Chapter Fifty-Three -

McKenna

I rush back to work, slightly dishevelled. Lunch with Paxton became more than food. We didn’t get any work done. We were too busy having sex on the blanket on the floor. We couldn’t help ourselves since we haven’t had much alone time recently. I pull up in my car with only a couple of minutes to spare. I gather myself and rush into the office, settling down at my desk. I take a moment to catch my breath. 

“That much have been some lunch.” My colleague Libby smirks. 

“Um, I was with a friend,” I reply. 

Libby raises her brow at me, “A special friend?” 

“I don’t know what you mean,” I say, acting clueless. 

She couldn’t possibly know what I was doing. 

“The hickeys on your neck tell a different story. I am positive they weren’t there before you left for lunch.” She laughs. 

“What?”

“You have two hickeys on your neck.” She says, pointing to both sides of my neck. 

I am going to kill him! I have clients this afternoon. It wouldn’t look very professional of me with those damn things on my neck. 

“He is a dead man,” I whine. 

I can’t allow my manager to see them. I remove my hair from the tie, trying to hide them. 

“I wish I had someone to fill my lunch break with. You never mentioned you had a boyfriend.” 

“I know. It is still pretty new. No one really knows about it.” 

I don’t want to say too much, or she may have questions. Libby is great, fun and sweet, but she can be very nosy. 

“The start of relationships is always the best, especially when you are in your own little world.” She smiles. 

I nod in agreement, “Yes, it is. Can you still see the marks on my neck? I don’t want the clients seeing them.” I sigh. 

Libby pulls her drawer open and rummages through it. 

“You can still notice them. Here, put this around your neck.” 

She comes over to my desk and hands me a scarf. I quickly position it around my neck before my manager returns. 

“Thank you. I will get it back to you.” 

“Keep it. I have loads, way too many.” She chuckles. 

I laugh with her before we focus on work. My next client would be here in an hour. I take my cell from my bag and open a text to Paxton. 

I am going to kill you! I said no hickeys! Now, I need to hide them from my boss and clients xx

Without even being in the same room with him. I know he will be smirking when he reads it, proud of his work. 

I would apologise, but I wouldn’t mean it. I like to leave my mark on what is mine. I will look forward to your lecture later xx

I chuckle, shaking my head. His response doesn’t surprise me. I don’t have the chance to reply because my boss returns from her lunch break. We all have a busy afternoon ahead of us. I won’t finish until later than usual tonight. One of our clients can’t make her viewing until later due to work. I don’t mind. The overtime is good for me. I could do with the extra cash since my hours are going to be less when I return to classes. I am going to be exhausted between work and classes. I won’t have much free time for anything. 

Hopefully, I can cut down on work once I have my new car and an apartment. Adulting sucks!

I sigh and clear my thoughts to concentrate on work. I am eager for my two nights at Paxton’s apartment. It is a shame he will only be there for one. The only downfall is that Paxton will be gone after those nights. I am going to be miserable when he leaves. Having things to focus on and keep my mind busy will be good. 

***
It is nearly ten at night when I arrive home. The house is in darkness. Paxton and Carter went out for dinner, pool and drinks. I am happy they can get one last guy night before Paxton leaves. My brother has liked having him around for more than a day or two here and there. 

I plan on taking advantage of having the house to myself. All I want is to relax in a warm bubble bath with candles and music, maybe read for a bit. I won’t be up long, not only because I am tired, but I am up at six tomorrow morning. I don’t need to eat since I had dinner. 

I stroll inside, heading straight upstairs. I start a bath and change into a dressing gown, collapsing onto my bed. I need to put my cell on charge, the battery died about two hours ago. Once it is switched back on, a couple of texts come through from Paxton. 

Hey, beautiful, are you home yet? Xx

He sent the first one over an hour ago. The second one is him panicking. 

Dimples, are you okay? Why is your cell off? I worry when you are doing showings alone especially at night. Please text me back xx

The second one came through only a few minutes ago. I reply quickly before he starts to freak out too much. 

Hey, sorry, I am fine. I am home. My battery died. I didn’t mean to worry you, handsome xx

I can’t call him. One, because he won’t be able to hear me, and the second, because he is with my brother. 

Thank God you are okay. It is fine, angel, as long as you are safe xx

I am. I am just going to take a bath and then go to bed. I am exhausted. Enjoy your bight with Carter. Don’t forget to sneak in to see me when you get home xx

I would rather be there with you. I will never forget that baby girl. I won’t be too late back xx

See you when you get back xx

I don’t want to be a distraction to him while he is with my brother. I put my cell aside. My bath shouldn’t be long. I set everything up in the bathroom and slip into the tub. I sigh in relief as the warmth surrounds my tired body. I better make sure I don’t fall asleep. 

Half an hour later, I climb out and wrap a towel around myself, returning to my bedroom. I sit on the edge of the bed, and an idea comes to mind. Paxton says one of his favourite looks on me is when I come out of the bath or a shower with my hair down and still wet. I smirk, reaching for my cell. I take a couple of cute photos. 

I dry off, head to his room and steal one of his tees. I slip it on and climb onto his bed. I lie down, pushing the tee up by my thighs and snap another photo. I finish off with one of me on my knees, my legs parted, and my most seductive look on my face. I shouldn’t be doing this; not whole he is with my brother. I don’t tend to send photos like these to men. Paxton is different. I trust him. He would never show them to anyone. 

I return to my room and open a text to him. 

For your eyes only! Two-minute warning xx

I give him the heads up so he knows to look at it alone. I wait a few minutes, attach the pictures to a text and send it to them. He may not see them right away. 

I put my cell down and dry my hair. I hate to go to bed with wet hair. I grab some snacks once I am done to have in bed. I switch the big light off, keeping a lamp on to give me enough light. I light some candles and put music on at a low volume. I pick a book and settle in bed. I relax. I will fall asleep, eventually. I check my cell to see if Paxton has replied. He hasn’t. He hasn’t read them yet. He will get around to them. I hope he doesn’t forget to come in and say goodnight when he gets back before he goes to bed.