Chapter 34
THIRTY-FOUR
Mackie turns to me as Conan leaves and smiles, and any lingering jealousy I felt disappears.
It’s impossible to be mad at him. “Your garage is usually closed,” he murmurs as his eyes sweep over the cars and widen.
“Holy shit, Noah, is that an Aston Martin Vulcan?” he murmurs, stepping closer, but he doesn’t seem to want to touch it, his hands hovering midair.
Adorable. I’d put a ring on his finger today and give all of it to him if he asked.
“That’s my dream car,” he whispers reverently. “I have images of this on my phone. How the hell did you afford this?”
Smirking, I grab the key and toss it at him.
He catches it automatically, his driver reflexes showing as I stalk toward it.
I never usually drive it because it’s too fancy, especially for work, but how could I not with the way he’s staring at it?
He looks like he’s seen God, and I want to show him how I’m going to provide for him for the rest of his life.
“You can drive today. My head still aches from drinking.”
“Drive . . . this?” He clutches the keys. “I can’t—”
“Sure you can.” I pull him closer, slipping my hand into his back pocket. “What’s mine is yours. Now drive your boyfriend to work before we’re late. I hear our boss is grumpy.”
“But hot.” He smirks as he looks at the car, biting his lip. “I want to, but it’s too expensive.”
“Drive the fucking car, baby,” I mutter. “There’s no one I would trust with this other than you.” Smacking his ass, I open the door, and he slips into the driver’s seat.
When I climb into the passenger seat, he strokes the wheel, and I raise a brow. “Fuck. I shouldn’t have let you. You’re going to love my car more than me.”
“Already do.” He glances at me. “I’d fuck this car if I could.”
“Brilliant. Come on.” I reach over and start the engine, and it roars to life. His smile is so wide, his dimples show as he tugs down his shades, grips the wheel, and looks at me.
“Hang on.” He peels from my driveway and guns it, throwing me back to my seat as he whoops. Despite the fact that he’s speeding, I smile at how happy he is.
I want to see his smile forever.
He’s reluctant to leave the Vulcan, so I take his hand and lead him toward the garage before he proposes to it or something. I never thought I’d be jealous of a car, but I am.
He stops at the garage door.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
Biting his lip, he looks inside then at me. “Nothing.”
He hesitates, however, before stepping away and putting space between us. I understand his uncertainty. He thinks I don’t want people to know. The only reason I was distant was to protect him, but now that he’s mine, everyone will know.
Narrowing my eyes, I grab his hand and drag him, where I lift our joined hands into the air. “I’m dating Mackie. Does anyone have a problem with that?” I yell loudly. The garage becomes silent as Mackie gasps and tries to tug his hand from mine, but I refuse to let go.
“Yes, about time!” Skylar cheers so loudly, the rest of the garage turns to look at us. “Team Noah and Mackie! Wait, Nomack. Oh my god, your couple name is so cute!” Skylar carries on chattering, and I hear him taking pictures, but I ignore him and look at Mackie.
“I am not and never will be ashamed of you. I’m still your boss at work, but I’m also your boyfriend, and I won’t compromise on that.” Kissing his cheek, I drag him past Skylar, who’s wiggling his eyebrows at us, and head to my office.
Once we’re inside, he lets go and gapes at me. “Noah,” he hisses.
“What?” I ask as I slump into my seat and watch him with heavy-lidded eyes. They always ache when I drink. Stupid brain.
“They . . . Your garage . . . The press,” he stutters, and I crook my finger.
“Come here,” I tell him. He looks at the door then me. “Don’t make me chase you. We can do this out there in public when I catch you.”
Swallowing, he pushes from the door and heads toward me, hesitating at my side, so I yank him down onto my lap.
“I meant what I said. I am not ashamed of dating you, and I do not give a fuck who knows. We don’t have to advertise it if you’re worried about your reputation in the industry, but I won’t keep it a secret, okay? ”
“Okay.” He bites his lip, and my eyes narrow as his teeth sink into the plush flesh. “I don’t want to either. It just surprised me.”
“I promised I would never hurt you again, and I meant it,” I murmur as I rub his back. “When I’m certain about something, I’m sure, and I never look back.”
He nods, playing with my shirt before he looks up and stops. “Your eyes are red.”
“From drinking,” I lie.
“Do they ache?” he asks as he rubs his thumbs gently under my eyes as if to soothe the pain away. “Oh, wait, I have your eye drops from last time.” Scrambling from my lap, he opens his bag then returns, straddling me as he inspects them.
I just stare, my heart aching. He takes such good care of me.
I know he carries the pain meds and eyedrops around in case I get any attacks.
He’s always looking after me, but it’s my turn now.
I don’t complain, however, as he leans closer, pressing into me as he uncaps it.
My hands slide down his back to his ass, since he’s distracted.
How many times did I imagine this in my office?
Life is too short to hold back.
“Noah,” Mackie warns, but there is a tilt to his lips that tells me he isn’t angry. I look up at him as I squeeze his ass harder, shifting him forward just as I hear the office door open. Mackie gasps, trying to scramble from my lap, but I hold him tighter and look past him with a bored expression.
“What?” I ask Skylar.
“Shit!” He covers his mouth before slapping the same hand over his eyes.
“I saw nothing!” I arch a brow as his fingers move for him to peek through them, and I swear I hear him squeal.
“Continue, just make sure to be safe. Use protection!” He whirls, ramming into the door since his eyes are covered before he tears it open and hightails it out.
Rolling my eyes, I lean back and see Mackie’s face is on fire. “Oh my god, he’s going to tell everyone.”
“So?” I shrug, and then we hear it.
“I saw them, Bones! They were fucking in the office . . . Why does the position matter? Yes, it’s one we’ve tried . . .” His voice fades away, and I can’t help but laugh as I lean into Mackie.
“Dead. He’s dead,” he grumbles, but he pinches my chin and lifts it so he can put the drops in both eyes. “I love that you aren’t ashamed that we are together.” My eyes narrow, and he wiggles under the scrutiny. “But maybe we should keep it professional at work.”
I stand and lift him before I deposit him on my desk and step between his parted thighs. I brace my hands against the wood on either side of him as I lean in. “Is that what you want, baby? Do you want me to be professional when we are here?”
His shudder is my answer, but he tries his best. “I just think maybe—”
“Clearly, I didn’t do a good enough job fucking you if you can still think.” Reaching down, I go to unbuckle my pants, but he yelps and rolls back, flipping from my desk and pointing at me. I smirk and round it, prowling toward him. “Want me to chase you?”
“Stay away! We’re at work, Noah!” He gapes. “We can talk about this later.” He runs out of the door after Skylar as I chuckle and return to my seat behind my desk.
My head is pounding, but I’ve never been happier.