by Magan Vernon
Shite. I thought I was doing something right, now I was really fecking it up. My shoulders tensed and my jaw clenched.
Standing from my desk, I rounded the corner and put a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know—”
“You really had no idea?” she asked softly.
I shook my head. “None whatsoever. I just thought you liked them. I saw them on my walk in and thought of you.”
She sighed. “Why do you have to be so nice to me? It makes it hard not to like you.”
I laughed. “Would you rather I be a jerk? I could tell you that the chocolate bar is actually for me and I expected you to bring it when I got hungry.”
She put her hands on her hips, trying to appear tough, but her body shook as she kept her mouth in a thin line, trying not to laugh.
“Really?”
I shook my head, unable to hold back my own laugh. “No. But that was the most arseholish thing I could think of at the moment.”
She sighed, dropping her arms and walking closer, closing the space between us before she leaned against the desk. “You’re a right pain in the arse.”
“You don’t want me to boss you around or be nice. So maybe I’ll just stop talking. How about if I do this instead?” I murmured, leaning into her neck and trailing my lips along her skin.
She sighed, tilting her head to the side, so I could nip and suck the sensitive flesh.
Feck she smelled amazing, her skin even tasted like the sweet scent of vanilla and coffee. I could savor her inch by inch if she’d let me.
“We probably shouldn’t be doing this. But dammit, don’t stop either,” she whispered, but her shaky words didn’t match her body leaning into me and her hands gripping my biceps.
I laughed slightly before my fingers went to her beautiful arse, and I lifted her off the ground and pushed her onto the desk, her skirt rising with her. Pushing between her thighs, the heat of her core pressed against my already aching dick. I moaned as her hands fisted my hair and sweet little gasps vibrated her body.
I’d never had a woman in my office like this, never wanted to take the chance on this fantasy. Until her.
“I don’t have any meetings until later this morning and I can lock the door,” I murmured, sliding my hand up her skirt to her bare thigh, my gaze staying on her gorgeous brown eyes.
She nodded slightly. “Okay.”
Quickly I locked the door then went back to her. My lips immediately tangled with hers again and my hand inched up her thigh.
She spread her legs, pulling me against her as I pushed aside the damp material of her panties, running my thumb along her center.
Watching her body writhe around me was exquisite torture. I’d never be able to look at my desk the same way knowing I watched her come apart on it.
I didn’t hear the doorknob wiggling. But I did hear Connor loud and clear as he pounded on the door and yelled about why I would need a lock.
Blast, the cock block.
“We can pretend we aren’t here,” I whispered, kissing the delicate curve of her neck.
“I know you’re in there, and Grace, too. You two better not be in the whiskey without me.”
Feck.
I pulled back from Grace as she slowly slid off the desk with a frown.
“I hope the entire office didn’t hear that,” she whispered, grabbing some random papers off the desk and carrying them toward the door. I followed her.
“I’ll make sure any rumors are squashed immediately,” I said, placing a light kiss on her cheek.
She nodded but her eyes stayed downward as I opened the door.
I glared at my brother.
Grace kept her head down as she headed toward her desk, her face scarlet. “I’ll get these typed up for you right away, Mr. Murphy.”
Connor smiled, then followed me into the office, closed the door behind us, and raised his eyebrows. “What just happened? Why was her face so red? Is there something more than whiskey that I need to know about?”
“It’s none of your business. We were just discussing some personal matters. And why the hell did you need to pull that scene?” I glowered.
He laughed, shaking his head. “No one was at their desks yet and I knew that would get you off your arse.”
“You’re a right pain in the arse, you know that?”
“Speaking of pains in the arse… I thought you were one to Grace but seeing her scarlet when she walked out of here tells me something else. Is there something going on you want to tell me about? A new sister-in-law in the works?”
I shook my head. It was too soon to be thinking about things like marrying Grace when we were just getting reacquainted. But that didn’t stop my pulse from racing when the idea was mentioned. “It’s not like that.”
“Then what is it? Are you trying to use her to make Lacey jealous?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
I frowned. Connor had a way of pushing every single one of my buttons and knew it. “Are you mad? Why would I give a shite what Lacey thinks?”
Is that what Grace thought? Did she think I still had some lingering feelings for the bird?
“Grace, you look flustered, please tell me you aren’t working too hard,” Sean’s voice carried into the room as he threw the door open. He had one tattooed hand on the handle with his head thrown back in Grace’s direction.
“No, work’s fine. I just choked on my coffee a bit,” she sputtered, her brown waves the only thing I could see over my youngest brother’s massive biceps.
Sean entered the room after saying his goodbyes to Grace and Fallon then shut the door, standing between Connor and me.
He ran his fingers through the scruff of his beard and looked between us. “Why do you two look like someone just caught you pissing in the holy water?”
Connor threw his arms in the air. “You take a dare one time in school, and that’s what you’re known for forever.”
Sean grinned.
I sat down at my desk. I could still smell Grace on me.
I wasn’t complaining.
“Is there a reason you two are here unannounced?” I asked, trying to clear my mind.
“Well, since you’ve been ignoring her calls, Lacey has been messaging me about the Poppy Wines deal,” Connor said, ambling toward my desk before propping himself on the edge.
“Never liked Lacey. She was always a bitch, not just to me but to Grace as well. For that alone, I’d say ‘feck her’ on the deal. Though I did hear Grace took the piss outta her during the meeting. I wish I could have seen that,” Sean said with a laugh, plopping in the leather chair across from me with a loud thud.
Shaking my head, I let out a breath. “Let’s say ‘feck it’ with the Poppy deal. No matter what they’re offering. We don’t need their wines. I looked over Grace’s points from the meeting and she’s right.”
Sean scowled, crossing his arms over his chest. “Since when do you take this much advice from an assistant?”
“Probably since he’s been crushing on the bird,” Connor said, smacking the wooden surface next to him.
Sean’s eyes went from curious to menacing, the dark black of his pupils taking over his entire eye. He stood up, his fists clenched tightly at his side. “You and Grace? I thought you two hated each other?”
“Sometimes things change. We all have grown up. Grace is brilliant, funny, and bloody hell, I do really like her.” My ears burned, all the hair on the back of my neck standing on end. I’d never said my feelings out loud for her and admitting anything caused a flutter in my chest like never before.
“So why aren’t you getting down on your knees, or well one knee?” Connor asked.
“It’s not like that with us, and you can’t just propose to a girl you just met.” I scoffed.
He shook his head. “First off, you’ve known her since we were kids and, second, if it’s real and there’s a ticking time clock of an inheritance clause, you can.”
“You’re absolutely mad, has
anyone ever told you that?” I asked.
“All the time.” He laughed.
“Are you really that into Grace?” Sean asked slowly, his dark eyes locked in a glare.
“I’m not saying I’m going to propose right now, but I have been spending more time with her. I really was a shite when we were younger, and I guess I’m trying to make up for that now.”
Sean shook his head. “I never thought I’d see her with you.”
“And who did you expect her with, you?” I asked, wondering what I would do if my little brother did say he had feelings for her.
He pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose and let out a deep breath. “No. I never saw her like that. I always thought she’d find someone, and I’d be there to give the guy shite and probably hate him. But thinking of you with her…well…”
“Yes?” I asked, leaning forward.
He blew out a large breath, his barrel of a chest puffing beneath his shirt. “I don’t know. It’s strange. You’re so into your work and with the inheritance clause… What if this all comes down and crashes and burns? Then where does that leave us? Without the company? With her family hating us?”
“I don’t want that to happen either. You have to believe me, I’ve thought the same things, but I also can’t stay away. I’ve tried, believe me, but I keep going back. She’s everything I didn’t know I wanted or needed at the same time.”
Connor laughed. “Sounds like someone’s getting ready to propose and now we just need to find a girl for Sean. Still flirting with Fallon’s American friend via text?”
He replied by shaking his head. “You’re all mad—you know that? I came here to talk business and now I’m probably going to be late for practice because you two want to gossip about girls.”
He stood up straighter, his full height looming. “Jack. If you really are going to start something with Grace, make sure you finish it.”
“Don’t worry, Sean, I’m not a quitter, and I’ll be good to her.”
For however long we can make whatever this is last.
“You’d better,” he grumbled. “But I’m not saying I like this idea of the two of you together.”
He ran his hand down his face, his fingers getting twisted in his beard. “Don’t feck this up, okay? Grace is one of my best mates and I don’t know what I’d do if you hurt her.”
I nodded. “I promise. Right now, we are just seeing where this goes.”
She wanted nothing to do with marriage and had told me that, multiple times.
I needed a wife and not a fling, or whatever this was.
But I couldn’t stop now.
And this would either be the biggest mistake I ever made, or the best.
Chapter Fifteen
Grace
Blasted Jack Murphy.
When Sean came into the office I was even more on edge, wondering if the fact I slept with his brother was obvious and written on my face.
This entire situation was complicated and I was glad Jack was in meetings all day.
By the time I got home with Jane Pawsten, I was more than ready to change and go for our nightly walk after dinner.
What I didn’t expect was my phone to buzz in the middle of my playlist.
Pulling the device out of my pocket, I couldn’t help the grin on my face when I saw the message.
Blast. What was happening to me?
Jack: Finally out of meetings and about to grab a bite. Join me?
I sighed even though he couldn’t hear me. I’d love to sit across the table from him, share food, drinks, and see where we ended up.
But us together was a one-time thing. Two if you counted his office. No. I couldn’t lead him on. Not when he needed a wife to keep his company.
Me: Sorry, already ate and taking Jane Pawsten for a walk.
Jack: I can join the two of you.
Warning bells buzzed in my head but instead of following them, I texted back.
Me: If you insist. We’ll meet you in front of the Murphy gates.
My heart sped up with each step and not just because I swore Janey trotted faster as soon as she knew we were headed toward the building.
Jack leaned against one of the posts, a broad smile on his face as soon as we approached.
She barked happily, bouncing on his feet as soon as we were close enough.
“Jane Pawsten, the happiest girl in the world,” he said with a laugh, bending down and scratching behind her ears.
He looked up at me before slowly standing. “And hello to you, too.”
“You sure you have the footwear for a walk?” I blurted, trying to focus on his leather shoes and blue trousers instead of his gorgeous face
“Are we heading for the Boston marathon or to the park?” He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small tennis ball, tossing it once in the air and catching it.
Janey stood on her hind legs, barking up at the little green thing flying through the air.
I laughed, putting my hand to my chest, trying to ignore the way my whole body warmed for this little gesture. “When did you get a ball?”
He laughed. “Used to play a lot of tennis in uni and found this in one of the drawers in the office. Her mouth is too small to fetch it, but at least she’ll have fun chasing it.”
“Let’s try it out,” I said with a smile as we walked together toward one of the parks, Janey prancing happily between us.
I shouldn’t have gotten so close to him, but with each step it was as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Being myself and having a good time with him was easy.
Once we got to an area of green space, Jack tossed the ball a few meters and Jane happily chased after it, barking when she couldn’t pick it up in her mouth. But she was brilliant. She found a way to kick it back with her front paws like a futball.
“Told you she’d get it,” Jack said with a laugh, grabbing the little green ball from the dog who looked up at him with her tail wagging.
He tossed the ball again; Jane chased after it.
“She really likes that. I should maybe invest in some tennis balls, then she wouldn’t try to eat Grandmum’s plants,” I said, watching her kick the ball back to us.
“I did some research the other day about dogs and their boredom habits. It may be hard for Jane sitting all day at your grandparents’ or in her crate.”
“Way to lay the guilt trip on,” I muttered, watching the dog instead of what I assumed would be a harsh look from Jack.
He laughed. “Not a guilt trip, but I can spend my lunch with her, tossing the ball to burn off some steam of my own. And you can see about enrolling her in a doggy daycare. I heard those are a big thing now.”
Before I could respond he nodded to himself. “You know what? I’ll make a call tomorrow. See if we can get her enrolled in one down the block. We can put it on the Murphy’s card and see if it’s something we can do for all employees eventually. There are the legalities with daycare and children, but maybe at least a discount program for dogs and kids alike.”
I didn’t know what he was getting at but there was a new shifting feeling in my chest. Not just talking about taking care of my dog, but now he was bringing up kids? What was this all really about?
“I can’t ask you to do that for her or me. I’ll look into doggy daycares myself,” I stammered.
I didn’t want to tell him that there was also no way I could afford doggy daycare. Sure, I was living rent-free, but my first paycheck was already going back to my grandparents for the clothes and Jack for the vet bills, even though they were trying to refuse it. An extra twenty euros a day on doggy daycare would add to the growing list of bills.
“You didn’t have to ask. I want to do it.” I finally looked up to see his broad smile before he threw the ball again.
“You want to spend time with my dog?” I asked carefully, swallowing the lump in my throat.
And me?
“I’m cooped up in the office all day and could use a break in the afternoon. Fresh a
ir helps me think. And besides…” He shot me a wink. “I can spend time with her owner, too.”
Right there I should have reiterated that I never wanted to get married. That spending time with my dog wasn’t going to change that.
But it wasn’t true.
I really liked him. The way he played with Janey and took care of us was more than anyone had ever done before. My parents’ relationship didn’t work because they had nothing in common. I never saw them spend time together outside of sitting at the dinner table or at the conference table during their divorce fights.
“Were you able to eat anything before you met up with us? I don’t want to keep you from dinner,” I said, blurting the first thing I could to interrupt my nagging thoughts.
“I can grab something later,” he replied.
I knew I should’ve listen to my head but my heart ruled out, knowing exactly what happened last time we shared a meal at my place. “I’m not the best cook in the world, but I can make a mean toastie with crisps.”
He grinned, those dimples flashing and my stomach warmed. “I’ll grab something on the way home.”
“I want to. Can I please make you a sandwich and crisps?”
He laughed. “Fine. If you insist.”
After a few more tosses of the ball, we went back to my flat where Janey gulped down a bowl of water then laid on the floor snoring, while I made a sandwich for Jack and tea for both of us.
“Best grilled cheese I’ve ever had,” Jack said with a grin as I took the seat next to him at the small table.
“It’s some of that brown bread and farmhouse cheese from the market. Nothing too fancy, but it’s good.” I shrugged nonchalantly, taking a sip of my tea.
Truth was, no one ever complimented me on much, especially not my food. Even if it was just toasties.
“This is why you’d be great in purchasing. You find the best our local market has to offer and put it together. I’ll contact them to see if they’re interested in at least supplying to the local pubs.”
“Really?” I asked, trying to contain my excitement. I’d worked in publishing for years and had my senior editors tell me my stuff was good, but never make more of an effort past that.
