“To know where you’re at in the book.” He leaned forward, dropped his foot to the ground, and rested his forearms on his knees, letting his hands hang between them. Some of his white hair tumbled past his shoulders, and pieces formed big loops that went behind his back. I wanted to play with them and busy my hands so I didn’t spiral again.
“Emma?”
I blinked, dug my phone out of my pocket, and opened it. When I brought up the e-book, I glanced over the page.
“Oh!” I shakily smiled. “They’re at a bar, and she drank too much. Alexander—the older brother—is watching her sing terrible karaoke.”
“Hmm.” The corner of Dimitri’s mouth twitched, and his amber eyes roved down my body, then returned to my face. “How are you feeling?”
I licked my lips, and his gaze dropped, watching as I wet them. A blush worked its way up my neck to my cheeks. “Better.”
“Do you want to talk about what upset you?”
I caught a piece of loose skin on my bottom lip and shook my head. “Maybe later. I don’t want to think about it.”
He dipped his chin in a subtle nod. “Can you keep working today, or do we need to go home?”
“We?” I squeaked.
“Yes,we.” Even though his face held no amusement, I still caught the teasing tone.
My eyes rounded. “Dimitri!” I shot up from my seat and looked at the closed office door before I met his stare. “Your meeting! You left your meeting!”
It was supposed to last for an hour, and it had only been twenty minutes.
He stood from the couch and pushed some of his hair behind his ear. “You’re more important, sunshine.”
“H-how did you know about—”
“Jack informed me that you looked like you were seconds away from screaming bloody murder when he saw you.”
I winced and clenched my eyes shut. “I’m so sorry.”
Dimitri brushed his fingers over my cheeks, then cupped them. I opened my eyes and peeked at him from beneath my lashes. He stood before me, our chests nearly touching, and I had to lean my head back to see his face.
“Don’t ever apologize about something you can’t control,” he chided.
I smiled. “I love you.”
Leaning down, he captured my lips with his. It was a soft kiss, full of affection and patience. I couldn’t help but grin against his mouth.
“You are the sun on my darkest days,” he murmured into the kiss.
Iwatched over Emma, looking for any signs of distress as she talked to Amber—the consultant renting out the second story of the art gallery for the Christmas party. Even though it’d been a day when Emma had a minor episode, I kept my eye on her and ensured she was okay.
I was curious about what had upset her, but I trusted she’d eventually tell me when she could. Sometimes these episodes came out of nowhere, but most of the time there was a root to the cause. Something had troubled Emma, and I prayed to whatever god was listening that it wasn’t because of someone at my law firm. The second I’d found out somebody triggered her would be the last time they ever drew a breath.
“How many people are you expecting to attend this occasion?” Amber asked with a smile. Delight lit up her face, and she spoke kindly to my mate. I narrowed my eyes when Amber peeked at me, desire swirling in her mud-colored orbs. They widened a fraction, and she turned her attention back to Emma.
“Three hundred, give or take,” Emma answered.
Attendees would bring their spouses along with them to this celebration, so Emma rounded up the numbers to be a little higher—just in case. I’d never done anything like this. I still didn’t want to, but Emma insisted we celebrate. Earlier this year, I would have fired her on the spot for suggesting something as atrocious as this. Now? She had me wrapped around her little finger and knew it.
Amber’s eyes bugged out of her head, and I scowled at her.
“Th-threehundred?” she gasped.
“Yep!” Emma said, not realizing Amber was about to decline us.
