There’s no way I’ll let him lay a finger on Skye.
“Thanks,” she says, looking at the floor.
I grab her chin and tilt it up to my face. Her cheeks are red and she keeps her eyes shifted down.
“Look at me.”
Skye remains frozen but I don’t let go of her chin. I rub my thumb over her bottom lip, in an attempt to soothe her. At last her eyes slide up my face, until they meet mine.
“I have to clean up my stuff,” she says.
“Let me help.”
Supplies are scattered over the floor, and I crouch to pick whatever up I can. Skye crawls on her hands and knees, gathering things. It’s distracting to watch her, and it makes me want to move behind her and pull her ass up against me.
We set back up the table she’s fastened out of a board and two folding chairs. Different paint colors now stain my right pant leg and the cuffs of both my arms. It doesn’t matter, I’d rather make her feel at ease. The faster I can do that, the sooner I can convince her to get out of here.
Once we’re satisfied the board is steady, we start loading it. Skye seems to have some organization system. I pass the fallen pieces to her and she puts the item where she wants it.
“What’s he paying you? I’ll triple it.” I say.
Her lips snarl. “No way, I’m not having you pay me off. I’m going to earn my way in life.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. I’m not part of your entitled crowd. I prefer to earn my place in life.”
“What? You think I haven’t worked for everything I have?”
“No, but—”
“But what? I’ve worked hundred-hour weeks for the past decade. Does that meet with your approval?”
“Yes, but—”
“But what? It doesn’t fit with your little narrative?
“I don’t know what happens to you when you put on a suit, but it sure turns you into a prick.”
“It’s not me who changes, it’s you. I’m exactly the exact same. You, on the other hand, see what you want to see.”
Skye stops what she’s doing and stands, turning to face me with a small frown. “I do no such thing.”
I set down her brushes and cup her cheeks. Her eyelids become heavy, half shielding her brown eyes.
“You do, I’ll show you,” I say. I bring my lips to hers, and she readily submits to me. Our kiss deepens and I slide one hand behind her head, working my fingers through her hair to hold her in place.
She tastes so good I could stay like this all day, but I can’t risk Kelso coming in and seeing us kiss. That would only spur on any plans he has for Skye.
I pull my head back, trying to break the kiss, but she goes up on her toes, not letting me go. Enough. I hold her head in place with my hand and stand to my full height.
Out of her reach, I look down at her and ask, “Still seeing the big, bad rich guy?”
Her shoulders raise in a shrug, and she flashes a coy smile. “Maybe.”
“Is that an attempt to get me to kiss you again?”
Skye’s smile increases, revealing her perfect teeth. I release my hand from her hair and run my fingers down until I reach the small of her back. I snap her to me, the length of our bodies tight against each other.
Leaning, I put my face to the top of her hair. The flowery smell is divine and I inhale several breaths of it.
Skye is quiet, and I notice she’s trembling in my arms.
I kiss over her hair and bring my lips to her ears. I say, “I worry about you, is all. Trust me, Kelso is a first-rate scumbag.”
“Lawson? What the fuck are you doing here?” As if on cue, Kelso’s voice booms through the cavernous entranceway.
In a natural movement, I release Skye and leave her behind as I move to Kelso.
“Just helping your artist pick up her dropped paints.”
He glares at Skye and says, “That better not stain my floor, Ms Simmons.”
I position my body between Kelso and Skye, shielding her from his glare.
“It won’t,” Skye snaps.
My breath pauses at her reaction, prompting me to smile broadly at Kelso.
“I’ve come to discuss the lawsuit. Shall we?” I offer, my left hand on Kelso’s arm and my right pointing down his hallway.
Stunned, Kelso looks around before he turns and leads me deeper into his half-finished house.
“You’re wasting your time,” he says.
“And you’re wasting your money. Do us both a favor and drop this legal crap. It’s straightforward enough to carve off your part of the business. We’ve always treated it as a separate division. You have no claim over the hotel side.”
“I built them.”
“Anyone could’ve built them. Why do you keep deluding yourself otherwise? It’s only your money you’ll end up losing, not mine.”