He rested his other arm on her hip, palm on her stomach, and kissed along the back of her neck. “You’re quiet.”
She leaned back into him with a sigh. That was an amazing feeling. Her soft skin. He pushed the thought aside. No reason to dwell.
“I was just thinking.” She tilted her head to one side when he moved his attention to her bare shoulder.
Not about them, right? Not the way he was. Not that he was thinking of them as a ‘them’. “I know.” His voice was muffled by the kisses. “It makes me nervous.”
Her arm dropped away from his. “You don’t even know what it was about.”
That was a bad sign. He wanted her back in the moment; to spend the rest of the afternoon holding her and swapping inanities. He shouldn’t entertain the idea, but the urge was undeniable. “I didn’t mean I don’t like you thinking.” He trailed a finger up her thigh to her hip, and then brushed the skin where leg met hip. “In fact, your thoughts are as sexy as the rest of you. But if your mind is already drifting, the distraction didn’t work as well as it should have.”
She relaxed again, full body pressing into him. “It worked fantastically, and now I’m thinking clearly.”
He was going to have to bite or the afternoon would be over. Not that it mattered. They’d had their fun; it was time to send her home, right? “About…?”
“I know how to make it work.” Her voice was heavy with hesitation.
She was back on that again. Cord. He did not want to have this conversation with her. Letting someone he was sleeping with have a say in their company had already cost them everything once. He wasn’t letting that line blur again, regardless of what she was about to say. Not that he was going to tell her that. He shifted his weight against her back. “Rub against me just a little more and I’m sure you can make it work just great.”
She let out a soft laugh, but it was laced with something heavier. “I meant your business, and I’m serious.”
His enthusiasm and lingering glow were rapidly evaporating. “I’m a healthy, single man in my mid-twenties. Getting laid is serious business.”
She sat up, taking the throw with her, holding it in front of her chest. “Don’t do this.”
“Do…?”
She grabbed her shirt off the coffee table and tugged it on. “Don’t play stupid. You could at least hear me out.”
He needed to stop. Let her leave. But he was torn between keeping her there longer and not wanting to delve into something that would definitely send her away pissed. He sat up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I’m listening. Especially if you’re talking dirty.”
A low sound that was something between a sigh and a growl vibrated through her chest and back.
He pulled away, flopping back against the couch. “Fine. I’m listening.”
She glanced over her shoulder, brown eyes softening. “Promise?”
No, he wasn’t giving in to that look. Even if it did gnaw at something deep inside. He lied without missing a beat. “Of course.”
She relaxed a little more. “You start over.”
All the pieces clicked together at once as the meaning and consequences of those three words slammed through his thoughts. Starting over meant finding investors again, risking the same thing that happened last time — one of them screwing the company over. And if it was her suggestion, it probably also meant getting her involved. After all, she specialized in making the numbers work, and she wasn’t going to toss the idea out there so they could let someone else do it.
He slid away from her. “No.”
She shifted on the couch to face him completely, one leg tucked under the other knee, and her eyes narrowed. “You said you’d hear me out.”
“Nothing to hear.” He should have listened to the instinct that told him this was a mistake, and never for a moment indulged the part of him that thought he was falling for— no, wrong, that thought didn’t exist. “If that was an option we would have already done it.”
“You don’t know if it is or not.” More irritation crept into her voice with each new retort. “Just give me a few hours with your books—”
And there it was. “No.” There was no way he was repeating what had happened with Kelly. “It won’t work.”
“But—”
He grabbed his clothes from the floor and tugged them on. “Conversation over. I have plans.”
She was on her feet in an instant, anger flashing in her eyes. “I was wrong about you. I won’t make that mistake again.”
What did that mean? He wasn’t going to ask. “At least we agree on something.”
She didn’t say anything else before she turned on her toe and stormed toward the door. The entire house shook when she slammed it behind her.
He sank back at the cushions gaze falling to the ceiling. That had been painful, but it was the right thing to do. Thinking with his dick last time had cost them everything and he wasn’t making that mistake again. Even if Rae wasn’t a fling. Even if they’d never slept together. Or dated. Or fantasized about the relationship becoming more…
He pushed the dangerous thoughts aside. Starting over wasn’t an option. He and Scott needed to sign the buy-out offers and move on.
CHAPTER TEN
Zach sank into the chair in his office, air whooshing out through the seams in the leather. He rested his head on the cool glass of the desktop and took a deep breath. There was no reason to leave anything behind. Something told him he wouldn't be coming back. But the office had been his second home for more than five years. It was going to take more than a couple minutes to pack it all up.
He made a mental note to ask legal if he was still entitled to the furniture, or if that was company property. Even though he had come in early specifically to clear out before anyone else got in, reluctance made him drag his feet. Nostalgia was hitting him harder now he'd had a chance for everything to sink in. His gaze drifted around the room, falling on the table in the corner where he'd negotiated some fantastic deals, including hiring some of the most talented people in the industry.
He couldn't see the scratches in the polished walnut from where he sat, but he knew it was covered with them. More memories flashed through his mind. Talking to Scott about rehab. The night he and Kelly had decided to test out how sturdy the furniture was. Her legs wrapped around his waist.
The memory morphed and it was Rae instead. Her almost too-thin shirt shoved up, turquoise bra loose and pushed out of the way. The faint scent of strawberries...
He shook his head, pushing away the thoughts. Maybe he wouldn’t miss the table after all. It could stay and haunt the new management for all he cared. A knock drew him out of his thoughts and he looked up at Scott with a nod. Scott dropped into the chair across from his desk. The familiarity of the moment brought a sad smile to Zach's face.
Scott looked around the room, gaze lingering on the modern art decorating the walls. “It'll look strange in here when you're gone.”
“Not like you'll be around to notice.” Zach didn't try and keep the bitter tone from his voice. It wasn't worth the effort and Scott would know it wasn't directed at him. “You done packing up?”
“As much as you are.” Scott slid down in the chair and rested his arms on the rests, legs sticking out in front of him. “I grabbed a couple of personal things. My laptop. I'll get the rest when they force me.”
Zach frowned. The longer he sat in the room, the more it settled in it was all over. The only job he'd ever had. The only real one, anyway. What were they going to do now? People didn't actually retire at twenty-six. How boring would that be? He dropped his forehead into his hand, shoulders slumping.
“Gentlemen.” A stern baritone sliced the lingering cloud in the room.
Zach pushed away a glare as he looked at Vance. Was there even any reason to be civil at this point? Scott straightened up and half turned toward the door.
“I'm glad you're both here.” Vance didn't wait for an invitation. He made himself comfor
table in the empty chair next to Scott. “I was hoping to talk to you before my flight, and before, well...”
Zach clenched his jaw. He'd put up with condescension from Vance and older businessmen like him for years without a problem. But that morning it was the last thing he wanted to hear. Pompous, arrogant asshole. Zach kept the thought to himself, his forced smile growing bigger. “Have a seat.” He let a hint of sarcasm slip into his offer. “We've got a few minutes.”
Scott crossed his arms, sitting up straighter as he clamped his lips shut.
“Fantastic.” If Vance sensed the hostility radiating in his direction, it didn't show. “The letter was so formal. I wanted to tell you both in person what a difficult decision these layoffs were for us. If we could have seen any way around letting such talented people go, we would have gone that direction instead.”
The words felt hollow. Zach didn't like the tone or delivery. Was that what everyone they were about to fire would hear? Empty reassurances that meant nothing and held even less sincerity. Instinct told him not to burn this bridge. That wasn't how business operated. Wasn't how he operated. But almost half a decade of geezers telling him what he could and couldn't do was culminating in a single moment of frustration. He bit the inside of his cheek, measuring his response. “I'm sure. Anything else?”
Scott's brow rose and he sat up straighter, posture stiff.
Vance didn't flinch. “I understand our legal has agreed with your man on a final draft of the buy-out offer. I'm sure you've signed by now.”
Scott coughed.
Zach stood. No, he wasn't interested in salvaging this relationship. Not with the man who had spent the last twelve months threatening them, only to make real on those threats with cash. Not with the company who was forcing them away from something they'd built from the ground up. “We've got a couple more things to clear up here. Are you done?”
Vance smiled, not moving. “Throw your tantrum if you'd like. Get it out of your system. If those people are still working here in a week, they lose access to their severance offer. You wouldn't do that to them, would you?”
Whoa. Lose their severance? Where had that come from? Zach blinked, trying to shift to keep up with the new threat. “Our legal—”
“Is going to get expensive if you’re no longer working for the company retaining him.” Vance cut him off. His phony smile vanished, and his eyes narrowed. “You’re really going to pay out of your own pocket for a bunch of kids to fight a legitimate layoff? No wonder you’re here now.”
“We’re here now —” Scott's blurted exclamation was loud amid the quiet threats, “— because not everyone has the same ethics we do. Those people out there deserve more than your callous brush-off and a form letter attached to a goodbye check.”
Zach glared at him, not feeling as much relief as he wanted when Scott backed down with a scowl. There was a lot about this deal that didn’t feel right, but technically, there wasn’t anything they could do now besides thump their chests.
Anger seethed under his skin, prickling his arms and making his muscles tense to the point his neck ached. He turned his attention back to the older man. “You're making some big assumptions about what we are and aren't doing.”
“I assume nothing.” Vance uncrossed his legs. “I know you haven't accepted our buy-out offer yet. I know,” he looked around the office, “you haven't cleared out of here yet. I know I saw at least one person from the layoff list at her desk when I got here.” He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. “Walk away now. You'll be under our roof long enough for our legal to make sure all your paperwork is in order. You're a smart kid. I'm sure you'll make some sales team somewhere a lot of money.”
Zach didn't know which infuriated him more: the knock against his age and skills, or the implication their lives would get difficult if they didn't just roll over and play nice. “I appreciate the advice.” He stepped around the desk, stopping halfway to the door. “Now if you'll excuse us, we have important things to take care of this morning.”
Vance smirked and stood. “Of course. It was great to get to know the staff this week. I'm sorry it wasn't under better circumstances.”
Zach kicked the door shut after the him, dwelling on the twinge of disappointment it hadn't hit him in the ass. Fury gnawed at his senses, and he fought back the urge to punch the closest wall.
“We're screwed, aren't we?” Scott's soft question sounded distant. Hopeless.
Zach took a deep breath, pushing back his rage and feeling it shift. Despair crawled through it. “Yes. No. I don't know. You done here for now? Let's get the fuck out of here.”
Scott didn't move. “Because leaving the office at eight on a Monday morning for a stiff drink sounds like the best way to handle this.”
Zach didn't know where the sarcasm was directed, or even how much of it was sarcastic and how much was sincere. He didn't care.
****
Rae twisted her keys around her index finger. Why did this feel like a bad idea? She dropped the keys into her jeans pocket and then pulled them out again. She clipped the ring to the strap of her purse, listening to the tinny clatter echo in the empty hallway.
She had justified so much of what had happened with Zach as a reason to keep the tension light around Scott. Instead it rested on her now. Was this what it felt like watching her and Zach not speak for a decade? If so, she owed Scott the most massive apology ever for sticking him in the middle of a stupid squabble.
It was Zach's fault. She reached for her watch, face twisting in irritated amusement when she remembered she hadn't worn one. He had placed the doubt in her mind. She and Scott were the same friends they’d always been. Maybe telling him what had happened with Zach would help. Except the thought of it made her fidget more. Without a watch, she settled for wrapping her purse strap around her wrist and then releasing it again.
When she knocked, the walls bounced the sound back at her. They were hanging out to take his mind off things. She didn't need to burden him with her petty woes. He had bigger issues to deal with.
Besides, once she told him her idea — the one Zach had flat-out refused to listen to — dealing should be easier. The last thing she wanted was to pit them against each other, but starting over was a viable answer, and it at least deserved to be looked at. If they could recover from the hostile takeover she wanted to see them try. For Scott, for Chloe, and for anyone involved.
The deadbolt clicked back, and the door flew open. Scott's grin pushed her doubt aside. The worry in his brown eyes reinforced her decision to be there for him that night.
“Hey.” She gave him a sympathetic smile. “You okay?”
He stepped aside to let her in, and then pushed the door shut behind her. “As much as I can be. I'm glad you were free tonight.”
“Of course. Always for you.” She dropped her purse on the table by the door, and hugged him.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and returned the squeeze. Instead of letting go and stepping back, he rested his hand at the base of her neck, hesitation searching her face. Her pulse screamed in response, but it felt more like panic than excitement. What was he doing?
He brushed his lips over hers and her heart crashed into her feet, driving a hole through her gut along the way. He pulled back, eyes raking over her.
She should stop him. Distract him with her idea. Wait, why would she do that? This was good. It was perfect. She repeated the words in her thoughts. He was exactly what she needed; this man she was closer to than anyone. Who got her jokes, who was always there for her, and who made a battered T-shirt look like the hottest fashion from Paris.
She tilted her head up and returned the kiss. It was brief and hesitant. This was good. It was great. Her brain kicked into overdrive, amping up her rationale. So much of her hesitation about Zach was centered on how Scott would react. That had to mean something. Maybe Scott was what she really needed. The obvious answer she’d been overlooking all these years.
Her stomach flipped
in protest. Stupid adrenaline. The answer was right here in front of her.
She bit her bottom lip, warmth spreading through her at the attention. Smiling, she closed the last few inches between them and kissed him again. His lips were soft and undemanding. Something whispered through her. A need for spark and passion instead of comfortable and safe. She pushed it aside. This was perfect.
Her pulse increased when his tongue slid over her bottom lip, and then deeper, dancing with hers. She pressed against him, feeling his solid chest through their thin shirts. His fingers tangled in her hair, and he tugged her head back, scraping her throat with his teeth.
Physically, every motion was perfect. If she pushed harder she’d find the fire she craved. The passion that had to be lurking just under the skin.
She trailed her nails along the back of his neck. He was already hard against her hip. She shifted her weight, rubbing against him. His mouth trailed along her jaw and to her throat, aggressive and hungry.
Why couldn’t she find that last little connection? She broke away and tugged him toward the bedroom. She needed to be closer. To be a part of him. To forget there was anyone else in the world and make him do the same.
Pushing him back on the bed, she straddled his legs. He stared back, eyes wide. She smiled and pulled her shirt over her head. He was rock hard between her legs. Was she moving too fast? No, their entire relationship had been leading up to this. It made perfect sense.
His hands roamed up her bare stomach, thumbs brushing her nipples through the lace of her bra. She gasped and thrust her chest forward. He traced light circles over the fabric. It wasn't enough.
“Harder,” she whimpered. If it had been Zach the passion wouldn’t be missing. A dull ache thudded in her chest the moment the thought formed. This wasn’t working. Intellectually, she desperately wanted it to, but she couldn’t feel it. Her shoulders slumped and she pulled away.
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