“You’re the only one here setting a pace, sweet Mallory.” He kisses right below my ear and pulls back once again.

“So, boyfriend and girlfriend?” The question seems so juvenile, but for some reason, I want some kind of label before he leaves town. He said we’re exclusive, but I want to know what to call him.

“You’re mine.” The way he says it seems so final, and a thrill runs through me. “And I’m yours.”

“You always say the sweetest things.” I look down at my lap, trying to hide my warm cheeks.

“Only to you.” His hand comes under my chin, lifting it so my eyes meet his again. “You going to let me take you to work and give me a goodbye?”

I lick my lips and nod, and he kisses me yet again.

Chapter Eleven

Mallory

* * *

Oz and I sit and enjoy our breakfast for a few more minutes until it’s time for us to go. I’m secretly glad he came over so early because it meant we got to spend as much time together as we could before he left. Getting to know each other a little more. He told me stories about him and his mother. She seems to be the only other person he really talks about. It’s sweet and I find it rather endearing.

When we get in the back of the limo, I sit on his lap like the other times before. I like that he wants me close, but it’s going to make being apart from him for a few days even harder.

“When are you coming back?” I ask as he kisses my neck.

“Saturday. If all goes to plan.” He releases a huff, and I can tell he doesn’t want to go. Whether it’s because of me or the aggravation of work, I’m unsure. Either way, I can tell he doesn’t want to go as much as I don’t want him to.

He looks up at me with his sapphires, and I get lost in them. The bright navy blues make me fall for him a little more every day. I stroke his trimmed beard and look into his eyes as we ride the three blocks to work.

“Next time, you should come with me,” he says, running his big hands down my back.

I kiss him, letting my tongue slip past his lips. He holds me closer to him, deepening it and taking control. But all too soon the limo stops.

He presses his forehead to mine, and I sit there, taking in his scent one last time before he’s gone.

“It’s a few days. We’ll be fine. Right?”

Oz laughs as he pulls back, but he shakes his head. “I’ll be fine when I have you in my arms again. Don’t make plans Saturday. I want you all to myself.” He runs his finger down my cheek to my chin, where he lightly grips it. “Deal?”

“Deal,” I quickly agree. I want nothing more than to have a whole day with Oz, getting to know him even more.

“Now get to work before I make you late, baby. Saying goodbye is hard enough for me.”

One more quick kiss and he’s opening the door and helping me out.

“Promise me you’ll keep your phone on you at all times while I’m gone. I’ll go crazy if I can’t get in touch with you,” he says, pulling me in for a hug.

“I promise.” I squeeze him back, before looking up to his blues, longing to get back in that limo with him.

I finally pull back and walk toward the building. I turn and look back one last time before entering. He’s still there, watching me go in, and I can’t help but think we are both a little head over heels in this.

It’s only for a couple of days. We’ll be fine. That’s what I keep telling myself over and over as I wave goodbye and go into Osbourne Corp. It’s Wednesday morning. I can make it to Saturday. A little distance might do us some good.

Before I enter the elevator, my phone buzzes, and I take it out of my bag to see a text.

Oz: I’ll email you today, in case you can’t keep checking your phone at your desk.

I scan my pass at the elevator, sending back a bunch of kisses to Oz. I smile at how silly we are being, but life is short, so why not?

I’ve come to realize that things in life aren’t guaranteed, and I’ve had to work for all that I’ve gotten. But what’s the point if there’s no one to share it with? I’ve got Paige, who is like a sister to me. But having someone like Oz is different. Everything could be gone tomorrow, so I want to live in the moment and enjoy what I’ve got. And if that means letting myself fall for a guy I hardly know, then so be it. We’ll get to know each other as time goes on. And along the way, I want to have fun together.

I’m confident and sure of myself as I make my way to my desk and get ready for the day.

Not long after I arrive, Skyler comes in.

“Good morning,” I offer as she passes by my desk to her own, but she makes a sound like a grunt.

Thinking maybe she’s having a bad morning, I go back to my stack of paperwork and get started. After about fifteen minutes, I hear Eric at his desk. Late again, as usual. He says hello over his cubicle wall, and Skyler says, “Good morning,” to him over the top of my head. What the hell? She doesn’t even like Eric. “Morning,” I say, and go back to what I was doing. Maybe she needed a few minutes to wake up.

I hear a ping on my computer and look up to see a new email.

From: [email protected]

Subject: Testing...

Hey, baby

Just seeing if this works okay. I’m at the airport waiting on the tarmac to take off, but I’ll have in-flight Wi-Fi all the way to London. I hope your day goes well and you have something tasty for lunch. Can you do me a favor and eat in the cafeteria again today? I know you mentioned the food isn’t great, but I worry about you when I’m not there. If you don’t want to go down there, I can have something delivered to your desk again. Be as safe as possible while you’re out of my arm’s reach. I’d go crazy thinking something might happen to you while I’m away. I’ll send you another email this afternoon once we are in flight and I’ve taken care of some business.