I can’t wait until the new location is set up and we can move our base of operations to New York. It’ll be a time change, but will open us up to new clients, allow us to dig into the market on both coasts, and increase profits.
Not to mention, we’ll have more people so work will be better paced. Unlike now, where people scurry through the office like freed chickens. Bella comes from her own private space and walks to Miles while tapping away on her tablet. I drink her in.
She’s changed while here. She was determined at first, then a sexy minx, but now I can see that determined glint to her eyes. For the last week, she’s been wearing strictly slacks and professional tops, barely hinting at the cleavage underneath. Her hair stays in a bun and I’m sure she’d shut down any kind of fun in the office.
Especially after telling Gunner no. But she’s distancing from Nick and Holden. They don’t notice because they’re so wrapped up in work, but she hasn’t asked about them more than if they’re doing well if they’re overworking themselves if she needs to tell Nick to go home at a certain time.
But Matthew has managed to leave the house twice in the last week and hasn’t returned until nearly one a.m. Considering he lights up when he sees her and she gets a little blush across her cheeks and can’t help but smile when he’s around, I have suspicions.
We’re all focused on the expansion, and these two are …
“Hey, stop brooding. You’re going to scare all the chicks away in New York.” Gunner says.
“You want other chicks?”
“Bella’s fun. She’s hot as can be, but we’re not serious, I know that. She’s still a great option to have. Funny and smart,” He murmurs.
I know his coffee has Kahlua in it when he clams after taking a sip.
“I’m going to be here late tonight.”
Gunner nods, but I hear him murmur, “workaholic.”
I get through the day, organize everything online, send a few emails to Bella as necessary, then wait until I’m sure she’s left. Matthew’s office is dark too. Miles is the only other person in the building which is how I’ve planned it.
He puts down the phone and rubs his forehead. “I’m going to age five years doing this expansion.”
I sit and nod while folding my hands together. Miles looks up and then mutes his personal phone. “What is it, Roman? I know that face.”
“Matthew and Bella are getting close.”
He shrugs. “She has all of us however she wants us. That’s the deal.”
“I have a feeling she’s going to end that relationship.”
“With us or Matthew specifically,” Miles asks, giving me his full attention.
“Everyone but Matthew. He’s been going out, I’ve noticed he looks at her differently and she’s the same with him. We all knew this wouldn’t last, but how is Gunner going to feel if this continues?”
“She’s a free person, Roman. She can do as she pleases. If she doesn’t want all of us, that’s fine.” Miles shrugs. “As long as she communicates we won’t have a problem.”
I let the silence drag on. Bella has never been a guarantee other than she enjoys sex and can handle all of us easily. I know that we’ve been busier and that there’s been more work for her as well.
But there’s an unease in my chest. Maybe the last few months have gotten me too used to her? That or all the new business contacts and demands have me frazzled. I take a slow breath.
“Business reminds me a lot of war,” Miles says, focusing on Roman. “It has a way of twisting people up, confusing them, and changing the focus of any given day. Always on our toes, exhausted on a regular basis, negotiating and battling for the best deal.”
“It is.”
“Is that what’s bothering you?” Miles folds his hands on the desk. “I want to make sure we’re okay and that nothing is standing between us.”
“It’s possible I’m tired.”
“Then head home and get some sleep. I’ll close up here and we will both take Sunday off entirely.” Miles suggests.
I incline my head, then shut down my office, heading out and ignoring the ringing of the phone. Whoever is calling at nine can wait until tomorrow.
At home, it’s almost strange not to hear Bella, but I remind myself that this has always been nothing more than a fling. It was a way to pass time and have our needs met by a gorgeous woman who can handle all of us.
That’s all. If Bella wants Matthew … if she hangs around giving him and only him her body, we can still have her as a friend or acquaintance. Her job won’t be affected, even though I know it will take some adjusting.
From day two we’ve had her at our disposal. It will be an adjustment.
I worry about how Gunner will take it. Honestly, I worry how I’ll be able to handle it. I enjoy the chemistry I have with Bella. I like how we match up at work when we’re teasing when we’re fucking.
But I can’t deny her. Not if she wants this.
I feel a migraine in my head and push the thoughts away. I need to relax. I get through a shower that’s too hot and check in with my family at home. I even give Massimo a call to see if he’ll be playing around here any time soon so I can see him.
Once I take care of all that, I grab some food from the kitchen and see Holden. He stares at the wine bottle.
“Been a while since Bella’s been over.”
“Ask her to come over then,” I advise.
I don’t know if she’ll say yes, but if Holden wants to see her, he needs to learn to ask. He’s been withdrawn since we got back in the states, but sometimes he just needs a little push. Maybe Bella could inspire him to take that extra step.
“I just might.”
He considers it and walks away. So I’m not the only one who feels it. Feel her drawing back, pulling away. I’m not just overworked.
Saturday gives me time to focus solely on work. Until Bella walks in. she hands me a few documents and I catch the back of her thigh. “I miss you in skirts, showing off your sexy legs.”
“Then give me an order, Roman. You know how good I can be,” She says in my ear.
“How busy are you right now?” I grunt.
“Not at all,” She says.
“Then I don’t think you need that shirt or pants.”
Bella takes a step back from me and slowly strips herself. I watch with rapt attention, rubbing over the valley of my lips as she teases me with slow moves. Her fingers stroke between her exposed breast, then to her thin little thong.
She turns in a circle and puts her palms against the wall, wiggling her ass at me before she smacks it. I smirk. “A perfect view. Come here.”
She licks over her top lip. “Make me, Roman.”
I stand up and close the space between us quickly. I grab her wrist and pin them above her head in one of my hands. I grab her chin and see her eyes dilate. I lean closer and she tugs against my hold.
“You’re playing with fire,” I warn her.
She grins up at me. “You are fire, Roman. So what are you going to do with me?”
“Spank you,” I say.
She bounces a little, definitely not the reaction I wanted. I lower my chin to her throat and squeeze a little. She moans and lifts her chin to give me more access. Her eyes don’t hesitate to hold onto mine and I feel myself grin.
What am I going to do with her?
Everything I can.
I squeeze her throat again and her face goes a little red as her eyes go hazy. I tease her, keeping my mouth just out of reach. “If you move your hands, you are leaving wet and unsatisfied.”
“How do you know I’m wet?” She pushes her hips against me.
I smirk. “Because you always are when I touch you.”
I take my time with her, teasing her slowly. I circle her nipples, one at a time. I watch her writhe as I continue the torture. I tug her underwear against her clit. I drive her insane slowly, bit by bit. When she finally submits, and I can tell just based on her face, I smile.
“That’s a good girl.”
“Please, Roman.”
“Oh, you still want me?” I half-tease. I want an answer.
She nods. “Yes. So much. I crave you.”
“Show me how much.”
I release her and she sinks to her knees. She undoes my pants quickly, then watches me, waiting for permission. I feel a smile curl at my lip. She hasn’t forgotten a single moment we’ve had together if she remembers that.
“Good girl. Blow me like you want, gorgeous.”
She does. She looks amazing while on my cock and she feels so good. Before I can come, I pull her off me, bend her over my desk and fuck her hard from behind. I slam into her, taking her like I need her.
It’s rough and feral and considering how loud she is, I know she loves it. I wrap my hand around her throat and pull her back. She groans and her pussy tightens around me until I know I’m close to the edge.
Bella’s pussy quivers and I kiss the back of her shoulder. “Come, Bella. Come hard and come now.”
She nearly screams as she comes apart for me. I fuck her harder and faster, making her come a second time before I turn her and finish in her mouth. Bella trembles then lays her head on my thigh as I sit in my chair.
She strokes my calf until I pick her up and put her on my lap. She nuzzles my neck and pets my chest.
“Thank you, Roman. That was … amazing.”
I nod once. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“Was it good for you?”
It was very good, but I keep thinking about losing this. This heat and passion and hunger. Maybe I’m the one who will be jealous. Jealous that Matthew has done something that’s earned him her entire attention without compromise or distraction.
Still, it’s good to know that when she’s with me, she’s here entirely.
“Roman?” She looks up at me.
“Very good,” I assure her.
We sit there for a while longer until I pat her thigh. We get dressed, she kisses me softly, then she heads back to her office. I can still taste her mouth on mine. I can still feel her body against me. Bella might be harder to give up than I planned.
I just need to talk to Matthew. He’ll give me a straight answer. I won’t get distracted. I won’t get half answers. So I make a note to myself to ask.
But when I get home that night, I see Gunner playing some video game on his own.
“Matthew not here?”
“Just missed him. He headed out about an hour ago.” Gunner says. “Blew off game night, the asshole.”
I don’t have any doubt he’s with Bella. And I have a feeling they’re making plans that the rest of us aren’t at all involved in.
