32. Middle Finger

Monday, Sage pulled the tray of peanut butter cookies out of her oven and slid another batch in, then set the timer.

After traveling all last week and getting home on Friday, Poppy texted her yesterday and told her to take Monday off to just chill.

She wasn't going to argue in the least about it.

She was still riding that high of a job well done even though it was nowhere near completion.

Poppy had sent her over a few of the designs she'd been working on and they looked stunning. She was jealous that she'd never get one since they were one of a kind. The contracts had been signed when they were there. She wished they were products they could sell but knew that there were workarounds to make similar items too.

Rose was working on some pieces also and hoped to have hers done within the week.

Kate had posted pictures on social media while they were there and then again this weekend hinting toward a great collaboration on the horizon. Mateo was all for it and had his daughter stop over for a few shots too.

Two supermodels boosting both businesses. Couldn't ask for anything more.

Both businesses were getting a massive bump from this and Kate had said it might open more doors for her to do that in the future. That Sage's previous employers liked what was done and they might market that as a new service.

Figures, she thought to herself. Something she came up with but she'd never get the credit for it.

Then she wondered why she needed that pat on the back from the place that all but kicked her to the curb.

Though by Kate posting all that she was, it was like a middle finger to those who doubted her ability at her last job.

While that tray of cookies cooled, she scooped out more for another and started to whistle while she worked.

She'd spent the weekend at Knox's and they had a great time together.

It'd been hard for her to tell him about Henry. Especially since she didn't give the complete story.

After she thought more of it, she didn't need to tell him all of it. It didn't make a difference.

She told the facts. She dated a guy at work.

Many thought she got her promotion because of Henry.

When others doubted her at that job, Henry didn't stand up for her.

Then he just vanished, not only out of her life but everyone's.

When she found out why, it hadn't been because her father discovered it. It was someone else at work and then rumors ran faster than winds circling in a hurricane.

She wished she'd never found out and would have been better off wondering.

But going home crying to her mother about what she'd heard meant her mother would share with her father. Her father looked into it to verify it was fact not just a rumor. The brief nausea at work was nothing like the dizziness and anger she'd experienced over how her life had turned out and she never saw this happening.

Ignorance is bliss was a wonderful saying.

The timer went off and she pulled her second batch out and threw the third one in the oven, then turned to wash the bowls and everything else she'd used.

Knox was getting cookies.

She'd felt bad she hadn't made any since the first time they'd reconnected.

But because he was working in the building this week for a few days and she was home, why not?

When twelve rolled around, there was a knock at her door. She moved to open it and saw Knox standing there.

"Well, hello," she said. "Coming to eat lunch with me rather than in your truck?"

They hadn't made plans other than he was coming over when he was done working and would stay the night. He was here anyway, why not?

"I was going to," he said. He hadn't left with lunch when she asked if he wanted anything. She didn't know what he did, if he bought stuff or not. "But I smell cookies."

"I made peanut butter ones. I know you said those are your favorite."

"I could get so used to this," he said.

He picked her up and kissed her hard.

She put her legs around his waist and started to grind.

"How about a nooner?" she asked. "I've never had one before."

"Me neither," he said. "Only a stupid man would turn it down."

He kicked the door shut with his foot and then walked into her living room, laying her on the couch, him leaning over her.

She pulled her shirt over her head and then started to wiggle out of her leggings.

"Catch up," she said. "Remember, no condoms so no having to stop and get one."

She'd always worn condoms with Henry. She'd been on the pill for years for a backup plan but never let him know.

The thought of that alone was enough to have steam coming out of her ears.

"I love it," he said. "Always did." Which of course made her wonder who that could have been with besides her.

He'd dated, she knew that. But she didn't know of anyone really serious. Or that he let on.

She knew he had trust issues too because of his mother.

Not something they talked much about and she'd like to know more since she spilled some of her guts too.

When his mouth landed on her nipple she wiped it all from her mind.

There were more pressing things to think of.

Her hands went to his ass and pulled him down closer to keep her warm.

His body heat always felt wonderful next to hers.

They squeezed on her couch as best as they could, him moving his mouth to the other side.

"That feels so good, but I know you aren't comfortable," she said.

"It's fine," he said and went back to work.

"Let's switch," she said, squirming out from under him.

He flipped over and landed on his back, her couch shaking. It made her laugh at the playful move.

She straddled his hips and pulled his head back up to continue what he was doing.

She didn't have to say a word and he went right at it. She was grinding against his hips and then scooted a bit so that she could line him up and sink right on him.

The minute he entered her, she let out a groan and arched back, her hands on his thighs.

She couldn't move all that much this way, but she could rock back and forth and did.

The next thing she knew, there was pressure on her swollen bud. She opened her eyes to see Knox's fingers playing with her. Tapping her, rubbing her, swirling her flesh in circles.

Her hips were starting to lift some to get closer to his movements, his fingers applying more pressure.

"Do you like that?" he asked.

"Yes," she said louder than she planned. It was hard to control herself and what she felt though.

When he started to thrust up into her, she just stopped moving and let him do all the work. It felt much better anyway.

Her eyes were closed so she could absorb everything all at once and realized her breasts were jiggling up and down. The couch was making a noise she'd never heard before either.

She wouldn't worry about it. She was more concerned about getting to the end, at the same time hoping it never ended.

"That's it," he said. "Squeeze me just like that."

She hadn't been aware she was doing it, but once he'd voiced the words she continued until she felt herself coming and couldn't do anything else other than hang on.

His hips lifted a few more times, his hand dropping away from her bud and his head hitting the couch so hard that she opened her eyes to look at him.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah," he said, his hand going behind his head and rubbing it. I didn't realize there wasn't a pillow there and it hit the armrest."

She let out a little giggle and looked on the floor. "You knocked it off when you moved."

"It was worth it," he said.

She lay down on his chest and kissed him. "Yes, it was. I wish we could do this more often."

"Me too," he said. "I'm only in the building another day or so. And you're back in the office tomorrow."

"I could ask to work from home," she said, giggling. "Poppy would understand."

"I don't want you to get in trouble," he said.

She climbed off of him. "I won't. It's fine. I could work from home. They've said it a few times. Especially if the weather is bad. Maybe it will snow."

He slapped her bare ass when she bent over to get her clothes.

"That's your decision," he said.

She ran to the bathroom with her clothes in her hands before she left a messy trail throughout the house.

When she returned to the living room, Knox was dressed and had a cookie in his hand. More like the last bite of one.

"What do you want for lunch?" she asked. "I haven't eaten yet. I'll make us something."

"Don't go out of your way," he said.

"I'm not. I want to talk anyway," she said. Might not be the best time, but she was thinking about this and wanted to bring it up.

"That doesn't sound good," he said.

"It's not horrible. How about grilled cheese?"

"Whatever you make I'll eat," he said. "Or I can just have a few cookies."

"You can have your cookies and a sandwich," she said. "We can talk while I cook."

"Guess I'm not getting out of it," he said, laughing.

She turned and squinted one eye at him and then grinned.

"Nope."