Page 91 of Lumi

CHAPTER 18

Closeness

Damian

On Monday morning, Lumi had a meeting at her workplace that she needed to attend.

Seeing Lumi in her element took my breath away.

Dressed in high heels, an elegant pantsuit, black pearl earrings, and discreet make-up, Lumi walked in with her hair in a high bun, and her eyes set on the tasks of the day.

She was approached by many and kept her tone calm and patient while delegating left and right.

When we entered a large meeting room, twenty-two people sat watching us with curiosity as I followed Lumi to the end of the long table, where she addressed them all.

“Good morning. Let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room. Yes, I’m in handcuffs, and it’s unusual, but this should be a lesson to you all. Don’t ever accept a dare with a stranger in a pub. You’ll end up handcuffed to them for a week.”

I chuckled because it was refreshing to see Lumi use her sense of humor.

The reaction from her staff was amusing in itself. Some gaped, some stared, and others giggled.

A woman raised her hand. “All I want to know is which pub you went to and how to get me a dare of my own.”

Lumi smiled. “I’m joking, of course. Let me introduce you to Damian O’Rourke. We’ve been friends for years, and this week, we’re participating in an experiment.”

“Hello.” I waved a hand and smiled at the group, who all wore business attire and were watching us with fascination on their faces.

“What kind of experiment requires people to be tied together?” a man in his forties sitting at the other end of the table asked.

“A study in psychology. One of my brothers runs a research institute.” Lumi took a seat and nodded to the chair next to her. I joined her and watched in awe as the woman I’d known since she was a teenager displayed her role as a leader in front of my eyes.

“Now, let’s begin our meeting.”

Lumi listened more than she talked. Men and women twice her age reported to her about budget margins, unexpected expenses, cash flow, liabilities, assets, and balance sheets. It was all a blur to me, but Lumi nodded and took notes. Once in awhile, she looked up and asked a clarifying question, which only resulted in more gibberish. What got to me, though, was the respect that surrounded Lumi in this room. It was evident in the way the room fell silent and people leaned forward when she spoke. And then, after she ended the meeting, several came to ask her for advice or guidance.

“Ye’re bloody sexy when you work,” I whispered in her ear. “So authoritarian.”

Lumi smiled and made a small sound of surprise when I pinched her backside.

“Don’t do that here,” she scolded me in a whisper and sped up to get inside her office.

“Why not? Ye have me all hot and horny for ye now!” I closed her door. “Have ye ever had sex in yer office? How about ye let down yer hair and let me take ye on yer desk?”

“Damian!” Lumi’s attempt to bring me back in line with her hard tone clashed with her girlish laughter when I snaked my arm around her waist and licked her neck.

“Ye have me so turned on. Feel it.”

Lumi arched an eyebrow with a playful gleam in her eyes. “Damian O’Rourke. You are trouble!”

“I know I am.” Reaching out, I locked her door and turned to her with a smug smile. “I’m going to make sure that every mornin’ ye walk in here, ye’ll be smilin’ from the memory of me fockin’ ye on yer desk.”

“We can’t. I have a meeting in fifteen minutes.”

My grin widened as I walked her backward until she banged against her desk, her eyes going to the door.

“It’s locked. Don’t worry.”

“But what if someone comes knocking?”