Page 75 of Further To Fall

“Arrogant.”

“You love me.”

I scoffed, and he chuckled as he swung into a parking spot. I grabbed my purse from the floorboard and startled when my door opened. “Sorry about that.” It was John.

“Not your fault. I’m a jumpy mess, apparently.” I eased out of the car, only to be surrounded, John at my back and Austin at my side. They were both on guard, and it had my own anxiety level climbing.

We made our way inside to be greeted by Sofia. She was clearly concerned, but I was grateful when she kept things light. We chatted about Michael, and she fawned over Blue. Austin tugged on my arm. “Come on, let’s go back to my office.”

“Okay. See you later, Sofia.”

“See you,chica.”

I patted the side of my leg, and Blue followed us down the hall. When we reached Austin’s office, Blue immediately launched himself onto the couch, and I took a seat beside him, scratching behind his ears. Austin shut the door behind himself and eyed Blue. “Make yourself right at home, Blue.”

I chuckled. “Oh, lighten up. Why don’t you sit down and tell me what you wanted to talk about.”

Austin settled in the chair across from me. We were sitting in the same positions as when I saw him for the first time after our year of radio silence. I couldn’t believe how far we’d come. “What would you think about taking over as director for the youth program? I haven’t been able to find anyone who’s right for the position, and I think that’s because I’m subconsciously comparing all of them to you. You’re who I picture when I think about the ideal candidate. You’d have complete creative control.”

I was stunned. Of all the things I’d thought he might want to ask me, I’d never expected him to offer me a job. In many ways, it was exactly what I was looking for, working with kids but with so much more freedom and autonomy than I had while working at a public school. But, working for my boyfriend? That could be a recipe for disaster. We did have our friendship as a foundation, though. I knew how he operated, probably better than anyone, and he knew me just as well. “There’s a huge part of me that wants to jump up and down and scream ‘yes,’ but I need to think about it. Can I have a little time?”

His face gentled from businessman-serious. “Of course. Take all the time you need.”

I jumped up and dumped myself on his lap, circling his neck with my arms and kissing him lightly. “Thank you for thinking of me.”

“I’m always thinking about you.”

“I like hearing that.” I kissed him again. “Promise me one thing.”

“What?”

“Promise that you’re not offering me this job just because I was forced to take a leave of absence.”

Austin’s face got serious. “Carter, I wanted to offer you this job as soon as I started the program, but I knew you’d never take it then. I truly do think you’re the best person for the position.”

I pushed my face into the crook of his neck. “Okay, I just had to be sure.” He squeezed me tighter against him, and I tipped my head back. “Since I’m here for the day, why don’t you put me to work.”

“I can think of a few things you can work on…” He grinned down at me.

“Quit it, you dirty bird. I mean office work.”

He nuzzled the side of my neck. “You take all the fun out of working together.”

“If you’re a good boy, I’ll let you cop a feel before we leave.”

“Promises, promises.”

I pinched Austin’s side as I lifted myself from his lap. “Come on, give me something to do.”

“All right, all right,” he groused.

I spent the rest of the day pouring over all the paperwork for each of the program kids that their parents had submitted. I created a file for each child and made notes in each about what programs or support might be helpful, already planning to have meetings with each one so I could get to know them better and see how we could best help them reach their dreams. Because, who was I kidding, one hour into reading about these kids, and I knew I was going to take the job. I set the last file down and stood to stretch, I was still just a little bit sore from last night and smiled at the reminder.

At the sound of the door opening, I turned and saw Austin’s dark head appear. “Ready for me to cop a feel?” he asked.

I let out a bark of laughter at his words and the truly hopeful expression on his face. “Come here.”

He ambled over and pulled me into his arms, easing me into a warm and seductive kiss. His hands traveled lower and, before long, they were squeezing my backside. He pulled back, a soft look in his eyes. “You sore?”

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