Page 117 of Guarded King

Every set of eyes turns to me, including Chloe’s wide ones.

David jerks upright. “Sorry, Roman. I wanted to book some time with you so we could go over our revised plans.”

Cole and Tate are wearing similar speculative expressions as they look between Chloe and me. Dammit. I need to get a better handle on the unfamiliar feelings that are taking me over. I’ve never experienced anything like this. Not even with Katherine. It didn’t bother me when men flirted with her. She was a beautiful woman, why wouldn’t they? But the sharp lash of possessiveness I feel with Chloe is as potent as it is unexpected. Maybe it’s because, to everyone else, she appears available. Maybe the instinct would fade if the world knew she was mine.

Or maybe it wouldn’t. Maybe this is what it feels like to hold on to something valuable and fragile. Something that might disappear with one wrong move.

“Fine.” I nod at David and force down my irritation. Then I turn to my brothers. “Anything else from you two?”

“Nope.” Tate says.

Cole responds at the same time. “Nothing.”

“Good. I’ll see you at our meeting with the legal team.” I enter my office and shut the door behind me to avoid being peppered with last-minute questions.

Rolling my neck, I try to loosen the tightness coiled at its base before dropping into my chair. Instantly, my focus is drawn to the scratches on the edge of the desk. My lips curve up at the memory, and finally, the tension in my muscles abates.

Maintenance contacted me first thing yesterday morning. Apparently one of our cleaners notified them of damage to my desk, and they wanted to know if I’d like a replacement.

I’d told them I wasn’t interested.

Damn. I’m already distracted again. With a long exhale, I straighten and get back to work.

Ten minutes later, I’m interrupted by a knock on my door.

“It’s just me,” Chloe calls out.

“Come in.”

She slips in silently and closes the door behind her.

Maybe it’s because of her interaction with David, or maybe because my control is shot, but I stand and take a step out from behind my desk. “Lock it.”

Her lips part, but she obeys without argument. The moment the snick echoes around the room, I’m striding across the office and pushing her against the door.

“I thought you wanted to keep it professional at work?” she says, wide eyes searching my face.

I drop my forehead to hers. “I’ve broken so many rules when it comes to you already.”

Sighing lightly, she runs her fingers through my hair.

“I don’t like it when David flirts with you.”

She pauses for a heartbeat, but then her fingers continue their caress. “I wasn’t flirting back.”

“I know. I still don’t like it,” I admit grudgingly.

She laughs softly, the sound loosening the unfamiliar knot of possessiveness in my chest.

For a moment, I let myself enjoy the softness of her touch, but eventually, I step back. “I need to see you outside of work.”

Still pressed against the door, she lowers her hands to her sides. “How? Where?”

“My apartment.” I drop my head back and study the ceiling, searching for a way to make it happen. “Can Carol stay with your father tonight?”

She worries her lip, drawing my attention to the plump flesh. “She did offer to stay if I need her to, but it’s probably too late to arrange for tonight, especially since she stayed on Wednesday.”

Bitterness rises in the back of my throat and coats my mouth. Fuck, I don’t want to think about her date with Ethan.