Page 9 of Surrender (Angels Halo MC Next Gen)

“I’m sorry, Jos,” Crystal murmured. “It won’t happen again.”

“That’s what you said last week. Twice.”

Elias placed his hand on my hip. “Your office is just past the conference room on the right,” he said as we walked down the corridor. “Accounting department is at the end on the left. Legal is the one before them. And I am right beside you. We’re not as big as your family’s firm, but we’re growing more every year. Barker & Reid Construction has come a long way since Mom took over after my great-grandfather died.”

“You guys are doing amazing work. That’s why I took this internship.”

“Was it a hard decision to make?” he asked as he paused to unlock my office door before handing me over an extra key. “You mentioned you had several offers on the table.”

I took my time answering as I glanced around the room. A simple desk with a computer and a rolling chair. A few pictures of some of the company’s most memorable designs and builds decorated the walls. But my gaze went straight to the drafting table behind. That was where the magic would be created. My love of architecture might have started as a way to connect with Elias, but it had bloomed into an obsession that nearly rivaled what I felt for him.

Turning to face him, I shrugged. “There was one firm in Chicago I was considering. But I hate Chicago. And another in Fort Worth had my attention, but when I got your call, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Nova told me you go off talent alone. No names. No school information. That you considered me at all is a huge compliment.”

“As soon as I saw your mock-up, I knew I wanted to work with you.”

I nibbled the inside of my lip, soaking up his words to overanalyze later. “Confession?”

Blue eyes sparked down at me. “Tell me.”

“I’ve kind of dreamed of this. Ever since you interned with our firm back in New York.” I laughed a little self-consciously. “You have so much talent. Seeing how passionate you were back then, it got me interested in architecture. I’ve been hooked ever since.”

CHAPTERFOUR

elias

Once I had Samara settled,and my body calm enough that I could sit down without splitting my zipper open, we got some much-needed work done.

She took one look at the Kepler project and immediately started making suggestions. By lunchtime, I had the man on a video call, asking his opinion. He was bored at first, barely paying attention. He’d been a pain in my ass from our first meeting. I didn’t think he knew or even understood what he wanted from this build.

After about twenty minutes of listening to the man argue with me from the other side of my desk, Samara rolled her chair around so she was sitting beside me. I’d been fighting my frustration, so aggravated with the asshole that I was seconds away from telling him to fuck off and stop wasting my time. When her hand touched my arm, my muscles unlocked.

Inhaling slowly, I covered her hand and linked our fingers together.

“Who is this?” Kepler asked, having seen a glimpse of Samara on the screen.

My first instinct was to push her chair away, just enough so he couldn’t have the pleasure of looking at her, but close enough I could still touch. Before I could nudge her chair a few inches away, Samara rolled closer and introduced herself.

“Good morning, Mr. Kepler. My name is Samara. How are you doing today, sir?”

His beady eyes lit up with interest, causing my blood to heat with an emotion that was all too new to me, yet I’d been struggling with since seeing my brother make Samara laugh that morning.

“I’m new to the firm, but Elias and I have been brainstorming your project all morning. It’s already beautiful, and I’ve seen the aerial view of the land it will be built on. Gorgeous. I can’t wait to see it in person.” She gave him a smile that had him leaning closer to the camera.

I had a sudden urge to pull her out of her chair and into my lap—stake my claim. Fuck professionalism.

Mine.

Samara glanced at me, her beautiful eyes flashing with something that was gone before I could read it, and she returned her gaze to the screen. My fingers flexed around hers, and she made a soft humming noise in pleasure.

“Come out anytime. I’ll show you around personally.”

She moved her chair closer to me, her free hand going to my thigh, her nails biting into me with just enough of a sting to tell me to keep my growl in check. Shit, I hadn’t even realized I’d made a sound at first.

“We have a few ideas that we need to run by you,” she said, keeping her tone professional while her nails continued to dig into my leg. “I promise not to take up more of your valuable time than absolutely necessary, but we do need to discuss these changes and have your approval so we can break ground for you, sir.”

If she called him “sir” one more fucking time…

“I apologize for being distracted earlier,” Kepler told her. “Could you explain everything again, honey?”

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