Chapter 46
BELLA
I quickly freshen myself up, shoving my hair up in a messy bun.
My little kitten curled up in a ball in her bed, purring away. Not a care in the world.
“What shall I name you?” I whisper.
I remember having a teddy as a kid I called Sassy. I guess that kind of fits her, too.
“Hey, Sassy girl.” I stroke her and she purrs.
Yep. That’s the one.
My phone beeps and my heart jumps. But then I see Reggie’s name on the screen, and that damn guilt creeps up.
Except I’m still smiling when I open his message.
Reggie: How’s your first day of work?
I chew on the inside of my mouth.
Me: Good. Confusing. You guys use a lot of strange abbreviations.
Reggie: I can help you later if you’d like? I’ll be finished with this shipment in a couple of hours.
My palms start to sweat. Do I tell him Rowan is coming over to help? Or is that just fuel the fire?
Me: You can help me with something else later?
Reggie: Oh yeah?
Me: Well, I’d like to lodge a formal complaint. I didn’t come last night.
He replies instantly.
Reggie: …
Reggie: Are you drunk?
I giggle, picturing him squeezing his phone, nostrils flaring.
Me: No? You didn’t make me come, and I’d like the situation rectified tonight.
Reggie: Are you sure you want to play this game, Princess? We both know it was at least five times. Can you even walk today?
A blush spreads up my throat. I am sore. I can still feel him, marking me, claiming me as his. It makes me squeeze my legs together.
But the thrill of finding more buttons to press makes it worth it.
Me: Nope, don’t recall. But I’ll be in your bed, waiting for you…
Reggie: Now?
I bite my lip. Rowan never told me whether he was actually coming here.
Me: Maybe.
Reggie: I’m at work.
I blow out a breath, a new idea springing to mind. I stand, lifting up my skirt and bending over the desk, and snap a picture of my ass.
My blush deepens. I can almost hear the grit of his accent, feel the warning laced in his words. The thrill that comes with testing him hums through me.
Before I can second-guess it, a shadow shifts in the doorway.
Rowan.
My breath catches. He leans against the frame, arms folded, eyes sweeping over me like he’s trying to decide whether to scold me or kiss me.
“That better be coming my way, precious,” he says, voice rough silk.
The room stills. My pulse jumps to my throat.
I lower my phone slowly, every nerve alive under his stare.
“Rowan,” I whisper, heat crawling up my neck.
His smile is dangerous and heartbreakingly soft all at once.
“Guess I saved you from sending that to the wrong Murphy,” he murmurs.
I should tell him to leave. I should. Instead, I take a step closer.
The air thickens, humming with everything unspoken. The guilt, the longing, the chaos neither of us can seem to stop feeding.
I grin. “Too late.”
He runs a hand over his jaw, casting his gaze over me. Admiring me.
“But,” I purr, stopping in front of him.
“If you’re willing to be a good boy and help me with this paperwork. I’ll let you look at the real thing the whole time.”
“Maybe.” He pushes off the doorframe, moving closer, each step deliberate, the predator softening just enough to lure me in. “But that’ll make it very hard to focus, precious.”
“That’s the point,” I whisper.
His gaze trails up my neck, pausing on my lips. “You keep playing like this, and I’ll have to change tactics.”
“Like what?” I breathe.
He glances at the papers scattered across my desk, then back at me. “Have you got a couple of hours you can skip from working?”
“Why?”
“Because I’m taking you out.”
My brows lift. “Now?”
He smirks, that lazy kind of confidence that makes my knees weak. “You said you wanted me to help you. Consider this… practical research.”
I hesitate, torn between excitement and guilt that tastes far too sweet. “Where are we going?”
“Decadence,” he says, like it’s a secret he’s daring me to uncover. “And then Inferno.”
“Those sound like clubs,” I murmur. “I can’t drink, I have to focus. I want to keep this job so I don’t get bored.”
“Not clubs,” he corrects softly, stepping close enough that the heat of him grazes my skin. “Experiences. Parts of who we are. I think you’ll enjoy it.”
“Are you sure about that?” I say, but my voice trembles.
“Definitely.” He offers his hand, palm up, eyes dark with something that feels like danger and invitation all at once. “You’ve got that sweet tooth, Bella. Let me feed it.”
I stare at his hand, at the quiet command in his stance. I should say no. I should stay here, finish my work, pretend I’m not curious.
Instead, I slide my hand into his.
His smile turns slow, wicked, victorious. “Good girl.”
My phone buzzes, and I pause before opening up, not hiding it from Rowan.
Reggie: I’ll be home in fifteen. Goddamn, Bella. I’m going to spank that perfect ass.
I take a deep breath and Rowan squeezes my hand.
“You can tell me to fuck off, or you can tell him the truth. I’m sure he will make up for it later.” I can hear the conflict in his voice.
ME: Sorry, Irish. Rowan is going to take me to Decadence to help with the paperwork. I’ll see you after work though xx
He replies fast.
Reggie: Behave, Princess. I’ll see you soon.
I blink at the screen. I don’t know what I was expecting. But, not that.
Rowan leans in, brushing his nose against my cheek.
“Do I get an ass picture if I behave today?” he whispers.
I turn to face him, my breath stalling as our lips are so close.
“Let’s see. And if I’m good, do I get a dick pic with those piercings?” I whisper, biting my lip.
“You can have that even if you’re bad, sweetness. Now, let’s go before I bend you over this desk.”