Page 80 of Rooster

My back muscles grow stiff, and tension from sitting at my desk, along with the worry I have for this entire situation, ‘cause every muscle in my body to ache to the point that I inwardly wonder if I'm getting sick.

My eyes grow gritty, sandpaper-like as they dart back and forth between my screens as I run program after program, trying to find a hint at what Henry has been up to.

It isn't until I sense someone at the open door of the conference room that I realize I've worked through the entire night, and the sun is starting to rise.

Morgan gives me a sleepy smile from the doorway and guilt for what I've been up to for hours swims inside me.

I open my mouth to apologize but stop short of confessing what I've done as I walk across the room to greet her.

"Good morning," she whispers, her voice still filled with sleep. "You're already working?"

"Yes," I answer.

It isn't a lie, and I justify it by reminding myself that I have been tasked with tracking Henry down for what he did to Kaylee, despite my real reasons for leaving her in my bed alone hours ago.

I reach out for her, not knowing how long I'll get to live in the fantasy of pretending she's mine on some level before Henry blows it all up. Without hesitation, she steps into my arms and rests her head against my chest.

"Think you could spare some time for me today?" she asks, her words slightly muffled from how she has her face buried against me.

"You have to work."

"I was thinking about calling in," she replies.

I don't know if she can feel me freeze in her arms. Is it a red flag that she wanted to go back to work so she could save her vacation days for the trip she was planning to turn around and now wants to stay here after we connected the way we did last night?

I don't sense manipulation in her tone, just the hint of an ache to spend time with me, but that doesn't mean that she isn't the absolute best actress Henry could find.

There's always the chance she's one of Henry's pawns, just like I've always been in his games.

I don't know which voice in my head to believe, and I hate the fact that it's starting to look like I may end up losing her, no matter what the outcome may be.

"I have a ton of stuff I have to do today," I say instead, not wanting to be the one to ruin things before I find out what's really going on. "I may have some time this evening."

She takes a step back, a wash of cold immediately replacing her warmth against my chest.

Sadness fills her eyes, but she simply nods and gives me a weak smile.

"Work it is then, I guess."

"Sorry," I mutter, fighting the urge to tell her that I can skip work too.

"It's fine," she says, resting her hand right over my heart.

The action makes it pound harder in my chest.

"We're adults, right?"

"We are," I quickly agree.

"And we have plenty of time."

"We do," I say, my voice cracking a little at the end. I cough, clear my throat, and give her a smile.

"Wanna wash my back in the shower?" she asks with the hint of a devious smile pulling up the corner of her lip.

"We'd never leave my room," I tell her, leaning in and brushing a kiss against her lips. "I have to get back to work."

She lifts up on her toes, pressing her lips against mine one last time before walking out of the conference room.

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