4. Morning Rush
MORNING RUSH
I turn off the water and grab a towel as I step out of the shower.
The rug is soft under my feet as I walk toward the mirror and wipe away to condensation that fogs the mirror.
I stare at my reflection, looking at all the hickeys that cover my body.
Reid was a man on a mission last night, and the ache between my legs proves it.
I complete my morning routine, applying a little makeup under my eyes to hide the bags. Reid was serious when he said I wasn’t going back to sleep. Now, I’m rushing to get out the door to make it to work on time. Once finished, I go into the bedroom to dress quickly in a nice pant suit.
The heeled boots I plan on wearing are sitting by the door. I walk down the hall and into the living room to find Reid sitting with Liam and watching TV. He’s wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt. I was so surprised at seeing him last night that I didn’t notice he had brought a bag.
Reid’s gaze moves to me and the intensity makes me blush as I think about his hard muscles being pressed against me last night. That sexy smirk that I love so much covers his face and he winks at me, making me hot all over again.
“None of that, mister,” I tell him as I wag my finger. “You’ve had your fill. Now I have to go to work.”
“I’ll never have my fill, sweetheart,” he replies as he stands with Liam in his arms.
He walks over and presses the sweetest kiss on my lips. When he pulls back, I have the stupidest smile on my face. Liam whines a little, and I look down to see him revving up for a meltdown. As I reach for him, Reid pulls him away and rocks him.
“I’m here, baby. Let me take some of the load,” Reid says as Liam quiets down.
With a gentle curve of his lips, Reid assures me, “Don’t worry about Liam. I’ve defrosted a bag of breastmilk and fed him already.”
His words surprise me, but it’s a welcome relief. I feel a wave of gratitude wash over me. “And I was thinking,” he continues, “that I could drop you off at work. Liam and I can go to visit my parents. Is that okay?”
His gaze is hopeful, to which I nod, unable to form words at the moment. The thought of Reid’s parents not knowing he’s back yet because he came straight here pulls at my heartstrings. He’s a good man. A good father. And regardless of the frustrations he causes, he’s my good man.
I help Reid gather everything we need before we step out of the house. He’s already secured Liam in his car seat and we’re soon on the road. I give Reid the directions to my job, my heart pounding in my chest as we navigate the morning traffic.
Fortunately, traffic is not as horrendous as I expected and we reach my office with five minutes to spare.
Before I step out, I lean over to give Reid a goodbye kiss.
It’s meant to be brief and chaste, but Reid has other plans.
His hand cups the back of my head, pulling me closer, deepening the kiss into something that sends a tingle down my spine.
My eyes flutter open when he finally pulls back.
“Keep it PG, Reid,” I scold him playfully. “We have a minor present.”
His laughter echoes around the car as he promises to behave as I get out of the car. I see Eric striding towards the building snaps me back to reality. I straighten up, mentally preparing myself for the day ahead.
As I approach the office building, Eric greets me with a characteristic grin on his face. “Good morning, Amelia,” he says, his tone dripping with an unspoken flirtation. I give him a small, polite smile and a nod in return, maintaining a professional demeanor to discourage his attempts.
“Morning, Eric,” I respond, my tone amiable but distant. His grin widens a fraction, but I can tell that he’s picked up on my subtle rebuff. He’s my boss, not a potential romantic interest, and it’s important to keep those boundaries clear.
Just then, I hear a car door closing behind me.
I turn around, surprised to find Reid still there, watching the exchange.
Suddenly, I feel a strong arm snake around my waist, pulling me into a firm body.
I look up to see Reid approaching, a casual smile playing on his lips that does little to mask the possessive glint in his eyes.
Reid extends his free hand towards Eric, his voice steady and confident.
“Morning, I’m Reid... Amelia’s boyfriend,” he says, emphasizing the last part.
The surprise is obvious on Eric’s face, but he quickly masks it with a small smile, shaking Reid’s hand.
“Eric. Amelia’s boss,” he replies in kind, his tone mirroring Reid’s possessiveness with a mildness that does nothing to hide the tension in the air. “Amelia never mentioned a boyfriend.”
Reid quirks an eyebrow at that. “That seems too personal between an employer and employee work relationship, doesn’t it?”
“I try to get to know my assistants. It enhances the... relationship,” Eric says before turning his attention to me. “How’s Liam doing, Amelia?”
I can’t help but feel a sense of protection as Reid’s arm tightens around me. I know how protective he is of both Liam and me, and it means everything to have him here with me at this moment.
“My son is great,” Reid says with a bite in his tone. “Thanks for asking.”
The two men hold each other’s gaze for a moment longer, an unspoken understanding passing between them. Reid’s arm tightens around me just slightly as he subtly stakes his claim, securing his position in my life.
Eric nods his head curtly and says, “I’ll see you inside, Amelia,” before turning on his heel and walking away.
As soon as he’s out of sight, I let out a sigh of relief. The tension in the air dissipates instantly, replaced by the familiar warmth and security of Reid’s presence.
“I don’t like the way he looks at you,” Reid says, his voice low, filled with a protective edge. I turn to face him, meeting his gaze with a reassuring smile.
“It’s nothing, Reid,” I assure him. “I only have eyes for you.”
Before he can utter another word, I glance at the car, a gentle reminder of our little one waiting. “Liam’s in the car, and I really need to get inside for work.”
Reid leans in, pulling me close for a searing kiss that leaves me breathless and yearning for more.
As he pulls back, he murmurs, “I love you, babe.”
“I love you too, Reid,” I reply, the words resonating with absolute truth. I take one last look at Reid, draw in a deep breath, and head inside, ready to start the day.
As I settle into my office, Eric calls for a quick team meeting, where he introduces our new work project.
It’s a major account that has the potential to catapult our company’s reputation even higher.
This account is a renowned multinational corporation, looking for innovative marketing strategies to expand their customer base.
The project is grand, challenging, and exactly the opportunity I’ve been waiting for. As I listen to Eric detailing the project’s scope, my mind already starts churning with ideas. Getting this right would mean a lot to the team and to me personally.
I feel the familiar thrill of a new challenge surge within me and I’m more than ready to dive in headfirst. Eric assigns everyone’s roles in the new project, ensuring each team member is well-equipped with their individual responsibilities.
Then, he turns to me, “Amelia, you and I will work closely with one another throughout this project,” he announces.
I simply nod, acknowledging his words, while internally, my mind is already strategizing. Should Eric flirt or make any advances, I decide to maintain the boundary of professionalism and friendship. I know it’s vital to assert myself, to ensure that our relationship remains strictly professional.
I’ll remind him, if need be, that our common goal is the success of this project, not personal intrigue. My resolve to shut down any advances with polite firmness and remain focused on the task at hand is strong. The work day passes without incident, to my surprise.
Eric keeps his distance, his flirtations noticeably absent as we navigate our respective responsibilities with professional ease. The project unfolds smoothly, a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication.
As the clock ticks steadily to the end of the day, I clear my desk, shutting down my computer and packing away my things. I step into Eric’s office, offering him a polite smile as I say my goodbye. He simply nods, a ghost of his usual grin making a fleeting appearance.
Stepping outside, I’m met with a sight that never fails to make my heart flutter.
Reid leaning against the car, the setting sun casting a golden hue on his face.
His sexy smile greets me, the same smile that sends butterflies fluttering in my stomach every time.
I can’t help the smile that curves my own lips as I walk towards him, anticipation tingling through my veins at the thought of spending the evening in his company.
As I reach Reid, he opens his arms, pulling me into a warm embrace. “How did your day go, babe?” he asks, his voice rumbling against my ear.
“Busy, but good.” I sigh, feeling the tension melt from my shoulders as I sink into his hold, comforted by his familiar scent. “We landed a big project today. It’s stressful, but exciting. I can’t wait to dive in.”
Reid pulls back to look at me, his eyes soft with pride. “I know you’ll do great, Amelia. You always do.”
I give him a small smile, touched by his unwavering faith in me. “Thank you, Reid,” I murmur, my heart swelling with love for this man.
“Let’s go home,” Reid suggests, gently guiding me toward the car. “I’ve got some of your favorite takeout, and a certain little man has been asking about his mom all day.”