Page 48 of Somebody to Save
“Nat, are you going to be our point-of-contact for the event, or will it be someone else from your office?”
Across from me, I saw Natalie shake her head out of the corner of my eye. “It’ll be me, but we trust you to do what you do best.”
“You know you’re in good hands,” Caroline said, flipping her notebook shut. “So, I think that’s all for now. We’ll be ready by the end of March, no problem. And I don’t think we’ll have any issues finding a venue. I’ll call in a few favors if I have to.”
I saved my notes and closed my laptop. I had to adjust in my seat because of the uncomfortable way desire was pooling between my thighs. Having Beckett’s undivided attention while they’re supposed to be planning his company’s event—like he can’t help but stare at me—was such a freaking turn-on.
Like this perfect, poised man was ruffled by me. That made me feel powerful and wanted. It was a heady combination.
There was a knock on the door, and all our attention snapped toward it.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Ryder, Caroline’s boyfriend, said. He was wearing what he usually did when he stopped by our office. He worked only a short walk away, so we often saw him in a dark suit with his dark hair mussed like he’d run his fingers through it every day. He was also always incredibly friendly—greeting everyone with a wide, bright smile.
“You’re not interrupting,” Caroline said. She stood from her chair and greeted him with a kiss on the cheek.
Natalie also stood and gave Ryder, her son, a quick hug. “Hey, honey, where’s—” she began to say but stopped when another man rounded the corner and stepped through the conference room door.
This man was the exact opposite of Ryder, with an all-black outfit that included worn jeans and combat boots. His exposed arms were covered in intricate tattoos.
Natalie’s smile stretched from ear to ear, and they shared a quick kiss.
“Sorry,” Natalie said, turning to me. “Addie, have you met Theo?”
I nodded and stood, offering him my hand, which he quickly shook. “We definitely crossed paths at the wedding, but it’s nice to see you again.”
“You as well,” he said quietly. He glanced over at Beckett and nodded in his direction by way of greeting. Beckett nodded back.
Men were weird sometimes.
“Beckett, do you have any other questions before we all head out?” Caroline asked, returning to the table to gather her things, which Ryder quickly stole from her.
Beckett stood and shook his head while I collected my own belongings and waited for the doorway to clear so I could make my escape.
“No, I don’t. Thank you so much,” Beckett said, then cleared his throat as we all made to leave. “Addison, if you don’t mind sticking around for a minute.”
I froze halfway out the door and looked back at him. His hands were tucked in his pants pockets, and he had that air of authority that I couldn’t seem to say no to. Probably because I didn’t want to.
Caroline waved, and the four of them continued down the hallway like there was nothing strange about it. Stepping back into the room, I shut the door and faced him.
“You look fucking beautiful, baby girl,” was the first thing he said, and I swore I swooned. Then he added, “I’ve missed you,”and my heart was prepared to burst at the seams. That, or my stomach was going to heave itself from my body the way it flipped.
“I’ve missed you, too,” I said quietly, and the word “Daddy”was on the tip of my tongue. But I didn’t say it. It wasn’t the time or the place.
“I was excited to see your list, and I can’t wait to look over it. Are we still on for dinner tonight?” He took a few slow steps until he was only a foot in front of me. He always looked so powerful and commanding in his suit. Hair pushed back and stubble trimmed, he was almost too good to be true.
“I really want to, but I have to go over to my grandmothers’, and I’m not sure how long it’ll take.”
He nodded thoughtfully and glanced around before he reached forward and rested his palm against my cheek. One simple touch, and my entire body relaxed.
“I’ll go with you then.”
“That’s sweet, but?—”
He shook his head, silencing me efficiently. “I don’t care how long it takes, baby girl. It’s been too long since we’ve spent any meaningful time together, and although our texts and phone calls are great, they’re not enough. I need to be able to touch you and see you with my own damn eyes. Not through a phone screen.”
Licking my lips, I gazed up at his sincere hazel eyes and realized there was no use in arguing. I wanted to spend time with him, too, no matter what that looked like.
“Okay.”
