Conflict of Interest (Employee Relations Book 1) (55 page)

I flip through the channels and come across a show about the top ten best athletes of all time. “This acceptable to you or should I put on a reality show?”

The screen cuts to a shirtless man walking out of the ocean.

“Nope, this is perfectly acceptable.”

I pinch her side and she squeals.

“Speaking of athletes, how often do you work out?”

I absentmindedly continue channel surfing. “Almost every day. Why?”

“It shows,” Gabriella says appreciatively as she runs a palm over the hard planes of my stomach and laughs lightly. “Do you remember the first day we met?”

“How could I forget?”

That day will forever be branded in my memory.

“I saw you walk by before you came to my office. I’ve never been that affected just by seeing someone.” She lifts her head to look at me. “I wasn’t really on the phone by the way; I was trying to get it together so I didn’t come across as a complete idiot when we met. And then you spoke and it was all downhill from there.”

“Funny you should say that. I was doing my best not bend you over the desk. I still struggle with that.”

“Why does knowing that turn me on?”

“Because one of these days I’m going to do it.”

Gabriella leans over me and takes a bite of her pizza, tossing it back into the half-empty box when she’s had her fill and then lowers herself back onto my chest. We haven’t done anything other than make good use of her bed since I showed up so we ordered take-out from the closest delivery place. It’s not the best pizza I’ve ever had but I’d probably eat shit right now if it meant I didn’t have to move.

Normally I’d be spending a Saturday doing work. But right now with her in my arms, lazily dragging my fingers through her hair while she writes invisible words on my chest, I can’t think of anything I’d rather be doing.

“Ugh, do we really need to watch this?” she groans when I stop on a Red Sox game.

“You have something against baseball?”

“Going to games is one thing. Watching it on TV is completely different. It’s so boring. The only thing interesting about watching is
him
.” She points to one of the commentators that I vaguely recall from a couple years back.

“Drew Scott?”

“Um, yeah.”

“Didn’t he quit at the beginning of the season awhile back? What’s attractive about that?”

“You’re joking right? He survived the unimaginable and decided love was more important than a well-paying hobby. That’s ridiculously romantic.”

“It’s something.”

“Oh, that’s right. I forgot…you think relationships are a distraction.”

I point at the screen. “Perfect example.” She tries to get up but I don’t let her. “I’m kidding, alright?”

“You should let me up. I’d hate to distract you anymore than I have.”

I grab her face between my hands. “You are a huge distraction. The best kind.”

“Exactly what every girl aspires to be.”

I pull her closer and kiss her gently, letting my lips linger on hers. “That’s not a bad thing.”

Unconvinced, Gabriella rolls her eyes but stops struggling to get away. Biting her lip, she glances up and me and asks, “When was your last relationship, Lucas?”

“You really want to know?”

She nods.

Of course she does.

I sigh. “I guess a couple of months ago, right before I moved here.”

“You guess?”

I shrug. “Not really sure you can call it a relationship. We slept together for a few years; that’s all it really was. We didn’t talk on the phone. We didn’t stay the night at each other’s places or meet parents.”

“No lazy Saturday’s watching Sport’s Center?”

I shake my head and grin. “No. Toward the end I think she wanted that, but to me it was only ever going to be sex.”

“Why?”

“I told you. I never wanted anything else.”

Gabriella’s mouth opens to speak but she shakes her head and tries to lower herself back down.

“Not so fast. What about you? Why have you gone so long without a relationship?”

“You really want to know?” she mocks.

Do I? The thought of her like this, playful and unguarded, with anyone else makes my blood boil. Still, I’m curious.

“Tell me.”

“It’s nothing earth shattering. The last few relationships I had didn’t go so well. My most serious relationship ended three years ago. Justin and I were together for a long time. After that I dated a couple of guys, but nothing to write home about.”

“How long were you with him?”

“Couple of years. We got together our last year in college,” she says.

“Why’d you break up?”

“Long story short, we were better off as friends it just took me a while to admit it. Not knowing when to give up seems to be my downfall.”

I study her for a long minute. “I like that you believe in people. Gives me hope you won’t give up on me.”

“Don’t get too excited. That has yet to be determined.”

“Did you love him?”

She looks me in the eyes. “I thought so at the time, but looking back I think I wanted the relationship to be something it wasn’t. I definitely cared about him. Somehow though I always knew he wasn’t the one. I couldn’t see myself with him forever.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. Just a feeling I had. We were young anyway and I’m not sure I was ever completely comfortable being myself. I felt like I was always trying to be who he wanted me to be. Live and learn, right?”

“Are you comfortable with me?”

“How could I not be when I’ve broke wind in your presence?”

I throw my head back laughing. When I finally get it together I confess, “That actually never happened. I was only messing with you.”

“What!” she exclaims, shooting up to a sitting position. “How could you let me think that? I was horrified.”

“I’m sorry. It’s just that when I woke up that morning your shirt was halfway up your back and the view of you sprawled out and exposed was making it impossible to be around you. You came out of the elevator…I couldn’t tell you what I was really thinking, you know?”

“So you embarrassed me?”

“Unintentionally, I swear.” I put one hand over my heart and raise the other like I’m making an oath.

She shakes her head, looking at me with disgust but I can tell there’s an underlying amusement in her expression. “Just wait. Payback’s a bitch.”

“I meant to tell you but it slipped my mind. The way your entire face turned pink was —”

“We’re done with this conversation,” she warns, but I keep going.

“You’re beautiful when you blush, you know?” I tell her as I sit up and drag her back on top of me. “But I prefer seeing you glow.”

“Really? And when do I glow?”

“When I make you come.”

Her breath hitches. “I think I’m ready for bed now.”

The next morning, I wake up with Gabriella in my arms, reluctant to let her go. What a difference a day makes. Twenty-four hours ago I was wandering the streets of London attempting to find clarity where both Gabriella and my father were concerned and when I returned to my room I was sure it was too late. Now we’re lying in bed. Thank fuck she gave me the chance to explain.

We need to talk about what’s going on between us but I’m putting it off as long as possible. Mainly because I’m afraid. Afraid she’ll tell me we need to stop. Childish as it may be I’ve convinced myself that ignoring the issue will make it go away.

Discounting this predicament, my life is in perfect order. I’ve just been promoted. My father has no claim over my success and I’ve proven to him he was wrong in more ways than one. I didn’t need him to get to where I am.

What do I need?

I’m not sure I need Gabriella, but for the first time that I can remember I want her more than anything else. Work included.

“Do you have plans today?” I ask when she stirs.

“Just dinner tonight with my family. How about you?”

“Apartment hunting. I need to look for a place of my own.” Drawn to the softness of her skin, I rub my hand up and down her arm. “I should have taken you up on the corporate housing allowance. My roommate situation is less than ideal.”

She props herself up on her elbow and beams at me. “I’ll make you a deal. Make me
glow
…twice,” she wags her eyebrows suggestively. “And afterward I’ll make you breakfast and help you find a place.”

“You say that like making you come apart is a chore for me.” I lean into her and capture her earlobe with my teeth. “It’s not.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” She arches her back, pressing her breasts into my chest. “But I didn’t think you’d let me help if we weren’t both contributing.”

“You keep offering me sex as a way to level the playing field and I’ll probably do whatever you want.”

“Noted.”

I press up on my forearms to get a better look at her. “I might need to get a real-estate agent. I’m thinking of buying.”

“Come to dinner tonight,” she offers. “You can talk to my brother.”

“I thought he did construction.”

“He does but he’s got a lot of connections and he’s a broker. There’s a commercial real-estate aspect to his company but he absolutely hates it.”

“Sounds like my dream job.” I admit pushing a stray hair back from her face. “You’d be okay with me coming to dinner?”

She looks down at her hand on my chest. “You already know my family and…I want you there.”

“Good because I have something I need to deliver.”

“What’s that?” she asks lifting her eyes to mine.

“When I was out Friday morning I walked past this toy shop. In the window was a small wooden castle. I got it for Francesca.”

The corners of her mouth pull up. “You didn’t have to do that, but thank you. She’ll love it.”

“Good. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to enjoy my present.” I dip down and bite her nipple. “One I plan on enjoying for a very long time.”

For the next hour I take my time making Gabriella glow, over delivering on her quota. While I shower, she makes breakfast. Belgium waffles, bacon and eggs with orange-mango juice. The day’s only begun and I’ve already lived every man’s fantasy.

Afterward, I lay in her bed with her between my legs, the laptop on her lap as she searches for potential apartments and condos in the South End and Beacon Hill. I need to find a place but I’d much rather spend my time focused on her while we’re together.

I sweep her hair to the side and tease her neck, kissing, biting and sucking.

“Lucas.” My name falls of her lips as a plea.

Shutting the laptop, I set it on her bedside table and then slip my hands under her shirt and run my thumbs over her nipples.

“We don’t have time. We need to get ready soon.”

“Let me hold you then.”

“Is that what you’re doing?”

“Should I stop?”

“No. But we don’t have time for anything else.”

“Good because I ran out of condoms. They only had three packs at the hotel.”

“What’s a tree pack?” she giggles.

“That mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble,” I warn her.

“Is that a fact?”

She maneuvers so that she’s on her knees before me. Leaning forward, she presses her lips to mine and then trails kisses down my chest. Her big eyes peer up at me from under her lashes as she nears my cock.

“Will this get me in trouble?” she asks innocently.

“Absolutely.”

My breathing is ragged and nearly stops when she licks my shaft, swirls her tongue around the tip and takes me in her mouth. I could die right now a happy man. Unable to take all of me, she adds her hand and begins pumping and sucking in perfect rhythm. I twist my hands in her hair.

“If you don’t stop now, Gabriella…” I can’t even finish my thoughts.

She groans as she continues to suck, adding just the right amount of pressure to the underside of my dick with her tongue. My balls tighten. Showing no sign of letting up I give her one more chance to get up. “Gabriella, get up.”

She takes me deeper, swallowing my release.

“Bloody hell, Gabriella.”

She sits up and wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. “I’ve never done that before.”

My brows knit together. “Gone down on someone or stayed with it until the end?”

“The end,” she clarifies.

It’s irrational for it to bother me but I can’t stand thinking about her past. All I’ve asked her for is the present, which she’s giving me, yet I’m starting to accept I might want her future for more than just the weekend.

I yank her up my lap. “What else haven’t you done?”

“Hmmm.” She nuzzles into me. “I’ve never had sex anywhere besides a bed. Not the living room, not the shower,” she leans forward. “Definitely not bent over a desk.”

I pull her towards me and kiss her hard. “Keep making a list. After dinner we’re stopping at the pharmacy.”