He ran his hand through his hair and broke into a grin. “I got a haircut. Glad you noticed.”
And then he winked. Winked. While my mouth was filled with buttery, crumbly goodness. God, when I finished this coffee and ate every last crumb of this scone, when my energy had returned, I’d punch him for being insufferably good-looking and disturbing my morning.
“Also.” He slid a folded piece of paper out of his pocket and placed it on my desk.
After a slow sip of coffee to wash down the scone, I opened it up. Instantly, my stomach dipped, and my jaw dropped open.
“Totally clean bill of health,” he said. “No gross diseases over here. I went to see Willa yesterday, and she stuck a swab in a very unpleasant place. But I’d do it every day if it would give you peace of mind.”
“Willa?”
“Dr. Willa Savard, town doctor.” He roughed a hand over his neatly trimmed beard. “I’ve known her since she was a kid, so sometimes I slip and call her Willa.”
I nodded as I scanned the test results. I was not qualified to read medical records, but it was hard to deny that I was impressed that he’d gone out and gotten himself tested so quickly.
“I’ll do the same,” I said, folding the paper up primly and holding it out to him. Suddenly, instead of the offense I’d been playing since I arrived, I felt like I was on defense. I was just trying to get through the week after the whole best sex of my life with my ex-husband who I can’t stand thing, and here he was, chipper, well-groomed, and bearing medical results.
God, I was not prepared for this.
“I’m heading up north, so I thought I’d see if you needed anything before I leave.”
I shook my head and stuffed another bite into my mouth. Damn, this scone was delicious. Couldn’t he just leave and let me stress eat in peace?
“Are you sure?” He peered over one shoulder and lowered his voice. “I can crawl under that desk and take care of all this tension.”
“Gus,” I snapped, my heart dropping. “We’re at work.”
One corner of his lip quirked, but otherwise, his face remained totally serious.
He took a step closer, putting those big hands on top of my desk and angling in. “I can’t stop thinking about you. The way you felt, the sounds you made.” He lifted one hand and bit his knuckles. “I was pleasantly surprised by how loud you were. I’m into it.”
Even as my legs shook in response to his words, I contemplated throwing my hot coffee at him. But if I did, he’d probably interpret that as foreplay, and I couldn’t afford to waste the caffeine.
“You,” I said, trying to keep my voice from shaking, “are sexually harassing me.”
He dipped lower, an evil gleam in his eye. “I most certainly am. Good of you to catch on, Dragonfly.”
“In case I didn’t make it clear, that will not happen again.” I crossed my arms to hide the way my nipples were trying to bust through my bra. Apparently, several body parts were on Team Gus.
“Here’s the thing,” he said, stroking his beard, which was definitely shorter and more sculpted than before. “My girl Brené says love has to be nurtured and grown slowly. I’m fine with that. I’m a patient guy, and you’re worth waiting for.”
“Love?” I spat, reeling back so hard my chair rolled with me. “You are insane.”
“Nope.” He shook his head. “I’m an honest man. I don’t believe in playing games or wasting time. I’m not worthy of you yet, but I will be.” His already serious expression went stony. “I’m going to therapy and dealing with my shit. The other night proved what I’ve suspected for decades: you’re it for me, Chloe. You are my person. I’m gonna work my ass off to show you that I can be everything you need.”
Sweet Jesus, now my heart had officially switched to Team Gus too. What the fuck was he doing walking into my office and completely upending all my boundaries and rules? Jackass.
I closed my eyes, and the pain of his betrayal washed over me again. The agony I’d felt at twenty, totally alone in this world after the one person I trusted let me down.
Hot, welcome anger surged within me, and my strength returned. No number of words or orgasms would cut it. He was delusional, and I had work to do.
“Please leave,” I said softly, wavering between wanting to kiss him and wanting to stab him to death with my stiletto.
With a single nod, he turned, but he stopped at the door and turned back, hitting me with a panty-melting grin. “Just be ready, because I’m coming for you, Dragonfly. And when I want something, I don’t give up.”
Chapter 14Gus
Acouple of years ago, I never would have believed I’d be willingly hanging out with my brothers every Thursday night. But a lot that had happened in the last year that defied belief.
So I was here.
At Finn’s house, drinking beers with my brothers, taking turns holding baby Thor.
Finn and Adele lived in a cozy cottage outside of town, with a massive garden and a screened-in porch. They had put an addition on when Finn moved in, and together, they’d made themselves a home.
Clem loved running around with Adele’s dog, and Jude’s too, and we humans could enjoy the summer night without constant attacks from the mosquitoes.
“What the hell are you wearing on your feet?” Finn asked, as I took a seat on a wicker chair.
I smiled proudly at my new boots. “These are my dress Tims.”
“What the fuck are dress Tims?” Jude asked, resting an arm on his knees. “Tims are for working.”
“Yeah,” Cole said, legs spread wide on the loveseat across from me. “Isn’t that some kind of crime against nature?”
“The only crime is how good I look,” I said, cracking a beer. “Suck it up, boys. I’m both the oldest and the handsomest.”
