Chapter 2
Three Months Later
Dane
I watch Brenda walk into Ben’s office, and I want to drag her the fuck out of there. Her long hair is in the sexy waves that bounce as she moves in that flattering summer skirt and blouse I’ll never get enough of looking at her even when she’s pissed.
She had a lot of attitude when she left this morning. I don’t fucking appreciate that shit. I know she’s busy, but over the past month, things have gotten worse. No matter what I do, she’s ticked off. I’m starting to think it’s more than our relationship that is the problem. Something’s bothering her. I know she’s been concerned that we haven’t gotten pregnant yet and blames herself for it. We fuck like bunnies, but her periods keep coming month after month. I don’t know what to do because Mira and Ben are pregnant with their second kid already. They only got together four months before us.
I don’t understand why I’m not giving her a baby. I want her carrying ten of my babies inside her womb, but it is what it is. It’s not as if it’s going to change anything if we don’t have babies. I love her with every damn fiber of my being. And I sure as fuck love being buried deep inside her. Our sex life is still on point. We’ve been married for almost two years, and every fucking chance we get, we’re coming wildly.
She has to know she’s my world. Every day I tell her that I love her. The door closes a bit forcefully behind her. We will be talking later. That’s for sure. I’m not letting that lousy attitude get between us. I hear the door behind me, but I’m still focused on my grumpy wife. She’s all that matters to me.
“Mr. Harris, can I have a word with you?” I internally cringe before I turn around to see Tiffany Morris. She’s a client of ours, and her project starts tomorrow. I’m leaving my lovely wife for a week in order to oversee the damn starting of the build.
Ben wants me to handle her job because he didn’t want to deal with anything that would take him away from his family. Mira was busy with their son and a second on the way, and he’s on call. They still have about two months left, but he’s a bit on the worried side.
“Sure, Mrs. Morris. What brings you here? Our project doesn’t start until tomorrow.”
“Yes, well I had some more last-minute changes that I wanted to go over with you.”
I do my best not to lose my shit, but I knew from the moment she stepped into Rough Hands that she was going to be a pain in the ass. I go around and pull a pad of paper from Brenda’s desk. Then take a seat on the edge. “So…what can I help you with?” I’m getting a fucked-up feeling about her which is about to end badly if she lays a hand on me.
“Well, I’ve had some different ideas for the master bedroom. I really need you to see it to understand what I mean, but I wanted to have you stop by.”
“I can’t until tomorrow.”
“Um…oh I thought you could find a way to make it.”
“No, sorry no can do. Our team can be there tomorrow. I’m actually in the middle of handling orders then I plan to take my wife to a nice dinner.”
“Oh, what a lucky woman.” Damn, I don’t care for the way she said that. I’m dreading going out of town to work on this woman’s house. I wonder where her husband is and why his ass lets her handle this shit. Hell, if I would ever let Brenda deal with a bunch of sweaty men. Well, here is different. Every single one of these guys know she’s mine. And I still hate it. Sometimes I wish she’d quit. She doesn’t need to work.
“I’m the lucky one. My team and I will be there at seven in the morning. You can give me the details then.”
“Fine. It’s good to see you again, Mr. Harris.”
I nod and shake her extended hand. She lingers as I pull my hand away, rubbing her nails on my skin. I need to scrub them as soon as she’s gone. I brush them off on my shirt which I know is about to get filthy anyway. She smiles then sashays out of the office. I roll my eyes, hoping her ass trips or something. I could use a laugh. A huff comes from behind me, and I know it’s my wife. Damn, now I could really use a laugh.
I jump off her desk and get a cold glare. “Ben and I are on our way to a meeting. I’ll see you at home.” She walks around me, packing her tote bag, slinging it over her arm before she looks at me again.
I walk around the desk and slide my hand around her waist, pulling her to me. I need to touch her. I can’t stand this fucking tension. “Brenda, I swear you’ve got nothing to worry about.”
“I know,” she answers meekly. I bend down and steal a kiss. She doesn’t pull away. Instead, she digs her hand into my hair.
“I love you, Brenda.”
“I know,” she replies. That’s not the answer I wanted, but I know that’s the best I’m going to get. Unless I force her to tell me what I did wrong. For the life of me, I can’t figure it out.
“Are you ready?” Ben says, exiting his office.
I shake my head at him. “We need a minute,” I tell him. Ben nods and walks outside to give us some privacy.
“What’s up, Dane? I have to go,” she complains, trying to get out of my arms.
“No, you need to tell me what’s bothering you. Fuck, Brenda, it’s for better or for worse,” I remind her.
“Now is not the time to talk about it. I have to work, and so do you. We’ll talk tonight.” She pulls away, and before I can pull her in for another kiss, she’s out the door. Damn, I don’t like the way she said that.