Cyrus
I decided to work from home as much as I could over the next few days. Mostly, I wanted to make sure that Sadie and Megan were safe and protected. A smaller reason, though, was because I knew Sadie was trying to avoid me and I didn’t want to let her.
Things with her were awkward to say the least. Ever since our intense encounter in the living room, she had done her best to stay away from me. When we did interact, she was formal and distant. She didn’t even rise to the bait when I tried to irritate her into fighting with me. It was annoying and frustrating, which only made me want to bicker with her more.
Truth be told, I missed fighting with her. As weird as that sounded, there weren’t many people in my life who were brave enough to challenge me. The fact that she seemed to have no such fear was refreshing in an odd way. It made me feel like she saw me as more than my job and my influence…she saw me as a man.
So, I didn’t like getting the cold-shoulder. I didn’t like that she dipped out of rooms almost the moment I stepped into them or forced that polite, but stiff, smile whenever Megan was around us. I didn’t like that she didn’t meet my gaze with her eyes blazing.
I also couldn’t forget how she’d felt in my arms. Her lips had been so soft and plump. Her curves had fit against me so perfectly, it was almost like our bodies were made to go together. And she’d been so wet and eager. My mouth had watered as I’d grown desperate to taste her. When she’d orgasmed, her expression had been a thing of beauty. I wanted to see that face again and again and again.
There was so much more that I had wanted to do to her. I’d wanted to strip her naked and explore every part of her. I’d wanted to sink inside her and feel how tight and warm she was. If Megan hadn’t called for Sadie when she did, I had a feeling she would have let me continue. She’d wanted me. She hadn’t been able to hide her reaction from me.
I couldn’t get that look out of my mind. It’d been haunting my thoughts and my dreams every night since.
I wasn’t the only one to notice the shift between us either. One day, as I made my way to the pool for my daily swim, I ran into Mrs. Plumb. She gave me a hesitant look that made me stop in my tracks.
“Mrs. Plumb?” I asked cautiously. “Is everything okay?”
She twiddled her fingers together and appeared thoughtful for a moment, as though she were choosing her words carefully.
“Sir, it’s hardly my place, but I feel as though I have to say something,” she began.
I furrowed my brow. “What is it?”
She took a deep breath and lifted her chin, boldly meeting my gaze.
“Mr. Grave, I am not certain what happened between you and Sadie, but I really think you should try to mend things between you,” she said. “The tension in the house is becoming…well…unbearable.”
“What are you talking about?” I just managed not to growl at her, my irritation spiking automatically at the mention of Sadie. I thought we’d been doing a better job of hiding the awkwardness between us. Clearly, that wasn’t the case, and that pissed me off. I didn’t like other people knowing what was going on in my head, and I didn’t like being all twisted up and confused about Sadie.
Mrs. Plumb was undeterred by my short temper and growled response. She gave me an exasperated look. “I know the two of you haven’t always gotten along, but Sadie was more than capable of holding her own against you.. Now…Sadie seems genuinely upset and uncomfortable, and though she does her best not to let it show for Megan’s sake, it’s obvious to anyone paying close enough attention.”
“It’s hardly my fault if she wants to avoid me,” I grumbled, but Mrs. Plumb’s words bothered me. Sadie was uncomfortable? Did that mean she wanted to leave?
Chapter 27
She hadn’t quit when Ralph had reappeared and threatened Megan’s wellbeing. Even after the park incident, she hadn’t even mentioned the idea of leaving. If our intimate encounter was what pushed her out the door, I don’t know how I’d react. Would I be insulted? Hurt? Or just angry?
No matter how I ended up feeling, the idea of never seeing Sadie again had my heart twisting painfully in my chest.
“Again, I don’t know what happened, and I don’t know who is at fault for any of it,” Mrs. Plumb continued. “All I know is that Sadie has been a godsend to Megan, and I wouldn’t want anything to happen to drive her away. Please, sir, I don’t know how, but there has to be a way to fix things between you two. If for no one else’s sake, for Megan’s.”
I ran a hand through my hair in agitation and let out a deep breath. She was right, of course. I couldn’t let this weirdness between me and Sadie ruin things for Megan. She was finally coming out of her shell. Was finally turning back into her old self.
But what was I supposed to do? Apologize.
Oh, shit. That was it, wasn’t it? I needed to swallow whatever pride I had left and apologize to Sadie. Acknowledge what happened and address it directly. I had to be an adult about this.
That sounded awful and humiliating.
Sighing, I said, “Fine. Tell Miss Bruns I wish to see her in my office at three. I will talk to her, and we will get this situation sorted out.”
Mrs. Plumb’s face lit up with a smile. “Yes, sir! Oh, I’m so glad. Really, I think clearing the air will be good for the both of you.”
“We’ll see,” I said and snorted. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to get my swim in before it gets too late.”
“Of course, Mr. Grave,” Mrs. Plumb replied, beaming. “I’ll let Sadie know you wish to see her.”
“Thanks,” I muttered, turning to continue down the hall. My heart hammered wildly, and I couldn’t decide if I was more irritated or anxious. Either way, I would sort this mess out and get things back to the way they were. Sadie and I would no longer be a distraction for one another.
***
I checked my watch and scoffed. It was five minutes to three. Sadie was supposed to be coming in at any moment. Why was my stomach twisting so much? Was I nervous to talk to her? No, that was ridiculous. Why should I be nervous? This whole situation had gotten out of hand and silly, and the sooner we moved past it, the better.
I sat at my desk, wishing to establish clear boundaries between us so there was no more confusion. This talk was going to be a professional discussion, nothing more. It would be simple. I would be able to push whatever odd desires I had for her to the side and keep things between us strictly business.
I’d stop thinking about how she’d felt wrapped in my arms. How sensually she’d undulated against my hand as I’d fingered her. How her cheeks had flushed and her eyes had fluttered as her orgasm had overtaken her.
I released a shuddering breath as I fought back the memories of that day. Shit, I couldn’t have a hard-on when she came into my office. I needed to get my thoughts under control. Professional, damn it! We were going to be professional about this!
When I heard a soft knock on my door, I straightened in my chair and cleared my throat before saying, “Come in.”
The door opened and Sadie stepped inside. The moment I saw her, I realized I was being an idiot. She wore a blue sundress that hugged her in all the right spots, revealing a tasteful bit of cleavage and cinching in at her waist. Her hair was loose and flowing around her shoulders, and I wanted to bury my face in it as I cupped her luscious breasts and slid my hand up her skirt.
I felt my face flush, and my length begin to harden in my pants. Son of a bitch, why did she have to look so delectable? How was I supposed to maintain a cool and professional demeanor with her when I couldn’t help but wonder if she was wearing panties?
As she walked toward me, I swallowed.
It was going to be a lot harder than I’d thought.