18. Harper #3
It feels foreign to be getting into my car after so many days of not driving or having the freedom to do so.
It’s only been a few weeks, but it feels like more time has passed.
I press the remote Ev left me for the carriage doors and then pocket it so I can let myself back in.
The morning sun is bright in my eyes when I pull out and turn onto the street, but it feels too good on my face to shy away from it.
I’m acting like I’ve been hidden away for months, but I can’t help it.
Rolling down the windows, I let the breeze flow in, relishing the feel of it against my skin.
Not even the heavy traffic or the angry blare of horns from impatient drivers can sour my mood today.
Even though I’m sure Ev has my every move being tracked, I can’t spot anyone following me, not that I’d know what to look for if someone was following me, but I have the illusion of freedom, and right now that’s enough to put a smile on my face.
I settle into the traffic, slowly inching my way to work along with everyone else, and when I reach the building and pull into a spot near the front, I grab my bag and head inside.
The three flights of stairs don’t seem nearly as bad today, and I briefly wonder if it’s because I’ve been walking up and down Ev’s so much and unknowingly building up my cardio.
Well, that and the other high-heart-rate activities we’ve been doing.
That thought alone is enough to put a smile on my face, but I quickly hide it before walking into The Beacon’s offices. I’ve been gone too long and under too mysterious of circumstances to come waltzing in with a big I just got fucked smile on my face.
“Oh my god, you’re alive,” Jace says as soon as he sees me, jumping up from his desk and walking over to greet me with a big hug.
“I’m alive,” I agree, returning his hug while the others give us curious looks but don’t bother getting up to see what’s going on.
Jace pulls back and looks me over. Even though I’ve ditched the sex smile, he still narrows his eyes and puts a hand on his hip. “Why are you glowing?”
“What?”
His eyes go from suspiciously narrowed to shocked and too big when he says, “Oh my god, are you pregnant?”
“What?” I whisper-shout at him, grabbing his arm and pulling him even more to the side of the room. I’m pretty sure no one heard us over the general office noises, but this is not a rumor I want circulating.
“Of course I’m not pregnant,” I say, keeping my voice low and ignoring the very loud one in my head that’s reminding me of all the unprotected sex I’ve been having lately.
“Well, then you’ve been hitting that dildo hard lately, Harps, because if you’re not pregnant, then you’re just glowing from an insane amount of orgasms.” He waves a hand around my head. “Your whole aura reads I just got big dick.”
“Well, let’s hope you’re the only one who can read auras around here.”
“Spill it,” he says, making it clear with his body language that he’s not budging until I tell him all the juicy gossip. Unfortunately for him, I can’t say a word.
“I was out sick, and then I got really lucky.”
When he raises a knowing brow, I quickly say, “Not like that. I got a source, a good one, and they’ve been giving me great stuff.”
“Yeah, your articles are all anyone can talk about,” he says.
“Harper!”
We both jump at the sound of Arthur’s voice.
“Get your ass in my office,” he hollers at me as he turns his back and walks off.
Jace gives a low whistle. “Good luck, and when you have the time I expect you to find me and tell me all the juicy bits you’re leaving out of your story. I know an orgasm glow when I see one.”
When I stay rooted in place, he gives me a gentle nudge and whispers, “Better just go and get it over with. Try not to glow too brightly in his office. I think it’ll just piss him off even more.”
With a soft groan, I square my shoulders and force my feet to move.
I eye the box of donuts on my way past the small kitchenette and briefly debate the pros and cons of grabbing two.
I’m nervous enough to feel queasy, which means my body’s natural instinct is to mainline a giant doughy ball of sugar, and it might put Arthur in a slightly more pleasant mood if I come in bearing gifts, but on the other hand I’m always telling him he needs to eat better so this would just be bringing temptation into the lion’s den.
I decide to forego the donuts, promising myself I’ll grab one on the way out.
He’s already back behind his desk when I step into the small office and take the seat I always sit in.
His jacket is off, revealing a pair of bright red suspenders against his white shirt, and the sight of him is so familiar to me that I instantly feel at ease, even though I know he’s still pissed at me.
“I’m really sorry I’ve been absent,” I start to say, but he leans forward, the squeak in his chair cutting off my words.
“I just wanted to see you to make sure you’re okay. Relax, kid, you’re not about to get fired.”
I let out a relieved breath, even though I hadn’t actually thought he’d called me in here to fire me. It’s still a relief to know he’s not mad, though.
“You’re feeling better?” he asks, and I can’t tell if he’s being serious or if he knows I was lying about my illness.
Either way, I nod and say, “I’m feeling a lot better. Thanks.”
Leaning back, he hooks his thumbs under his suspenders while resting his hands on his stomach and says, “So who’s this source you’ve been so secretive about?”