Page 77 of Inevitable

“Wait,” she whispered, stepping closer. “Are you seeing someone? Is that why you’re sneaking around all the time?”

“I—uh—” I felt like a deer caught in the headlights but decided maybe I could work with this. “Yeah. Yes.”

“Oh, this is so exciting!” Her ponytail bounced with the movement. “What’s his name? Where’d you meet?”

“I’ll—” I glanced at the time on my phone. “I can’t be late to work, but I promise to tell you all about him later.”

She grinned then opened her mouth as if to say something, but I grabbed my mug and rushed for the door, calling, “Have a good day!”

I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

Work was busy. I checked in with Jack and Eric on a few assignments. Eric was still recovering at home, but he was doing better. The day passed quickly enough, and I smiled to myself when Jonathan called me into his office just after lunch.

“Hey.” I paused at the door, enjoying the way his eyes raked over my figure. “Are you going to reprimand me for being late this morning?”

“Were you?” His raised brow conveyed amusement. He shut the door behind me, quickly placing his hands on my hips.

“Lea cornered me on the way out and asked if I was sneaking around because I was seeing someone.”

His fingers dug into my skin, and I wondered if they’d leave a mark. “What did you tell her?”

“That I’d tell her all about him later. Jack,” I added. “I’m going to tell her I’m dating Jack.”

“What?” He jerked his head back. “Why Jack?”

“I could go for a blond with a Captain America vibe,” I teased, sensing the tension coursing through him.

“Sumner,” he growled.

“I needed a story that would be realistic and somewhat close to the truth.”

“Still…Jack?”

“Is there someone else you’d prefer for my fictional boyfriend?” I smoothed my hands over his chest. “Maybe Chris Hem—”

He captured my mouth with his, cutting off my words. With every swipe of his tongue, I knew that he was claiming me, marking me as his own. I was desperate for him, need making me forget where we were. Making me forget anything but him.

His movements were frantic, our kisses messy and rough. His touch hurried, our clothes an annoyance as we clawed at each other.

“Wolfe,” Cody’s voice called through the intercom. We ignored him. “Wolfe,” he said again, the insistence of his tone breaking through the haze. “Ian’s here.”

We broke apart, lips swollen, clothes askew. “Ian?” I panted, frantically tucking my shirt back into my skirt. “As in my dad?”

“Fuck,” he hissed, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen him so flustered. “Fuck. I forgot we’re supposed to have lunch.”

He straightened his shirt and went over to the intercom. “Just a minute.” He turned to me, smoothing down some of my hair before cupping my cheeks, his expression full of tenderness. “You good?”

I nodded. “This was too close.”

“Stay here.” He marched over to the door and swung it open, allowing me to stay hidden.

My heart was pounding, and I remained in the shadows, debating whether to show my face or not.

“Wow, you’re actually ready for lunch?” I heard my dad ask.

“Starving,” Jonathan said.

“You’ve been playing hard to get lately,” Dad teased, but my stomach soured.