Unmoved by Zoey’s glare, he put a proprietary arm around her shoulders. “We’ll be here.”
Stump could feel Zoey trembling in anger against him. Unfazed, he remained unmoving, despite Zoey trying to tug him inside her office until Kristen got on the elevator.
“What was that about?” she hissed as he finally let her succeed in getting him inside.
“Just wanted to get my message across.”
“Which message was that? That you’re a jerk, or that you left your caveman club at home?”
“The one that says you’re off the market.”
“I wasn’t on the market, you big ape. I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life! Did you see the way he looked at me?”
“Yes, I did. That’s why I gave him mine.”
“He wasn’t interested in me! Kristen is very shy—”
“Shy, my ass.” He snorted, unperturbed by her anger.
“Stump, if you ever do that again, I’ll… I’ll….”
“You’ll do what? Stop letting me touch you? That won’t work. You pretend not to know me whenever you go out, and you’ve been working every night for Mrs. Combs, even though you know I’m there. How long do you think you can go without any sleep and only to your house to shower and change?”
Zoey’s shoulders slumped. “I’ve been getting plenty of sleep. Mrs. Combs isn’t doing well. I’m just in her room while Patrick works and gets sleep.”
“That’s not why you’ve been spending so much time there, and we both know it. You’re afraid of me getting hurt.”
“It’s working, isn’t it? Nothing has happened in the last three weeks. Whoever is watching knows I’m not here with you. You can’t hide forever, Zoey. I won’t let you.”
“Fortunately, it’s not your decision. It’s mine.”
He trailed a lone finger down her cheek. “Don’t you miss me? I miss you.”
“No.”
He curved his hand around the back of her neck as he steadily maneuvered her toward the couch.
“Stump, behave. Another client will be here in ten minutes.”
“I only need five.” Giving her a gentle shove, she fell backward onto the couch. Following her down, he groaned when his body came into contact with her soft one.
“Get off! I’m not going to make-out with you on the couch!”
“Have you ever made out with anyone on this couch before?”
“Of course not!”
Stump sucked an earlobe into his mouth, his body hardening over hers. “Are you sure you don’t miss this?”
He grinned when he heard her clear her throat.
“You’ve never done that before.”
“You know something else I haven’t done before?” He lazily bit down on ear before releasing it to lick her parted lips.
“What?” she squeaked out.
“This.”
Stump rose off her, and then he reached down to pull her up. Taking her hand, he led her out of her office.
“Penni, tell Zoey’s next client she’s going out to get a tea.”
“Bring me one back!” Penni waved as he gave Zoey a mischievous grin while taking her inside the elevator.
“Stump, you hate tea.”
“We aren’t going to the tea shop.” Pressing the top floor button, he kissed her, enjoying that, while she didn’t respond passionately, she didn’t pull away either. “I miss the old Zoey.”
“The old Zoey?” she whispered.
Hearing the elevator door open, he took her hand and led her from the elevator and through another door.
“Where are you taking me?” she panted out as he started up the steps.
“To the roof. Have you been up there before?” Going up the steps, he didn’t release her hand, giving her no choice but to follow behind.
“No, of course not.”
Keying in the code, he opened the door that led them into the sunshine.
“How did you get the code? I don’t even have it, and I rent an office here.”
“I guess the owner didn’t think access to the roof was part of the bargain he had with you to be his life coach.”
Stump watched in amusement as she wandered out into the sun-drenched rooftop deck.
“I had no idea it was like this, or I would have included it. This is fantastic.” Zoey gaped as she walked farther out.
The owner had potted plants and a table that only had two chairs. Stump watched as she walked to the waist-high concrete wall to look down.
“It’s beautiful.” She raised her arms to the sky, taking a deep breath.
“There’s the Zoey I love,” he said, coming up behind her to place his arms around her waist.
“I have been a little distracted lately,” she admitted.
He gently massaged her waist through the thin material of her dress as a breeze sent tendrils of her hair flying. “What’s been keeping you from giving me that smile I loved seeing every morning?” Incrementally, he moved his massaging hand lower as he started gathering the bottom of her dress with his other one.
“I don’t want anyone watching us together.”
“What else?” Thinking he was being sly, he smiled when she caught his hand as he tried to slide it under her panties, pressing on it to slow his ascent.