Page 44 of Grace

“I leave Thursday,” he answers while adjusting my panties and putting me back together. “Tomorrow, you and I will go over theitinerary and set up some plans for when I get back. I apologize for the short notice.”

“You’re the boss. My job is to do whatever you say and take care of any problems that come up,” I answer.

Daniel smiles and kisses my forehead. “Such a good girl for me, in ways I never expected.”

My heart squeezes as he helps me off the desk, and we make sure there’s no evidence of what we did.

How am I supposed to avoid having feelings for a man who sees the best in me and still finds ways to encourage me, make me feel so loved and wonderful and right, no matter the situation?

It’s a losing battle to think that all we have between us are lust and fun.

twenty

“The deal is through. We’ve finished the app, and that means we deserve a celebration,” Daniel announces the next day at work. Everyone is excited. Apparently, he hasn’t allowed any kind of work party or celebration in years.

“When I return from my trip, we’ll have a proper party to” —his eyes meet mine— “rewardall the hard work that’s gone into making this deal work. I know that each of you played a role. Melissa and Grace, please let me know what we’ll need, and I’ll approve whatever is required to create a party everyone can and will enjoy. Don’t hold back.”

Melissa gives me a thumbs-up, but my smile is weak. She’s the one who told me about Daniel being with someone else. I haven’t heard it from anyone else, not even a whisper. It has me questioning whether it’s a rumor she heard, maybe one Stacy spread, or…

“Come on, silly. We get a whole day to look at décor, music, drinks, and everything else! We can’t waste the opportunity,” she gushes.

We sit at her desk and go over options, but Melissa lowers her voice and taps my hand. “Seriously, is everything okay with you?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“I don’t know. I can’t tell if Mr. Brooks just really has you doing a ton of work or if he’s super pissed at Stacy. She’s always upset when you’re involved in the meetings she used to be and how you’re not under her control. Was there something going on?” Melissa presses.

“I’m a really detail-oriented person and Mr. Brooks is too, ” I say, not wanting to say more.

“Ladies, I sure hope you’re working on making this party fantastic,” Stacy says as she walks up.

Stacy gives me a long, frustrated look. She knows exactly who I am. She knows that she’s with my ex… and has been since before Bash was my ex. Why does she feel like she has to be so nasty to me? She got Bash.

“Right, just make sure to stay focused on work. I’d hate for Mr. Brooks to be disappointed in what you two come up with. Honestly, it’s better that you run it by me at the end of the day,” she says before walking toward the break room.

Melissa shakes her head. “Such a bitch. She really doesn’t do anything but walk around and collect a paycheck.”

I shrug and try to refocus us on the project at hand. At least Melissa’s not focused onmeand Mr. Brooks anymore.

At the end of the day when I head to my desk to leave, I glance at Daniel. He types a bit, then looks over at me. “How was the planning, Grace?”

“Good. Good.” I nod. “We have everything set. I emailed it to you about ten minutes ago so you can approve it.”

“Well done,” he purrs.

“How… how long are you going to be gone for?” I ask softly.

He gives me his full attention. “Are you worried about something, darling?”

I glance at the open door and shut it quickly. “I just…”

Hate that you seem to only want to touch me rather than let me touch you.It’s all twisted in my head. Does he think I’ll be bad at it? Does he only enjoy pleasing me or…? I don’t know. Maybe he doesn’t want more than to tease me at work and over the phone. I don’t understand how his kink works.

“I’d rather know what’s on your mind than guess, Grace,” Daniel says seriously. “If there’s something bothering you about us.”

“I was just thinking that you mentioned you wanted to watch me cook once, and I have a new recipe I want to try, but it’ll be too much just for me,” I say in a rush.

He blinks a few times, obviously surprised at the sudden comment. “And your roommate…?”

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