Chapter Eleven: All About Balance
Harper
I’d never been in a casual relationship before. The whole no-strings-attached thing had never appealed to me, but I couldn’t ignore my attraction to Bones. I’d tried that already, and I kept finding myself drawn to him.
I decided to step out of my comfort zone and give this arrangement a try. The most difficult thing would be forcing myself not to think about the future. There wasn’t one with Bones, and I understood that, so I would keep myself focused on the present.
Bones knew how to have fun, which was something I could use a lot more of in my life. I’d prioritized work for so long that somewhere along the way I had forgotten how to enjoy myself. Last night at the boardwalk, he’d reminded me.
Today, I sat in my office, which was a small, windowless room at the end of a short hallway next to the employee break room. I liked managing the place, but sometimes I felt like I was drowning in paperwork. Today I had to make the employee schedule. I was in charge of staffing the whole casino, from the table workers to the waitstaff. The only personnel I didn’t have to worry about was the extra security provided by Rebel Saints. It was handled as if they were a private contractor, so I didn’t have to worry about who would be here, as long as someone showed up. So far, Bones had arranged to have someone here during our peak hours, between noon and midnight every day. Of course, business picked up on the weekends, but we had enough regular customers, people who actually tried to make a living gambling, so the floor was never completely empty.
I wasn’t sure who Bones had out on the floor today, since I’d been in my office since I arrived at work two hours ago. Finally, I completed next week’s schedule, sending it to the printer so I could post it in the breakroom. There were going to be complaints, there always were, but I had figured out a long time ago that it was impossible to please everyone. Some employees weren’t going to be happy with the hours or days they were given.
My more pressing concern was finding a replacement for the waitress I’d been forced to let go yesterday. I was in the process of filling out a posting on a job search website when a knock sounded on my door. “Come in,” I called, keeping my attention on the computer screen even as the door opened. Probably one of my employees since it was time for the shift change. This was when it would be most convenient for them to talk to me.
I was trying to finish typing a job description for the online posting when the familiar scent of Bones’ cologne reached me. Turning, I saw him close the door behind him.
He looked good today. He always did, but it looked like he’d gotten a haircut since last night. The black growth had been trimmed down tight to his skull so it was the same length as the stubble beard he maintained. He wore the black cut-off jacket that he usually wore, and a braided leather necklace with a pendant that looked like a spearhead hanging around his neck.
“Hi,” I said, not even embarrassed at blatantly checking him out. Things had shifted between us so I didn’t feel awkward about that kind of thing anymore. We might not really be in a relationship, but there was no doubt in either of our minds that I wanted him and he wanted me.
“I’m going to keep an eye on the casino again today,” he said, walking the short distance across the room and coming around my desk. He barely fit, the room was so narrow and his shoulders so broad. My body had still been turned to the computer, my hands resting on the keyboard as I was in the middle of typing when he distracted me.
Taking a hold of the arms of my chair, he turned me to face him, and I was reminded of our first kiss in my kitchen when he’d boxed me in against the counter. I was surprised to find I liked it then and now. I didn’t feel intimidated by his actions because I trusted that he’d back up if I really wanted him to. This show of dominance had an almost druglike effect on me, getting my blood pumping and clearing my mind of anything that wasn’t Bones’ touch.
“I just wanted to say hi before I got to work,” he said, and his mouth was on mine before I could form a response.
This kiss was different from that first one in the kitchen, just as the one on the Ferris wheel had been. While our first one had been passionate, it was also new and slightly hesitant at first. We didn’t know each other very well. After our ride together last night and learning about his ex-wife and son, I felt like I was getting a clear picture of who this man really was, and I liked it.
This time, Bones was demanding as he slipped his tongue into my mouth, tangling with my own. A deep longing formed in the center of my body as his hand went to the back of my head, weaving his fingers into my hair and pulling just enough to make me tilt my head back further but not enough to hurt.
He swallowed my moan and I reached out, wanting to put my hands on him, I didn’t care where. My palms landed on his chest, on his rock hard pecs. Trailing up, I found his shoulders and wrapped my hands around his neck, trying to pull him closer. But he was strong enough to resist that and to my disappointment, he broke the kiss a moment later. I let out a small sound of frustration that made him chuckle.
“Did you forget where we are?” he asked with laughter in his eyes. “I don’t think you want to get caught doing this at work, so we should probably stop now.”
“You started it,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest. I immediately felt childish.
Bones smirked. “How was I supposed to know that I had such a strong effect on you?”
The wicked look in his eyes told me he knew exactly what kind of effect he had, and he liked knowing he was teasing me by planting that kind of kiss on my mouth when he knew we couldn’t get swept up in this desire at work.
Well, two could play at that game.
The space on this side of my desk was so limited that Bones stood less than a foot away from me.
Standing, I stretched my arms over my head and arched my back, like I normally would do after sitting in one place such a long time. The difference was that this time Bones was so close my breasts brushed against his chest.
His darkened eyes darted to the small amount of cleavage visible in my V-neck top, and his tongue peeked out to lick his lips. He reached out to put an arm around my waist, probably intending to pull me closer.
I saw it coming and turned with the grace of a dancer, slipping past him and walking around the desk.
Bones let out a huff that reflected my own frustration.
I glanced over my shoulder at him.
“You’ll pay for that,” he promised.
I had a feeling I wouldn’t mind it at all. “Maybe, but right now, I have work to do.” Picking up the clipboard I used to write down any observations or concerns on the casino floor, I pulled open the door while Bones came back around the desk.