29. Connor
Chapter 29
Connor
Mary Wempton, the woman who I’d been pining after since college, knew I’d been stalking her like a damn creep, and she’s not even remotely scared.
She should be running for the hills, calling the cops, or at least slapping me across my stupid face. Instead, she lets me close to her and sleeps in my arms like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
I remember the nights I spent staring at her dorm window, watching her study or talk on the phone with her friends. She had no idea I was there, hidden in the shadows. It was pathetic, I know, but I couldn’t help myself. She was untouchable then, just like she was a few months ago. Back then, it was because she didn’t know I existed, but now…
The real shock? She had a crush on me, too. This whole time… all this fucking time... she wanted me just as much as I wanted her .
The woman focused on her computer screen, with her beautiful fingers dancing across the keyboard, had a crush on me and still does. Although I hope it’s not only a crush but way more.
“Working another late one, Blue?” I sink into the leather couch along the wall.
It’s late, and the rest of the staff left hours ago.
She shuffles through a stack of papers. “Just trying to get ahead before the weekend.”
As the minutes tick by, I study her face, noting the crease between her brows and the way she absently tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.
I can tell Mary loves this job even if she doesn’t see it herself. The way she pores over those reports, completely focused despite the late hour. How she always volunteers to take on extra projects. She may have started working here because of her dad, but this is her passion.
Part of me wonders if she’d be happier doing something else. But the sparkle in her eyes when she presents at a meeting or closes a big deal… that’s real. This job fills her with purpose, even if the long hours take their toll.
I wish I could make her see what I see. To open her eyes to what’s right in front of her. How capable and brilliant she is. How she lights up this dreary office. The team looks up to her. Hell, even the old curmudgeon Richardson raves about her. She’s meant to be here .
Maybe it’s time I told her how I really feel. Took that leap and let her know she’s not alone. That I’ll support her no matter what path she chooses. I’m done hiding in the shadows. Mary has a right to know she has someone in her corner.
We’ve been dancing around each other for months. She’s stubborn as hell and keeps me at arm’s length, but I know she feels the pull between us, too. I need to be patient and not push too hard. Prove I’m here for the long haul.
Her happiness means more to me than anything. I’ll help shoulder the burden of expectations that weigh her down. Remind her to take a break and breathe when things get too heavy. Most importantly, I’ll make damn sure she knows how extraordinary she is, with or without the fancy job title. Mary deserves the world, and I plan on giving it to her.
I stand and make my way over to her, leaning against the desk.
She’s so beautiful, especially like this—completely focused, determined, unguarded. I wish I could stay here with her all night. No. Delete that. I want her in my bed. 24/7.
“You know, Blue, I’ve been thinking…” I run my fingers along the border of the desk as I circle around it to stand behind her.
She stiffens but doesn’t turn to face me. “About what?”
“About that cute little birthmark you have, right…” I brush my thumb over the mark on the nape of her neck. “Here.”
Her typing falters for a moment. “Don’t you have security systems to upgrade or something? ”
“Mhm, I finished that earlier.” I continue trailing my fingers lightly along her shoulders. “Now I want to upgrade you.”
“Really? Upgrade me? Very funny.” She shrugs me off and resumes typing, but I can see a blush creeping up her neck.
I lean down, my lips nearly touching her ear. “You didn’t seem to mind my hands on you this morning in the copy room.”
She shivers, goosebumps rising on her arms. “That was different. I’m working now.”
“Let’s take a break.” I turn her chair to face me, caging her in my arms.
“Connor.”
My name on her lips makes my pulse quicken. I brush my thumb over her bottom lip. “Come on, Blue. Indulge me.”
Her tongue darts out to wet her lip, grazing my thumb, and arousal courses through me at the small contact.
Just as I’m about to close the distance between us, she places a hand on my chest. “I really need to finish this report. No distractions.”
I clench my jaw in frustration but take a step back. She turns her chair back to the desk, and I hear her let out a shaky breath.
Guess I’ll have to try again later. This woman drives me fucking crazy.
I settle onto the couch again, opening up my laptop and doing some work myself.
My phone buzzes with a text. It’s the delivery guy downstairs with our food. Perfect timing.
I stand up without a word and head for the door .
“Where are you going?” Mary asks.
“What, I can’t get up to stretch my legs? You did tell me not to distract you, and I’m hungry.”
She huffs, her lips forming that adorable pout. “Fine. Go stretch away from me then.”
I chuckle under my breath as I step into the elevator. Even when she’s pretending to be annoyed, she’s cute.
Downstairs, I collect the takeout bags from the receptionist and thank him. I know Mary doesn’t like eating this late, but she needs to remember to eat. I’ll consider it a win if I get her to take a few bites.
Walking back into her office, I balance the warm bags in one hand and push the door open with the other.
She’s still engrossed in her task. “I told you not to order anything.”
“And I told you I was hungry.” I set the bags on her desk and unpack the cartons. “Besides, you need to eat.”
Mary’s eyes go back and forth between the food and the computer screen. She’s not as immune to my tricks as she pretends to be.
I slide a carton of Pad Thai with spring rolls and a fork across the desk. “Come on, you know you want some.”
She eyes me for a moment before accepting with a reluctant smile. “I can’t believe you got my favorite. That’s playing dirty, Milton. ”
“You know, you really should take better care of yourself.” I dig into my own Pad Thai. “When’s the last time you had a decent meal today?”
“I’ve been busy. But I’m eating now, aren’t I?”
“Only because I forced your hand. Like every day.”
She rolls her eyes but can’t hide a smile. We eat in comfortable silence for a few minutes. I’m happy to see her actually eating a full meal for once instead of just coffee/ energy drinks and protein bars. Baby steps.
As we each near the bottom of our container, Mary sets her chopsticks down with a contented sigh. “Alright, I admit it. That was delicious. Thank you for getting it.”
“Anytime.” I busy myself with cleaning up the remains of our meal.
“So, I was wondering… Have you heard anything from Elijah recently?” she asks.
“Not for a few days.”
“He is still engaged to Esther, right?”
“As of now, it seems like it.”
“Mh.”
Why is she asking about Elijah? Isn’t her friend Gemma interested in him?
“I’m beginning to get jealous, Blue. Why are you asking about him?” I ask.
“It’s… Gemma. She’s not good. The whole thing with Elijah and him being engaged.”
“Elijah wouldn’t want me to get involved. ”
“Please, she’s my best frie—”
“But all I can say is that Esther doesn’t mean anything to him. It’s Gemma he wants.”
“Well, then he should act like it.”
“Am I acting like it?”
“Like what?”
“That you’re the only one I want?”
“I mean there could be more massages, breakfast in bed, or roses sent to my office?” She smiles innocently.
“I’ll be sure to remember, and I’ll talk to him, okay?”
“Thanks. Did I tell you about the office party tomorrow? It was so much fun last year. Are you coming? Don’t worry. No one expects you to dance or sing karaoke or anything crazy like that. Just show up, have fun, meet people, yada yada…” Her entire face lights up with excitement, making it difficult for me to deny her request.
But then again, who am I kidding? Refusal wasn’t really part of the equation anyway.
“Only if you’re going,” I say.
She nods eagerly. “I’ll be there. So I guess that means you will be too.”
“Seems like it.”
“Everyone has to wear a mask this time,” she says. “What kind of mask are you going to wear?”
“A masquerade party, huh? Getting fancy this year.” What is she planning ?
“Yes. I still have a masquerade mask from another party. Might as well put it to use, and so, I thought it would be fun to try something different this year.” Mary says. “What about you? Got any masks lying around?”
“I’m not the type to dress up much.” It’s the truth.
She nods thoughtfully, regarding me with those perceptive blue eyes. “Have you ever… been to a masquerade party before?”
Admitting to attending a masquerade would only fuel her suspicions. I catch myself staring at the curve of her neck, remembering the taste of her skin when we…
“One or two.”
I expect her to keep probing, but instead, an odd expression passes over her face. The playful smile faded, and her eyes lost their sparkle.
“Blue, what’s wrong?” I ask.
She shakes her head, turning her attention back to the computer screen. “Everything is fine.” Her tone doesn’t match her words.
I walk over, breaking her line of sight to the monitor. “Are you sure?”
A too-bright smile forms on her face as her eyes meet mine. Dull. “Yes, everything is fine.”
My chest tightens at the sight of her feigned happiness. Fuck. I would love to just check her messages, but I promised her.
She set these ground rules…
Why did I agree to them again? Right, because I will do everything for this woman .
Besides, knowing that I did have access to her messages, she probably stopped writing things I shouldn’t know.
She stands, rising up on her toes to kiss me. It’s a gentle, tender gesture. Her lips are soft, but the kiss feels forced.
“Really, Connor, don’t worry. I just need to concentrate on this report. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
She’s kicking me out? That’s a first.
“Alright. I’ll let you focus. But first… How about a real goodnight kiss before I go?”
Mary hesitates for a moment, then nods slowly. My hands settle on the curve of her waist as I lean down and capture her lips with mine.
This kiss is different from the tender one she gave me before. I deepen it, my tongue insistently seeking entrance as I back her up against the desk. She parts her lips, allowing me in, but there’s no passion behind it. Her body is pliant, but her mind is clearly elsewhere.
Is it really just work?
My fingers tangle in her hair as I angle her head, taking more control of the kiss. I pour all my want, my need for her, into it. But it’s like she’s not really there with me. Just going through the motions.
Part of me wants to stop and ask her what’s wrong. But the other part, the selfish part, doesn’t want to ruin this moment. Doesn’t want to break the spell and have her retreat back into herself again .
So I ignore the nagging feeling in my gut and keep kissing her. Harder. Deeper. Trying to coax some kind of response out of her with my lips, my hands, my body pressed against hers.
She lets out a soft sigh, her fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt. For a second, I think I’ve reached her. That the fog has lifted, and she’s present with me again.
But then her grip goes slack, and I realize she’s just mimicking what she thinks I want from her. There’s no real feeling behind it.
My hand clenches as frustration rises inside me. I want to shake her, to demand that she tell me what the fuck is going on in that beautiful head of hers.
Instead, I slowly break the kiss and rest my forehead against hers. My breath is ragged as I struggle to control the storm of emotions raging within me.
I murmur, forcing the words out. “Goodnight, Blue.”
“Goodnight, Connor.”
“Try to get some rest, alright? I don’t want you burning out.”
“Yes.”
I’ll figure out what’s bothering her, but it’s better to give her space now. I leave her office, glancing back once before the door shuts between us.
“Connor?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t forget the mask.” She turns to her computer, her fingers resuming their frantic dance across the keys .
As I walk away, I hear her let out a shaky breath. My fingers curl into fists at my sides, fighting the instinct to turn back.
Does she know something?
Patience. I’ve gotten this far with her by being patient. Just have to keep waiting for the right moment.
For now, I’ll give her the space she asked for. But I’ll be keeping an eye on things, as always. And when she’s ready to let me in again, I’ll be here waiting.