108. Nate

ONE HUNDRED EIGHT

NATE

I hit send on the email I just finished, and my computer updates with five new ones.

"Fuck me," I groan.

I mostly stayed on top of things while at home. But I know from experience that I'll end up swamped by the end of this damn conference.

If I wasn't one of the speakers tomorrow, I wouldn't leave tonight.

And if I wasn't on a panel the final day of the conference, I'd come home early.

But alas, the universe is set on keeping me apart from my Rosie for too many days.

My Rosie.

This morning when I woke her up to say goodbye, she was so sleepy her eyes were barely open, and she was the sweetest sight I could ever imagine.

I want to wake up to that sight every day.

I want to have her warmth beside me every night.

And I have to figure out a way to ask her to stay without sounding like an obsessed stalker.

I open the next email and do my best to push thoughts of Rosie out of my mind. But somehow, she's even more distracting when she's not here than when she is. Working from home, I knew she was close. I didn't have to worry about what she was doing or where she was.

Rosie has her own career. Her own business. But I'm wondering if I can convince her to come share my office.

I could put a hot plate on the credenza behind me. And there's room in the cabinet over in the corner for a mixer…

There's a knock on the door, and I'm so lost in my daydream that I jolt in my seat.

I spin my chair to face the sound. "Yeah?"

Blake opens the door. "Um, Mr. Waller?"

"Yes, Blake?"

"The front desk called to let me know there's a woman here for you. But she doesn't have an appointment, and I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do."

"Well, did you get a name? Or what she's here for?" I ask, slightly exasperated.

We don't take solicitors, and I'm not expecting anyone, so I'm annoyed my thoughts of Rosie were interrupted by this.

"Uh, she said she's your girlfriend. But?—"

"Rosie?" I sit upright in my chair.

Blake shakes his head, dousing my excitement. "I don't think her name was Rosie…"

"Rosalyn?"

Blake lifts his pointer finger. "That's it."

I bolt out of my chair. "She is my girlfriend."

Blake's eyes widen. "Oh, shit."

I almost grin at Blake finally swearing in front of me, but I'm too excited about Rosie being here.

Wait, why would she be here?

I rush around my desk toward my door.

Did something happen?

Blake jumps back out of my way, and I stride past him.

Our office space isn't huge, but there's a turn in the hallway between here and the front desk.

As my worry ramps up, I remember her crutches .

My feet stop.

Should I bring my office chair?

I turn back toward my office.

But that's backtracking.

I turn back around.

Should I grab someone else's office chair?

"Nathan?"

My head snaps up.

Standing there, at the end of the hall, with crutches under her arms, is a stunning little redhead.

Her hair is loose around her shoulders, she's wearing jeans and a tank top, and she looks just as stunning as she did last night.

Better even because she's here.

In my office.

"Rosie." I break out into a jog.

Her wide smile settles the nerves bubbling inside me, but I don't slow down.

I stop when there's only a foot between us, reaching up to cup her cheeks.

"You're okay?" I search her gaze.

Her smile drops. "I'm fine. Sorry, I… I didn't mean to worry you. I wasn't thinking."

I heave out a breath. "Don't apologize. It's not your fault that I'm apparently turning into my mother."

Rosie tries to shake her head. "Your mother must be very handsome."

I grin.

Then, because I can, I lower my head and press my lips to hers.

I feel her mouth pull up into a smile against mine.

When I back away, she clicks her tongue. "Such a bad boy, kissing me in the halls of your workplace."

"Key detail, my workplace." I look into her pretty blue eyes. "Are you just here because you missed me, or do you need something?"

We've been together round the clock for a week, but I've been missing her all morning, and as much as I don't want her unhappy, I hope she's been missing me too .

She lifts a shoulder. "I brought you lunch."

I stare at her. Stare into those fucking eyes that have captivated me completely.

"You brought me lunch," I repeat.

She nods, my hands still holding her face.

"What did you bring me?" I notice the reusable grocery bag over her shoulder that must be holding said lunch.

"A sandwich."

"Homemade?"

She lifts a brow. "Obviously."

I take the biggest inhale, then blow it out. "My girl brought me a sandwich." I shake my head. "That's it. I'm keeping you."

I drop my hands from her face and slip an arm around her back, hook my other arm under her knees, and lift her into my arms.

Her crutches clatter to the floor.

"Nathan!" Rosie squeaks, but she still loops her arm around my neck.

"Don't drop the sandwich," I tell her as I start back down the hall the way I came.

She swings the bag up onto her lap. "You're ridiculous."

A few heads pop out of office doors as we move down the hall.

I dip my chin in greeting but keep walking.

Rosie isn't an employee here. There are no rules against what I'm doing.

And even if there were, I'm in charge, so I could just change the rules.

As soon as we're in sight, Blake jumps up from his desk.

Before he can say anything, I gesture with my head back behind me. "Can you go grab Rosie's crutches? They're in the hall."

"Uh, okay." His eyes land on Rosie and widen. And it's like I can see the light bulb turn on that says that Rosalyn .

Rosie lifts her hand as we pass him. "Hi, Blake."

Blake isn't quick enough to reply before I step through my office door.

I pause.

If I'm not busy working, I like to wander. So I don't have a couch or big comfy chairs in my office like some people do.

Deciding my rolling desk chair is the best option, I cross the room and carefully lower Rosie into my seat.

She looks up at me like I'm absurd but doesn't protest.

Footsteps sound from outside the door, and I turn in time to see Blake appear with Rosie's crutches.

"Thanks." I cross the room and take them from him. "My girlfriend made me a sandwich for lunch, so consider me unavailable"—I glance at the clock and see it's just after eleven—"until noon." Then I close the door.

"Why do I get the feeling you terrorize that poor man?"

I chuckle but focus on more important things. "Tell me you brought two sandwiches and that you plan to stay and eat yours with me."

Rosie nods while she uses her good foot to scoot the chair back. "Before we eat, though, I have something to tell you."

She sets the bag on the floor and pulls a hair binder off her wrist.

I approach as she secures her hair into a ponytail, and I have to assume she's not about to give me bad news if she's already prepping her hair to eat lunch.

Taking the opening she made, I move in front of her and lean back against the edge of my desk. "What is it?"

"It's just something I need to confess before you go." She scoots her chair forward, closing the space between us.

"You can tell me anything."

She nods, then reaches under the chair.

She pulls the lever I can't see, and the chair lowers.

Until she's eye level with my waist.

A tingle starts at the base of my spine, crawling up. "What do you have to confess, Little Rose?"

She holds my gaze. "That I really want to suck your cock."

"Fuck." I exhale the curse as Rosie reaches out and undoes my belt.

Rosie pauses to lift a finger to her lips. "Shh. We're eating lunch, remember?"

I grip the edge of the desk with both hands to stop myself from gripping her hair. "Did you really bring me a sandwich too? Or was that all a ruse because my girl is hungry for dick?"

"The sandwiches are real." She winks at me, then pulls my zipper down.

"Best fucking girlfriend ever."

When she tugs down the front of my boxer briefs, I lose the battle against my control.