Chapter 14
Brooke
It feels good to be back at work. Not only because I was so sick of being sick, but also because I genuinely like having a job. Doing what I love.
In at least one small way, it makes me feel like I’m moving toward being who I want to be. And I need that. Especially after seeing my parents three days ago.
I spent the whole weekend and all day yesterday trying to come to terms with what happened. What it meant for me going forward.
How that made me feel.
I didn’t come up with many answers, which is another reason I’m so happy to be in the office. Doing something besides sitting next to Tobias, pretending my brain isn’t bouncing back and forth between thinking about how my parents will never change, and all the ways he has.
So much about Tobias is exactly like I remember. His sense of humor. His laid-back nature. The way he laughs. The way he smells. But he’s also very different. There’s a maturity to him that wasn’t there when we were together. A seriousness.
A focus.
And unfortunately, those changes make me wonder what else is different. I already know the way he kisses is nothing like it was. And I’ve spent more than a few minutes of my time imagining how that change might translate into other—more intimate—acts.
Just like I’m doing now.
“You’re back.” Maren’s voice steals my focus—thank God—pulling it to where she stands in my office doorway, instead of all the ways I wish Tobias would join me in his bed. “Feel better?”
Technically, no. Not in the ways that matter. But she’s not asking about my clashing wants and needs, or questioning why I’m still sleeping at Tobias’s house even though I’m beyond being contagious—not that I have an answer to that anyway—so I smile. “Much.”
“Good, because I have something to show you.” She grabs my hand, hauling me up from my chair before dragging me out of my office toward the main entrance to the building.
I adore Maren, but she is almost as distracting as Tobias is. And while I like office gossip—way more than I should—today is not a day I can indulge. “Maren, I’m super far behind from missing two days of work. I don’t have time to—”
“Oh, you have time for this.” She waggles her brows. “Trust me.” Her steps move faster as we close in on the two-story, glass-front space. “You aren’t going to want to miss what’s here.”
My heels and pencil skirt are no match for her Doc Martens and pleated dress, and by the time we finally reach our destination, I’m a little breathless.
A fact that only gets worse when Maren points directly at the large front desk. “Look.”
Oh, I am. I think every woman in the building is looking. Because the normally empty space is crowded. Members of Titus’s team circle around where Maren and I stand, their voices hushed as they stare at the same group of men currently holding my attention.
They are gigantic. Wearing head to toe black, and gear that reminds me of what the SWAT teams on TV shows and in movies wear. “Who are they?”
“From what I’ve heard, one of our clients owns a security company. He offered to send a few of his men here until we figure out why Dan tried to blow up our servers.” She’s not exactly being quiet, and chooses the perfect lull in conversation to loudly say, “They are so freaking hot.”
When the team of men turn our direction, I want to crawl into a hole. Disappear forever. Hide in my office for the duration of their stay.
A sentiment that only gets worse when they abandon the desk and come our way.
The man leading the pack is the quintessential tall, dark, and handsome. He has a simmering intensity that unnerves me. A presence that sends me taking a step back as he approaches.
But then he smiles, the expression making him look way less scary, and slightly less intimidating.
“Ladies.” He tips his head at the group before zeroing in on where I stand. “The guards at the front desk explained the owners are currently in a meeting, and said I should come speak with you.” He holds one hand out between us. “I’m Seth. I work for Alaskan Security.”
Why in the hell did they tell him to come talk to me?
I mean, I guess it’s good that they looked over here because the guards pointed me out instead of because they heard Maren announce how hot she found them to be, but still.
I’ve only been here a few weeks. I’m the last person who should be in charge of whatever they’re here for.
But I don’t want to cause any problems for Tobias and his brothers, so I put on what I hope is a pleasant—completely competent and not panicked at all—smile, shaking Seth’s hand. “I’m Brooke.”
What do I do now? I can’t just leave them standing here. Loiter about until Tobias and the rest of the Bradshaw boys are finished.
I take in the trio of men. They seem even taller and bulkier up close—which is crazy because Tobias is probably the same size as they are. He just doesn’t seem so…
Encroaching.
Unfortunately, the only place I can think of to take them is my office. If they’ll fit.
I use one hand to awkwardly point them in the general direction of my space. “Why don’t you come to my office where we can discuss…” I only know the basics of why they’re here—and even then, it’s hearsay from Maren—so I stick with something vague. “Things.”
Turning away, I finally let my face do what it wants as I lead the way, eyes wide, expression stricken. We reach my door, and I put my features back in order before turning to face them. “Can I get you something to drink?”
Seth dips his head in a nod. “Coffee would be great.”
He has a really nice voice. Deep and rich. Not nearly as booming and loud as I would expect from someone who looks like he does.
“I’ll get it.” Maren pipes up from behind the men.
I didn’t even know she’d followed us, and while I was looking forward to having a minute to compose myself while getting them coffee, I’m grateful I’ve got backup.
Leading them into my office, I again gesture awkwardly. “Have a seat.”
The space is nowhere near being done, but it’s no longer just a desk and office chair.
I now have areas for other people to sit, including the couch two of the men choose as their resting point.
I use it when I need to take a little mental health break after lunch, but it doesn’t look like I’m going to be getting one of those today.
Seth chooses the chair closest to my desk, dropping his ass to the seat before stretching both long legs out in front of him. He really is an impressive specimen. Based on the weapons strapped up and down his toned body, he’s also likely a lethal one.
Which trips me up a little, because I know what an untrained man is capable of doing. I can only imagine what someone like the three staring at me expectantly could accomplish.
I go behind my desk, but don’t sit. I feel better being above them. On my feet, so I can make a run for the door if anything gets weird.
“I apologize for not being better prepared. I’ve been out of the office for a few days.” I put on my best professional front. “Could you explain to me the parameters of your planned activities here?”
I hope I’ve managed to make my actual question—what the fuck are you doing here—sound intelligent and businesslike.
It must not be too bad, because Seth gives me an easy smile, the tiny dip of a dimple peeking out from one cheek. “Our understanding is that the Bradshaw brothers were hopeful we could provide support and assistance during this tumultuous time.”
I nod along, like I know exactly what he’s talking about. “I see.”
To some extent, I do. I wasn’t here for it, but I know there was some pretty scary stuff that happened.
Maren is a wealth of information, especially since she was right in the thick of it.
Even if she wasn’t, her position as the company supply clerk affords her the opportunity to hear what’s happening just about everywhere within the building.
And since we seem to be developing a friendship, that means I get to hear all about what’s happening in just about every part of the building while we share lunch.
Except Tobias’s wing. It must be the most boring area ever, because Maren never has anything interesting to say about the goings on there.
Speaking of Maren, where in the hell is she? It can’t take that long to pour three black coffees.
“I’m sure they are exceptionally appreciative of your willingness to come help out.” I’m being as vague as I can so I don’t back myself—or anyone else—into a corner. But at a certain point, these guys are going to figure out I’m full of shit. That I don’t know anything.
And it might annoy the crap out of them. Make them take back the offer they’ve made and leave Tobias and his brothers high and dry.
And it’ll be my fault. My lack that causes it.
Finally, I hear Maren’s footsteps practically running our way. I appreciate her rush, but it does concern me for the state of her outfit. And her skin.
I find a genuine smile, mostly out of relief, as my eyes jump to the open doorway. But it’s not Maren headed for me. It’s Tobias. And the expression freezes on my face. Because he seems to have found the annoyance I was worried the three men looking at me oddly would develop.
I shouldn’t have brought them in here. I’ve overstepped. Yes, the security guards sent them to me, but I should have figured out some other place to make them wait. Found someone with actual seniority who could answer their questions with some sort of actual knowledge.
As he steps into my office, Tobias’s eyes snap to the group of men taking up more than their fair share of the space.
His scowl deepens as he looks them over, feet continuing to bring him closer to me.
It’s not until he’s directly behind me that Tobias stops, the broad width of his front brushing my back.
He reaches out to grip the chair pushed under my desk, effectively caging me in on one side.
I try to maintain my composure, and I feel like I’m doing a pretty good job until Maren finally wanders in, three large cups balanced in her grip. Her eyes fuse on my face, bouncing to Tobias’s head above mine before returning to me.
“Are you okay?” She essentially shoves the steaming beverages at the three men.
To their credit, they manage to grab their respective cups before they wear any of the scalding hot liquid.
“What happened?” She turns to the trio. “Did one of you upset her? Because I will kick your asses.” She narrows her eyes.
“Don’t think for a second I won’t figure out how to accomplish it. ”
Oh God. Now it’s getting worse.
“I’m fine.” My voice is tight. “Everything is fine.”
“Everything is fine now.” Tobias corrects from behind me.” He steps a little closer, the hard lines of his body now fully touching mine. “I see you boys met my—” He clears his throat. “I see you met Brooke.”
Seth angles a brow. “We did. She has been very helpful and hospitable.” His eyes are directly above my head, I assume looking at Tobias. “You’re very lucky to have her.”
Maren looks around the room. After a few seconds, she seems to decide no one is in need of an immediate ass-kicking, and she slowly fades out the door. But I can still see a peek of her shoe where she stands almost out of sight.
And holy shit do I appreciate it. I appreciate her. The way she didn’t bat an eye at threatening three men lined with weapons. I can’t even threaten one single worm of a man, much less three visibly dangerous ones.
Tobias leans down, his words warm against my ear when he asks, “What would you like for lunch?”
What? I don’t get what’s happening. He’s mad. Upset that I’ve bungled the arrival of Seth and his team.
But when I turn to peer up at Tobias over one shoulder, the gaze he levels on me is anything but angry. It’s assessing. Questioning. Filled with concern.
“I don’t know. I haven’t even thought about it.” I keep my voice low, because it doesn’t seem right we should be discussing our lunch plans in front of the new arrivals. “Can we talk about it later?”
“We can talk about anything you want, whenever you want to talk about it.” Tobias is focused on me like no one else is in the room. Like Seth and his cohorts don’t even exist.
I swallow hard, because sometimes being the only object of his attention is overwhelming. Not in a bad way, but in a way I don’t know how to unpack. Don’t know if I even should.
“Maren.” Tobias calls my friend’s name without looking away from me. “Could you please bring Brooke a bottle of water from the break room fridge?”
Maren leans into view, peeking through the open door. She gives him a grin. “Sure thing, chicken wing.”
Tobias steps back, one hand coming to grip my hip as he shifts me back with him. Once we’ve cleared the spot just behind my desk, he pulls out my chair, tipping his head at the seat. “Sit here so you can be comfortable while we talk.”
While we talk?
I lean close, keeping my voice low even though there’s really no way to keep the men in the office from hearing what I say. “Don’t you want me to leave?”
“Absolutely not.” He gently takes my elbow, urging me into the chair he pulled out. “Titus is only in the office one, maybe two days a week. We need someone else from his team who is informed about everything that’s happening.”
Once I’m seated, he scoots me close before resting one of his ass cheeks on the desk, positioning himself directly beside me.
Then he turns to our visitors, looking so much more relaxed than he did when he first appeared.
“While we’re waiting for my brothers to finish their meeting, I’d love it if you could tell me why Pierce is such a pain in the ass. ”