Page 24 of A Forbidden Spring
“Some of us started our day at four this morning, Mr. Ellis,” I tell him, arching one eyebrow as I wait for him to be done with the microwave.
“And whose fault is that?” he asks. I snort as Kami comes into the break room and Merrick retrieves his cup. “Have a good day, ladies.”
Wow, Kami mouths, her eyes widening, and she fans her face as our boss leaves. I’m left trying to make small talk with my panties damp from remembering how I’d made him come before slipping from his house and going back to mine.
I can barely contain my excitement until my next client arrives and I can escape into the sanctuary that’s work.
Away from prying eyes.
Away from the man that had me screaming his name.
It’s a welcome reprieve.
I’ve never made a big deal about my personal life, but I’ve never had to keep it hidden either. Is this just a temporary thing? Something more?
Both options seem daunting, the unknown a bottomless pit ofwhat-ifsclawing at my psyche. It’s too early to let the spiraling thoughts take hold and not enough caffeine in me to counteract it.
Clearing my mind, I let the dim light and soft music ground me to the moment, because if I let this thing with Merrick continue, I have no doubt it’ll consume me—his intensity too much to ignore.
Because you like it.
I do. And that’s the damn problem.
And as much as I’d love to go running back to his bed tonight, to get lost in his body, I can’t. Merrick Ellis is an addiction I can’t afford, and I’d do well to remember that.
15
MERRICK
MERRICK: Let me take care of you tonight
WREN: I don’t know
MERRICK: Please
WREN: Okay
Istare at the message for the hundredth time as I stir the sauce on the stove. It’s been three days since I had her here.
Three days since she’s been in my bed.
She’d gone home that first night feigning exhaustion, but I couldn’t dismiss the way shadows danced behind her eyes. I’d talked to the staff about Holly’s suspension and announced that we’d be implementing the things outlined in Wren’s proposal.
Everyone had been excited about the new additions and offered their own suggestions about what they’d like to see brought in. Their excitement had fueled my own, and it was nice to feel connected not just to the property but to the people too.
The only thing that seemed to weigh on me was the lack of reaction concerning Holly. Without asking them directly, I could assume they at least had an idea about the way she’d been cheating the system.
How long had they had to deal with such unfair treatment?
Their loyalty to Mountain Side spoke volumes, and I’d be a fool to jeopardize that.
Scribbling another note on the pad of paper beside me, I set down the pen and move to the door when I hear a car pull into the driveway.
Pulling open the door, I meet her on the porch, taking her bag and pressing a kiss to her lips before ushering her inside.
“You brought a bag.” I grin as she hangs up her jacket and rolls her eyes.
“I won’t survive another four a.m. wakeup.”
