Chapter 37

**Artemis**


I’m feeling off today. I have never gone into work unfocused more than I have since Blue entered my life. Now my mind is occupied with the word vomit of a confession I made to her last night. When I heard her flirting with someone on the phone I couldn’t help but lay claim to her. Once I told her how I felt I had hoped I would get more of a reaction out of her, but she didn’t give me much. She looked at me like she wasn’t sure if she could trust my words. It confused me and I had to leave the room to get a grip on myself. Working seemed to be a good distraction but it only proved more frustrating. I thought I had a breakthrough but when I ran a simulation there was still one mistake that traveled through everything and stalled the whole thing.

This project has tested every part of my sanity, and here I thought I was a skilled coder, but this problem has me questioning that. I’ve considered reaching out to an acquaintance who is an amazing hacker. If anyone can find a weak point in a program, it’s a hacker. I don’t usually like to outsource help on our software but I’m desperate at this point. Any help from this point would be welcomed. It’s clear me and my team can’t crack this, so what choice do I really have?

I didn’t bother going to sleep last night and went into the office early. Being in the same house as Blue and trying to work was a nightmare, but I didn’t want to leave her alone all night. When I was driving myself to the office I made sure to tell my guys to head to my house around nine so they wouldn’t wake her.

Then after a couple hours into working I realize that something is missing and if I don’t get what I need here I won’t be able to do anything else. I need Blue here with me. It doesn’t make sense since she is a clear distraction to me, but I also can’t seem to not have her around. She’ll probably get tired of me if I keep going this way, but I’m just as uncomfortable with my need to be around her so much. Anytime I’m with her I don’t stress about work or family or anything else. She’s a calming light in all that chaos and I think I need that right now.

So, I decided to get her down here as soon as possible. She may be the remedy I need to finally get shit done. Or maybe I’m still not over hearing her laugh and flirting with her friend and I want to make sure no other man gets within five feet of her. Thinking about her face when she was talking to that guy makes my blood boil. She said there isn’t anything between us but like shit do I believe that. Men can’t be friends with a girl and not feel attracted to her at some point. She claims he’s gay but he could also be attracted to her. He might like both men and women! It’s possible and that’s enough for me to hate the guy.

“Permission to enter?” Alan’s head peeks through a crack in the door.

“Why do you bother asking if we both know you’ll do what you want.”

He chuckles and saunters in. “You’re right, but I like pissing you off. It’s just the pickup I need in the mornings.”

“How are things going with our new security?” I ask changing the subject to work matters.

He shrugs and sits across from me. “They seem to understand their assignments but only time will tell how good they are. I’m keeping a close eye on them though. With the screw ups they’ve caused even if only one of them was caught, whose to say they won’t cause a mess here too. Why did you bring them on anyway? We have our own security here.”

“I’m making sure our untrustworthy client isn’t bringing in any money until his contract is signed. The long it takes for him to sign the longer his men will go without work.”

“You’re not going to pay them for their time?” He leans his elbows on his knees and smirks.

“I’ll pay them what they earn after I take a share of the money, we lost from them jerking us around.”

He chuckles. “You’re a cold bastard, but I have to agree with this plan. They don’t deserve for us to help them a second time, but this will teach them a lesson they won’t forget.”

“That’s the idea.”

A knock on the door gets both of our attention but instead of waiting for whoever it is to come in Alan jumps to his feet and opens it himself.

“Well, isn’t this a surprise.”

“You must be Alan.” The sound of Blue’s voice has me on my feet and walking over to pull Alan away from her.

“That’s right beautiful. You must be Blue.”

“I am. It’s nice to meet you.”

I reach them just as they are about to shake hands, but I grab the back of Alan’s jacket and tug him out of the way just in time. He stumbles back from the unexpected force, but I don’t bother checking on him. My attention is completely focused on Blue. She’s pulled half of her hair up and it looks like she’s wearing a small amount of make-up. Most of the time I spend together she doesn’t wear any and I think I prefer that, but she still looks pretty with it. She has on an oversized sweater with a bunny face printed on it and when she leans sideways to check on Alan I see that the hood of her sweater had bunny ears on it. She’s paired it with some tight jeans and a brand-new pair of clack high top converse.

I don’t think I’ve seen anyone wearing an outfit like this but it suits her so I don’t hate it.

“You made it.” I say suddenly.

She stands straight and looks up at me. Her smile is a little shy today, but I’m just glad she’s here.

“Your text didn’t give much room for refusing.” Her lip quirks up in the corner and I feel a little more relaxed.

I was afraid things would be tense between us, but I guess not.

“So…can I come in? Or did you pick a desk out here for me?” She looks around the office and points at one of the desks not currently being used. “That one looks free. What would you have me work on boss? I think I could answer a phone, but I’m not great at small talk so maybe that’s a no go.”

Alan chuckles from behind me and all the amusement I felt a second ago from her rambles fizzles up in my annoyance.

“You aren’t getting a desk out here. If you did work for me, you would get a desk next to mine where I can supervise you.” I tell her which makes her roll her eyes but she’s smiling too.

Truthfully, I wouldn’t care what she was doing as long as she was close to me.

Uh, when did I turn into a sap. I used to be cold and distant from everything and now I’m sprouting nonsense. At least I didn’t say that out loud. Alan wouldn’t let me live it down and everyone would be hearing about it in less than an hour. He’s a real dick sometimes. Most of the time and I’ve come close to attempting to kick his ass a time or two. I never have because although we go to the gym together, he’s a lot bulkier than me and would lay me out in a second.

Like I said…he’s a dick. Or dickhead. Whichever you prefer.

I move back and hold the door for Blue. She walks in and takes the seat next to Alan across from my desk.

“I’m so glad I’m getting to meet you, Alan. You must have a lot of stories about Artemis. I want to hear all the worst you got stashed away.” She blinks at him with wide interested eyes and I glare at the back of his head hoping he’ll sense me and back off.

He of course doesn’t feel a thing and smiles at her like the cat that got the canary.

“Well, there was this time where he fell asleep at his desk and-“

“Get out Alan!” I snap at him, but he laughs and doesn’t make a move to listen.

Instead, he leans closer to Blue. “We’ll talk later.” He whispers to her.

He finally stands and gives me an amused look before heading for the door. I watch him go and he stops just outside the door to wink at me. I want to get up and slam the door in his face but he closes it before I get a chance.

“He seems nice.” Blue says getting my attention back on her.

“He’s an asshole.” I grumble.
She chuckles. “You can be an asshole yourself. What’s that saying…birds of a feather flock together.”

“We are nothing alike.” I snap at her.

She smiles wide at me. “If you say so. Now can you tell me why you summoned me here?”

Do I?

I open my mouth to say something dumb like how I need her, but my phone rings. I see my lawyers name on the caller ID. Why is he calling?