Page 64 of The Merger

“Tell Foxx I said congrats, too, okay?”

“Absolutely. I love you, big brother.”

I grin. “I love you, B. Goodbye.”

“Bye.”

I clutch the phone to my chest as I wander around the empty house aimlessly.

“There’s no one here but us,” she says, stopping in front of me. “And I’m willing to do whatever it takes to try to make you happy.”

I consider her words as I head upstairs, figuring a quick shower will help clear my head.

No one has ever tried to make me happy before. Maybe women have sucked me off because they know I like it, but it was a means to an end.An end they were never going to get. But no one in my life has ever even lied about simply wanting to make me happy with no conditions. No deals. No tit-for-tat.

Just for me.

The concept makes me squirm. I don’t know how to handle it. I don’t want to think about how to handle it. I want to put Carys Johnson in a box with every other woman I’ve pointlessly fucked and call it a day.

And maybe I can.

“I only want one thing from you. And it’s not your heart.”

I reach into the shower and turn on the hot water.

“Tate’s just afraid you’ll break my heart. But how can you break it if I don’t give it to you?”

My reflection stares at me through the mirror. My cheeks are flushed. My eyes are bright. I haven’t done a lick of work today—I haven’t even thought about it.

I’ve only thought about her.

“I’m willing to do whatever it takes to try to make you happy. No one will know. I just need to feel you inside me.”

“As much as I know it’s not right, you might get what you wish for, Miss Johnson.”

I climb in the shower to jack off to her. Again.

Chapter Fifteen

Carys

I pop a piece of gum into my mouth and take in the hanging basket I just created. Pothos hang off the sides of the container, twisting and tangling in pretty waves. Four small plants were scattered around the building, and none of them were thriving. So I put them together—because even plants like friends—to create a fuller visual. Then I hung it in the reception area in front of the windows.

“I like it,” Nila says from behind the desk.

“Do you? I’m not sure if we now need another one for the other side of the room. Does it feel unbalanced in here?”

“No. Absolutely not. If anything, it’s a talking point. Everyone loves a good talking point.”

“Okay, true.” I nod. “I like it, too.”

“You can throw your trash in this box, and I’ll have maintenance come take it outside.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yup.”

I smile at her and gather the plastic I spread on the floor to catch my mess.