Chapter 15

My work continued.I was making noticeable headway. Talia was pleased, and her agent was in negotiations with several galleries to carry her photos permanently.

I was, however, fidgety. I had seen little of Bredon since the night in his library. When I caught a glimpse of him or Sig, they appeared busy and stressed. We exchanged no more than simple greetings in passing.

If he used his work as an excuse to blow me off, I felt it best to stay out of the way.

Tonight, I returned to work after our meal. I'd asked for a ladder to help me reach the boxes on the top shelves. I stood on the fourth rung but had come up short. I needed a better plan.

The boxes of photos were heavy, especially at this height. I looked down and considered letting the box fall to the ground. However, that might make a mess if the sides collapsed and the photos spilled all over the floor. I needed another set of hands. I looked around helplessly.

"What are you doing?"

It was as if I'd conjured him. "Come closer. I need to hand you this."

Bredon didn't argue as he approached. "This does not look safe."

"It's fine." I struggled to pull the box from the shelf and lower it to him.

When I passed it to him, he acted like it weighed nothing. He placed the box by my worktable.

I waited until he returned. "Your suit is going to get dusty," I warned.

He removed his suit jacket, unbuttoned his cuffs, and rolled up his sleeves.

I looked away because I was starting to get turned on, staring at his muscular forearms.

"Get down." He made it sound like a command.

"There are only six or seven more." I didn't like his tone or how he thought he could walk in and not mention why he had been avoiding me.

"Sage, it isn't safe." His large hand gripped my ankle.

I looked down at him, and his darkening expression made it clear that he wasn't happy. "I need to get these boxes." My voice shook with emotion, and I looked away. I hated that his avoidance had hurt me so much. I knew better than to invest my feelings into a man that, once this job ended, I'd never see again.

His hand flexed on my ankle. "Come down, and I will fetch your blasted boxes."

"Well…but only because you can do this faster," I told him, fighting for composure and hoping he didn't notice my reaction.

He released my ankle so I could climb down.

When I had two rungs to go, Bredon grabbed my hips and turned my body to face him as he lifted me away from the ladder. He held me against his body as I slowly slid down until my toes touched the floor.

Our mouths were so close that I swear I inhaled the air he exhaled.

It was exhilarating. My inner voice sounded. It begins. There was no time for me to figure out what that meant because Bredon's lips took mine.

The kiss wasn't gentle or shy. It was possessive as if he wanted to remind me that I was his.

What was I thinking?

My body did not hesitate to act while my muddled brain tried to work through my feelings. I linked my hands behind his neck and burrowed closer to his warm body.

His arms cradled me.

When we finally stopped, I was panting and surprised at how turned on I was feeling.

"Was I too forward?" He was watching me closely.

I let out an unattractive snort. "I've been sending you signals forever."

His grin was mischievous. "Sometimes, I move slowly."

I pulled his head down. "Not, now. You have the green light." I kissed him.

His hands ran up and down my back, as our tongues chased and tangled. He cupped my ass, holding me closer to his body.

I don't know how long this make out session went on.

When we finally separated, I wasn't ready to stop. "My room." I gripped his hand and took a step, then another.

He didn't follow.

When my arm was fully extended, I spun around to face him. "Why not?" I barked. Christ! What did it take to get laid in this stupid manor?

He didn't let go of my hand. He gently pulled me closer until I stood in front of him. "Please do not misinterpret this, Sage. I want very much to continue this."

Finally. I grinned, feeling a heady mix of attraction and anticipation. "Good. We're on the same page." I hadn't packed condoms. I needed to bring that up before things went much further.

"But…before we take the next step, I need time."

"I don't understand." My temper flared. I felt out of control, and he looked…unruffled. Not a hair out of place. He wasn't even breathing hard. The only sign he was into me was the tenting at the front of his pants.

"I know that you do not." He grasped my other hand as I continued to frown. "There are things that I need to discuss with you before we are intimate. It is a significant step."

Oh, myever-lovin""" God!I shouted, "Are you a virgin?" I would be shocked because he was hot and sexy. However, there was so much going on here that was weird, and it made no sense.

"No." Now, he was frowning, too. "Why would you ask that?" His blue eyes turned cold as if my question offended him.

"Because…because you stopped." My voice had turned shrill. I tried to calm myself by taking a deep breath and holding it while counting down from ten. "You stayed away from me for days; a moment ago, you acted like you wanted me." I lowered my eyes to his erection, which had not diminished. "And then… suddenly, you stopped."

"Darling, I stopped because once I am inside of you, I will never let you go."

"Oh," I grunted. After replaying his assertion in my head, I began again. "Wha…?" I knew my mouth was hanging open.

Truly? What the Fuck was happening. Who goes around saying shit, albeit swoon-worthy shit, like that to me?

I made sure my mouth was closed and then focused on his words.

What kind of game was he playing? Was this delay supposed to increase my hunger for him? Because my panties were wet, and my nipples were so hard they stung.

I didn't like game playing, especially when it was unnecessary. I was ready to fuck. I flashed a closed-lip smile. "That's the most…I don't know…" I twisted my hand for him to let go so I could run it through my hair. "It's the most alpha thing I've ever heard."

"I am an alpha." He sounded strong and sure.

"I don't doubt that." I stepped away from him, breaking free, and began to pace. I couldn't help but notice how he demanded respect naturally, innately.

The staff and even Talia gave him their full attention when he spoke. They rushed to carry out his wishes.

I paused, far away from him. "But you can't say things like, if we have sex, then you aren't letting me go. That's insane." I needed to move again. Frustration was still coursing through my veins.

"That's how I feel, Sage."

I stopped.

He looked confident, and his eyes were sparkling. He was enjoying my mini-meltdown.

I fought to calm my shit down immediately. "Listen." I tried to look and sound reasonable. "I get that you probably have sampled all the women here." The women would be idiots not to try to take a ride on him. "I'm something new." That felt logical to me. "But you don't have to make promises." I managed to stand calmly without rocking from side to side. I lowered my voice as if I were sharing a secret. "I would like you less if you kept saying things like that."

"You don't have feelings for me?"

Gone went my calm. I leaned toward him from my waist and squinted my eyes. "I didn't say that." I sounded defensive, and I didn't give a shit.

This was rapidly getting out of control.

Bredon's smile transformed his face from attractive to panty-melting, drool-worthy, hot. "We have feelings for one another, Sage. I only ask for a day or two before we act on them."

I looked away from his intense stare. "None of this makes sense." I began to fear that I had no control, and then what he said might truly come to pass.

Once again, I was in his arms. "I know, and I... I must ask… Please give me that time."

I nodded. I didn't know what else to do.

"Thank you." He kissed me again.