Page 50 of With You

His eyes shone with wonder and awe. I felt a glowing sensation inside me at the fact that I’d made him feel that way. Without warning, he threw me over his muscled shoulder and the world spun when he started to walk.

“Roe!” I laughed, swatting his ass that was shaking in my face. The world tilted again as he flung me onto my mattress. I laughed, pulling long, wet strands of hair out of my eyes.

He ripped his shirt over his head and my laughter died on my lips. The skin directly over his heart was no longer blank. That space had been filled and it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. The most beautiful act of devotion. Roses and thorns tangled around my name, perfectly woven to look like they were wrapping under his skin. Like I was wrapped around his heart, forever a part of him.

“Roe,” I squeaked through more tears.

“It’s always been yours, Samantha. From the moment we met, you didn’t know it but you claimed my heart for yourself and dug in. Even if you change your mind and don’t want it anymore, it will always belong to you.”

“Never,” I promised. I’d guard his gift with my life. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, kitten,” he said, causing that glow to fill me up again. Then in true Monroe Ross fashion he made me laugh through the tears. “How do you feel about ferrets?”

29

ROE

It was our first day back in the office since Gray’s mandatory hiatus.

The sun was shining, I had a full box of donuts from Sweet Cheeks bakery and my dream woman was in love with me. Goddamn, I was a lucky man.

“I didn’t think it was possible but he’s even more insufferable now. Look at him, he’s whistling Britney Spears.” Kane glowered as I walked through the front door of Falls Security that morning.

Gray had requested that our morning meeting be held in the reception area. Something about introducing the two new employees. I’d barely read the text before tossing my phone back on the nightstand and cuddling back up against Sam.

I was officially, unofficially living with her now. Baz and Dog were settled in to my place and every day I’d discreetly moved more of my possessions across the hall. A toothbrush here, a pair of glasses there, my favorite fridge magnet that said ‘Send Noods’ with a bowl of ramen under it. If Sam noticed my sneakiness, she didn’t say anything. Now I just needed to get her out of the house long enough to move my workstation over, because she was definitely going to notice that.

“Not everyone wants to be dark and mysterious,” I told Kane. “And the sheer fact that you knew that I was whistling ‘Toxic’ tells me you’re a fan, too. But then again, who isn’t? It’s Britney, bitch!” I crossed my ankles and spun in a circle, careful not to drop the sugary goodness in my hands.

“Sam, this is all your fault,” Gray added in an exasperated tone.

I turned, a smile stretching my face as I saw my dream girl walk into the reception area from the back hallway where our offices were located. She was dressed in her usual work attire and she’d been cleared by her doctor for light duties. My little combat Barbie would’ve had me popping a boner right here if I hadn’t fucked us both ragged in the shower this morning.

“Oh, fuck off, both of you. He was like this before me.” I frowned at her words but the wink she sent me had my good mood returning in full force. She winked at me—in front of the entire office! Consider the boner popped. Maybe I could convince Sam to let me go down on her while she worked, my shoulders probably wouldn’t fit under her desk, though. I made a mental note to order her one of those adjustable height ones, then she could just raise it up when she needed my services.

“I know I’m out of practice, but this work environment seems incredibly unprofessional. Maybe I should rethink my choice, James.” Baz’s voice boomed through the waiting room. A small squeak came from my left and I swung my head in that direction to see the normally empty reception desk was filled. Huh, guess that was the other new employee Gray had been referring to.

To my surprise, it was one of the women who’d been with Sam the night I’d gone to find her at Brooks’. She looked young, not nearly old enough to be working in an office. And her wide, shocked eyes were transfixed on Baz. The man in question was smiling back at her in a smug way. Interesting, this could make for some good water cooler gossip. I mentally added a water cooler to my shopping list with the desk.

“Don’t even think about it, you’re already here. No takesies backsies as Daisy would say. I think most of us have already met and/or worked with Sebastian Thompson. You might recognize Jesse Perkins as well as she grew up in Little Falls. She’s agreed to take the office manager position and I’m excited to have them both become a part of the team.”

I dropped the box of donuts on Jesse’s desk, causing her to blink and break her bewildered stare off with Baz. The smile she gave me was strained and I felt bad for the poor girl. I’d be surprised if she even lasted a week under Gray’s demanding leadership. After the meeting I’d find Gage and we’d get a pool going.

“Welcome, Jesse. I don’t think I introduced myself the last time we met but I’m Monroe Ross. I wish you the best of luck as you have just joined the grumpiest team of assholes in all of Texas. Myself and the beautiful lady behind me excluded. Donut?”

“Uh, thanks?” She sounded unsure but leaned forward and grabbed a chocolate-iced donut from the box with fingers that only slightly shook. Good call, no one liked the chocolate. We all had our favorites and if she’d nicked one of those, there was definitely going to be a fight. “Nice to meet you. I guess it’s hard to remember things like manners when you’re busy carting my new friend off to bang in the alley.”

I coughed as I inhaled donut crumbs from the bite I’d just taken. Sam slapped me on the back and thrust a bottle of water into my hand. I thanked my angel with watery eyes.

“Oh, burn. You’re going to fit in just fine, Jesse,” she said, leaning over the desk to give her a fist bump.

“Excuse me, but I think part of being in a relationship is that you’re always supposed to be on my side,” I said, inducing another coughing fit.

“Sorry, puddin’, chicks before dicks.” Sam grabbed her powdered sugar donut out of the box and smacked my ass.

I looked around the room with wide eyes. Everyone looked amused, even Gage had a slight serial killer tilt to his lips that seemed like his own impression of a smile.

“This is how it’s going to be, huh?”

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