On Tuesday morning, as I parked my truck in front of the office, I had no idea how I was going to handle this. Should I pretend it never happened? I didn’t want it to be awkward.
But miraculously, it wasn’t. I walked in the maintenance office and Kara’s gaze swung up from her phone. Her face turned as red as a tomato.
Valor growled in satisfaction when her heart raced as soon as she saw me. He was totally self-satisfied.
She’d definitely wanted that kiss and based on the way her heart beat a pattern in her chest, she wanted more. And damn, I wanted to give her more. Nine in the morning and my pants were already protesting.
Valor had finally stopped being so forlorn, mainly because he knew what I hadn’t admitted even to myself yet. I had to see where this was going to go with Kara. I couldn’t just walk away from her.
Normally, I’d just go in and take what I wanted—provided the woman was willing. I wasn’t a monster. But in this case, I couldn’t. Kara was different. With her, I felt completely different. I had to let her take the lead. I wouldn’t make a move unless she asked.
Surprisingly, I was completely content with that thought, and so was Valor. As long as I was open to the relationship and we’d be spending a lot of time around Kara, he was happy.
Not only was Kara different, but I was. I wanted to make her proud. I wanted to take care of her and prove that I could make a great partner for her.
“How are you feeling?”
She chuckled. “I feel great. I got over my hangover, but my poor sister.” She shook her head. “She didn’t feel the effects the first night, but after the second I thought she was going to puke all day. She called me early, crying.” She chuckled with a slightly evil undertone. “So, I went over and made her an early, loud breakfast.”
I didn’t quite understand the delight she seemed to have at making breakfast. Must’ve been a sister thing, but it made me smile to see her happy.
We made small talk for a while and went over our scheduled projects for the week. More would appear through the app or phone calls, too. They always did.
Our first call was quite a drive up the mountain. At first, the atmosphere in the truck was tense. The kiss we’d shared hung in the cab, unspoken and weighing on both of us.
I wouldn’t be the one to bring it up. Nope.
With a long, drawn-out sigh, she finally gave in. “So. We kissed,” she said bluntly.
I froze and looked at her out of the corner of my eye. “We did.”
“You tried to give me a small kiss, but I took it too far,” she said, her tone almost apologetic. Well, she wasn’t allowed to apologize for that kiss. That was mine, she couldn’t take it back now.
“I disagree.” I’d said I’d let her take the lead, and I had. She brought it up, after all.
“Yes, I’m attracted to you. But it can’t affect my work. I can’t just get up and find another job somewhere else. If my business fails here, I’d have to move.” Her fingers thrummed on the steering wheel. “I don’t have another skillset…” She cut her eyes my way. “Or trust funds to fall back on.”
“Ouch.” I clutched my chest as if her words had cut deep. “Aimed right for the heart. Don’t forget, I have a work goal as well. I have time limits I have to meet for a job. The longer I remain gainfully employed, the more I get out of it.”
Damn it, that sounded like I was only working for her for the money. “What I mean is, at first that was my only goal, but, Kara, I need you to know I’ve been enjoying myself. I don’t mind coming to work and not just because I like working with you.”
Her demeanor lifted, just a little, but her body language opened up and she shot me a couple of looks of curiosity, maybe even excitement. “Oh?”
“I like working with my hands. I like the sense of accomplishment. I’ve never had a project or job that I completed through and through like when you have me take the lead. I look forward to taking on a job on my own.”
In truth, I felt like I was already capable of taking on some of the less difficult jobs, but she hadn’t set me free yet. I didn’t mind. I wanted to try one totally alone, sure, but that meant less time with Kara.
“We need to be professional.” Her voice sounded less sure.
I grinned and pushed, just a little. “I can still be a capable, professional assistant during business hours while giving you the best sex of your life after hours.”
She gulped so loud it made Valor chuckle. Her face flushed red and the speed of her heart rate increased as she gripped the steering wheel tighter.
She wanted it and there was no way she could deny it.
But still. I didn’t expect her to agree. I figured I still had weeks of working on her to get her to see it was okay to have a relationship with me and still let me work with her.
“Okay,” she said firmly with her chin jutted out into the air.
My jaw dropped. If Valor had been in his scales, his would’ve as well. Shock reverberated through my body, coming from me and him. The cab was quiet for a moment, and I could hear the trees rushing past as we drove. Or maybe that was in my head.
My dick hardened in my work jeans as she spoke, and the knowledge of what was going to happen washed over me. “We can test your theory on Friday night. Come over after work.” She glanced at me quickly, then amended her statement. “Uh, at eight.”
She probably wanted time to primp. Most
