I staggered a bit at that realization, as I always did. Never did I think I would get married, because I never thought I was good enough, or that anyone would want me. That was how my family had conditioned me, after all.

Yet, I was the one engaged to the office god. Though that didn’t mean I wasn’t still getting shit from the Boob Squad.

Nathan’s public proposal had really thrown them for a loop. Jennifer, the one who outed us, thought she could get her claws in him. In her mind, we were just a fling, and I was some chick he was screwing with.

Oh, how I loved the look on her face when she found out we’d been living together, and even more so when he got down on one knee in front of everyone.

Still, they were on me, telling me that it wasn’t going to last or informing me of the divorce rates. They even went so far as to say they’d seen him when they were out to lunch with another woman and that he was doomed to cheat on me. I had to laugh at that one, because the woman was Erin, his cousin.

Life without Nathan in the office took some getting used to. The day after Nathan left, Owen moved to Nathan’s desk and became my new partner. It was nice not to have the Boob Squad interrupting the day except when they really needed help. Owen was a cutie and really sweet, but he was of no interest to them—it was a shame they couldn’t see it, because he really was a catch. Lucky for Amy, his girlfriend, the bitches were blind.

I ached for Nathan as I watched the hours tick by until I was able to leave and return home to him.

“Quit daydreaming, future Mrs. Thorne. It’s fifteen after,” he called, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Shit!” I rushed to the back of the closet and pulled out some heels, slipped them on, then raced into the bathroom for a little bit of makeup. “Will I be seeing some random dirty texts from you today?”

“You miss my ass, don’t you? Admit it.”

I sighed and rolled my eyes. “Yes, Nathan—just like I told you yesterday and the day before that.” I used a higher-pitched girlie voice as I continued on, my hand resting on my chest as I over-acted. “I ache for you all day long. I watch the hours tick by until I can return home to you. My life just isn’t the same without you ramming me against the office wall and threatening me with your manhood when our office peers have their backs turned. ” I fluttered my lashes at him for a second and smirked.

He laughed out loud, kissing my forehead. “Smart ass.” He slapped my ass.

He knew I missed him like crazy. He just liked to rub it in and get me to tell him over and over how much I needed and wanted him all the time. Bastard.

I loved it, too. It was one of my favorite games we played.

“You know you can’t get enough of my cock. That’s why I send you those dirty texts. When you get home, you’re so wet, and it’s all for me. All I have to do is shove your panties to the side and I’m in.”

“Charming, as always.” I rolled my eyes, but he caught me biting my lip and smirked. “But you’re all talk.” I waved my hand at him. “You send some sweet ones, too. So, it turns out there’s a heart attached to that dick somewhere.”

“Fuck, yeah, I do. Those make you even wetter than the dirty ones. I’m no fool—chicks love a guy who’s sentimental.” He laughed and wrapped his arms around my waist, placing a kiss on my neck. “And you eat it up when I tell you how beautiful you are and how much I love you.”

I nodded as I finished brushing my hair and tossing it up into a bun. “Yeah, yeah. You’re the man.”

He caressed my ass. “Hopefully I’ll get this job so I can quit spending the majority of my days searching for openings that are nowhere close to where you are. That shit just pisses me off. The idea of you so far away…”

“At least you’re able to make good use of old contacts from when you were a prosecutor.” I angled my head around and kissed the tip of his nose.

He smiled. “True, but how many fucking interviews does one man have to go to before someone gets a clue and hires me?”

“Things are looking good. You’ll find the perfect position soon. I’m sure of it.”

He nuzzled my hair and kissed the top of my head. “I have to go.”

I turned in his arms and wrapped mine around his neck. “Good luck. I know you’ll do great.”

“Yes, I have a feeling it’s going to be a good day.” He chuckled and leaned down to kiss me.

“I love you,” I said as we pulled away.

“I love you, too.” He gave me a smile and another quick kiss before heading out the door.

I spent the next ten minutes frantically getting ready before I also headed out the door, into the cold Indiana January, and to the office.

When I pulled into the parking lot, I held my breath as my stomach clenched and my heart dropped over seeing his usual spot empty. He wasn’t going to be here today. He wasn’t going to be here any more days at all. I wouldn’t have him here, watching over me, brightening my day with his gorgeous smile and his intense blue gaze.

I made my way up to my empty office and sat at my desk, sighing and counting down the minutes until I saw Nathan again. God, I really was pathetic, and hopelessly in love with him. No matter how much I joked about missing him during my days, it was all true. Every bit of it. Nothing was the same without him.

Time was moving backward, or maybe just inching by, to torture me.

It was mid morning when an event popped up in my email. I opened it up to find an all-hands meeting scheduled in thirty minutes. My gaze moved over the piles and piles of work we had, and I sighed. I’d been doing that a lot lately—sighing my way through the day. It was never a good time for a meeting, and it was the usual meet and greet of some new employee to the firm.

Begrudgingly, Owen and I moved toward the conference room where everyone was milling around, waiting for the meeting to start. After a few minutes, Jack Holloway—boss and ruler almighty—walked in the back door to the room and asked for everyone to settle down.

“Good morning, everyone! I know it’s a busy day, but what day isn’t? I’ll try to make this short,” he began.

I felt a buzzing in my pocket and discreetly pulled my phone out, looking down at the message from Nathan.

Things went well. Tell you all about it soon. We can celebrate tonight. Oh, yeah, and you’re beautiful as fuck. Can’t stop thinking about my cock wrapped in your pussy.

I smiled and slipped my phone back into my pocket, focusing my attention back on Jack.

“Today we have a new employee I’d like to introduce. He’s getting back into the courtroom for the first time in a few years and may need all of our help getting reacquainted with the process. He’ll be taking over for Frank Kettle, who retired last year.”

I leaned against the wall in preparation from the bound-to-be-longwinded greeting from whatever pompous ass Jack hired. Frank Kettle was the biggest one I’d ever met, and he needed to be for the position, but he didn’t have to extend that to his coworkers. I hoped this new guy wasn’t the same, but chances were that he was.

“Without further ado,” Jack said as the back door opened, “I’d like to introduce you all to…”

“Nathan?” Owen whispered next to me.

My head snapped up and, sure enough, in he walked, wearing his black and cream-stripped tie, his eyes the brightest shade of blue.

He was too delicious for words, though my mouth was dry due to shock and hanging open as I gaped at him.

“… Nathan Thorne,” Jack finished with a smile, and the whole room exploded with chatter.

I, on the other hand, was staring at Nathan in surprise. His gaze found mine, a sheepish grin forming as he shrugged his shoulders.

“Surprise,” he said. I barely heard it over all of the commotion.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spied the Boob Squad’s illustrious members performing a synchronized fluff, puff, and tuff for his benefit. Their actions garnered a few strange looks from their peers who were not a part of their elite club.