Page 21 of Ache
Everly relents. She received my message loud and clear.
“Okay, fine.” A small smile plays on her dewy lips. Victory times two already today, and it’s not even nine-thirty yet.
I’m fucking good.
Actually, I’m better than good. I’m a motherfuckin’ master.
“Let’s get that paperwork prepared so I can send a courier over before lunch.”
“Will do.”
“And speaking of lunch,” I stop Everly before she goes. “Where arewegoing?”
“Today?” she relays, slightly confused.
“Yes, today. Celebration starts as soon as those papers are out the door.”
“Shouldn’t it start when they’re signed?”
I shrug. “Meh. I’m confident in the deal.”
“You’re the professional.” She gives me my well-deserved props. And I do fucking deserve them. I didn’t work my ass up from nothing, graduate from Yale at the top of my class, and become the fastest junior partner in this firm’s history for nothing. Maybe that’s why I come off grouchy all the time. My work is my life, and that’s usually how I like it. But even workaholics need something to unwind them. I have habituates, and now, Everly.
“You’re right, I am the professional. And he says a celebratory lunch and dinner are on him.” I convey, matter-of-factly. “And anything else I feel like throwing in there.” Everly cocks her eyebrow, but I cut her to the quick. “Don’t question me, Miss Paige.”
She rolls her eyes, and I smirk.
“Hot pastrami from Katz’s deli.”
“’Scuse me?
“That’s what I want for lunch. A hot pastrami sandwich from Katz’s deli,” She returns my matter-of-fact tone.
“That’s it?” I curl my lip. “We live in the midst of a culinary mecca, and you wanthot pastrami?”
“You make it sound so boring.”
“It is boring.”
“Not when you eat it with me.” Everly turns on her heel to leave. “I want sauerkraut and spicy mustard, please.” She tosses out her order over her shoulder. “And a Dr. Pepper.”
“Anything else?” I ask dryly.
“Just you.” We both pause at her flirtatious reply. Something stirs inside me, and the exact same sentiment seems to reflect in Everly’s eye. “Your company,” she scrambles to clarify, but we both know it’s not what she meant. We both know there is something more happening between us. We both know it can be detrimental to our careers, and we both know we just don’t care. And now that it is lingering in the atmosphere, there’s no turning back. There’s no taking it back. There is just moving forward.
9
Everly
“Just you.”
I swear I didn’t mean to make it sound the way it came out. All sexy, and husky, andtake me right here, right now, right on your fucking office floor.I mean, Jesus, could I have sounded any more hard-up on the guy? I will admit, though, Alec is the first man in a really long time who actually affects me.
It’s more than just a physical attraction, or curiosity about a slightly older, much more successful man. It’s something elemental. Something instinctive. Reflexive. Once the veil between us lifted, our connection shifted. Something unexpected happened, and now we are at the precipice of exploring it.
I want to jump, but I also don’t. I want to live, but I am terrified of the outcome. My heart is still so tender, but it beats with a fury. I’m confused. I don’t know who I am, so how can I be transparent with another person?
With Alec Prescott, no less. He is the epitome of transparent. What you see is what you get. He doesn’t pull any punches. He lets you know exactly who he is, and he doesn't care whether you like him or not. That’s pretty intimidating, and inspiring.
