“Usually, I go to bed early. I need a good eight hours. I always have.” She chuckled. “I think I was the most boring student at university. Everyone was partying or up late watching TV, and I was asleep.”
“I don’t think you could ever be boring.”
“I’ll remind you of that when you’re playing video games to keep yourself entertained while I nap.”
I didn’t know how to tell her that idea pleased me. With her curled up next to me as I played games or worked on code. I liked the idea, a lot.
“Sounds good.” I flashed her a grin.
“I don’t want to keep you from your work, Reid.”
“Don’t worry about it. One reason I worked so much was that I had nothing else to occupy my time. I’m sort of hoping that’s changed.”
“It has, but I don’t want you to fall behind.”
I laughed. “That won’t happen. Plus, Aiden and Maddox will be thrilled. They’ve been telling me to get out and live.”
Her brow furrowed. “What, ah, what are we going to do about the office?”
“Whatever you’re comfortable with. I know you’re a private person, Becca. I won’t embarrass you at work.”
She captured my hand. “You could never embarrass me. But I think we need to keep our relationship between us. At least for a while.”
“So, you don’t want me to say anything to the guys?” I asked, brushing my hair off my forehead. “They know me pretty well and have been sort of helping to push me in your direction. I don’t think I can lie that well.”
“No, I know they’re your friends and you confide in them. I meant no PDA in the office or preferential treatment.”
“Too late. They already told me they know you’re my priority at work. They tease me about it all the time.”
She chuckled. “Okay, then. Maybe watch you don’t go overboard.” She bit her lip. “Maybe no, ah, really personal stories?”
I had to laugh at her request. “I won’t say or do anything to humiliate you or us.” I lifted one eyebrow, teasing. “At least, I’ll try. Aiden says I am the king of overshare.” At her look of worry, I pressed a kiss to her forehead. “My relationship with them isn’t conventional, Becca. They’re my bosses, but also my friends. The closest thing to family I have. I do promise anything I tell them is between us, and I can be discreet when it comes to you.” I sighed heavily, my breath moving the tendrils of hair that fell over her brow. “You mean too much for me to be flippant or careless with our relationship. Trust me when I say that.”
She grinned. “I do. No doubt Cami and Emmy will pump me for information about you, and they’ll share with Aiden and Bentley.”
I laughed. “Bentley won’t comment, but Aiden will. And he’ll fill in Maddox. They’ll probably be in my office waiting to pounce on Monday wanting deets.”
“This is unconventional.”
I looked down at her. “Is it too much?”
She studied me, then cupped my cheek. “No, Reid. Not too much. We’ll figure it out, together.”
I liked that word.
“Yeah.” I grinned. “Together.”
When I was in prison, time had no meaning. My days were an endless loop of repetition. Wake up, eat, study, read, eat, do assigned chores, eat, study more, sleep. I didn’t think, I didn’t plan, and I didn’t hope.
When I became part of BAM, some things changed, while others remained the same. My life was still on a loop, but it was one that I chose. I slept and worked, but the additions of Bentley, Aiden, and Maddox gave my life meaning. The work I did mattered. I mattered. Still, time had no meaning. The days flowed into each other, time flying by as the days and nights blended.
Until Becca came along. Time took on a completely new relevance.
Normally, a Sunday flew by like every other day—filled with computers, words, codes, and graphics. Monday would arrive, another workweek ahead, broken up by moments of laughter and friendship.
However, this Sunday dragged. I couldn’t concentrate on work. I prowled my small apartment, then headed to the office, hoping for distraction. It never came. Instead, all I did was think of Becca. How her mouth felt on mine. The way her body fit to me when we were close. The way she listened to my every word. Her tears because she felt my pain. Her laughter because I made her happy.
Everything about her.
I tried to resist contacting her. I told myself to chill and be cool. I would see her in the morning. It was not a big deal. But my mind kept wandering. Finally, I gave up, deciding I wasn’t at all cool, and Becca was well aware of that fact.
I dialed her number, smiling at her breathless greeting. From the sounds behind her, I knew she was outside. I wished I were with her.
“Reid, is that you?” She giggled. “It’s your number, so it has to be—hi!”
I relaxed, hearing her enthusiasm. “Hey, BB.”
“Everything okay?”
I reclined in my chair, tucked my phone between my shoulder and ear, and stretched my arms upward, shutting my eyes. “It is now.”
“Now? It wasn’t before?”
“I wanted to hear your voice, and I didn’t know if I would look needy calling you, so I tried to resist.” I sighed with a laugh. “But I’m not cool, and I decided you already knew that, so I’m calling to say hello and see how your day is going. Make sure you’re okay.”
There was a muffled sound, and the noise in the background dimmed. Her voice was soft. “You wanted to hear my voice?”
“Yeah.”
“And check on me?”
“Yeah,” I repeated. “I’m lame, I guess.”
“No,” she murmured. “You are anything but lame. I think you’re wonderful.”
I grinned so wide, my eyes shut again. “Yeah?”
Apparently, I could only say one specific word to her right now.
“Yeah,” she responded. “To answer your question, my day is good. Not as good as yesterday, but still nice.”
I sat straighter, holding the phone close to my mouth. “Yesterday was better?”
“Yesterday was awesome,” she breathed out.
“Even the part where I tried to give you a concussion with your stripper pole, and then screwed you in the totally wrong manner on the floor?”
“Ahem.”
My eyes flew open, meeting Aiden’s amused gaze. He was standing in the doorway, his arms folded over his massive chest. I felt the heat of my embarrassment stain my cheeks.
Becca giggled, bringing my attention back to the phone. “Well, part of that was good. But what happened after was even better.”
“I agree.”
“Are you okay?” she asked. “Are you at the office?”
“Yes, I am. Aiden just arrived in my office, in fact.”
“Oh.” Her breath hitched. “Just now?”
“A few minutes ago, I think.”
“Oh. Oh.”
I was back to my one-word answers. “Yeah.”
She laughed. “Well, I’ll let you go explain that to him. I’ll join Cami and Emmy. Would you-would you call me later?”