Page 34 of Duty and Desire

“I’ve always done the right thing.” I take my hand off her ass and wrap it around her waist.

“I know.” She begins to sink down my length, and my dick throbs. Gritting my teeth, I bite back the urge to come, which is difficult to do with how hot and wet she is while wrapped around me.

“Oh…” Her eyes, dark with desire and locked on mine, widen as she finally takes all of me.

“You’re gonna have to get used to my size, baby.” I rock my hips back, then up into hers, before sliding my hand forward and using my thumb to roll over her clit.

“Noah.” Her forehead drops to mine as her pussy starts to flutter. “That can’t be normal.”

“It’s normal.” I circle her clit and rock into her, listening to her breathing quicken while her nails dig into my shoulders. Knowing I’m about to lose it because she feels too fucking good, and I’ve wanted this for so fucking long, I speed up my thrusts while working her clit.

It works. She tightens around me, so much so that it’s almost unbearable, and I plant myself deep inside her, holding her there as I come. And as cheesy as it sounds, the moment feels like I’m finally home.

CHAPTER 16

LAY IT OUT

Bridgett

With my heels clicking on the tile floor, I head down the hall toward Edgar’s office with the file he requested in hand. It’s Monday, and although I usually dread coming to work after the weekend, there is a pep in my step and a smile on my face that I can’t shake.

To say I’m happy is an understatement, and my good mood has everything to do with going to bed with Noah last night and waking up in his arms this morning. Not that I had much choice about sleeping with him since he carried me up to his bed, where he stripped us of our clothes, then held me until I fell asleep.

It didn’t take long. Between the relief of him being safe and home and two orgasms, I passed out almost the minute my head hit the pillow. Waking up was a lot more difficult, but having him get up and shower with me definitely made for a great start to the day.

As I get closer to Edgar’s office, my footsteps slow because I hear a multitude of voices, my name and my brother’s, and some not-so-nice language. Anger curls in my stomach as I listen tothe men who have worked for my father for years talking about us like we’re nothing more than pests they have been forced to deal with. And although it hurts to hear them badmouth about me, it pisses me off that they’re talking about my brother.

Aiden made it clear for years that he never wanted to work for my father, but when our dad had his stroke, he agreed to come home and fill our dad’s shoes—something that wasn’t easy for him to do. Our dad wasn’t the kind of boss to leave all the work to the people under him. No, he ran everything himself, only delegating certain projects to the people he hired.

For weeks after his stroke, no one seemed to know up from down, and if it weren’t for Aiden, I have no doubt the business would have gone under.

With a much-needed deep breath, I walk the rest of the way down the hall to Edgar’s office and step inside without waiting for him and the other men in the room to acknowledge me. Five sets of eyes turn my way, but I keep my gaze locked on Edgar’s as I toss the file in my hand onto his desk.

“Here’s the file you asked for.” I glance around the room, catching the eye of each man standing there. Men I know my father has trusted for years. Men looking at me like they have been caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

“I know I just started working for Bender and Sons and that I have a lot to learn about the company and my place here, but I think each of you needs to be reminded that this is Aiden’s and my father’s company.

“Bridgett—” Edgar starts, but I hold up my hand.

“I do not care how you feel about either of us. I do not care if you think we deserve the positions we have. Idocare about you talking about us like we don’t matter. Because we do.” I glance at everyone again. “This is our dad’s company, and if I ever hear you talking negatively about Aiden or me again, I will go to our father. And if you know anything about him, you know he’salways wanted to keep Bender and Sons a family business, which means it won’t be Aiden or me without a job. It will be you.”

With that final statement, I turn on my heel and head out of the office and down the hall to my desk, feeling like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I don’t know how my dad would feel about me doing what I just did, but I feel fricking fabulous, like I should be offered an Academy Award.

When I hit my desk, I grab my purse from my drawer and dig through it for my cell phone so I can send Noah a message to let him know what just happened. I might not know how my dad or Aiden will react to what just happened, but I do know Noah will be proud of me for standing up for myself.

Just as I finish sending him a text, I hear footsteps approaching. When I look up, I spot Catharine coming my way. I haven’t seen her since I was out with May weeks ago. As soon as our eyes meet, I can tell something is off. She might be dressed in a pretty, expensive jacket, jeans, and boots with her hair fixed and makeup done, but she looks pale and nervous.

“Hey,” she whispers when she’s close. I place my cell on my desk so I can message Noah once I figure out what’s going on with her.

“Hey,” I parrot, then ask, “Are you meeting someone?” I mean, people purchasing property or a home don’t usually come to this location, but what the hell do I know?

“No.” She licks her lips. “I came to talk to you.” She glances around the empty office space. “Do you have a couple of minutes to talk?”

“Sure.” I look at the conference room. When my dad was here, everyone in the office had weekly meetings in there, but it’s been empty since. “Come on.” I lead the way, letting her inside before me and then shutting the door. After we both take a seat at the large oval table, I watch her, wondering what this is all about.

“I don’t even know how to say what I’m going to say,” she says quietly, ducking her head, then I listen to her take a deep breath. “Conner and I are having a baby.”

My spine stiffens—not in anger or shock, but in a what-the-heck-are-you-doing-here-and-why-the-hell-are-you-telling-me-this kind of way.