Page 22 of Taste of Addiction

“Foryou.” I raise my voice. “I wish you could see everything that I see. But you just think that since you don’t have lingering feelings, that everything is okay. It’s not.”

“What are you wearing underneath your outfit today? What color panties and bra?”

Damn him. I would be mad at him for changing the subject if I was not accustomed to doing the same when I no longer want to talk about a topic.

“Hmm, maybe I’m not wearing any.”

He exhales. “You better not be walking around that house half clothed. Unless you want my entire staff to be fired because of you.”

I reach into my nightstand and grab the big rainbow lollipop that we bought together during our frozen pizza mission weeks ago. I have been saving it for the perfect time and now seems worthwhile. I packed it for the trip to Hillsboro but never used it.

I rip off the wrapper and can hear the squeak of Graham’s chair as he leans back. “Playing with fire again, my little pyro?”

I swipe my tongue up the side of the spiral pop as slowly as I can. Graham’s low groan spurs me on, making me want to have a little fun. I allow my tongue to extend past the top, flicking it out toward the screen. “Yum,” I say, letting my eyes widen and return to normal. “Wish you were here to enjoy it with me.”

“You would be enjoying a lot more than candy.”

“Hmm, quit being a tease. You’re the one who sent me away. Not the other way around.”

His growl makes me giggle. “When we’re together, I’m going to fuck you so thoroughly that you won’t be able to walk normally for a week.”

“I sure hope so,” I say, with a click of my tongue. I continue licking my lollipop like it is the tastiest thing I have ever eaten. “I’m kind of tired of you playing it safe in the bedroom.”

“Dammit, Angela. You're pushing every single one of my buttons right now. And I have conference meetings I need to sit through the rest of the day. How am I supposed to do that being this sexually on edge?”

“Better go to your bathroom and rub one out,” I say with a giggle. “I know I’m going to enjoy myself here all alone on my bed. Hmm…wonder if sex toys can be delivered here while I wait out my time?” His dry cough lets me know he understands my message. “Oh, and Graham?”

“What?” he snaps, just making me sink farther into my pillows from laughing so hard.

I lift my shirt up over my head and toss it over the screen so he gets just a quick glimpse of my black bra, before he is shielded from seeing me at all. “Buh bye. Enjoy your day.” I end the call as his growl bellows through the microphone.

“Well, that was surprisingly fun,” I whisper to myself.

I check the weather on my phone app and see that the day is going to be chilly but dry. I put on my walking boots and dress in a warm jacket and hat. When I open the door to leave my bedroom, Collins is standing his post.

“I would like to walk up to the field again through the forest.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I follow him to the main door where he grabs his own coat from the hook. The cold air awakens my senses as soon as it hits my exposed face. I can smell the hint of fresh pine needles, and it is a friendly reminder that winter is approaching.

“Do you ever get bored here just waiting for me to leave my room?” I ask, turning to Collins.

He opens his mouth and shuts it again, as if he is debating on whether or not to talk to me. It makes me sad to think that he could get in trouble with Graham for socializing with me.

I offer him a weak smile and continue with my mumbling. “I’m bored here. I want to just go back to Portland. I don’t even think staying here is making much of a difference anyway. Seems pretty pointless, actually.”

“Doubt Mr. Hoffman sees it that way,” he offers.

“Yeah? How so?”

“Ma’am, without divulging too much, being here is the safest you’ve been in months. It is necessary.”

“I can’t be here forever.”

Collins’s eyes twitch, and I stop walking to turn to him.

“Graham can’t keep me here forever,” I warn, propping my hands up on my hips. “That’s not realistic.”

---