Page 5 of Dichotomy

Marcus took the folder gingerly, eyeing me like I was a wild animal. I blew out a breath. I had to get myself together. “I’m sorry,” I apologized. “I’m just…frustrated.”

He smiled at me, flashing a devastating dimple. “It’s all right, Miss Harper.”

I smiled tightly back at him, then he turned and went back to his office. I bit my lip. It was weird hearing him call meMiss Harper. But if we were going to act like everything was normal, showing up to work in a polyamorous relationship was not going to help convince everyone that there was nothing to see here. So for now, I was back to being just their assistant, and they were back to being my bosses.

Sebastian had been the hardest to convince, but Alexander, surprisingly, was a close second in the argument that he didn’t want to hide our relationship. It wasn’t going to be forever, just while the FIA was in town. Plus, it would give me more time to come to terms with the fact that I was, in fact, in a five-way relationship. I hadn’t been in a relationship in, well, ever, and now all of a sudden, I was in one with four men.

“Evel—Miss Harper, do you have the Kensington meeting notes?” Alexander stuck his head out of his office.

“Just sent them to your email.”

He nodded, then his eyes narrowed. “Did you eat lunch?”

I tried really hard not to roll my eyes, but I don’t think I was successful by the snort that came from my left. “Yes, I ate.”

Alexander opened his mouth, likely to ask me what I constituted as lunch, but thankfully Sebastian intervened. Pretty sure the half of a sandwich I had wasn’t going to satisfy Alexander.

“I just sent you the files from R&D,” Sebastian said, looking at Alexander. “Can you review them and give me your feedback?”

I frowned. Files from R&D? We weren’t expecting any files from R&D, were we? My head pounded as I tried to rack my brain.

Before I could question him, Sebastian was shooing Alexander back into his office and coming around my desk. I arched an eyebrow at him, but he just grabbed my elbow and urged me to my feet.

“Come on, my darling, let’s get you some coffee so you don’t murder any keyboards today.”

I huffed but let him guide me into the small kitchenette behind my desk. He shut the door behind us, and as soon as the door was closed, he pulled me into his arms.

“You promised me coffee,” I said. It came out muffled with my face pressed into his chest. My body sagged against his as I took the first deep breath I had all day. I had worn my professional mask for six years here at the office, so why did it feel unbearably heavy today?

“I, unlike others, know better than to stand between you and coffee.”

I huffed out a laugh. Even if they were forcing me to drink half decaf, I still needed the coffee.

Alexander and Adrian had tried to swap my coffee for tea this morning, and I had nearly taken their heads off. In the evening was one thing, but I needed my morning coffee.

“There are no R&D files, right?”

Sebastian laughed, his chest vibrating beneath me. “No, there isn’t. But by the time he realizes that the files I sent him were from last year, you’ll be sipping on your second cup of coffee.”

I lifted my head so I could see his face. “I should probably scold you because we’re so slammed today, but I needed the break.”

The news coverage about Citadel’s less savory dealings meant that their clients were jumping ship. I had been fielding calls all morning as they tried to get time on SDS’s calendar. Plus, trying to deal with being back in the office. SDS had greatupper management staff, but the four main bosses being gone for a month and a half had definitely caused some things to pile up. There were some long workdays ahead of me.

Sebastian lifted me like I weighed nothing and placed me on the counter next to the coffee machine. I almost whimpered at the loss of his arms around me before I caught myself. Whimper? What the fuck? I was a badass woman. I did not whimper, for fuck’s sake.

I shoved that shit so far down as I watched Sebastian expertly make two mochas. I arched an eyebrow as he reached into the cabinet under the machine and brandished a bottle of syrup. He didn’t let me see what it was as he mixed some into our drinks. He presented my cup to me with a bow.

“My darling, your caffeine.” He presented my cup to me as if he were presenting a gift to royalty. I giggled as I took the cup.

“Thank you, Seb.” The nickname slipped from my lips before I could stop it.

He straightened, his eyes darkening.

“I like that.” He moved closer, running his hands up my calves. I was grateful I had worn a skirt today as the heat of his hands seeped into my skin, leaving traces of fire in his wake. “Try your coffee,” he instructed, leaning closer. His electric green eyes darkened as he watched me bring the mug to my lips.

I took a sip of the rich, creamy goodness. My eyes widened. “Orange?”

He nodded, his eyes on my lips as I took another sip. There was one local coffee shop that sold an orange mocha, and it was one of my favorite drinks. I didn’t realize they sold syrups as well, but Sebastian could talk anyone into anything, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d batted his eyes at the baristas and they’d given him whatever he wanted.