Page 26 of Breaking Point (IceHawks #1)

“Well, I knew my layoff was coming. Tech was overhired, the design team included, and once AI joined the party there wasn’t as many jobs as they originally created.

I saw it coming for about a year, and all the while as each of my colleagues dropped off, I had to pick up their workload with no pay raise.

” She chokes on a laugh, but it doesn’t hold an ounce of humor.

“That, and my boss was a grade A ass. Truly, I think he was a sadist. He used to leave the blinds open and allow the office to watch as the people he fired begged for their jobs. He allowed work office harassment to occur?—”

“Wait, what?” I cut in, something in my chest tightening. “Did something happen?”

The way she darts her gaze away is all the answer I need.

My jaw clenches so tightly I’m surprised I don’t snap a molar.

The swift rush of anger that floods my veins startles me.

I’ve never been quick to anger—ever. I’m usually the one cooling those around me; it’s why I used to be such a good captain.

I was the level-headed one before Drew died. And yet, right now, I’m anything but.

“What happened?” I demand.

Bella’s head whips to me at the wrath in my voice, her eyes tracking over my tense form. She shakes her head. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Of course it matters.”

Biting her lower lip, she’s silent for a moment before ever so softly admitting, “One of the men was only hired because his father owns the company, and at the last Christmas party, he cornered me and tried to force himself on me. One of my female colleagues had dealt with him before and when she saw him trailing after me down a hallway she followed.” She shutters. “I’m lucky nothing happened. ”

“Please tell me he was fired.” The small shake of her head has me cursing. “Pricks.”

A faraway look enters her eyes. “Don’t worry, I got my revenge in my leave.”

She goes on to explain how she blackmailed her boss, and although it sounds badass, I can’t help but point out, “That’s not revenge, that was you demanding what was rightfully owed to you.” Turning to her, I wiggle my brows. “Want to switch their shampoo’s with hair removal creams?”

She bursts out laughing. “Of all the things to suggest, that is not one I saw coming.”

Shrugging, I hold on to the sound of her joy, savoring the warmth that floods me. I’m about to suggest another ludicrous idea when giggles fill the air, along with words that make dread coil sharply in my gut.

“I’m telling you, Stacy! I saw him come this way.”

“Why would he be around here?”

A groan follows. “I don’t know and I don’t care. I waited long enough for you to put makeup on, and I’m not waiting any longer.”

Bella’s eyes widen as she stares at me. If I wasn’t afraid of them hearing me, I’d be cursing like a sailor.

Forgetting our food, I clasp her hand and pull her along behind me, hurrying through the endless tent flaps, careful to not trip over the tent pegs. It’s one thing to be seen out in public, it’s another to allow Bella to be cornered by a group of puck bunnies.

A startled gasp rings out and I turn, thinking it’s Bella, only for my gaze to lock on not two but four women pointing at me.

Now I do curse.

Quickly darting left, I continue to pull Bella along behind me until the large photo booth in the corner comes into view. “Quick, this way.”

Bella snickers as someone screams like a banshee. “Are they always this neurotic?”

“Unfortunately.”

Parting the photo booth drape, I keep my head low as I nestle inside, realizing at the same time as Bella that my large frame takes up all the room. Over her shoulder, a head of blonde hair rushes between the tents.

Without thinking, I wrap my hands around Bella’s waist and pull, yanking the drape closed behind her. I’m breathing heavily, my ears straining to hear.

“Fuck, Stacy, your loud mouth scared him off!”

“Who was he with?”

“I didn’t recognize her.”

A scoff. “And what, you know his rotation?”

“Yes, actually, I do, and he doesn’t have one.”

Someone else huffs. “I think I saw him go this way. There’s another couple moving through the lanes.”

“Don’t fuck this up for me, Stacy.”

My head drops back with a thunk against the photo booth as they walk off. Thankfully, none of them saw me dart inside. I lift my head, suddenly realizing how we managed to fit inside.

Bella sits atop my thighs, her ass nestled into my lap.

My mind notices our position the same moment my dick does, and it takes everything in me not to groan. She fits perfectly, and I’m not sure why, but it doesn’t surprise me in the slightest.

My hands are still splayed across her stomach and they flex instinctively, drawing a hitch of her breath. Swallowing thickly, my gaze tracks down her body, remembering that she’s wearing a dress, remembering how easy it would be to lift it.

My mouth waters—fucking salivates —over the thought of sliding my palm through her long brown strands and smashing those plump pink lips to mine.

She wiggles, her body twitching slightly, and the movement brushes her core against my large hard length. Her lips part, her cheeks flushing and her eyes turning glazed as they fill with heat.

She’s beautiful, so incredibly beautiful I feel like I’ll be on the verge of death if I don’t have her.

Fuck.

This is not good. This is not fucking good at all.

Especially after what we just talked about. And yet, her gaze remains locked on mine, her lips parted as her tongue darts out to lick the bottom one. My fingers twitch, desperately wanting to run along the length of her body. I don’t care where, they just want to move , to explore.

Bella’s eyes become hooded, her hand on my shoulder fisting my shirt as her thighs squeeze together.

“Do you think they’re gone?” she whispers, her voice hoarse.

“We should probably wait to be certain,” I drawl.

Her chest rises on a sharp inhale. “I’m surprised it hasn’t gone to your head.”

My gaze flicks back and forth between her eyes, my hips instinctively moving a fraction and my god, it feels so good I can’t help myself, a low grunt slips from my mouth. “That means nothing to me.”

Her brow quirks. “And what does?” she asks, her head lowering just an inch toward mine.

Tilting my chin upwards, ever so closer to hers, my hands tighten on her waist as my lips part to answer, You . My heart is pounding such a ferocious beat in my ears that as our bodies lean toward one another like magnets, I don’t hear the first knock, or the second.

Bella squeals, flinging herself away from me as someone throws open the photo booth curtain.

A security guard frowns down at us. “There’s a line. Hurry it along.”

Clearing my throat is useless. My voice is still rough, gravelly, as I say, “Yes, sir, my apologies.”

He looks between us, shaking his head as he wanders off.

Bella’s cheeks are blazing red as she pushes herself off me and out of the booth, her eyes avoiding the line waiting outside. Bella isn’t the only one blushing, my cheeks feel like they’re on fire. Placing my hand on her lower back, I lead her away from the sets of eyes.

“Wait!”

Bella stiffens as I turn to the man who called out, but he only produces a set of photos. “You forgot your images.”

“Thanks, man.”

Turning back, I’m stunned because I didn’t even realize flashes were going off. By the stunned look on Bella’s face, neither did she.

Bella won’t look at the images but I do. There’s four black-and-white photos in a row. In each photograph, I’m looking at Bella like she’s the sun, that I’m merely just existing, floating through time as I’m sucked into her orbit.

The gaze on my face…I’ve never seen it before.

And Bella. My god, Bella .

She’s facing sideways so she’s partially in frame, but there’s enough to see that her bottom lip is captured between her teeth. I wish I could see her fully, wish the camera captured how there was heat sizzling in her eyes.

Placing the photos in my pocket, I decide this is firmly going in my nightstand drawer.

I’d place it on the top where I could see it at all hours but Bella goes into my room to grab my laundry, and something tells me placing this photo of us on my bedside table would count as blurring the line between assistant and fake girlfriend.

Trailing through the carnival, I note how the clockwise movement has gone out the window now, especially with the group of girls quite literally hunting me like a startled deer.

I’m wondering if I’ve fucked up this entire arrangement before it’s even started.

Wondering if I should just take her home, but then I remember how excited she was upon entering.

I’m walking aimlessly, trying to remember what we still need to see.

Until salvation comes into view.