Page 63 of Savage Suit

Megan Buford smiled at me, before refocusing on him, her look of longing relaxing me.

I feel you, girlfriend.

Unaware or not fucking caring about the lust he garnered, Noah jutted his chin in my direction. “Miss Buford, this is Ms. Ryan Hagen.”

She nodded in my general direction, fixated on Noah. I closed the door.

He tracked my approach, not glancing away as I sat in the chair next to Megan’s. His startling blue eyes held me captive. Butterflies fluttered in my belly. I didn’t know if I wanted to blush, giggle, or strip. He was so—

Oh, hell no. What the fuck was my problem? I was a grown ass woman. I didn’t simper or suffer bugs swooping in my stomach like Mary fucking Poppins, especially over Noah Keegan. My boss.Hisemployee.

I scowled at him and grudgingly cheered when approval entered his eyes. Because why not? Ihadspent a long time rummaging my closet for an outfit he’d like. My behavior reminded me of Quinn’s at the beginning of a new relationship.

I gritted my teeth.

No, not Quinn. Never her. My little sister was bold and bright and beautiful, unashamed of desire. I admired her. Even envied her. At the time of our parents’ deaths, she wasn’t sexually active, so they’d never discovered her lovemaking. Shamed her for it.

Quinn and Dad had been remarkably close. I worried she would grieve to death after he was killed. It had taken me months to coax her back into the light. By then I was so exhausted, I felt twice her age and positioned myself as her mother figure. That’s when what Mama would’ve expected from Quinn took root in me. Like the fight between Beefy and Lanky the other night, my mothering Quinn was so out of hand, I didn’t know how to reverse course.

Sighing, I sat my bag on my lap, refusing to look at Noah. No matter how much the confrontation with my parents taunted me, I wanted…

I wanted…

I wanted tofuckhim.

I froze, waited for a fucking demon to open hell, and yank me in for my whorish thoughts. Of course, it didn’t happen. Using my Rabbit and fantasizing about Noah was nonsensical. Playing with my pussy wasn’t shameful. After all, a man who wasn’t my husband didn’t have access to my body.

However, if I was married to a man like my brother-in-law, that motherfucker wouldn’t have access to my body either.

I swallowed, confused. My attraction to Noah jumbled my common sense. The more access I had to him, the greater my lust would become. Each heightening of my desire would swamp me with horrible memories.

Megan turned to me and smiled, revealing perfect teeth.

Though I returned her smile, her beauty intimidated me. Yes, I was attractive. But Megan, like Rosalie last night, was blonde, svelte, and tall. Both women belonged on a high-fashion runway. Based on his date at the restaurant, Megan fit Noah’s type. As gorgeous as she was, he must have noted Megan’s looks.

Bullshit I never thought myself capable filled me. Shame was preferable to jealousy and insecurity.

What?Had I lost my fucking mind? I preferred none of the above.

“It’s nice to meet you, Ryan,” Megan said, her voice accented.

“Likewise,” I responded in a tone dripping with sugar, trying to overcome my irrational jealousy. “Where are you from?”

“London. And you?” Her voice had a soothing quality.

“Born and raised in Harlem.”

“They’ll be time for small talk later, ladies. Time is money.” Noah got to his feet, and we stood, too. “I’ll be showing you around, Ryan. I’ve cleared my schedule just for that purpose.” After buttoning the tailored coat that matched his trousers, he came around his desk and offered me his hand. The scent of his cologne wafted over me and his grin, so sexy and arrogant, drew my attention to his mouth.

“Welcome to Keegan Enterprises.”

I took his hand and shook firmly.

Regrettably, he released his hold on me. “Here, we’re a family.”

The corners of my lips turned down. Every job I’d ever had, management proclaimed their underlings part of the ‘family’. His fucking cliché was a major red flag, signaling a hostile environment. Except for Trent Smith, I learned that truth the hard way.

Noah sounded unconvinced by his own words. I fought to not roll my eyes.