Page 12 of Devil in the Details

Pope

“ C an you believe they actually came to the boardroom with that portfolio?” Brayden scoffed. “Pieces of work, those Harrison brothers are.”

“Completely unprofessional,” Mitchell responded.

“They’re a bunch of pricks is what they are,” Brayden said.

I kept my mouth shut, because I didn’t give a shit about any of this.

“What do you think about it all, Pope?” Brayden asked, and I turned my attention to him.

“Honestly? I don’t give a shit. I thought we were leaving the work bullshit at work.”

Brayden and Mitchell looked at each other then both started laughing.

“Fair enough.” Brayden tipped his beer in my direction, and I picked up my own, finishing it off and signaling the waiter for another.

The truth was, my mind was consumed with thoughts of Olive, how she’d acted in my office just a few days ago... how she’d look so damn good. Hell, I’d wanted to clear off my table, push up that little pencil skirt of hers, and see how tight she really was.

But it wasn’t just about sex. She was beautiful, yeah, but she was smart and witty, and her personality was far more attractive to me than anything else.

But it was clear she was going to put this wall up between us.

Even if she hadn’t said the words, I’d seen that decision in her eyes.

Although I felt that was a fucking mistake, I knew where she was coming from.

I knew she didn’t want anything to get in the way of her job—one she desperately needed.

I got that. I understood that.

I didn’t fucking like it or accept it.

Why? Because I wanted her more than I’d ever wanted anyone in my life. I was willing to risk a lot of shit just to have her as mine. Work politics, breaking the rules... pissing her off, because I wouldn’t stand down. I wouldn’t stop persuading her.

I couldn’t, not when I’d never felt this consumed in my life.

“Pope, you hear me?” Brayden asked and knocked his knuckles on the table to get my attention.

“Yeah,” I lied then shook my head. “No. I didn’t hear you.” I grabbed the new beer off the table and tipped it back, looking at Brayden and Mitchell.

“What’s up with you tonight?” Mitchell lifted a blond eyebrow.

“Yeah, what’s up with you? It’s like you’re on some other planet.”

I shrugged. “I’m fine.” Brayden and Mitchell were coworkers, but I did consider them friends. All three of us had been at the bottom of the totem pole when we first came into this industry, and we’d worked our asses off over the years to get where we were now.

But even if I considered them friends, I wasn’t ready to share information about Olive. I was a selfish bastard when it came to her, when it concerned anyone knowing exactly how much I wanted her.

And to be honest, her fighting me on this even though it was clear she desired me as well turned me on even more.

It made me want to chase her even more.

I wanted her all to myself.

“This is about some woman, isn’t it?”

I kept my expression stoic. “Why do you think it’s about a female?” I leaned back in my chair and took another long pull from my beer. Brayden grinned, and Mitchell shook his head.

“Man, we’ve known you for a long time. The only thing that ever consumed and distracted you was work. But now, now we can’t even hold your attention at dinner,” Brayden said and looked at Mitchell again.

“Yeah, it’s definitely about a woman.” Mitchell smacked his hand on the table as if he’d just answered the world’s greatest mystery.

“And so what if it is a woman?”

Brayden shrugged. “Hey, I think it’s great if you found yourself someone. I was actually starting to wonder if you secretly became a monk or some shit, because you don’t ever date, or haven’t in a long fucking time.”

“Maybe I’m just dedicated to working, to building up my career.”

Brayden rolled his eyes, and Mitchell snorted. “Pope, you can be devoted to work and still want a piece of ass,” Brayden said matter-of-factly.

“Why is it always about sex with you two?” I lifted a brow.

“Please.” Mitchell scoffed. “Don’t even try lying.”

“So yeah, who is she? Where’d you meet her?” Brayden gestured to the waiter for another gin and tonic.

“Please tell us she isn’t one of those stuck-up socialites who are in the unfortunate circles we run in,” Mitchell said and curled his lip.

“Man, please tell us she isn’t one of those women who come from old money but still want more.”

I shook my head. “She’s not, and that’s all I’m saying about it.” I was serious about not talking about Olive.

I knew the look I gave them spoke volumes, because they both shifted on their chairs and shut up about it.

I had to figure out how to make Olive see we belonged together, that I wanted her as mine. And until then, I was keeping everything about her close to my heart.

Hell, she was already in my heart.