“You’re right, Reid. We can’t expect you to use your hacking abilities and extreme knowledge when we need you to for our own purposes, then forbid you to use them when you feel it’s necessary. That would be unfair to you and extremely selfish of me.”
“But?” I asked, sensing there was more to his words.
He shrugged. “Everything you said was right. We have asked you to lay yourself on the line when need has called for it. And you have never refused us. I hope never to ask you again.” He stepped forward, loosening his arms. “I hope you never are put in the position of deciding the result is worth risking your freedom.” He sighed. “I overreacted, and I shouldn’t have. I didn’t mean to call your character into question. I know how much BAM means to you. I know everything you do for me—for this company.” He shifted on his feet. “I was upset when I heard what happened, Reid, but not for the reasons I stated earlier.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You have become like a younger brother to all of us. The thought that you put yourself out there without our protection upset me. The thought of you going back to jail horrifies me. I can’t imagine this place, or our lives, not having you in them.”
“I didn’t do it to upset anyone. I try, Bent. I stick to the law. I don’t look for opportunities to hack. This was an exception. What I did for you guys were exceptions. It’s my way of protecting you.”
Our gazes locked. His was serious and concerned. Mine determined and sincere. But not angry. That emotion had passed for us both.
“No more, Reid. We need you here.”
“All I can promise is to try. Maybe you guys need to stay out of trouble too.”
They all laughed, breaking the tension.
Bentley held out his hand. “Deal.”
I stood, and we shook firmly. “So, I still have a job?”
He rolled his eyes. “As if I’d ever let you go. You know you’re too valuable to us.”
“Would this be a good time to ask for a bigger budget? I want to expand the server room.”
He laughed. “Nice try.”
I shrugged. “It’s what I do.”
He clapped my shoulder. “You do so much more than that, Reid. So much more.” He squeezed the muscle tightly. “You’re part of the team. Be sure to stay around.” He studied me. “You stood up to me. Very few people do that.”
“Yeah, I did. I guess I should apologize for my rudeness.”
“No, I deserved it, so I’ll let you off the hook this time.” He smirked. “You’ve come a long way, Reid.”
He turned toward the door, then glanced back with a wink. “Don’t make a habit of it, though.”
He pulled open the door and left. Maddox clapped me on the back and followed him. Aiden regarded me, shaking his head.
“What?”
“You keep things interesting, kid.”
I chuckled.
His hand fell on my shoulder. “Be careful, Reid. We need you here. Becca needs you here.”
“I will, Aiden. I swear. I had no choice. Not with that.”
He nodded. “I know. But we care.”
It was my turn to clap his shoulder.
“I know. You’d be lost without me.”
He flexed his shoulders, grinning. “Whatever, kid. I just like having you around to order pizza.”
“Should I charge it to Maddox today?”
He opened the door and winked. “I think Bentley.”
“I’m putting your name on it.”
“Right on,” he called, walking down the hall. “I’m good with that.”
Becca came into my office, holding her laptop. “Reid, this is . . .” Her voice trailed off as she took in the boxes still sitting on my sofa.
“What’s going on?”
I waved my hand. “Nothing. It’s fine.”
She set down her laptop on my desk and looked behind her. “Why are there boxes on your sofa?”
I sighed. “Bentley wasn’t overly happy with me, and we had words. I might have yelled and told him off.” I shrugged. “Or something to that effect.”
“Because of what you did? For me?”
“Yes.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Well, I have something to say to him myself.” She headed toward the door, determined and angry. I jumped up, catching her around the waist before she made it there, and pulled her back. I closed the door as she tried to wiggle out of my hold.
“Hold up, tiger. We’ve settled everything.”
“You aren’t losing your job over this!”
“I won’t. I didn’t. We had words, and we cleared the air. Everything is fine,” I soothed. “You can retract your claws now. No need to go for the kill.”
She huffed out a snarl, making me laugh. She flung her arms around me, pressing her lips to mine. Surprised, I yanked her close, kissing her enthusiastically. She was breaking one of her own rules when it came to heavy petting in the workplace.
I was good with that. So good, I decided I needed to shuffle over to the sofa, and get rid of those boxes, then put it to a far better use. Namely, Becca under me, moaning my name. It would ease the tension of the morning.
Becca, however, had other ideas. She eased back, pressing one final kiss to my mouth.
“What was that for?”
“For being you. For putting me first. For being so . . . manly.” She growled the last word.
I punched my hips into hers. “Why don’t I show you how manly I am?” I reached behind me, flicking the lock. “The sofa is very comfortable.”
She watched me, her brow furrowed in contemplation. I could feel her indecision.
“I can be fast, baby.”
She slid her hands up my arms. “That would be so naughty.”
I nodded. “I like naughty.”
She rose on her toes, and I lowered my head eagerly just as the door behind me shook with fierce knocking. “Reid! Pizza is here, and Bentley is out for blood. You didn’t get him any goat cheese.” The door handle rattled. “Come on, dude!”
“I’ll be right there!” I bellowed, hoping he would go away. But I knew the moment was broken.
Becca’s wide eyes met mine. “I guess I’ll have to give you a rain check.”
“Yes. You owe me.”
A grin curled her lips. “Maybe a private dance later? I learned a new move on the pole I haven’t shown you.”
I loved watching Becca dance using her pole. She made every fantasy I had come true, and sex was always wild with her after she was done.
If I allowed her to finish a routine. I wasn’t sure I had ever seen one in its entirety.
She was too sexy for her own good. Or mine.
I bent down and kissed her.
“Deal.”
Reid
The sound of the engine in the plane was a muted hum. For the second time in a month, I was on a trip. I glanced around the interior of the private plane in awe. Leaning over, I grinned at Becca. “Good thing we didn’t fly private the first time. Commercial would have been an extreme letdown after this luxury.”
She laughed. “Don’t get used to it. I don’t think we can spring for this ourselves.”