Page 95 of Hidden By His Side

Her insides smoothed out at the compliment.

He released her, stepping back. “Since the office needs some repairs, we’ll work out of here this week.” His fingers brushedover hers as he accepted the mug. “Why don’t you get dressed, and I’ll make you some tea. Meet me in the home office?”

Summer nodded, though disappointment tugged at her. She loved their time at the office. It felt routine, comfortable, familiar. She did actual paperwork for him, important things, not just bringing him lunch.

To feel a little more normal, she put on one of her work outfits, a long flowered skirt, yellow roses this time, paired with a yellow blouse. When she stepped through the door to his office, she paused, taking in the rearrangement of the space. Across from Ramiro’s desk was a similar one, with her normal computer set up on it, down to the mouse she’d splurged on because she thought it was cute.

“You like it?” he asked.

She loved it—she’d be right there with him all day—but she bit her lip at how much smaller the space looked, with no privacy for him. He wouldn’t be able to get away from her at all. “It might be better if I’m in the living room. That’s about how far away my desk normally is.”

“I wouldn’t have put you in here if I didn’t want you here,” Ramiro said, taking a sip of his coffee.

Summer flushed. He wanted her close as much as she did. No, she shouldn’t read too much into it. This was just convenient. She stared at the phone set up on the desk. “What about your calls?”

“I had them routed here.”

She shook her head. “I mean, they wouldn’t be private. I’d hear every word.”

“I’m not worried about that.”

“But—”

“Summer,” he interrupted. She let her gaze move up his fancy suit before meeting his. She liked when he was a little stern with her while looking all buttoned up. “Have I ever hidden what kind of man I am from you?”

“No,” she murmured.

He leaned back in his chair. “Then come over here, give me a kiss, and let’s get to work.”

Her legs were already moving, and the second their lips touched, he hauled her up onto his lap, deepening the kiss. She no longer smelled herself on him, but the way he stroked her with his tongue made her wonder if he’d stroked the same way between her legs while she was sleeping.

Heat slid through her as she pulled back, finding him grinning down at her.

“This should be how we start every workday,” Ramiro murmured, brushing back her hair.

A laugh escaped. “You’d never get anything done.”

He kissed her forehead. “You’ll keep me organized. Now turn around. I have something else to ask you about.”

She turned on his lap, more heat drifting through her as she felt his erection behind her. A slow wiggle had his breath puffing against the back of her neck.

“Naughty,” he breathed out, one of his hands holding her hips still as he reached around her with the other to enlarge a window on the computer screen. Stunning porcelain tea sets filled the monitor on a website that looked even fancier than the glazed design she had before.

“Pick one,” he said.

There were no prices on any of them. She interpreted that as, if you need to know the price, you can’t afford them. “I couldn’t,” she whispered.

“This is for me.” He was such a liar. “I need to replace what was broken.”

“It’s fine. You never should have bought them for me in the first place.” She’d mentioned wanting a tea set on a whim, not realizing he’d go out and get it for her. Her eyes felt hot, but she blinked the tears back. She’d already cried the day before when he told her the hutch and all her china had been damaged. It wasn’t that they were gone; it was that she would miss remembering the joy from when he’d surprised her with them every time she looked at them.

“I don’t need them,” she said.

That was the truth. She’d only wanted them. It was the piece of candy all over again, only Ramiro hadn’t just said yes, he’d rained candies down on her. That was how she’d felt every time she touched one of the delicate cups.

“You loved that tea set. Let me replace it.” He moved the mouse over a blue floral design similar to before. “This one?”

It was beautiful. Her eyes slid away from it, locking on a different set in the bottom right corner. It wasn’t similar at all, but something about the way the flowers weaved along the white porcelain drew her to it. They even had intricately carved bases that looked almost too delicate to touch.

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