Chapter 24

Mira

I’m roused from sleep by the warm feeling of strong arms wrapping themselves around me, pulling at my shoulders.

Confusion settles in.

Why am I waking up somewhere else other than my bedroom?

Soft golden lights shine above me. There’s a kick-ass view of the city to my left, framed by a large picture window. There are decorative paintings on the walls and large tropical plants all surround me.

But nothing compares to the feel of those arms wrapped around my body, rousing me from my slumber and into the safety of their embrace.

Am I dreaming?

But then I feel the hard wooden desk beneath my forearms, unforgiving and cold, and realize exactly where I am—my office.

I don’t know what time it is, and when I shoot a quick glance to the window, it’s pitch black outside. I must have been out for a while.

Shit. I fell asleep at my damn desk. I wonder how many people saw me here, sleeping on the job.

Way to make a good impression, Mira.

I feel firm hands grip my shoulders, and I’m reminded how I was woken up. I turn my head and look up at who—or what—has chosen to interrupt my hard-won beauty sleep.

Much to my surprise I see Owen, his face wracked with worry and concern. He slides his arms under mine, beckoning me to sit up.

Still drowsy, I follow his lead and sit up. I feel him slip his arm behind me and move to pick me up.

“Ugh, Owen,” I murmur sleepily, “what are you doing here? And why are you picking me up?”

He shakes his head and smiles, blinking slowly as he sighs.

“Shh, Mira. Just relax. You’ve been working too hard—you fell asleep at your desk. I’m just getting you out of here.”

I sigh, trying to wrap my head around the situation unfolding.

So is this how we play the ‘not taking things further’ game, is it?

He shows up at my office like a white knight to sweep me off my feet—literally—and take me away from the stresses of the work day?

No, I don’t think so.

“Owen,” I protest, my voice still soft and breathy from my impromptu nap. “I don’t need you to—”

I’m cut off by a firm finger to my lips as he shushes me and scoops me up into his arms, cradling me against his chest.

I gasp as I’m lifted from my seat into his grasp, and he chuckles softly when I instinctively wrap my arms around his neck, afraid of falling.

“Shh, Mira,” he coos, “I’ve got you.”

He swoops my purse up off my desk and strolls out of my office with me in his arms, ignoring my hushed protests.

“I don’t need you to take care of me, you know,” I mumble against his chest, inhaling softly and smiling as the subtle smell of his cologne surrounds me.

He chuckles softly and shakes his head, pressing the button to the elevator.

“Says the girl who fell asleep working at her desk. You didn’t even wake up when I walked into your office. Anyone could have come in.”

I hear the ding of the elevator and Owen carries me inside as the door slides open, leaning forward to press the button for the main floor.

“You’re working yourself too hard, Mira,” he scolds softly, his chin brushing the top of my head. “You need to take care of yourself.”

His words make my chest tighten, and I sigh, embarrassment washing over me that I have to be told such a simple thing.

“I know,” I whisper. “I just want to do the best I can and give this my all. I need to make this work.”

“You’ll never make it work if you work yourself to exhaustion,” he chides, brushing my cheek. “Rest is important.”

I sigh and allow myself to relax into his touch, closing my eyes as I lean into his chest, resting my head against it.

There’s a moment of silence between us—neither of us really knowing what to say or how to say it—given the fact that this totally goes against what we agreed to.

How dare he? After what he pulled, he comes strutting in here and pulls a stunt like this? And then scolds me?

“So did you come here just to give me a spanking and make me feel bad?” I ask, turning my gaze upwards to meet his. “Or did you just want to rub this all in my face?”

I see his expression soften, and he frowns, brows furrowing together in what almost looks like hurt.

“I was worried about you, actually.”

His words hit me like a brick in the chest and I gasped softly, my lips forming an O in surprise.

“Oh,” I say. “Well, I wasn’t expecting that. After everything, I mean.”

He says nothing and instead just smiles softly, sending a warm fuzzy feeling through my body. I’m not used to feeling cared for, and I have to admit…it’s kind of nice.

I could easily get used to this—the feeling of having someone. I know it’s not right being with Owen, but for now, I’m going to let myself enjoy it.

I curl myself into him further, snuggling my face into the soft linen of his shirt and sigh, closing my eyes again.

“Thank you,” I sigh, gently running my fingers along the hem of his shirt.

“Don’t mention it.”

I hear the ding of the elevator, and I startle slightly when he moves forward, so I grasp the collar of his shirt.

We make our way through the main floor, and between the swaying of his footsteps, the warmth of his body against mine, and the steady beating of his heart against my ear, I feel myself start to drift off.

Being in his arms feels good, however taboo it may actually be. The heat radiating off his strong body, the way he nearly swallows me up when he wraps me in his arms, and the concern he showed me when he woke me up is a wonderful combination.

As I continue to relax and drift in his arms, I realize something.

He makes me feel safe.

He halts to open the door, and the loss of movement startles me awake and I gasp, once again tightening my grip on his collar.

I don’t quite hear him laugh, but I can feel the soft rumble through his chest, and it sends a tingle through me, warming my thoughts and relaxing me even further.

“Let’s get you out of here,” he says, shaking his head.

I feel the cool night air hit my skin as we walk outside through the door of the office building, and I glance up just in time to see Owen’s limo waiting.

I know it’s not right, but right now I don’t care; I’m just happy to be in his arms.