Page 47 of His Gift
"No way. I'll drive you there. For a kiss. Besides, I'd like to meet your boss." Conrad dips down and I lick his lower lip before giving him the kiss he's asking for. I've just told him I wanted to wait, but getting such good news, and thinking of him as the very first person I wanted to tell, has made me realize how important he is for me. It's all very complicated and at the same time it's as easy as it gets.
I've just finished the lollipop I stole from Conrad when we arrive at my office.
"It's great to see you back, Harper. You look amazing! And just one crutch? What is this sorcery?" Jasper comes to hug me, and the air behind us crackles. I should have imagined Conrad was the jealous type, on top of other things.
"No sorcery, just a very talented surgeon and hard work. But yes, I feel like ten thousand bucks."
"Then we need to celebrate. Come to my house on Sunday. We'll have another barbecue, and I know how much you love those. There'll be my sister with her boyfriend and the kids, a few neighbors, nothing big. You both can come." Jasper finally gives his attention to Conrad. I know he saw him immediately. He asked me about Conrad in his message because Irene told him. I guess my boss is on the fence. Maybe Irene too, notwithstanding my reassurances.
Conrad shows his best public face, the same as he showed Irene, and they shake hands. I try to fathom how he feels about the invitation, but all his attention is on Jasper. I know Conrad hates crowds, though, so…
"I'm not sure we'll be free on Sunday."
"Nonsense, Harper. We'll be there." Conrad gives me a genuine smile and I nod. I don't want to embarrass him, but we'll have to talk more about this.
"Okay, then. We'll start at noon. Now, back to business. I wanted to give you these two cases to study and find a good strategy. This way you can take a little more time and come back on Monday. What do you say?" I flip through the folders and frown.
"Two divorces, Jasper? You're evil." He chuckles.
"I know. What can I say, you have a talent for finding the right angle for our clients."
"Hmmm, flattery will lead you nowhere. Fine. You'd better have that cake I like baked for Sunday."
"As you wish. It was a pleasure, Conrad. See you soon."
The office door clicks shut behind us, the sudden quiet amplifying the already thick tension in the air. I give the folders to Conrad and lean a little more heavily on the crutch because I'm tired. Conrad is a silent shadow beside me, walking just a fraction too close, his arm occasionally brushing mine. And as soon as we are in the car, he gives me a pointed look.
"So. Your boss seems… friendly."
"He's married."
"Don't you have two divorce cases to check?"
"Jasper's not that kind of man. In fact, he gives me all the divorce cases he can because he's too much of a romantic."
"You don't believe in marriage?"
"Well… mine has ended badly, but it was flawed from the start. I don't know if I'm a romantic or not. I've never really thought about it." Conrad keeps silent. Of course. He believes we're made for each other: what's more romantic than that? I want to believe it too. I want to believe he'll be here for me. That he won't let me down. A part of me still can't do it.
thirty-six
Conrad
"What are you in the mood for? I can make some pasta or order takeout."
"Whatever. I'm more tired than hungry. First, I need a shower. And I want to test how it goes without the cane."
I hesitate, my gaze locked on the slight sway of her hips as she moves towards the bathroom. Then I follow, trying to keep a respectfuldistance, a battle waging between my need to be near in case she stumbles and the knowledge I need to give her space.
"Do you care to join me?"What?The unexpected invitation shoots a jolt of pure lust through me.
"Absolutely, yes." I don't even take a second to process the implications.
I trail behind Harper, stripping my clothes off with a frantic urgency, the cool air a stark contrast to the sudden heat building within me. I watch the graceful slide of her hoodie over her head, the soft curve of her spine as she reaches behind to unclasp her bra. By the time we're both naked, I'm already hard.
As soon as we're under the spray, she turns and hugs me tightly, her wet body molding against mine. "Are you sure about Sunday?"
Small talk? Now? Her breasts press into my chest, nipples pebble-hard on my skin. Lower, the soft press of her belly against my already straining cock is pure torture. She has to know what she's doing to me. Yet… small talk. She must think I'm made of ice. Fuck. I caress her cheek, my thumb tracing the delicate curve, and then trail my fingers through her soaking strands, trying to anchor myself in the simple touch.
