“Okay, Sexy Thing,” Brett says, going over my schedule on his iPad, “so you have an eleven to two with Mama Powers. At two thirty, there’s a conference call with Lionel regarding the system security update, and then tomorrow, you’re needed at Sixteen for lunch. Mama and Papa Powers will be in attendance along with your sexy-as-sin girlfriend. Oh! And that delicious side piece, Remy.”

I maintain my composure and let his nicknames for all of us go. Brett’s the best assistant I’ve had, and I’m not going to lecture him…again. He knows he can’t say this outside the office, and if my assistant’s happy, then I’m happy.

“Sounds good. You know, I think Remy needs you to stop by for a quick hello.”

“Oh.” His face turns a few shades of pink, and he waves me off. “Last night, I had a glass of Remy, and I giggled because I immediately thought of the Remy. Now”—he taps his chin—“are we for sure he’s straight?”

“Yes.”

“Well, damn, that sucks. Oh well. Toodles, boss.”

“Toodles.” I laugh and shake my head at his candor.

I’m deep into my research, looking over the reports of the attempted hack of our systems. Whoever these fuckers are, they’re good. We have the best IT security team, and there’s not much to go on. Our clients have been assured that nothing was stolen. And I’ve talked to our lawyers to prepare for a possible lawsuit if we find who’s behind the hacking. I don’t want to imagine what’ll happen if any information were to leak.

“Don’t work so hard,” Zoey states as she sits down on my couch before she goes one step further and lies down.

My laughter fills the office.

“To what do I owe this pleasure of your presence?”

“Just to let you know, I’m so stealing Brett from you. He’s adorable.”

“Apparently, next to my nickname Asshat, I’m referred to as Sexy Thing. I’m certain Brett started it.”

“Ew.” She covers her mouth. “I just threw up a little. Your name and sexy should never be in the same sentence or even the same paragraph.”

“You love me. And don’t lie either. You wanted to date me.”

Zoey shoots up and narrows her eyes in my direction. “In the first grade, you idiot. It lasted for three days.”

“Still, you wanted me.”

Zoey jumps off the couch and moves to my office door, locking it. Then, she turns around, leaning against the wooden door. Her eyes close, and her shoulders slump.

I know that look.

“I ended the engagement. Lawrence was cheating on me with his secretary,” she slowly says. “Then…” She pauses. Her body remains slumped over. “I slept with someone.”

“Wait, what?” I rub my face with my hands and get up to comfort her, bringing her back to the couch. “What happened?”

“Two nights ago, Lawrence lied about a meeting, so I decided to go to his office and see what was going on. I went in and saw him literally fucking his secretary. I think I knew in my heart he was seeing someone, but I never imagined I would witness it firsthand. I threw the engagement ring at him and stormed out to the closest bar. Well, I had five dirty martinis, and you know my limit is two, so my mind was foggy. There was this guy, and he was comforting. We left together and spent that night and yesterday morning in his apartment.”

There’s rarely a time when a man wants to hear about his female best friend’s sexual adventures, and this is one of those times. I have to be here for her. Zoey’s one of my oldest friends, and I love her like a sister. I’ll deal with Lawrence later. For now, I’m not sure if I should ask whom she’s been with.

“Okay, so you had revenge sex.”

“It’s more than that, I think. He texted me this morning. We’re supposed to get drinks after work. I mean, is that okay? I thought one-night stands were usually just one night.”

“Yes, that’s the meaning of a one-night stand, Zoey.”

She slaps my stomach. “Not funny. Seriously, what do I do?”

“Listen to what you want. Forget about Lawrence. I believe in forgiveness and not holding grudges, but what he did was inexcusable.”

“And this new guy?” she asks.

“See where it goes, just have fun, and then if it turns into more than sex, take it day by day. I wouldn’t rush into anything if I were you. You’re still recovering from a five-year relationship. Take it slow, babe.”

Her head leans on my shoulder, and we sit on the couch in silence. Sometimes, the words we need to hear are the ones spoken from our hearts.

* * *

The next week goes by fast, and I’m the happiest I’ve been. Reagan’s been spending more time with Dawson and me. After work, we make dinner together, help Dawson with his homework, and read him a bedtime story, and then I cherish her body all night. In the bedroom, we can’t seem to get enough of each other. She’s amazing in bed, and she fucks me like no other woman has before.

Last night, she was shy about asking to ride me. I told her not to feel self-conscious and to do whatever she felt she wanted. When she slid down over my cock, it was incredible. She quickly found her rhythm and rode me until we each found our release.

We haven’t used a condom, and she’s safe, being on the shot. Besides Jennifer, I’ve never gone bareback. With Reagan, it feels like more. It is more. The feeling whenever we’re around each other, even when we aren’t, takes me to a calmer place. My temper is rare, and people in the office are approaching me, letting me know they like this side of me. Some of our clients are noticing my change in attitude. I didn’t realize how much of an asshole I used to be until now.

I want to shower her with love and gifts and show her what it’s like to live. She’s the type of woman who deserves it all, especially after what happened.

She walks into my bedroom, holding her beloved Kindle that I got for her a few days ago, and crawls into bed next to me.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” The curve of her lips goes up into a beaming smile. “Dawson was telling me about school and his concert. He wants us to get there a little early, so we can give him a pep talk.”

“Of course, we’ll do that.”

Dawson’s the star of their presentation of The Three Little Pigs. He excels in reading, and every night, he practices his lines with us. Although he won’t have to memorize the narration, I’m proud of him for wanting to be his best.

“Don’t forget, it’s next Tuesday night.”

I take out my phone and send a reminder email to Brett to put it in my calendar. I wouldn’t miss Dawson’s presentation for anything. Being a father means putting your child before your own needs. I’m happy Reagan understands that and doesn’t push me to do more with her.

It’s quiet in the room, and I can’t stop watching her read whatever book she’s reading on her Kindle. She’s claiming a piece of my heart, and now, I have the chance to give her all of me without hesitation.

It staggers me.

Watching her relax in my bed, in my home, and with Dawson knocks the breath out of me. The feeling of being complete when she’s around is full. I have everything I could possibly need.

When she turns around, placing the Kindle down on her lap, she gives me the most inviting look, and I pause before stroking her soft cheek.

“Do you know how much you mean to me?”

“How much do I mean to you?”

“In the short amount of time we’ve been together, you’ve completed me. You’re my missing puzzle piece. I thought I’d be fine with Dawson and being alone for the rest of my life. My distrust in women and the value of love meant nothing to me until you.”

Her body shudders at my words, and I smile. I love what my words are doing to her. Now, I’m going to see how my hands will make her feel.

I lean down and whisper in her ear, “Baby, you’re perfect for me.”

Reagan lets out a soft, small moan and leans into my touch, pressing her hand on my bare stomach. We stay in this position, my hand caressing her cheek, our bodies closely together, and our breathing in sync. Neither of us moves. The way she’s making me feel, how she has made me feel, is unreal.

“Drew,” she whispers, “make love to me.”

I move my hand from her cheek and down her body. I strip her out of her clothes before removing my own. Once she’s bare for me, I slowly slide two fingers inside her wetness. I start to move my fingers in and out. She squeezes my fingers and lets out a breathy moan before reaching down and stopping me from moving. Before I know it, she’s straddling me and brings my fingers to her clit.

“I want you to rub here while I ride you.”

I smile, and she smiles back at me.

Our lips passionately meet, and then she sits up, moving up and down my erection, pushing her chest out, moaning my name, and begging for more. I’m lost to her moans.

“Does it feel good?”

“It feels so good, baby. I love when you ride me. Go faster.”

The look in her eyes causes me to lose my breath. There’s fire and a mix of desire, and she starts going faster and harder. I move my fingers from her clit and use both hands to grip her hips. We move together in perfect sync. The tightness from her pussy intensifies, and I’m about to come.

“Reagan,” I rasp out, “I’m about to come.”

She plays with her nipples, throwing her head back, and slowly moves one hand to her clit.

Oh, fuck.

“I’m going to come, but I need you to come with me.”

“God. Drew, I’m coming. Ah…”

We ride our release for a few moments, and it feels like I’m pouring everything in my heart into her. It lasts forever.

She collapses onto my chest, and we’re both trying to catch our breaths. I wrap my arms around her body, keeping her close to me, and in this moment, I know she’s the one I need by my side.

After we clean up and lie back in bed, I hear her soft breathing and prop myself on my side, leaning on my hand, watching her peacefully sleep.

“I promise, I’ll always protect you. Nothing and no one will ever hurt you, baby. Together, we’ll get through everything.”