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“Got it.” She replies with a slight chuckle.

We stand like that for a while, me holding her while she rests and catches her breath in my arms. I snuggle down into her warmth, taking a deep breath of her rich, spicy scent.

“I should go clean up.” She says quietly into my chest. “And you should get dressed before someone catches you with your pants down, literally.”

“Off.” I joke.

“Right, pants off.” She giggles.

A real giggle from the woman everyone else knows as the ice queen.

But not me; to me, she’s just my queen.

Mine.

I get dressed as Elsie straightens her dress and tries to tame her unruly curls.

“You look beautiful,” I say when I’m finished buckling my belt, and she’s still fussing over her hair.

She looks over at me with a small smile. “Thank you.”

Once we’re both presentable-ish, I open the door and follow her into the hall, only to find Oliver standing there.

“Oliver?” She asks, confusion furrowing her brow. “Why are you standing there like a guard dog?”

“Because someone decided to sneak into a coat room to fuck in the middle of their gala.” He says, rolling his eyes. “And you weren’t exactly discreet about it.”

Elsie blushes a beautiful, rosy color, making me grin.

“And I’d rather you not end up in the paper for fucking at a fundraiser.” He scoffs. “Or get fired for letting it happen.”

“Sorry.” She says meekly. “It won’t happen again.”

“Yeah. I doubt that.” Oliver chuckles.

“Me too,” I say, smirking at Elsie, which earns me a scowl.

“Right. Okay.” She says, collecting herself and putting her cool mask back on. “Well, I’m going to visit the ladies’ room and... tidy up a bit.”

Oliver’s smile is quickly shoved under his professional demeanor, but his genuine happiness for Elsie sneaks through in the glitter of his eyes.

“You’re good for her.” He admits as we watch her walk away.

“Really?”

“Yeah.” He says, turning to me with a smile. “In the years I’ve worked for her, I’ve never seen her happier. We’re rooting for you. So long as you stay out of the office.”

“We?” I ask.

“Yeah. Me, Selene, and the rest of the office, basically. We’ve all noticed.” He suddenly grows more serious. “You hurt her, though, and I’ll have your balls.”

I let out a loud laugh, drawing the attention of the few people who were passing us to leave and head home.

“Noted,” I say with a wink.

Contentment fills me with the knowledge that others see just how good Elsie and I are together.

She may not believe it yet, but she will.

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