Page 80 of By His Rule

I watch her as she places all the containers into the bag. “I’m going to the bathroom. I’ll get rid of all this on the way.”

Wordlessly, I watch her go.

The second the door closes behind her, I push to my feet and stalk to the windows.

It’s dark out now, and all the buildings are lit up around us.

There are people in their apartments going about their evenings. I stand there and watch as some prepare dinner in their kitchens and others get ready for nights out.

It’s something I’ve spent too much time doing since moving into this office.

I find it fascinating, watching others live their lives, completely unaware that they’ve got a spectator.

I scan the windows, searching for people, and I quickly come to a stop when I find a couple dancing in the middle of their living room.

I might be too far away to see any detail, but it’s more than obvious that they’re laughing.

I’m so lost in their moment that I don’t hear Lorelei step back into the room, and it’s not until she speaks, startling me, that I realize she’s standing beside me.

“And here you were worried about me watching porn at work.”

“W-what are you?—”

She jerks her chin to the left and I scan the windows again.

“Oh shit.” I laugh when I find something I hadn’t before.

A couple going at it against the window.

“No wonder you have those fancy darkening windows on this office. What exactly do you do in here?”

“Unfortunately, not that,” I mutter before ripping my eyes away from the show.

"I find that hard to believe.”

“What is that meant to mean?” I snap as she returns to the paperwork neatly piled up on the coffee table.

“You have a reputation, Kian. I’m sure that’s not news to you.”

“Maybe so, but that doesn’t mean I’m fucking in my office on the regular.”

“I didn’t say anything about regularity,” she says with a smirk.

“Put all that down, I’m taking you home,” I say, making a rash decision.

She freezes instantly and looks up at me. “But I thought you wanted this done.”

“I do. But it’s Friday, it’s late, and…you should call your brother and congratulate him before he gets too drunk.”

“Wow, that’s very…thoughtful of you.”

I laugh. “I have my moments. Now, get your stuff together before I change my mind.”

Without wasting a second, Lorelei begins tidying up and then rushes from the room. After shutting down my computer and grabbing my jacket, I follow to ensure she doesn’t bolt from the building the second she’s out of my sight.

“I’ll give you a lift h-home,” I stutter when I find her with her ass up in the air, pulling her purse out from beneath the desk.

“That’s not necessary, but I appreciate the offer. The bus is due in five min?—”

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