“Really?”
He snorted. Instead of the apprehension he was expecting, he saw the heat of arousal. Jesus. Her nipples under the blouse were hard and tight, and a light flush covered her face.
“Woman, if you don’t stop looking at me like that, I’m dragging you to the condo, stripping you, and then giving you the loving you’re silently asking for.”
She shuddered and looked away.
He took a few breaths and tried to relax. God, he hoped he hadn’t scared her.
“Are you ready to go shopping?”
“I … yes.”
“Good girl.” He stood, pulled her up, and wrapped an arm around her waist.
In the furniture store, they looked over desks. A few times, she went for the price tag, but all he had to do was run a threatening hand over her ass, and she froze and then relaxed.
He was just giving her a little reminder of what would happen. And if it gave him an excuse to spank her, he’d be a happy man.
She chose a lighter cherrywood solid desk and a soft, feminine cushioned chair for the office. She had great taste, and he knew he would have picked the same ones.
He bought it and paid for it to be delivered that day within the hour. Money usually made things happen. He wanted it in place when he brought her back to the office to surprise her.
Then he took them to the same office supply store they’d gotten his things from. They went over the whole store. He could tell she was getting frustrated because there were so many things in the store.
Every time she’d pick something, he’d have a clerk take it up to the front and then push her to look at more.
By the time they’d seen everything, there were six different desk sets, eight various lamps, and an assortment of other things.
“It’s actually easier to see everything next to each other.”
He kissed the side of her head. He knew the store had become overwhelming to her. “I thought so. Take your time.”
“Don’t we have to be back at the office?”
“No, remember, I haven’t officially started.”
She nodded and turned back to the selections. Another thirty minutes passed until she made her decisions.
Eli guessed they’d given the furniture store enough time.
He grabbed her hand when she went to pick up the bags. “I’ll carry this. You can carry the lamp.”
When they walked off the elevator, Mrs. Bennet tipped her head and grinned. Eli smiled. The furniture had come.
He mouthed thank you and urged Kinley down the hallway.
He opened the door, and she walked in behind him and froze.
“Oh, my gosh. Eli, look, the furniture is here already.”
“Good. I like that store. They are very efficient. Now we can get our desks set up.”
They moved her desk a little, but he wanted it in front of him, so he saw her when he looked up.
He guessed the only time he’d feel at peace was when he was able to see and touch her.