34. Thirty-four
Thirty-four
Ainsley
I slam my laptop shut in frustration and stifle the scream that wants to come out. I have work to do and my shit isn't working. I stand and pace the living room, silently raging at the unexpected inconvenience and what this means. I’ve never had my credentials fail before, and I can't reset them now. Fuck!
“What’s wrong?”
I spin on my heel, my heart hammering against my ribs as Payton leans in the doorway, running a towel over his chest on his way down from the rooftop pool after his morning swim. He looks incredible, water droplets still clinging to his tan skin tantalizingly.
“Nothing. It’s just a work issue.” I rack my brain for a better explanation but can’t come up with anything. I don’t want to tell him because he’ll insist on fixing it.
“Work issue? I bet I can help with over half of your work issues. Tell me what it is and I’ll fix it.”
I hold back a groan. I don't want him anywhere near this. “Seriously, Payton, I don’t want your help. I’m just frustrated. Stop trying to fix everything.”
He walks toward me, eyes serious. “You’re mine to take care of. It’s better if you remember that, Princess. Your problems are mine to solve, and your frustrations are mine to ease.”
He pulls me in and I can't resist the appeal of being held by him. I drop my forehead to his chest, breathe in his wet scent—pool water mixed with his cologne—and want to live here where nothing else matters.
“I know you mean well, but this is one of the few things you can’t fix, and it’s not a reflection of your skills but the nature of the issue. It’s okay. I just need to freak out a bit right now. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
I have to convince myself of that more than him at this point because my brain is fifty steps ahead on the anxiety spiral I’ve taken and everything looks bad.
Payton lets me go and walks over to the bookshelf flanking the giant fireplace in the living room. He pulls a book off a shelf and walks back to me, holding it out. It’s Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, one of my favorite books, something I told him early on. His favorite book is The Great Gatsby .
I take it and look up at him, trying to hold back a huffy response that now isn’t the time for a reading break, but I realize the pages are interrupted toward the back of the novel and flip to that location. The book opens to reveal a dainty rose gold chain. I hold it up to the light and notice the chain lengths lead to a small ring in the center. I look over at Payton, catching his smile. It’s insanely sexy and mischievous at once. It’s his Daddy smile.
“Is this…”
“A discreet day collar. You can wear it daily without anyone being the wiser of its meaning, all while we know it symbolizes our commitment,” he finishes. He takes the necklace from my hand and puts it around my neck, fastening it so it sits at the base of my neck, nearly in the hollow of my collarbones.
I read the pages where the necklace was tucked, realizing he chose the scene in which Darcy proposes to Elizabeth the second time. I love this part. When I look up, Payton is staring at me, his fingers brushing along the skin of my neck under the necklace. Bringing my fingers to his, he guides them over the chain and ring.
“Does it look nice?”
His eyes meet mine, full of fire and hunger. “It looks beautiful, just like you. It makes you look like mine.”
I can’t stop the stupid smile that tugs at my lips at that, rising on my tiptoes to kiss him. He hauls me up his body, my legs wrapping around his waist as he kisses me deeper, and I realize his swim shorts are getting me wet. I pull away from his mouth, laughing.
“Thank you. I love it. But you have to put me down so I can get ready for work or I’ll be late.”
“Just remember, that collar means I take care of you and if I want to fix something, you’re going to let me,” he says, growing serious as he sets me down.
I bite my lip, knowing this is one problem I can’t ask him to fix, no matter what he says. “I’ll remember.”
My day is getting marginally better. At least my human interest story about Payton and Olympus is coming along great. This feels like one of my best pieces of writing, and I’m excited to see what I can do with it. He's read what I have so far and likes it. I just have to tie up some pieces and edit before I begin querying it to potential papers. The door to the office opening barely registers until I feel a presence looming over my desk. I scowl, ready to snap at Reid because he’s the only one brave enough to interrupt my writing flow after I’ve scared off all my coworkers. I raise my face, lips set in a snarl already.
My throat goes dry and fear streaks through me when I see Archer leaning against my desk.
“You shouldn't be here,” I tell him, quickly standing so there’s less of a height disparity.
“Oh, this is worth it and will be the end of my Olsen issue. I told you both you’d regret fucking with me.”
This motherfucker doesn't know what's good for him. If Payton finds out he’s here…but before I can finish my thought, he irrevocably turns my world upside down.
“I know your dirty little secret.”