Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
“I don’t know.”
It was probably the best I was going to get. Holding tight to his hand, I tugged him to the bathroom. “I want you to get a hot shower and clear your head. Afterward, go see Sebastian and Declan. I will go with you if you want.”
“No, you have work.” He paused at the threshold and stared at me. I could see he’d already decided by the look in his eyes. “I want to talk to them alone. You’re going to stay here?”
I nodded. “I will. If I have to go out, I promise to text you where I’m going and when I expect to return.”
He grunted and looked at our hands for a second. “I can’t make any promises. I don’t know…”
“I’m not expecting promises. We’re taking this one step at a time, and the first step is you healing. Nothing else matters to me.”
He nodded, and I released him, stepping backward out of the bathroom. I pulled the door partially closed, leaving it so the steam could escape.
God, I wish I could kick Sawyer’s ass.
22
PIERCE SUTTON
The shower helped.
And as much as I hated to admit it, talking to Simon had helped too.
I’d been carrying this old memory with me for too long, and the burden of it was slowly destroying me. Over the years, I’d become too guarded around my friends, and I’d nearly lost the chance to spend some amazing time with Simon.
When I stepped out of the bathroom, I found the bedroom empty. I quickly checked my phone, but there were no messages waiting for me. Simon had to be somewhere in the house. I dressed and hurried down the stairs to find him in the kitchen, chatting up Hilda and Mrs. Cantrip with a platter of assorted cheeses and crackers between them. He’d located his clothes and was wearing a pair of faded jeans and a soft sweater that made him look so damn adorable. His messy hair called to me. I ached to run my fingers through it.
My first instinct was to walk in and press a kiss to his temple, but I didn’t want to break up this cozy atmosphere. He appeared so comfortable and happy in my home after too many rough days and nights.
Plus, I needed to put a little more space between us until I got my head screwed on straight. It wasn’t fair to pull Simon close only to push him away again. It had to be one or the other, and it was time for me to make a decision about it.
And to do that, I needed to talk to my friends.
I left Edward behind and drove into the city so that he could be at the house if Simon needed to go somewhere. The trip took less than half an hour, but it was more than enough time to change my mind about speaking to Sebastian at least a dozen times.
My stomach had turned itself into knots, and my hands had grown so cold that my knuckles were aching. After a couple of deep breaths, I pulled myself together enough to walk into the gleaming Courtland Enterprises building. As I approached the security desk, one guard smiled and automatically nodded.
“It’s good to see you, Mr. Sutton. I’ll message Kaylan that you’re on your way up.”
“Thank you,” I murmured. There was no chance of surprising Sebastian. The security at Courtland Enterprises was top notch. Years ago, Sebastian had told his security teams to allow Rome and me up whenever we stopped by. It saved time and hassle for everyone.
As I rode the elevator up, it paused a few floors below Sebastian’s and the doors slid silently open to reveal Declan. The blond flashed me the tiniest smirk and wordlessly joined me in the elevator prior to continuing to ride it up with me.
“Did you run to meet the elevator after Sebastian messaged you?” I inquired, my tone sharp.
Declan sniffed and ran a hand down his tie as if smoothing it into place. “I don’t run in the office.”
“I bet you’d run for Joy,” I teased, the tiniest grin playing on my lips.
Declan lifted his chin a smidge. “In a heartbeat.”
A rough bark of laughter escaped me. “You’re so fucking smitten.” And maybe I was jealous. Of all people to fall head over heels in love, Declan was the very last person I’d thought it would happen to.
After the elevator reached the top floor, Declan motioned for me to go first. The only offices up here were for the CEO and chairman. Exquisite shining marble and brushed nickel stretched in front of me. Floor-to-ceiling windows appeared at regular intervals, giving a breathtaking view of the Cincinnati skyline. Every year, Courtland Enterprises held a Labor Day weekend party for its employees so they could have a catered meal and have an excellent view of the fireworks that were shot off on the Ohio River.