35. Sean
35
SEAN
“ W hat is it?” I asked, frustrated.
I could feel the arousal in my body again, just by standing next to her, and I hated that I had to fight it every time I was around her.
“I’m concerned about?—”
“Our professional relationship?” I asked, finding the words bitter on my tongue.
Our jobs had thrown us together, but right now, I hated that it was the one logical reason we shouldn’t be together.
“That night when I thought I’d lost Lucas, when you consoled me and held me tight, I knew I was doomed. Because I liked it a lot more than I should have.”
“I liked it too.” The words slipped out of me automatically.
“And in reality, I wanted to do a lot more.”
She bit her lip.
“After tonight, well, I’ll be seeing you at work tomorrow. And outside of work to help you with Lucas. We keep running into each other a lot.”
“What’s wrong with that?” I growled, suddenly angry that she was threatening to take away what had been the highlight of this week.
Seeing her after work.
She gave me a frustrated sigh.
“There’s plenty wrong with this, and you know it. Even if I desperately want to wave those problems away, I can’t.”
I reached for her, putting my arms around her back and drawing her closer.
Her feet met mine, and she looked up at me, vulnerability written all over her face.
“You’re right when you said earlier that I need to be in control, Chloe. And I think I found a way to be in control and for the two of us to still get together.”
She raised her eyebrows while I grazed my hands up and down her arms.
I was furious that Will had ever had a chance with her.
I was seething at the idea that she would give someone so unworthy of her a shot.
And while she could never be mine, I knew I could do a far better job of worshipping her, both inside the bedroom and out.
Even if she wasn’t meant for me.
“I know you said you don’t date,” I began.
“That you want to give Henry a lot of your time. As it is, I don’t have the emotions for a serious relationship, and you don’t have the time for a serious relationship.” I looked at her, her gaze curious and waiting.
“But what if this was about having fun?”
She frowned.
“Fun?” she asked while my hands stopped at her wrists.
I took her palms in mine.
“Yes, nothing serious. But we see each other outside of work, when we can. I promise it isn’t going to affect our working relationship. And, yes, we can keep it to Thursdays if that’s the only day you can give me.”
She drew in a deep breath as she considered it, her fingers intertwining with mine.
The movement was trusting and comforting, a gesture that said she was in this with me.
I was sure she wanted it, too, despite a hundred reasons, not the least of which was her need to give her brother her complete attention.
For a brief moment, I felt torn, wishing I could have her complete time and attention before reminding myself this wasn’t a competition.
I gave her another kiss, lingering on her soft lips, enjoying the feel of her breath on my skin.
Her scent was so seductive that I wished I could stay.
I could see the longing in her eyes, too, but mixed in with some restraint.
I ran my thumb down her neck, and she shuddered against me before I reluctantly stepped away.
“You don’t need to answer right now. As you know, I’m leaving for DC for the Global Innovation Summit tomorrow morning. Just think about it while I’m away, Chloe.”
She hesitated and then nodded.
“I’ll think about it, Sean.”