Chapter 9

Greer

Lawson— I’ll be back at the building soon.

Me— I’m still at Jenny’s. I’ll head that way shortly.

Lawson— Jonas is bringing you home. I’ll see you soon.

I drop my phone in my bag and close my computer right as a glass of wine is slid in front of me. “Thanks.” I give Bessie an appreciative smile then turn my attention to Jonas.

“Jonas, when did you and Lawson decide you were driving me home?”

“When he texted me he was working late and wanted to make sure you didn’t take a cab or the subway by yourself.”

“You didn’t think to mention that or consult me?”

“Why the hell would we do that? You’d have undoubtedly got an attitude.”

“Maybe because Lawson is being overbearing.”

“No, he’s being protective, and I agree with him.”

“Actually, we all agree with him. I like the way he looks out for you,” Jenny pipes in.

“Me too. It’s romantic.” Bessie swoons, her eyes growing dreamy.

I want to share her sentiments, but there’s a nagging feeling that turns in my stomach.

“Uh-oh, what’s wrong?” Jenny notices the change in my expression.

I glance around to find my friends’ eyes all aimed at me with the same concern.

I sigh, leaning back on Jenny’s couch, and take a sip of wine before I speak. “Something’s different with Lawson.”

“What’s the problem?”

“I can’t pinpoint, but it’s definitely there.”

“He seemed fine last Saturday night. Did something happen since then?” Jonas points out.

“Yeah.” My cheeks burn, remembering Sunday morning… afternoon… evening… and the last three nights we’ve spent together.

“Oh shit, I’m thinking this conversation is about to take a turn into extreme chick territory,” Enrique groans loudly.

“Thank God, I’ve been waiting for this since the morning he waltzed down the hallway to your door,” Jenny throws in. “Took you long enough.”

I ignore her jab, rolling my eyes.

“What is he doing to make you think something’s different?” Bessie urges me to continue.

“There’s not one instance that stands out. It’s a feeling in my gut. It’s nothing negative or out of the norm.”

“I bet I know what it is. Sex,” Jenny states matter-of-factly.

“You think he’s changed because we had sex?”

“Yes.” She sets her wine on the table and turns her body completely to face me. I inwardly cringe when I see she’s slipped into ‘doctor’ mode. “I’ve studied a lot about human psychology and behavior.”

“We know,” we all groan in unison, knowing she took the classes for fun.

“Well, Lawson’s personality is confident, controlling, and protective. It was evident the night he showed up to your apartment and didn’t blink an eye at joining us for dinner. Even Enrique’s overprotective act didn’t deter him; it challenged him. Since that night, he’s ingrained himself into your world. Now that you’ve had sex, his possessive nature is coming out.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“Ohhh, I totally see what she’s saying,” Bessie chirps. “The other night at trivia, he was very affectionate and practically glued to your side. I noticed his eyes roaming around the bar several times, almost like he was staking the place out. When you and Jenny went to the restroom, his focus stayed locked on the path until you returned.”

“We hadn’t even slept together yet,” I inform her.

“This may make me a dick, but I’m going to say it. This right here is exactly why I prefer casual, no-strings-attached sex. Tons less complicated.” Enrique scowls at our exchange.

At the term ‘complicated’, I remember the discussion with Lawson on my couch, and my stomach twists. “I’m not complicated!”

“Then why the hell are you even having this ridiculous conversation? The guy you’re dating wants to make sure you get home safely. Nothing more, nothing less. You girls are sitting here making shit up.”

“I think he’s keeping something from me,” I blurt out, and the room goes eerily silent.

No one has to speak for me to know what they’re thinking. After a long minute, I can’t take the scrutiny as the irony sets in. I giggle nervously.

“One of you needs to go ahead and say it. I know it’s on the tip of your tongues.”

“I’ll say it. You’re being a hypocrite,” Enrique tells me harshly.

“I was going to say the pot calling the kettle black,” Bessie says softly.

“He’s leaving for work before daylight every day, telling me he’s working on a big project, but he never elaborates. A few days a week, he works out with his brother, whom I’ve yet to meet. And the other day, I offered to bring him lunch, and he started acting cagey, saying he was heading to a site in Brooklyn for the remainder of the day. Doesn’t any of that seem odd?”

Another uncomfortable silence fills the room, and my anxiety spikes again.

“Who wants to tell her?” Enrique’s lips twitch, clearly enjoying this a little too much.

“I’ll do it.” Jonas pins me with his blue eyes, drawing out another few seconds of quietness. “You just set off huge warning bells that scream ‘Clinger Alert’.”

At the term, I flinch and close my eyes. Embarrassment washes over me as my girlfriends laugh.

“How bad was it?”

“I’d say a solid eight on a scale to ten. Not exactly psycho level, but pretty damn close,” Enrique teases. “The guy’s into you, Greer. Meeting his brother, taking him lunch… all that comes in time. Not one of those things gives reason for a red flag.”

“Yes, especially since we’ve already determined you’re not exactly forthcoming with him. If you want him to open up more, maybe you should think about doing the same,” Jenny advises.

“You’re right.”

“Actually, I have the perfect idea. Invite him to come with us in a few weeks. He seems like a guy that could enjoy the outdoors,” Jonas suggests.

“That could work.” The idea of bringing Lawson on our camping trip is a little nerve-wracking, but it could be the perfect way to introduce him more into my life.

“Are we done with the sulking? My ears are bleeding.” Enrique goes back to scowling, but his eyes are bright with humor, giving him away.

“Yes, enough of this. I lost my mind temporarily. Let’s wrap up the last of the analytics and shut it down. It’s time to get back to my boyfriend.”

Jenny digs in her purse and non-discreetly dumps a handful of condoms in my bag. “I’ll bring you more tomorrow.”

“I think we’ll be fine,” I assure her. “By the way, he thinks it’s hilarious you stashed them all over my apartment.”

“I’m assuming, with a man like Lawson, you’ll need a healthy supply. At least, I would if he was banging me. He screams sexual savage, and you don’t want to get caught in the moment.”

“Jesus, can we change the subject? There are some things I don’t need to know,” Jonas hisses.

I clamp my lips together until I can no longer hold it in and burst into laughter. Jenny grins, knowing exactly how right she is.

•∞•∞•

“Where are we going?”

“Somewhere special.” Lawson flattens his palm against my stomach, pulling my back to his chest.

“I thought you were taking me to dinner.” I watch us in the reflection of the elevator doors. His lips graze over the shell of my ear until he reaches my jawline and kisses gently. A shiver of excitement courses through me when his thumb swipes across my breast.

“Before dinner, I want to show you something.”

The elevator dings and he straightens, linking my fingers in his and moving in front of me protectively. The doors open to a massive area lit dimly about twenty feet ahead. The overpowering aroma of sawdust, lumber, and sweat fills the air, and I know we are entering a construction site.

“Stick close, watch your step, and hold tight.”

I do as he says, following him to the lit area.

Peering around, I notice fresh drywall, unfinished cabinetry, and unstained flooring. “What are we doing here?”

“I wanted to show you what I’ve been working on.”

“This is your site?”

“It was. I handed off the project plans today. A new construction manager is in charge tomorrow. The team I’ve been working with is moving on.”

“You’re done?” I can’t hide my surprise.

“My part is done. I was coming down to a time crunch. Now, the general crew comes in and takes over.”

There’s something in his tone I can’t quite put my finger on. It almost sounds like melancholy, but his bright eyes contradict the emotion. One thing is for sure; there’s a story here.

“Tell me about this place,” I whisper, grasping his hand encouragingly.

He whisks his free hand around the room, twisting us is a semi-circle. “Where we are standing used to be the only bathroom in a nine-hundred square foot apartment. This floor was made up of similar apartments. Now, it is one large space, and when done, it will be my largest accomplishment to date.”

I snap my face to his in confusion. “Largest accomplishment?”

“The couple who wanted this floor approached the company I work for about doing a total demolition and remodel. The owner of the building was willing to sell the whole floor to them, piece by piece, as occupants moved out. It took almost six years of plans, permits, city planning ordinance approvals, and too many roadblocks to name, but the final vision is finally coming together. In a few months, this same space that used to be a tiny bathroom will be an open concept grand living room, kitchen, dining room combination. There was no expense spared; the rest of the apartment will be equally as luxurious.”

My mind immediately visualizes exactly as he describes the place. “It sounds magnificent.”

“It will be. The new owners have already received inquiries from Architectural Digest, Dwell, and NY Home & Design to do layouts.”

My heart swells with pride for him, his company, and his team. “Your largest accomplishment,” I repeat, this time understanding the importance.

“So far, yes.” He arches his eyebrows. “I plan on many more.”

“Will your name be credited?”

He stiffens, his mouth forming a tense line. “No,” he answers dryly.

“Why not?” I push, knowing he should be listed as at least a contributor.

“That’s not the way my company works.”

“Well, it should—”

He places a finger against my lips to quiet me. The light may be dim, but I can see the sheen in his eyes has vanished.

“I’m okay with it, Greer. But I wanted to share it with you. That was important to me.”

I nod, willing to drop the subject. “Can you show me around?”

“If you promise me you won’t break your neck in those shoes.”

I peer down at my four-inch bronze Jimmy Choos with crystals adorning the peep toe. “I didn’t exactly know we’d be touring a construction site, but I think I can manage.”

“How do you feel about a hard hat?”

I scrunch my nose, thinking of the after effects of shoving my hair into a nasty hard hat.

He chuckles, leaning down to kiss my forehead. “Stay right here. We have lights strung throughout most rooms.”

He disappears into the darkness, leaving me to take in the amazement of what has transformed here. My head spins with the massive amount of intelligence and knowledge it has required to do a build of this size, especially considering the updated environmental requirements now imposed on building and remodeling in the city.

A touch of jealousy bubbles in my chest thinking about how incredible it would have been to work on this from start to finish. My expertise in Architecture and Rural Planning kicks in, and I envision the drawings, sketches, and scale models.

Lawson’s footsteps come closer, and there’s a click as the room floods with more light.

He walks my way with a sly grin growing with every step that brings him closer.

“I’ve decided I’m not taking a chance. Hop on.” He twists his back to me.

“I’m not jumping on your back,” I gawk.

“You are if you want to look around this place. Your shoes are hazardous, and you openly pouted at the mention of a hard hat. Up you go.”

“My dress will split.”

“Hike it up, wrap your legs around me, and let’s go.”

“No,” I refuse.

In a flash, he spins, takes the tight material at my waist, and yanks it over my hips. The cold air hits my bare ass, and I suck in a breath.

His eyes drop to the hot pink triangle barely covering me, held together by a tiny string. “Fuck me,” he hisses.

I wiggle to pull my dress down, but he doesn’t budge, licking his lips appreciatively. “That was the plan—later tonight!”

“This is going to make this tour so much more enjoyable.” He ignores my hands smacking his.

Just as quickly as before, he bends, grabbing the back of my thighs and hoisting me in his arms. I’m forced to wrap my legs around his waist and use his shoulders for balance.

“Lawson—”

“Kiss me,” he demands. “Kiss me right now.”

His eyes smolder, and my heart flips in my chest, racing at the intensity in his gaze. I stop protesting, lower my lips to his, and place soft pecks from corner to corner of his mouth. My hands skim up his neck, fingernails scraping in the soft scruff on his cheeks as I slip my tongue inside.

Slowly, I sweep my tongue around his mouth until I curl it around his and kiss him sweetly, taking my time to savor. He has a taste that’s all his own that I’ve come to love. His hands glide to cup the cheeks of my ass, caressing in the rhythm of our tongues.

My body sinks into him, curling as close as possible. One of his fingers curves under the string of my panties, running along until it finds my already wet heat and slips inside. I whimper into his mouth, a shudder running through my body. My thighs tighten, and my hips thrust downward, pushing him deeper.

“So fucking sweet,” he mutters into my mouth.

I twirl my tongue once more then break away, resting my forehead on his.

“That’s one way to stop you from arguing with me.”

“Yeah,” I reply breathlessly.

He walks forward, keeping our heads together, careful not to jostle me.

“Lawson, are you forgetting something?”

“Nope.” His lip quirks, his eyes lighting with humor.

“You aren’t going to move your hand?”

“Not planning on it.”

“But what about—“

“Greer, stop talking and look around.”

I do as he says, gasping at the panoramic view before me.

“This right here is why the owners were willing to wait years and spend millions of dollars. They may not be on the top floor, but the lights of the skyline could arguably be one of the best.”

“Where are we now?”

“The master bedroom. The wife’s entire vision started with this view.”

“It’s spellbinding.”

“Can you imagine waking up and going to bed with this as your backdrop?”

The thought of my dad’s penthouse pops into my head. He and Mom made their buying decision based solely on her love of the view. “Yes, I can imagine it. It’s going to be breathtaking.” I lean my cheek against his.

We stay quiet, enjoying the serenity of the moment. Memories of my mom flood my mind.

“Greer, are you okay? You’ve gone quiet.”

I tilt my head back to face him, draping my arms around his neck. “I’m perfect. Thinking about my mom and how much she’d love this. We’d sit for hours with the lights off in our living room and stare into the night. She’d always have a glass of wine and press me for details of my life. Some teenage girls would rather die than share stories with their mothers, but not me. I loved it.”

“Sounds like a good memory.”

“What I wouldn’t give to have one more night like this with her. Tell her about my business, my friends, and you. She’d like you.”

He stills, slowly removing his finger and sliding his hand back to my thigh. “I wish I could have met her.”

“Thank you for sharing this with me.”

“I wanted to introduce you to a piece of my world, show you where I spend my time.”

“That means a lot.”

“For years, this entire project has been leading up to now. There are times I never thought we’d get to this point. Today, I sighed in relief when we handed over the work to our sub-crew. But I’d do it all over—every single sleepless night, back-breaking day, and struggle to find motivation. I’d do it all over for this moment here with you in my arms, sharing it with me.”

My heart melts and emotions swell in my chest. “Oh, Lawson.”

“So, it’s me who should be thanking you.”

All the worry and stress from the other night fades instantly. I was on the verge of being clingy and complicating things.

But, now, it’s clear. Lawson needs to move at his own pace, and I need to respect that. Especially since I’m holding back my own details.

Laying my lips against his, I whisper, “Show me the rest of the place. I want to experience this through your eyes.”

He nips my upper lip, smiling against my mouth. “Oh, you’re going to experience through more than my eyes.”

I press back and can’t miss the seductive glint in his gaze. He moves us toward the windows, hitching my hips against the firm bulge in his pants. “I believe, a few weeks ago, you mentioned something about me avoiding getting dirty at work.”

A ripple of excitement courses through my body, and I gasp when his fingers slip back under the scrap of silk and glide through my slickness.

“Think it’s time to show you just how dirty I can be.”