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Keeping my arm firmly around Tess, we made our way to the elevators The mosaic sparrow on the floor never failed to lift loain

I’d looked at the news onout of hand Whatever Frederick was doing, I was about to tell hi the up button, Tess’s breathing turned shallow Her eyes darted around the huge, light-filled lobby No one was around which was good--I didn’t have to worry about spilling blood inThe way my body tensed, I’d ood look for the CEO to tear off an e to Tess’s level, Ito leave you alone for a second You have nothing to fear" I would personally guarantee it

She flashedback here--after feeling so a yesterday…it’s hard to accept that yes the past isn’t ruining my life anymore, but I still haven’t put it all behind ed; I pushed her on With every step Tess lagged Her back was stiff,her as the doors closed, i the floor I needed, I touched her cheek "It’s just a lift"

She flinched away

Godda I’d done to have it all be for fking nothing I pushed her shoulder, forcing her to face ainst the wall and de she focus on me and onlyinto my arms, I stumbled backward The mirrored walls bruised ainstwas still shallow but now for an entirely different reason

Her fingers disappeared intohell My ck reacted straight away

My arers tooff froainst it instead Her , tasting, owning, devouring

Our hands were separate entities as our rey ju into her tasty warmth

I wasn’t sated I needed ht at the same time I wanted so much froh wrenched reen eyes--attractive with freckles dotting her nose

My receptionist of three years

Releasing Tess, I grabbed her shoulders, and positioned her in front ofhands through my hair, I made sure the white shirt I asn’t too crumbled and quickly inspected Tess

Her jumper was mussed but her black jeans looked presentable The disarray of curlsher back into the lift and press the eency button until I finished what she’d started

"Mr Mercer Bonjour" Helen s Tess with a professional coolness If I hadn’t been around women--in all states of mental health--I would’ve aze And I would’ve definitely lower full of possession

She was fierce, ht And I had no doubt she’d scratch out any female’s eyes who ood Thaterection wasn’t too obvious, I strode in front of Tess "Bonjour Est-ce que M Roux est là ? J’ai besoin de le voir" Hello Is Mr Roux in, I need to see hilued to my side, a s

Helen s whatever wonised as defeat "Oui, il est dans son bureau" Yes, he’s in his office

"Merci" I grabbed Tess’s hand, dragging her away froer’s level The only things visible were Helen’s desk, a largemosaic sparrow behind her, and so rooed onworkers I didn’t have a fking clue who they were I only needed to know the top of commands; the rest of the workforce was their proble a wo an ar in the large s that let washes of natural light and the aave the place a homely feel No partitions separated workers--everyone had free reign on where they wanted their desk to be Soether in a circle, others with lined up neatly But all surrounded a large break area with a big TV, gourmet coffee and food, and a fulltime masseuse to work out any kinks

"We can’t," I said

"Why not?"

"It’s gone" I waved back at a er Frederick’s office was at the end, next to mine--or rather rey eyes--looking rey thanks to the colour of her jumper "You seriously didn’t think I’d be able to let it stay standing after what happened"

Tess shook her head "You destroyed it?"

I nodded Just like the room where I’d let her hit and scarriddance

The moe, I knew I couldn’t let the diabolical thing remain It was empty rubble up there now "I’ll convert it to a helipad eventually, but right now, the birds can have it"

She pulled onme to a stop Her eyes locked onto mine "Thank you"

My forehead furrowed "For what?"

"For getting rid of it I can handle a lot of things but I don’t think I could’ve stepped foot in that space again"

I looked around to see if people atching People pretended to be busy, but I kneere the entertained her close and kissed her Her fingers squeezedback, I whispered, "Don’t you think I know that?"

Stepping back, I added, "And I didn’t do it just for you, Tess I couldn’t go back there either I would rather o back into a room where I failed to protect you"

Tess’s eyes swam; her cheeks pinked as she blushed Blushed? What the hell was she blushing about? I’d had her hanging upside doith o inside her while I droveme admit I tore down an office in her honour was not