Page 17 of Havoc
“I bet you’ve been bent over every surface up here,” Lawrence said teasingly, and Alijah rolled her eyes at him before giving him a little smile and taking a drink of her smoothie.
Lawrence knew it. He’d seen them together enough to know that Kieran couldn’t keep his hands off Alijah, and he seldom cared where they were when he did so.
For the next twenty minutes, they talked about Lawrence’s current project and the new paintings Alijah was planning to add to her gallery. It made him happy that she was now showing her work off to people. It had always baffled him that she enjoyed painting as much as she did but tended to keep her paintings under lock and key unless it was for someone.
Lawrence knew that it was thanks to Kieran. Had he not bought her that gallery, Lawrence believed Alijah would still be painting and hiding her works in her closet, under her bed, or anywhere else she could keep them to herself.
They were about to start the tour and were walking past Alijah’s desk when Kieran’s voice came over the speaker, asking her to come into his office momentarily.
“I’ll be right back. You can go ahead and look around; all the doors are unlocked,” Alijah informed him.
Lawrence nodded, reaching the first office, opening the door, and turning on the light. Alijah stated that three offices were used, and he figured this was one of them. It was furnished nicely, andthe décor was bright, giving the room an airy feel, which Lawrence knew helped, considering the only windows it had peered into the hallway.
Lawrence knew he’d like this layout for his office. Even though he did have a window view, brighter colors would make it seem bigger and more open. Taking out his phone, Lawrence took a couple of pictures of the office before turning the light off and closing the door behind him.
The room across from that office was the conference room, and after a glance inside, Lawrence continued on his way. He expected the other offices that were used to look much like the first one. However, each was decorated differently, but if you put them side by side, he was sure they’d still flow nicely.
Lawrence heard what he thought was the elevator ding, but he figured Alijah would take care of it, so he entered the fifth office. This one was as Alijah stated it would be. There was nothing besides a desk, desk chair, and two chairs to sit in. Though the walls were still bright, it felt bleak without all the other touches.
Lawrence was heading down the hall to the last office when he felt himself being grabbed. He was pulled into the office he’d just left out of and was spun around before he could react. Catching sight of the person who had initiated this semi-kidnapping. His hazel eyes met with brown ones.
There was a silence that hung between them in the room. Neither spoke, but Lawrence didn't need words to know what the older man was thinking.Why did you run out on me after the other night? Why haven't you been answering my calls?
He had the answer to both of those questions, but he was unsure he would ever speak them out loud. This man scared him. In every way, that was good and bad. He was used to being the one that dictated how things went. Every part of him that wanted that went out the window in the presence of the chocolate god standing before him.
His hand grabbed Lawrence's chin, and the younger man looked back into his eyes. Not noticing, his gaze had trailed away when he'd read the questions in those brown eyes.
Slowly, his head came down, and Lawrence felt his breath hitch. Soft lips touched his, and at that moment, he wondered howit could have been any better than it was the first night. He could only assume it was because it was different. There was no hurry. They were taking their time this time around without the intense need that had been there before. However, that unspeakable desire remained.
Lawrence kissed him back, following his lead because that seemed all he could do in this man's presence. He was so dominating. From the way he looked at him to his voice and stature.
He was by no means a short or petite man, but the one in front of him made him feel as if he was small and fragile. Lawrence stood at six feet but felt dwarfed by the six foot five, two hundred plus pounds of deliciousness that was slowly guiding his lips.
“Lawrence!” His name being called pulled him from bliss, and he placed his hands on the other man's chest to push him away, but it was no use.
“Come by my place tonight,” he instructed against Lawrence's lips. “I won't keep playing these games with you.”
His voice left no room for argument, and Lawrence found himself slowly nodding his head. With that, he watched as the older man stepped away, and Lawrence opened the door, peeking out.
He went to the end of the hall opposite the elevator where her voice came from and found Alijah in the last office he’d been heading to. This one had a few rolling boards, and she pulled one of them towards the door.
“There you are. Where were you?”
“I was just looking around in the other empty office envisioning ideas,” he informed her.
She nodded and led them out of the room. He helped her navigate the board, pushing it while she pulled. They placed it into the conference room before exiting, and Lawrence stopped behind her as she did.
“Remy?” she questioned. “I forgot you were coming by with the watch.”
“Yes, I was, but I found the owner,” he responded in that slightly accented voice. “I came to see Kieran. Is he in his office?”
“Yes, go ahead in. He’s finished with his call.” She then hit her forehead. “Where are my manners? Remy, you remember my friend Lawrence, right? You two met at the wedding.”
Those brown eyes turned to Lawrence. “Yes, I do.” He then turned his attention back to Alijah. “I'm going to talk to Kieran and then leave for the day. I'll see you Tuesday, Alijah.” His attention came back to Lawrence. “See you later, Lawrence.”
Lawrence swallowed slowly. He would indeed see the sexy Haitian man later.
“Tell me again why you’re hiding in here?” Kieran questioned, leaning back in his chair.
