Chapter 116: Long Afternoon
- DEX -
"So what will I be doing today, boss?" Raya asks, excitedly scooting forward in her chair.
"Well, I actually came prepared and brought your laptop." I reach down to grab it out of my bag, and when I slide it over the desk, Raya is beaming at me. That look alone makes my entire life worth it, I swear.
I remember when she first came into my office and was so nervous. She was talking quickly and had all this nervous energy, and now it’s easy to understand why. Those dreams were plaguing her at the time, and then I showed up—a reality that she was going to have to face on a daily basis.
Now all of her nervous energy is gone. Raya is content and glowing, and if it took crazy dreams and even that horrible accident to bring us together like this, then it was worth it. I’m so grateful that things happened the way that they have. I can’t imagine her going back to that apartment without ever realizing that her neighbor was spying on her—someone who is obviously capable of stalking and violence—just like I can’t imagine if my brother had used and discarded her like every other woman he comes into contact with.
"What?" Raya says, a crooked smile on her face as she stares at me.
"What?"
"You’re looking at me."
"Should I not be looking at you?" I chuckle.
She glances away shyly, looking into her lap, her cheeks turning a shade of pink.
"I’m sorry. I won’t look at you anymore. It’s just hard. You’re..." I sigh happily, looking for words to describe her as my eyes roam around the office instead—over the artwork on the wall and the sofa under it. But nothing can keep them from returning to her. It’s like she is their magnetic north, and they’re pulled back, seeking her for direction.
"I’m what?" She asks softly.
"You’re beautiful. You’re brilliant. You’re mine," I say sincerely, and she bites her lip, the pink shade of her cheeks deepening. "I can go on."
"No, that’s okay." She hugs the laptop in its sleeve to her chest like she’s holding it against her heart.
"I’m glad you’re back. You’re going to like it here from now on... much more than before. And not just because I’m here. You’re going to do great."
"Thank you," she says, beaming again. "I know I’m going to love it. This is what I’ve always wanted to do, and you’re giving me a chance to finally do it. Thank you, Dex."
"Anyone else who was smart and took the time to actually see what you have to offer would have given you the chance, too. It’s not just because I am head over heals in love with you," I say, and the last words somehow feel like a new confession.
Maybe it’s because I’m saying it here in the office instead of in bed when we are alone. Maybe it’s because it’s clear that setting doesn’t matter. Where we are doesn’t affect my feelings. I would say those words anywhere. I love her... more than I ever knew I was capable of loving someone, and it’s completely shattered the shell I was encased in. Raya has saved me in that sense. I know she has, and I hope she comes to realize it, too.
She stares back at me, surprised and so beautiful that it hurts.
"God I wish I could kiss you right now," I confess and look out the glass doors into the office where everyone else is.
No one can see us, but that doesn’t mean someone won’t walk by at any moment. And I don’t want to give Laurel any reason to believe my faith in Raya is due to something other than her talent. I kissed her in the deli, but the office is different. And if I kiss her now, I’m not going to be satisfied with a peck on the cheek, that’s for sure.
"I guess we can make up for it later," Raya says with a seductive grin, and my dick twitches to attention at that suggestion with the images that immediately come to mind.
I rake a hand over my face with a soft groan, trying to will them away. "It’s going to be a long afternoon," I chuckle.
"I’m sorry," she laughs.
"Don’t be. It’s a good problem to have. And I actually have an errand to run. Maybe that will pass the time faster. While I’m gone, you can return to brainstorming for the Verdure line if you want."
"Definitely."
"I would make mock ups for a website first. Liz is going to come by to meet with you Wednesday, and I’m going to have someone else from Creative work with you two on this—just briefly in the beginning to give you an idea of what we can do and all of the tools available to you. You’ll be doing more legwork yourself than if it was a big client with a whole team assigned since we can’t delegate as many resources, but you’ll have everything you need."
"Okay, great. I’m excited," she says.
"I can tell," I chuckle as she wiggles adorably in her chair. "I won’t be gone long. If you need anything, though, call me."
We both stand up, and I try not to let my gaze linger too long on the elegant curves and lines of her body. If I do, I’m going to have to find a reason to take her with me. And then I won’t be able to do the errand I’m really planning on, because we’ll end up home and in bed, and I’m not sure I’ll ever want to leave.
She turns to walk out of my office, and I focus as hard as I can on my computer so that I’m not checking out her ass. But then she turns back and calls my name.
"Dex." Her voice is so beautiful with the soft lilt as that one intimate syllable leaves her lips. "I’m head over heals in love with you, too."
A rush of warmth comes over me, and I have to swallow back the emotion that follows on its heels.
"I said it first," I smile.
"I felt it first."
"I doubt that, principessa."
She doesn’t react negatively to the nickname this time. Instead, she shakes her head with a soft laugh and then walks out the door toward her desk. It’s going to be a long fucking afternoon until I get to take her home.
