Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
SULLY
Istood over Autumn, hating to leave her but knowing I had to get to the office and prepare for the busy day ahead.
Waking up beside her was still very new, and I liked it.
I liked how she felt wrapped around me, her soft breath warm on my skin.
I loved the little noise of protest she made when I slipped from the bed and the way she burrowed into the pillow I slid toward her, smiling as she slipped back into sleep, no doubt breathing in my scent.
Her fragrance was all around me, clinging to my skin. I hated the idea of showering it off but looked forward to having it all over me again later.
I looked around, not wanting to leave without saying goodbye.
I spied a notepad on the desk with the customary pen all hotels provided.
As I lifted a piece of paper, a memory struck of Aunt Roisin, Finn, and Niall one weekend.
I had been staying over, and it had begun to piss down rain, trapping us in the small house.
This was long before Netflix and streaming services, and TV service was iffy at the best of times in the small village where Roisin lived.
She’d decided to teach us origami—a craft she had learned years ago.
She was patient as she guided us through the steps, explaining the basics.
Finn and Niall grew bored quickly and returned to their games, but I actually enjoyed it and Roisin taught me several small pieces.
I hadn’t made any in years, but suddenly, my fingers began to fold and crease the piece of paper in my hand.
Before I realized it, I had made a small flower.
I added a note, wrapping it around the little stem, and placed it on the pillow beside Autumn.
Even asleep, I felt the draw I had to her and stirrings of desire.
I bent and pressed a soft kiss to her head.
“Until later, mo fhiadh beag.”
Then, regretfully, I left her.
Two hours later, Lloyd walked in, carrying a steaming cup of coffee from the local spot he knew I liked.
Theirs was brewed in small batches, using the best beans, and I preferred it to the more well-known chains.
I was behind my desk, showered, dressed, and deep into the workload waiting for me.
I glanced up, noticing his serious face.
“Do I still have a job?” he semi-joked. “I had no idea I was sending you into a storm and trapping you for the weekend.” He held out the cup. “Maybe this will do as a start to my apologies?”
I accepted the cup, taking a long, appreciative sip. I had read his texts and emails on the train last night, chuckling at his horror and questions if I had even made it as far as Lachlan.
I sat back, shaking my head. “Actually, you deserve a raise. I made it there and had a great weekend.”
Dramatically, he sighed and threw himself into the chair across from me. “Thank God.”
I laughed, both of us knowing I would never fire him. He was far too efficient and did his job well.
He lifted one eyebrow. “How big a raise are we talking?”
“Enough to buy you lunch at your favorite takeaway.” I paused. “And I’ll have combo two.”
He laughed. “I’ll take it. But seriously, everything was okay?”
“Yes. Nothing to do but, ah, relax,” I fibbed lightly. “I ate a lot, slept, and shoveled more snow than I recall seeing in years.”
“Well, you look good. A bit tired, but not exhausted the way you looked when you left. I knew you needed a break.”
There was a reason I looked tired, and her name was Autumn. But I was keeping that information to myself. “And you were right.”
“Always am.”
I waved my hand, dismissing him. “I need more information on these files.” I handed him two folders. “As much background as you can find.”
“On it.”
My phone rang, and I chuckled. It hadn’t taken Bonnie long to ring me. Lloyd stood.
“I’ll get on these right away.”
“Great.”
“I’ll order lunch for twelve. I’m getting extra spring rolls. We can go through your week while we eat.”
“Good plan.”
I picked up my phone. “Bonnie. How’s my favorite cousin?”
“Good God, man, do you ever answer your phone? I’ve been calling all weekend.”
“I left it at the office,” I fibbed. “I got all your messages today. I was going to call as soon as I cleared my desk a little.”
She snorted. “As if you weren’t there on the weekend and probably by six this morning.”
It was odd that I noticed her accent this morning. Heavily Scottish, mixed at times with a touch of Irish. Autumn’s voice was quieter, with a lilt, her accent softer, gentler than either of our brogues.
“I took some time off, actually. Relaxed a bit.”
“Well, thanks to God you didn’t travel. I had a friend at the cottage.”
“I heard that message.”
“Good thing. Lunch? We’ll catch up.”
“Booked already. How about drinks tonight? Say six?”
“Sounds good.”
“Maybe a bite of supper after.”
“I like the sound of that. The Goat?” she asked, choosing our favorite pub.
“Perfect. I’ll see you there.”
She hung up without saying goodbye, which was her usual fashion.
I stared at the phone, then sent a quick text to Autumn.
Meeting Bonnie for drinks at six. Care to join for dinner after if she doesn’t kill me?
Also, you looked far too sexy this morning. I had a hard time leaving and not waking you first.
She replied a moment later.
What if she asks directly? I don’t want to lie to her.
I doubt she will, but if so, then I trust you to tell her what you are comfortable with. Otherwise, I will tell her tonight.
Okay. How will I know if you’re alive?
I laughed.
I’ll let you know when the smoke clears.
I waited as she typed.
Send me info, and I’ll be there. I was so exhausted I didn’t even hear you leave. I love my flower, though.
Good.
And you’re damn sexy yourself, Mr. Black. I wouldn’t have minded being woken up by you.
I’ll remember that.
You do.
Later, mo fhiadh beag.
xx
I stared at the two little kisses for a moment.
I couldn’t recall the last time I had used texting to flirt or tease someone.
I knew without a doubt the last few women I’d dated never ended a text with x’s.
Or were so easygoing by telling me they would meet me somewhere.
In fact, the last woman I dated wanted a car service to pick her up every time, even if I was able to drive myself.
She liked being chauffeured around. And a pub wouldn’t do—her idea of a casual date was no tuxedos on the waiters.
She drained me fast, and we didn’t last long.
Autumn was a breath of fresh air for me.
And I had to admit, I was already obsessed.
AUTUMN
I glanced over at the paper flower on my desk. Why I had brought it with me, I didn’t know, but I liked seeing it there. Waking up with Sully gone made me wistful, which seemed strange since we were so new. But somehow, in a few short days, I had gotten used to him being beside me when I woke.
I had sat up in bed, realizing I needed to get ready to head into the office, and noticed the little flower.
I picked it up, amazed at the sweet offering, knowing Sully must have made it before he left.
It was a romantic, fanciful gesture, and it made my heart flutter. As did the short note he added.
Mo fhiadh beag,
I will miss you today.
Thank you for the best weekend I can recall.
I look forward to many more of them.
Yours,
Sully
I recalled the alarm of first seeing him. Then discovering I wasn’t in danger, but still uncomfortable. He was serious. Stern. Intense.
And then he had teased me. Smiled. It transformed his face.
I discovered the man behind the lawyer. The gentle, sexy, sweet side. The passionate nature hidden under the brooding exterior.
And I liked it. More than liked it. I liked him. Very much. In fact, I’d go so far as to say—
“Hey.”
The sound of Bonnie’s voice cut through my thoughts, and I glanced up. “Oh, hi.”
She came in, sitting across from me with a grimace. “So I think your weekend at the cottage was all about snow and wind instead of walks on the cool beach?”
I laughed, pushing my hair over my shoulder. Another damn clip had broken this morning. I needed to get to a drugstore—or a chemist, as they called it—and buy more. My hair needed a good cut as well and to get thinned out. It was getting wild.
“I got a few walks in before the storm hit.”
“I am so sorry. I hadn’t heard a storm was blowing in until long after you got there.”
I waved my hand. “No worries. I was fine. I had food, heat, and lots of good…” I stumbled over my words. “…books to read. The view was still incredible, and the break was awesome.”
“You weren’t frightened?”
I thought about the moment Sully burst through the door and the terror that had overwhelmed me. But I only smiled and shook my head. “No, I felt perfectly safe.”
“Good.” She sat back with a laugh. “I spoke with Sully this morning. He said he’d actually taken the weekend off.
Can you imagine if he had shown up? What a comedy sketch that would have been!
The two of you trapped together in that little cottage during a snowstorm.
” She cackled merrily. “Like a bad rom-com.”
I swallowed, pushing my hair back again, suddenly nervous. Bonnie frowned. “What is that mark on your neck?”
“Wh-what?”
“You have a bruise. A couple of them. Did you get hurt?”
I shut my eyes, knowing I had to tell her. “No. But there is something I need—”
One of the managers appeared in my doorway. “Bonnie, you’re needed in Rex’s office right away.”
“What now?” she groaned.
“He’s having a meltdown over some new implementation.”
She stood. “Okay. Sorry, Autumn, we’ll have to continue this later.”
“No problem,” I replied, grateful for the reprieve.
“I might need you to help me with this. Be ready to come and aid me.”
I smiled. “Of course.”
She left, and I sat back with a sigh. I shouldn’t be so nervous. Sully and I were adults. We were in a mature, if somewhat fast, relationship. Of sorts. It was our business.
But I liked Bonnie. We were good friends. And wasn’t there a rule about dating a cousin? No, that was a brother. Although she had described Sully as being more like a brother. What was the saying? Bros before hoes? No, that was for men. Hoes before bros? Except I wasn’t a ho.
Was I? I did sleep with him within hours of meeting him.
I dropped my head into my hands. What a mess. Then I straightened my shoulders. I would tell her at lunch and let the chips fall where they may.
Except I never got a chance. Rex’s meltdown was epic, and we both worked through lunch.
Of all the senior staff, he was one of the most vocal against the new policies, no matter how often it was explained to him that they were now the law, as well as simple common sense.
Then I had a meeting with another department that ran long, and when I got out, Bonnie was gone.
I sighed as I looked at my phone. Sully had sent the directions and suggested between seven and seven-fifteen would be a good time to show up. It was almost six now, so I decided to work a bit longer and then head off to the pub to meet them.
I only hoped I would meet two smiling faces and not an angry friend and a defensive…boyfriend?
I felt my lips pull into a smile. Was Sully my boyfriend? Lover? Potential partner?
We had so much to talk about and decide.
So many questions to work through.
Maybe once the passion of the weekend simmered down, he would change his mind.
Maybe I would.
But simply the thought of that happening made my chest ache. There was something between us. Something powerful and real. At least on my part.
I hoped he would feel the same.