Chapter 15 Harper
HARPER
I never in my wildest dreams imagined that hearing a man sound so possessive over me would be a turn on.
But it was. Especially when it came from Dante.
Hooded eyes stared me down. His hair was rumpled, and even though he’d been careful when removing his suit, several wrinkles creased the jacket when he shrugged it over his broad shoulders.
He’d done things to me I didn’t know were possible, brought me pleasure I hadn’t known existed. And he laid claim to me in a way that made me feel protected instead of oppressed.
I finished buttoning my shirt and flipped my hair out of the collar. “I don’t want this to end. If you’re sure you want to be with me, even with the threat to your reputation, then I’m in.” I hated the idea of being the subject of gossip, but having them in my life was worth the risk.
They wanted to be with me. I’d never had that happen before and giving it up meant I might as well give up pieces of my heart and soul.
They were part of me. Every possessive, protective, safe feeling I’d ever had was because of them.
I’d be a fool to give up three men who made me feel special and wanted.
I could live with gossip as long as they kept their careers and their reputations.
As long as the company didn’t suffer because I wasn’t strong enough to walk away.
“We want you.” Julian tucked his shirt into his slacks and fixed his belt. Like the others, he was adorably rumpled. The tattoos disappeared as he buttoned his shirt and rolled the cuffs down to his wrists.
“Why do you cover them up?” I’d been meaning to ask, but it never seemed like the right time. I’d discovered I had to make things the right time or nothing would ever happen except sex.
Julian buttoned his cuffs and reached for his jacket.
“They make people reconsider working with me. I’m supposed to be clean-cut.
Above reproach. Fucking idiots think a few tattoos make me unreliable or a bad influence.
I had one man tell me during our first year as a company that he’d never work with us because tattoos were the sign of a degenerate. He asked which gang I belonged to.”
“That’s ridiculous.” I hurt for him and the pain that touched his eyes when he talked about hiding away a part of himself. “People are idiots.”
“You won’t hear me argue otherwise.” He smiled and kissed the corner of my mouth. “But they also come in handy when I need intimidation. You’d be shocked how many baller CEOs crumble the minute I take off my jacket and roll up my sleeves.”
“Hell, just thinking about it has me ready to fall on my knees.” I winked at him. “Have I ever told you that the sight of a man rolling up his sleeves is sexy as hell?”’
“You have not.” He all but purred as he looked over at Dante and then Alexander. “We’ll have to remember that.”
“Yes, we will.” Dante’s eyes flashed with a devious glow that set my body on fire all over again.
No matter how many times we were together, or how much pleasure they gave me, I always wanted them again.
“You’d better behave or I can’t be held responsible for my actions.
We’re trying to be discreet. If you start rolling up your sleeves with a crowd around, I can’t be held responsible for drooling over you. ”
“You can drool over me as much as you like.” Julian kissed me again then patted my ass. “But for now, you’d better get home and rest up.”
“As much as we’d like to keep you here all night, we’ll let you go home.” Alexander’s smile held hints of sweetness and heat.
An hour later, I opened the front door to the house Lila and I shared and kicked off my heels with a happy sigh. “You won’t believe what happened today.”
Lila looked up from her computer with a grin. “Does it involve three hunky guys and some delicious sex?”
“How’d you know?”
Her laugh rang through the house as she stood and closed her laptop. “Girl, did you not look in the mirror before coming home?”
“Um.” I ran a hand through my hair, wincing when my fingers caught on a tangle. “No.”
“You look great. Completely sexed up and incredible.” Lila stood and hugged me. “I’m so happy for you.”
From anyone else, those words might make me think they were being disingenuous. Not Lila. She’d been my best friend too long and she always told me the truth. “You still think what I’m doing is okay?”
“Girl, you’re sleeping with three amazing men who promised not to let it get between you and your job. You can tell them no and keep working if that’s what you want. I’d kill for a relationship that transparent and amazing.” She flopped into her seat with a dramatic sigh.
I opened the refrigerator and buried my head inside, searching for the ingredients I’d bought a few days ago. “You still okay with roasted red pepper chicken tonight?”
“Sure.” Lila’s tone shifted back to her work mode.
I checked over my shoulder to make sure she hadn’t gone all dark and broody on me. It happened sometimes when she buried herself in her work. A tense line formed between her eyes, and she scrolled through a page on her laptop. “Anything new and exciting on your end?”
A quick head shake, and she clicked off the webpage. “Nothing new or exciting. Same old boring work.”
“You love your job.” I snorted and carried the red bell peppers to the chopping board.
“I do.” Lila joined me in the kitchen, taking the chicken from the counter and taking out the cutting board I used for meat. “Guess I’m just having a moment. Tell me more about your guys.” She shimmied her hips. “Any juicy details you’re willing to share?”
I blushed so hot and fast she laughed and waved a dishtowel at my face.
“They’re amazing. They keep telling me not to worry about rumors, but it keeps bugging me.
” I chopped a little harder than necessary, causing one of the pepper bits to fly through the air, hit the white backsplash, and bounce twice before I caught it.
Lila watched me for a few seconds, her knife poised over the chicken. “I’d tell you to ignore the haters, but that’s always been harder for you than it is for me. I wish I could tell you that it doesn’t matter, but you won’t believe that either.”
“Are you going to tell me I’m a gentle heart again and that I let people’s opinions matter too much?” I focused on the peppers to try and ignore the ache behind my eyes.
Lila squeezed me into a side hug. “Sounds like I don’t need to remind you. You love everyone, and you want them to like you too. I love that about you, even though it makes me worry because I know how often you’ve been taken advantage of because of your big heart.”
I stopped chopping and returned her hug. “You’re a great best friend. Sorry I’m such a downer. You’re right. I’ve been given an amazing opportunity, and I’m ruining it by worrying about what could happen instead of focusing on the good.”
“Who doesn’t love the thrill of a forbidden romance?” Her smile and laugh eased the last of my worry away.
My phone pinged a notification. Hope bloomed hot and fast, starting in my chest and spreading outward in an instant. I washed and dried my hands before pulling my phone from my pocket.
“Oh, is that them?” Lila leaned close while keeping her hands and knife well away from me.
I swiped to the message and frowned. “It’s an unknown number. Should I open it?”
“Maybe it’s one their private numbers. You only have the work group thread.” She sliced through another piece of chicken and began dicing it. “Can’t hurt to check. Just don’t click any links or anything.”
I already knew that, but I pressed my lips together to keep from saying anything. She was only repeating the same information she gave every day. Bottom lip between my teeth, I opened the message and read. “Lila.” My hands shook as I shoved the phone in front of her face. “Look.”
She squinted and leaned away, her lips moving around the words. “I know what you did. If you know what’s good for you, you won’t make the same mistake again.” She lowered the knife and read the message again.
“I knew it.” I took the phone away and typed out an answering text.
Who is this, and what is it that you think I’ve done?
I showed it to Lila, who nodded her agreement before I hit send. I wasn’t fool enough to play into anyone’s game. No way I’d collapse into guilt because of a random text that could be anything.
It could be pure coincidence that I received that message so soon after being with Julian, Alexander, and Dante.
Or, I’d been right all along and someone saw something they shouldn’t have and this whole thing was about to unravel.