIPs will be here any minute.”
How on earth am I going to survive working with Connor Milton? He just needs to look at me, and I’m puddy.
The day passes in a blur of chaos and stress. Two additional groups check in. Karen calls me in a panic about a reservation mistake, and a pipe bursts on the fourth floor, flooding three guest rooms. I manage phone calls, coordinate with different departments, and handle various crises as they arise. It’s exhausting.
All I want is a hot bath, a bowl of ramen, mindless TV, and to forget about the world for a while.
By the time I finally step out of the office and arrive home, the sun has long since set, and I’m completely drained. My feet ache from running around all day, and my eyes burn from staring at my computer screen.
“Finally.” I drop my bag and let my body sink into the couch.
Barely two seconds later, my phone buzzes.
Connor: I’ll pick you up at 8.
I gave my word, but after this day, the thought of going on a date… I won’t be good company.
“Sorry, but I’m not feeling well. Can we reschedule?”
The bubbles appear and disappear. No reply.
Dropping the phone on the counter, I shuffle into my room, getting into a comfy shirt and sweatpants before moving to the kitchen and preparing ramen.
If only today hadn’t been so chaotic, then I could have enjoyed dinner with Connor. And maybe it wouldn’t have ended with dinner but a dessert? I have to make it up to him. Again .
I pour the ramen into a bowl and carry it to the living room. The TV flickers on, revealing yet another dramatic dating show. Perfect. Mindless drama and bad decisions are exactly what I need right now.
“Come on, Rachel, stand up for yourself! You deserve better than being treated like that.” I slurp my noodles. “Really? You don’t think he’s just playing you? There are ten other women. I’m calling it, he’s just there for the fame.”
“I think so, too.”
I jump and almost spill my ramen.
Connor stands a few feet away. As always, he’s incredibly handsome in his suit, his hair slightly ruffled, a few buttons on his shirt undone, and his tie loose. Is there even a day he doesn’t look like he stepped straight out of a magazine?
“W-what are you doing here?”
“You’re a terrible liar.” He shrugs out of his jacket.
“How did you get in here?”
He dangles a key from his fingers, grinning. “Your doormat isn’t the safest place to hide a key, Blue.”
“Ugh, I thought I took that away,” I mutter.
Connor raises an eyebrow, appraising me. “You don’t seem ill.”
“Uh.” I cough unconvincingly. “I’m… recovering.”
“I appreciate your attempt, but you should leave acting to your sister.”
Did he do a background check on my whole family?
“I’m sorry. ”
He steps closer and gently lifts my chin with his finger, guiding my eyes to his warm brown ones.
“You don’t need to apologize for this. Just tell me next time if you don’t feel like going out.”
“I’m too exhausted from today.”
“Thank God.” He releases me and strides over to the kitchen, setting a white plastic bag on the counter and removing his tie. “I wasn’t in the mood to share you with the public tonight, anyway.”
“What?”
He kicks off his shoes and rolls up his sleeves.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Making the best of our evening together.”
“And that is?”
“Having our date here.”
“What’s in the bag?”
“I knew you were lying about being ill, but nonetheless, I brought some stuff.”
I give a helpless laugh and throw a pillow at him.
“Hey! Is that how you thank me?” Connor lets out a sigh that sounds half-amused, half-exasperated, before sitting down beside me. He lounges back, exuding total comfort in my living room.
It’s like he belongs here. How did we go from barely speaking to this?
“You’re acting like I’m contagious. Relax and come closer.” He pats the spot beside him on the couch .
Taking a deep breath, I move closer to him, trying to maintain some distance, but Connor scoops me into his lap, wrapping one arm around me to trap me. What he doesn’t know? I don’t even want to get out of this. I let myself sink into his warm embrace because this is exactly what I need after this shitty day.
“See? That’s not so bad, is it?” he asks.
It’s not. I rest my head against his chest.
“Alright.” Connor fishes out his phone. “Let’s order some food. What are you in the mood for?”
“I just ate, so I don’t need anything.”
“Ramen doesn’t count. When was the last time you ate actual food?”
“Lunch.” It’s a lie, but he doesn’t know that.
“Blue. I know you didn’t have lunch.”
“Did you stalk me again?”
“Again? Who said I stopped.”
I huff. “Fine, my stalker. How about Thai?”
“Perfect.” He opens up the food delivery app on his phone. “How does Pad Thai and green curry sound?”
“Delicious.”
“Any appetizers? Spring rolls? Fried wontons?”
“Spring rolls. Definitely, spring rolls.”
“Okay, we’re all set. It should be here in… about an hour.”
“Thanks.”
“Anything for you, Blue. ”
I nuzzle closer to him, not caring about any boundaries or reservations I previously had. This moment feels too good to question it.
His arm tightens, pulling me closer to him. What would it be like to have this kind of comfort every day?
Coming home and cuddling with him.
Yes, I’d like that.
“Rough day at the office?” His voice is a low rumble against my ear.
“You have no idea.”
“Want to talk about it?”
Connor knows the stresses of my job, but I’ve never shared the depths of my frustration and fatigue. I’m not sure he’d understand.
“It’s just…” I trail off with a sigh, gathering my thoughts. I’m constantly putting out fires, dealing with one crisis after another, barely having a moment to breathe, and when I do, there are a dozen more problems waiting.” I close my eyes. I’m not sure how much more I can take.”
Silence.
I open my eyes to find him watching me with a gaze both intense and gentle.
“You don’t have to handle this alone. You should trust more in others and let them handle it. Delegate it.” His thumb brushes my cheek in a soothing caress. “And I’m here for you, too. However, you need me. ”
Tears prick my eyes, a swell of emotion choking my throat. Why am I getting like this? I turn my head aside, blinking hard against the sting.
“Sometimes it’s hard because I have to put on this role. Being strong, showing no weakness, because we Wemptons are perfect.”
“Do you feel the same with me?” He presses a tender kiss on my shoulder.
I shake my head. With him, I’ve never needed to pretend or put on a facade. I tried, but he sees through it. Sees the real me and somehow still cares and stays.
“You’re already perfect. Just by being yourself.”
I give a watery chuckle.
He nudges my chin. “I mean it. Everyone in the office looks up to you. You’re caring, brilliant, beautiful...” His thumb brushes over my bottom lip. “Perfect.”
Our lips meet in a tender kiss.
“So, why the dating shows?”
“It is my stress relief. I feel like I can escape my own world. I used to watch them with my sister.”
Connor smirks. “Stress relief, huh? I can think of some other ways to help with that.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks. “Not everything is about sex, you know, and yoga does the same job, by the way.”
“Oh, I know. But sex sure is more fun.” He winks, his grin turning wicked .
I roll my eyes, shoving at his chest playfully. “You’re impossible.”
“And you love it.”
I do. God help me, I really do. Even when he’s being an arrogant ass, I can’t help the way my heart flips in my chest.
“So, you watch these shows with your sister?” He steers us back on track.
“Used to. Ella and I had marathons when we were teenagers. It was our thing, you know?” My smile fades. “But now…”
“Now?”
“She hates me.”
Connor’s brow furrows. “Why would you think that?”
“She’s always been the golden child in our family. The perfect daughter.” I let out a bitter laugh. “And I’m just me.”
Connor’s hand finds mine, his fingers interlacing with my own. “And what’s wrong with being you?”
I shrug, my throat tightening. “Nothing, according to our parents. But Ella? They constantly criticize her choices and her career. Even when she’s nominated for awards, it’s never enough.”
I think back to the last family dinner, the way my mother gushed over me while dismissing Ella’s latest acting role, the hurt in Ella’s eyes, and the way she quietly excused herself from the table.
“And the worst part? I think she blames me for it. Like I’m somehow responsible for the way they treat her. ”
Connor is quiet for a moment, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on the back of my hand. “Have you tried talking to her about it?”
I scoff. “And say what? ‘Sorry our parents are assholes who clearly favor me over you’? She’d probably just accuse me of rubbing it in her face.”
“You don’t know that. She needs to hear that you’re on her side. That you support her, even if your parents don’t.”
“I try to, but it seems like whatever I do, it backfires.” I chew on my bottom lip. “It’s like she has this wall up. Like she doesn’t want to let me in.”
“Can you blame her?” Connor’s voice is gentle, but his words hit home. “She probably feels like she’s constantly in your shadow. Like you said, never feeling good enough.”
I wince, the truth stinging more when he says it. “I never wanted that for her. I never wanted any of this.”
“Then don’t give up.” He squeezes my hand. “Show her that you’re on her side, no matter what.”
I nod slowly. “I just wish she didn’t feel like she had to settle for someone like that, you know? Just to get our parents’ approval.”
Connor hums in agreement. “Sometimes people do desperate things when they feel like they’re not enough.”
I angle my body towards him. “Speaking from experience? ”
Something unreadable flicker in his eyes. “Let’s just say I know a thing or two about trying to prove yourself to people who will never be satisfied.”
My heart clenches at the implication behind his words. I want to ask more, but the guarded expression on his face tells me now isn’t the time.
“It’s actually nice having you here. I don’t feel so alone. Silly, isn’t it? I've been working all day with people, and still, I feel…”
“It’s not silly. I get it. I’m surrounded by people but still feel isolated.”
“You do? But you always seem so self-contained, so in control. Like you don’t want it any other way.”
“It’s a facade. Sometimes, I wish I could be more open, like you.”
“Do you remember that old campus cafe? I think I lived on their coffee during finals.”
“Yeah, I spent a lot of time there, too.”
“I always wondered what you were working on.”
Connor stiffens a bit. “Just projects and stuff.”
“Projects and stuff?” I laugh. “Why did you never talk to me? You kept your distance. Even at parties.”
“I was shy.” His lips quirk. “Not that it would’ve mattered. I was hardly your type back then.”
“That’s not true. You’ve always been my type.” My hands fly to cover up my mouth.
“I was?” Connor’s gaze sharpens, those intense eyes searching my face.
I quickly look down. “Well, you know, I meant…”
The silence stretches between us. I risk a glance up to find a hint of a smile playing on his lips .
“No need to be embarrassed, Blue.” His voice is gentle, with a teasing tilt. “I’m flattered. Here, let me do something for you until the food arrives.”
Connor moves behind me and places his hands on my shoulders. His fingers begin to knead the tense muscles along my neck and shoulders with surprising skill.
I exhale slowly and close my eyes, the tension melting away under his ministrations. “Mmm. That feels amazing.”
His hands skim lower, massaging the length of my back.
One hand continues its path down my spine. The other moves to cup my breast through my shirt, squeezing gently.
I tense, grasping at his wrist. “Connor, I’m a mess.”
“Shh. Just feel.” His lips graze my neck, teeth nipping at my skin. “Let me take care of you. And besides, you’re my mess.”
His fingers slip under my shirt, rolling my nipple between them, making me moan softly.
“Do you still want me to stop?”
“No.”
His other hand moves beneath my sweatpants, inching down until he reaches the apex of my thighs. “The things I wanna do to you, Blue.”
My eyes flutter shut as a single finger eases into my wet heat, crooking to stroke just the right spot.
How is he doing this?
He adds another finger, stroking faster. The coil of heat inside me tightens, pleasure building with each thrust of his fingers until I’m teetering on the verge of an exquisite abyss. My head falls back on his shoulder, my breath coming out in ragged gasps.
“Please. I’m so close.” I rock my hips into his touch, seeking more friction.
A throaty chuckle vibrates against my neck. One of his large hands cradles my hip possessively, holding me steady as he delves deeper and curls his fingers, hitting that spot again.
I cry out, my fingers digging into his arm as the pleasure overwhelms me, and I come undone.
“That’s it, let go for me,” Connor rasps.
Wave after wave crashes through me until I’m trembling in his arms, utterly spent. He holds me close, nuzzling my hair and placing soft kisses along my shoulder. I melt into him, basking in the afterglow.
“So, do I get my dinner tomorrow evening?”
I nod, still a bit hazy.
Connor chuckles, his lips brushing my ear as he speaks again. “Use your words, Blue.”
“Yes.”