Page 8 of Surrender (Angels Halo MC Next Gen)

“I am proud of you, Sammy,” he murmured, his blue eyes softening.

I sank my teeth into the underside of my bottom lip to hold back my moan of pleasure at hearing him say that. Words could so easily be foreplay. An erotic caress to the mind and soul.

Words were dangerous as fuck. They were weapons that could cause mass destruction within someone. Or untold pleasure.

“You don’t ever have to worry about what I think, baby girl. In my eyes, you are amazing. There is nothing you could do that would change my mind about that.” He shifted his legs, another ragged exhale leaving his mouth, brushing over my cheek. I could almost taste the coffee he’d been drinking. “But Reid won’t take care of you, Samara. Not the way you need and deserve.”

I lowered my lashes before I could give myself away. “He won’t?”

“He’s too selfish. He doesn’t have the time or patience for that. You need—”

“Good morning, Elias!”

He muttered a curse and took a huge step back at the intrusive sound of a voice I didn’t recognize. Struggling to keep my breathing even, banking the rage that was already starting to simmer, I slowly turned to find a woman several years older than me walking toward us.

“Did you stop and get me a muffin again?” she gushed. The sound of her voice hit my ears wrong. I wanted to stuff the muffin I held into her mouth to shut her up. “You spoil me.”

If I made her choke on the muffin, it would be a waste of good food. Taking a bite out of the top to remind myself of that, I watched her approach, the flavors of the muffin a beautiful blend of chocolate perfection. She wore a pair of black pants that molded over her hips and a top that gave a good show of her breasts. Her business casual outfit pushed the boundaries and could have tipped over into club wear.

Begrudgingly, I had to admit I liked the shade of brown of her shoulder-length hair that was in soft, beachy waves around her face. She didn’t look like she’d spent an hour on her makeup. But that didn’t mean she hadn’t. I knew firsthand how long it could take to make it appear as if a person wasn’t wearing makeup but was actually hiding the natural shape of their face.

Before she could reach us, Elias shifted, putting me half in front of him. Discreetly, I glanced at him while taking another bite of muffin and saw he was trying to hide his erection. Knowing I was the one who’d caused that reaction, I shoved my hand out in front of me. “Hi, I’m Samara, the new intern. You must be…”

Her eyes narrowed on me for only a split second before she pasted on a fake smile and shook my hand. “Crystal, the receptionist. Nice to meet you.”

“Oh right, Crystal. The receptionist. Jos told me about you.” She beamed at that and glanced up at Elias.

My territorial instinct told me to slit her throat, while a voice whisper-shouted a chorus ofmine, mine, minein my mind.

I tilted my head so I could glance around her. I hadn’t sensed another vehicle pull into the parking lot, but I noticed someone driving away from the curb. “I guess I was confused since she said you would be here before everyone else. But you’re only now arriving, and the phones are ringing nonstop. Sorry. Crystal. The receptionist.”

Her smile faltered. “I’m running a little behind. Mondays are insane.” She glanced up at Elias through her lashes, making me wonder if she spent most of her paycheck on those amazing extensions. They looked good on her. Made her brown eyes look all doe-like. I wanted to sink my thumbs into them and gouge them out of her skull. “I’m so sorry that I’m late, Elias. It won’t happen again.”

“My mom is already inside. You should explain to her why you are late. Again.” I liked how his voice remained neutral when he spoke to her. Bored. Cool. No interest present in the deep, delicious timbre. Goose bumps popped up along my arms and legs when he stepped forward, so close I could feel the heat from his body. “I need to get Samara settled in her office.”

I almost smirked, and my hand twitched to give her a little finger wave as she shot me a glare before pouting at the man behind me. “Elias—”

“Why is the damn phone still ringing?” I heard Jos yell before she walked out into the lobby.

With his free hand on my back, Elias nudged me forward. Every nerve in my body contracted at the contact, but I didn’t have time to savor it. Walking inside ahead of Crystal, I went straight to Jos for a hug.

Her eyes lit up when she saw me. “Sammy! Did you get settled into the apartment?” She wrapped her arms around me, and I almost cuddled closer. Mom used to give the best hugs. And then she had to harden herself to train me. Hugs from her were rare and precious to me now. “Did my boys make you comfortable?”

Stepping back, I didn’t have to force a smile. “Everything has been perfect. Reid is even taking me to dinner tonight.”

“You didn’t mention that,” Elias grumbled as he practically shoved the box of muffins at his mom.

Jos took it and lifted the lid. “Is that the banana chocolate chip?”

“Yes. They only had one left. You’re welcome.” Grasping my elbow, he tugged me back a step. “Samara and I will be busy all morning. I want her opinion on the Kepler project.”

It was only when the phone stopped ringing that I noticed Crystal had finally started working. She’d stood back, watching us before taking her place behind the desk. I felt her eyes on me the entire time, even when she finally bothered to pick up the phone.

Her customer-service voice made me twitchy. She probably thought it sounded sultry, but to me, she sounded like a chipmunk.

“That’s a great idea. Maybe the two of you working together can finally make that asshole happy and we can move forward with breaking ground.” Jos glanced down at her phone when it vibrated. Rolling her eyes, she focused on me once again. “Elias will get you set up in your office. I need to speak to Crystal and then return a few calls. I’m so glad you’re here, Sammy.”

After giving me another hug that I welcomed and returned, she walked over to the reception desk, still holding the box of muffins. “Unanswered calls cost this company money. If you aren’t going to be on time, I can find someone who will appreciate having a job.”

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