Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
SCOUT
How many times can a girl double-check her outfit before she knows she’s ready? The answer is a million, and then another one in the bathroom lobby of the building, to be doubly sure.
I don’t usually feel this way about my clothing choices. Don’t get me wrong, I love getting dressed up and wearing my heels, and I’m pretty confident in my outfits. But tonight is different. Tonight, I’m seeing Taylor.
Sure, I’ve seen him a hundred times before, but this time, I’m no longer holding back.
I never considered myself to be a runner.
When it came to dating, I told myself I wasn't running; it just didn't interest me.
Of course, I was lying to myself. I've been running from love for as long as I can remember, but I can't do it anymore.
Not when it's staring me right in the face. Not when it’s already too late. You can’t run from something that’s living inside of you. Especially when it’s bubbling up and begging to break free.
“Are you hiding?”
“Holy shit!” I spin around with a gasp to see Piper standing there. She is, unsurprisingly, dressed as a cat for Halloween. The first time I met her, she had an adorable stray kitten in her purse. I knew at that moment we’d be best friends.
“Sorry.” She lets out a small laugh. “I saw you slip in here. Why didn’t you use the bathroom up there?” Piper lets the bathroom door fall closed so we’re alone.
“I wanted to make sure my costume was okay.” I do a spin, letting her see all of it.
“You’re adorable and sexy, if you ask me. Which I didn’t know could go together.”
“Thanks.” That does make me feel marginally better. It was kind of what I was going for. I want to be sexy for Taylor, but with him I want to be soft too. I know with him I can be both, and he’ll protect both sides.
“So is all this really about Taylor?” She waves her hand at my costume.
“Oh my god, does everyone know?” Of course it’s all about Taylor. I had to check my outfit down here before I went up and saw him. I didn’t want him to see it before I found another bathroom.
“I mean...” Piper lets out a dreamy sigh. “The way he’s always watching you. It’s like he wants to eat you alive.”
“Well, I hope he’s into pumpkins. It’s not everyone’s thing.”
My costume is pretty simple. It's an oversized orange shirt that falls off one shoulder. There’s a pumpkin face on it, but it’s so big it hits about mid-thigh.
I paired it with sheer black socks that go all the way up to my knees and shiny black heels that go up past the ankle.
The laces on my boots are wicked, and it felt fun getting dressed up.
“That man is into anything and everything when it comes to you,” Piper says. A few days ago, I would have waved this comment off or rolled my eyes.
“You’re right,” I agree.
“I’m right?” That perks Piper all the way up. “Does that mean it’s happening?” It’s like I can hear wedding bells coming from inside her head.
“Go back to your husband before he comes busting in here.” I shoo her out before she starts planning the bridesmaid dresses right here in the bathroom.
As I make my way up to the party, I can’t help but have some doubt creep in. I’m not going to change my mind, but I worry that I’ve already pushed him away too much. The guilt is still eating at me.
Taking a deep breath, I step off the elevator, and my eyes take in all the decorations and people.
Then all my focus shifts to finding Taylor.
For a second I think maybe he’s not here yet, but it’s a stupid thought.
Taylor is never late. As much as I fought things, I know deep down Taylor is the most dependable man in the world.
He’s proven that to me time and time again.
“Pumpkin,” his sexy voice says from behind me, and I spin around. He must have been hovering near the elevators, waiting for me.
I smile at him as he lifts his brows, taking in the sight of me. His eyes move up and down my body before he swallows hard, but I’m unable to read his expression.
“I’ve got no fucking clue why I assumed you were wearing something under your shirt.”
"It’s a dress,” I protest with a laugh. I can't help but get turned on a tiny bit by his obvious jealousy.
His possessiveness is something I’ve always craved deeply. With any other man it wouldn’t be possible, but with Taylor, it all makes sense. This is the way it’s supposed to be.
“I’m willing to bet my life that my own shirt is bigger.”
“Well, of course your shirt is bigger. You’re a giant that…
” I trail off when I take in his shirt, and it clicks into place.
He saw my pumpkin costume. He knew I was coming to the party dressed as a pumpkin.
Of course he did. “Taylor,” I gasp and put my hand over my mouth.
I’m trying to smother my laughter as I read off what it says in bold letters across his chest. “Peter, Peter.”
“The pumpkin eater,” Taylor finishes as he reaches for me.
He pulls me against his big body, and I let myself melt right into him. He claims my mouth in a kiss that’s probably not suitable for public consumption. He doesn’t care, though. He kisses me like it’s the first time he’s seen me in years.
I kiss him back just as fiercely as I slide my hands up his chest and link them at the back of his neck. I’m aware that the entire office, along with many clients and influential figures in the city, can see us, but that doesn’t seem to force us apart.
“Peter,” I gasp when we break apart.
“I’ll let that slide this one time,” he warns as his hand goes to my ass. Yeah, I knew he wouldn't like another man's name on my lips.
“Or what?” I puff out my bottom lip, teasing him.
“Or I won’t eat your pussy.”
“Liar!” I laugh, and he squeezes my ass.
He leans down to nuzzle my neck. “It’s not a lie. I’d just have to eat your ass instead.” Taylor nips at my neck, making me suck in a deep breath.
“I can’t believe you just said that,” I whisper.
“I’ll eat every inch of you, pumpkin.”
“I know,” I tell him, and he lifts his head to look down at me.
“You know?” He looks at me for confirmation, and I nod.
“I’ve known for a while, and I’m sorry for the chase,” I tell him honestly.
“I’ll always chase you,” he says, and I nod. “With me you’ll never have a single fear.” He looks down at my costume and shakes his head. “This outfit, though. I can’t let you into the party dressed this way.”
“Wait a second.” I grip his shirt. “You don’t get to caveman me yet.
” His lips tilt up on the side, letting me know I was right.
My body is still on edge and needy for us to finish what was started last night.
“Give me a couple of minutes.” I hold up two fingers, wiggling them, and he reaches out, putting one down.
I pretend to think it over before shouting, “Deal!”
I spin back around and notice a lot of people are still glancing our way. I’m sure a lot of them were shocked by our public display of affection. In the office I keep it professional for the most part, but especially with clients and other lawyers.
A few called me cold, but sometimes a girl has to be cold to not get walked over. I knew from the day I started working here that it would be a strong possibility. With how young I was and with my cousin being one of the partners, it could have held me back.
Taylor never saw me that way. He sees me better than I can see myself.
“Give me a little lift,” I tell him, tapping the front desk that sits at the entrance to the offices.
This area is open to the rest of the floor and surrounded by different offices and conference rooms. From on top of the desk I should be able to see everyone and they won’t be able to miss me.
Taylor easily lifts me, and I smile down at him before addressing the crowd.
“Evening, everyone,” I call out over the noise, and everyone gets quiet. People come forward as they turn their attention toward Taylor and me. “I just wanted to let everyone know that Taylor is obsessed with me, and I’m going to put him out of his misery by moving in with him.”
Everyone is quiet for a second as they try to piece together what’s happening.
“It’s true,” Taylor confirms loudly, and then everyone bursts into cheers.
“Okay, now you can caveman me,” I order, and he grabs me off the desk.
He’s holding me in his arms as someone hits the button for the elevator. It opens immediately, and we step on just as I see Spencer’s and Abbie’s faces beaming at us.
It’s a shame we’re leaving the party so soon, but I’m ready for Taylor to take me back to his cave and finally have his way with me.