CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
ELISE
HAPPINESS WAS LITTLE luxuries like chocolate muffins, a hot bubble bath and the kind of soreness that made you proud to limp a little.
I sighed blissfully as the warm water from the shower-head washed over me.
One of the hardest things I had to do in my life was climb out of bed when Nathan’s warm, muscular body laid against mine.
But we were headed back home today and I had no idea what to expect now that we officially crossed the line.
My brain told me to act normal, even though everything was anything but. So, instead of overthinking everything, I told myself that I would do what I normally would, which included getting ready to catch our flight.
Memories of last night drifted into the bathroom and into the shower with me.
Nathan pinning both my hands over my head.
Nathan sprinkling kisses over my body.
My stomach clenched at the memory.
“Penny for your thoughts?” I was so lost in the memories of last night that I didn’t notice when Nathan entered the bathroom until he stepped into the shower with me.
“Um...” My words died in my throat as I unashamedly checked him out. Nathan was naked, towering over me like a Greek god with water cascading down his body.
He could’ve asked me what the first letter of the alphabet was and I still wouldn’t have an answer for him at this moment.
My brain seemed to have stopped working properly.
Nathan chuckled in response before he moved in closer, sucking up every bit of oxygen in the room.
“Good morning.” He dipped his head low enough to brush a kiss against my lips.
“Good morning.” Thank goodness Nathan had wrapped his arms around me or else I was afraid I would melt in the shower.
“I woke up and you were gone. Can’t say I wasn’t disappointed.” Nathan skimmed his lips against my neck and shoulder.
“Sorry. I wasn’t sure how to handle this morning,” I muttered, my voice betraying a hint of unease.
Nathan’s lips continued their trail, soft and lingering against my skin as he responded with a quiet chuckle.
“You don’t need to apologize for wanting time to process.
” His voice was low, and soothing, like everything was okay.
He pulled back just enough to look at me, his eyes glinting with that usual confidence, but there was something tender in his gaze now.
Something I hadn’t quite expected.
I looked at him, still trying to find my footing after everything that had happened between us. “It’s just that all of this is new to me. I wasn’t expecting this.” I gestured vaguely between us, feeling the heat of his body so close to mine.
Nathan nodded, understanding flickering across his face.
“I get it.” He placed a finger under my chin, tilting my face so I had no choice but to hold his gaze.
“But I want you to know something. You don’t have to have all the answers right now.
We’re figuring this out together, okay?” I exhaled slowly, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease.
His words were like a balm for my overactive mind.
Maybe he was right. Maybe there didn’t need to be an explanation for everything.
“I guess I’m just worried about what this means,” I admitted quietly, my fingers tracing absentmindedly over his chest, the warmth of his skin grounding me.
Nathan’s hand slid down my back, his touch gentle but steady. “What this means?” His jaw was tight, the muscle ticking as he held himself in check. There was no smirk, just quiet dominance written all over his face.
“I think I know, but…” I tried to make it sound playful, but the words came out thin, like they couldn’t hold up under their own weight.
Because yeah, he was saying all the right things, touching me like he meant them, but what happens when we land back home? When the normal routine set in and the reality of who we were outside this little bubble hit us?
It was one thing to feel wanted here, wrapped in steam and skin and the warmth of his voice. It was another to know if we’d still feel wanted when there were no hotel walls and no rainy nights.
Nathan's jawline ticked. “You think?” he repeated, his voice a low, velvety drawl. The way he said it made me feel both scolded and utterly captivated. “Let me make this very clear for you, Elise. You’re mine. Every inch of you, every thought, every breath. You belong to me now.”
His words shouldn’t have felt so electrifying, but they did.
“Nathan…” My voice wavered, caught between the heady mix of his intensity and my own hesitation.
He leaned in closer, his lips hovering over mine, his breath warm and intoxicating. “There's no going back. Not after last night.”
My heart skipped a beat, the weight of his words settling heavily between us. I found myself leaning into him, as if my body craved the very thing my heart wasn’t sure I could handle.
Nathan pulled back slightly, just enough to meet my eyes, his thumb brushing over my cheek in a gesture so tender it almost made me forget the edge in his voice moments ago.
“What about work? You’re still my boss for another few days, Nathan. How are we supposed to—”
“Keep this professional?” he interrupted, a dark smile playing on his lips. He leaned back against the wall, pulling me with him. “Let me guess, you’re worried about appearances?”
I nodded, swallowing hard as his hands settled on my hips. “Yes. People will notice that things have changed between us. They already suspect something is going on ever since my video was uploaded.”
Nathan tilted his head, studying me with a mix of amusement and something dangerous. “Do you think I care about office gossip?”
I hesitated, caught between his unwavering confidence and my own fear. “You should care. If people think you’re playing favorites or—”
“Elise.” His tone was sharp, commanding enough to make my argument falter.
“I know how hard you work for the company. We’ll keep things discreet.
I’ll even play the ruthless CEO if that makes you feel better.
But don’t mistake discretion for distance.
” His eyes locked on mine, unrelenting. “You’ll still be mine.
Every day, in every way that matters. Even if I have to spend every meeting pretending I don’t want to drag you into my office and remind you exactly who you belong to. ”
I swallowed hard, heat pooling between my thighs at the mental image his words conjured. “Nathan, you can’t just—”
“I can. And I will.” His voice softened, but his intensity didn’t waver. “But I’ll respect your boundaries in the office, Cupcake. I’ll let you call the shots there, as long as you remember that what happens between us doesn’t stop when we walk through those doors. Understood?”
I nodded slowly, my heart racing. “Understood.”
“Good.” He leaned in, brushing his lips over mine in a slow, deliberate kiss that made it hard to think about anything else. “Now, are we done worrying about the office, or do I need to find another way to clear your mind?”
The warning in his tone sent a delicious shiver down my spine, and I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. “Clear my mind, how?”
Nathan smiled deviously in response before he kissed me again, this time slower, as if sealing the promise he had made.
I could worry about the office later. Right now? I was too busy being completely and utterly ruined for anyone but him.
* * *
“IS THERE A reason why you’re glaring at me, cupcake?” Nathan asked, attempting and failing to suppress his amusement.
“You don’t play fair.” I continued to glare at him as I pulled my dress down into place.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Nathan flashed me a wicked grin as he stood up from his desk and made his way over to me. He finished dressing before me, so other than his hair being slightly messy, there was no evidence that we just had sex on his desk.
I’m not entirely sure what happened. We’d only been back in LA a few hours after landing from Louisiana and Nathan wanted to go straight into work.
One minute I was coming in to ask him what he wanted to eat for lunch since he barely ate on the plane and then the next thing I knew, I was on top of his desk with my dress bunched up around my hips, thighs spread apart and Nathan on his knees before me.
I was so delirious with need that I didn’t care that I was drenching important documents and contracts. The only thing that mattered was being delivered of the insufferable ache that accumulated between my thighs.
“Sure you don’t.” I dropped my hands to the side as Nathan came to stand in front of me and slide the straps of my dress into place.
The air still hummed with an electric charge and I’m afraid all Nathan had to do was kiss me and I’d be ready to go again.
“You’re good at a lot of things, Mr. Edge, but lying isn’t one of them. ”
I had meant to be teasing, but there was suddenly something like regret and remorse that glittered in Nathan’s eyes but before I could be sure, it was gone, replaced with its usual mischief.
“I will order you some food if you’re still hungry.” Nathan said.
“Can’t. My lunch break is over.” I kiss his cheek then head for the door, but I feel a hand on my arm before I can make it out the room. I look back at Nathan who is staring at me expectantly.
“Try again.”
It took me a minute before I realized what he meant.
I rolled my eyes but I can't help the smile I felt growing as I leaned up for a kiss.
Nathan wasted no time deepening the kiss, his hand gripping the back of my head as his mouth explored mine.
I allowed myself to melt into the kiss for a few more seconds before I pulled away and let myself out.
I glanced around, thinking somehow people would know what we were just doing, but thankfully the hustle and bustle of the office still continued.
I walked over to my desk, trying to focus on the task at hand. I rummaged through my purse, hunting for the chocolate chip granola bar I had tossed in earlier this morning.
My phone pinged with a text before I could unwrap it and take the first bite.
Nathan:
You really think a granola bar is going to cut it?
I smirked as I unwrapped the granola bar, taking a small bite before typing out my response.
Elise:
It’s going to have to since SOMEBODY monopolized my time...
The familiar sight of text bubbles appeared before Nathan’s response came through.
Nathan:
I didn’t hear any complaints. You’re good at keeping quiet, cupcake.
I rolled my eyes, but the blush creeping up my neck betrayed my amusement as I shoved the wrapper into my desk drawer. I swallowed hard, his words set my pulse racing, but I couldn’t let myself get caught up in it again. Especially not in the middle of the office with the day still ahead of me.
Elise:
I really need to get back to work.
I replied.
His response was immediate.
Nathan:
Fine. We’ll continue this conversation later. In person.
I read the message one more time, his words once again leaving me with a mix of frustration and excitement I wasn’t sure how to handle.
Taking a deep breath, I relaxed in my chair just as my phone dinged with another text from Nathan.
Nathan:
Your lunch will be here in a few minutes. I take care of what's mine.
I could feel the ridiculous smile spreading on my lips as I read the text. I tried to focus back on the tasks that needed my attention, but my body still hummed from his touch. From his kiss. The clock ticked unbearably slow. Tonight couldn’t come fast enough.