Page 26 of Power
Chapter seven
Bennett
“Mr.President,”Jamiesays as he stands inside my office.
“What is it?” I look up from my laptop and stare at him over my glasses.
“You’ve blocked out a meeting in the residence, sir.”
“Of course. Thank you, Jamie.” I return my attention to the laptop to finish with what I’m doing before I stand and head out to Esther and Jamie. “Have a good evening,” I say to both Jamie and Esther.
“Thank you,” they echo in unison. I return to my office to pack my laptop away and shrug into my suit jacket.
I open the door to the covered walkway between my office and the residence. “Sir,” Mark says as he walks beside me. “Miss Maxwell is on her way.”
“Good.” Once upstairs, I walk into my room, loosen my tie and sit by the window, looking out. I’m struggling with whatever it is that Reece and I have. I know this has disaster written all over it and could surely end my career.
The door opens, and I don’t even turn to see Reece enter. “Are you okay?” Reece walks over and stands in front of me. “You look like you’re thinking about something.”
“Truthfully, I thought you’d come in here and yell at me.”
“Oh, that’s still going to happen, but something is obviously bothering you.” I lift my eyes to look at her without even moving my head. She arches a brow as she takes a step forward. Pushing herself between my legs, she scrapes her nails through my hair. I move my head forward, leaning against her stomach. “The weight of the world might be on your shoulders, but it doesn’t mean it has to break you.”
“I find myself in dangerous territory, Reece.” I rest my hands on her hips, holding her exactly here, where I want her.
“What is it?”
I take several deep breaths and pull back, dragging her down to sit on my lap. “You walked in prepared to yell at me, but something stopped you. What was it?” Reece smirks, tilts her head to the side and raises a brow. “I know, it’s still coming. But what made you not yell at me straight away?”
“Your tie is loose, and your hair is mussed.”
“So?”
“You run your hand through your hair when you’re stressed.”
“You know that?”
“I pay attention.” I slowly nod with the realization that perhaps I mean more to Reece than just a client. “So, what’s wrong?”
I wet my lips and look up at her. “I want more from you.” She visibly gulps, stands and takes a step back. Looking around the room, Reece takes a moment to wrap her head around this. Have I made a mistake? Have I put her on the spot? “It made me crazy when I saw you with that prick, Garrett. I wanted to tear his hands off you, and shove them down his fucking throat.”
She darts her eyes around, trying not to directly look at me. Shaking her head lightly, she backs up and leans against the window. “I don’t know what to tell you, Bennett.” I love how easy she is around me. “Other than what we’ve been doing, we can’t be together.”
“I don’t want you seeing anyone else.”
“I’m not seeing anyone,” she replies.
“I mean, I want you to be exclusively mine.”
Reece chuckles as she pushes off the window sill and walks over to the table, where she pulls out a chair and sits. “I have to work.”
“No, you don’t. I can take care of you.”
“I don’t need you to take care of me, Bennett.”
“But I want to.”
Reece exhales a slow, long groan. She lifts her hands and places them on top of her head while tilting her head back to look up at the ceiling. It takes her a few moments to finally lower her hands, pull her shoulders back and sit straighter. “Mr. President...”
