But could she even contemplate a life married to me? Our contract was for three months for a reason. She was perfect for me, but damn if I wasn’t a huge liability to her.

“Bro?” Gage smacked my chest, and I blinked out of my thoughts.

“What?” I snapped, unable to shake the knowledge that I was now picturing a future I knew I wasn’t allowed to have.

“All right, it’s a no on poker. Just double checking.” He shook his head. “Don’t let the rookie get under your skin, okay?”

I shook out my hands, which I only now realized I had clenched into fists. “I’m not.”

Gage eyed me but let it go. He was good at not pushing when it wasn’t needed. He fistbumped me before pushing out the door, and I heard the faintest squeal from Lettie as she saw her daddy.

That must be nice. I’d had the thought too many times and more than I’d ever admit to anyone—the thought that having a family waiting outside the door for you would be better than the puck bunnies that usually waited for me. Used to. Now I had Paige.

The knowledge that she was out there waiting for me shot a warmth through my chest that for once only half went to my dick.

I had Paige. For now. One month down. Two to go.

As I walked through the door I realized one crucial truth; three months would never be enough.

 

 

Chapter 12

 

 

Paige

 

 

I’d reserved a large table at Nine’s for myself and three of the contractors who were currently working on my dream shelter, plus their lawyers and mine. I set the three iPads I’d brought with finalized terms and contracts on one, liability and insurance forms on the others. We’d agreed on prices after several weeks of back and forth on the plans until we finally reached a shared vision.

Jeannine had prepared my guests a special lunch menu of beef wellington and glazed carrots and paired it with their choosing of wine or liquor. The spread was to die for and half way through our meals my guests were beyond loose.

“We’ve had a variety of high-profile clients, Ms. Turner, but never one who is as particular as you are about every facet of this remodel.” Mr. Langwater raised his glass of red in my direction, toasting with a smile and shake of his head.

I arched an eyebrow. “The design is critical to maintaining full-functionality and convenience for who I hire to run the shelter. It’s vital we account for every need and anticipated need of the people who will be staying there. This isn’t about control, Mr. Langwater. It’s about ensuring I produce the best possible product for those who will use it.”

“Well said.” He nodded, as did the others at the table, and I figured now was the perfect moment to get down to brass tacks.

I flipped open the iPads and drew up the documents on each screen, pushing them toward the men on the opposite side of the table. “As you can see here, everything we’ve discussed is in the contract. I will have paper copies sent to your offices as well if you’d like after we’ve each signed.”

Mr. Langwater pulled out a pair of gold-rimmed reading glasses, and his partner and lawyers leaned in closer to look at each as well.

I made sure not to stare them down as they read over the fine print—though they were well-versed in the terms because I’d sent them a boilerplate contract last week. I glanced up as I took a sip of my water and caught two electric blue eyes that shook me to my core.

Rory raised his eyebrows from where he sat at the bar, completely inconspicuous in a cap, polo, and slacks combo. He could’ve been any man stopping for a drink after eighteen-holes, but I’d never overlook him. An urge to race across the restaurant and kiss him shot through my core. I held onto the table to steady myself as my heart raced. I couldn’t be his version of Paige right now; I had my business face on.

But then he flashed me that damned smirk of his, the one that melted my insides while setting them on fire at the same time. He motioned behind him, where the hallway to the restrooms were.

I swallowed hard, noting the lawyers were still engrossed in the contracts. I scooted back from the table, drawing their attention. “Please excuse me, gentlemen. I’ll give you a few moments in private to look over the paperwork.”

“Of course.” Mr. Langwater nodded and went back to reading.

It took everything in me not to sprint to the bathroom. A shock ran through me when I didn’t find him waiting patiently outside them, and I froze in the hallway. I gasped, my brain catching up with the only reason he would’ve suggested I come this way. It wasn’t to wait on him to take a piss before we chatted in hushed tones in a damned hallway. Nope. This was number one on my list, a number I’d told him about a few days ago.

I pushed through the lady’s room door, my heart in my throat and my fingers trembling. My heels clicked against the tiled floor as I slowly walked to the only occupied stall. I pulled the door open, and Rory instantly yanked me inside, slamming and locking it behind me. He pressed me against the door, claiming my mouth with his, and I gasped between his lips. The first deep breath I’d taken all day came to me as his tongue slipped in my mouth.

Good God, I’d missed him, and it had only been a few days since I’d last seen him. I giggled against his lips, knocking his cap off his head. “What are we doing?” I asked, breathless and giddy.

He smirked, nibbling at my lower lip as his hands cupped my butt. “Number one plus number seven equals a fucking ten.”

I laughed again, then gasped as he sucked my tongue into his mouth. Adrenaline pulsed in my veins, shaking every inch of my body as the fear of getting caught mixed with the pure unshakable need I had for Rory. I shoved my hands under his shirt, needing to feel his skin under my fingertips. Knowing we didn’t have a second to waste for me to get my nerves under control, I dove right in and unbuckled his belt and jerked his slacks down, pushing his abdomen until he fell backward and onto the closed lid of the toilet.

I didn’t think about how I had a luncheon full of guests waiting for me to return or about how thankful I was that Jeannine didn’t skimp on the luxury bathrooms—instead I hiked up my dress and shimmied my panties down, shocked the lacy thong didn’t simply disintegrate the second his blue eyes had found mine.

Only breaking our kiss for a moment, I straddled him, rubbing my already wet center over his gorgeously hard cock.