"I'm sorry for punching you." Ryder says calmly and I can't help but mentally pat myself on the back.

He's a good boy, apologizing is admitting you did something wrong and Ryder is willing to do that.

I smile at him as he sits at my desk, my chair close to swallowing him. I can see, ten years from now, him still in that chair, leading.

"Mr. Carp," he addresses Caleb's dad, who's actually a decent employee. "My dad and I have been reviewing your work and we've discussed how well you're doing."

"Oh." My employee asks, his nervous frown turning to a smile.

This causes me to frown. Ryder, this isn't how we fire people.

"Which is why we're putting the San Antonio office in your charge." All eyes widen. This is not what was discussed.

Flabbergasted, my employee looks to me and all I can do is nod. "Well work out the paperwork tomorrow." Carp has a strong work ethic, and honestly, he is someone I would appoint as a manager but I am confused with Ryder's tactic. This is why you don't let pre-teen boys run companies.

"I can't thank you enough Mr. James!" He grins, holding out his hand. "My wife will be thrilled, San Antonio is where she grew up you know!" He vigorously shakes me hand for a solid minute before letting go. His son is glaring daggers at mine who is smirking.

"Yes, well, it was Ryder's idea." Out of instinct my hand moves to rest on my son's shoulder. "I'm trying to start training him early."

"I look forward to working for you, Little James." Carp hold his hand out and Ryder takes it firmly. "Come on Caleb, lets go tell your mom!"

Silently the little brat follows his father out of my office and when the door closes I turn to my smirking son.

"You wanna explain what just happened?" I ask, raising my eyebrows when Ryder starts laughing.

"His grandpa," He starts before cackling so hard he's unable to finish. I peek at Amelia who looks both amused and concerned. "His grandpa made his parents promise to put him in military school if they ever moved back to San Antonio." He bursts out laughing, a tear streaking down his face. "Military school!" Once he calms down he smirks as he looks at me. "Plus, now he can't ask Emily Hall to the fire and ice dance."

A bark of laughter leaves my throat and even Amelia struggles to hide her smile.

Seeing her, standing by the large wall of windows and laughing, it causes memories to surface.

"Come in." I address the knock on the door.

"Hey," Amelia pokes her head into my office and I close the file I was looking at. "I brought lunch." She walks in carrying a box of pizza from the pizzeria up the road.

The pink sundress flows loosely around her as she walks into the room, stopping a few feet away from my desk.

"You didn't have to." I say, standing, thanking my lucky stars she did. We haven't talked much since her date with Kai and I've been going crazy. "But thank you!" I say quickly before she feels the need to leave.

"Yeah." She smiles at me, setting the box on my desk. "I know you've been busy and I didn't have anything to do today so I thought we could do lunch together."

"I appreciate that." I stand and move around the desk. "I've actually been hungry for the past few hours but haven't been able to pull myself away."

"Well boss," She moves to sit on the small couch against the wall. "Time for a break."

"Oh," Amelia says an hour later. We've finished eating but our small talk has continued. "Xander got a one hindered on his math test so I was thinking maybe we should do a little something for him." She suggests. "You know, encourage his hard work."

"We could all go out tonight?" I offer, pride filling me. Xander studied his ass off this week for that test.

Amelia nods enthusiastically as the door to my office opens.

Trina, my assistant smiles lightly, nodding at Amelia before turning to me.

"I just wanted to remind you that you have a meeting in an hour."

She excuses herself and I stand while Amelia closes the box of pizza on her lap.

I offer her my hand, pulling her up when she takes it.

I use too much force apparently because she stumbles, dropping the pizza box before crashing into me.

"Ouch." She squeaks right as I feel her nose crash into my sternum.

"Fuck." I wince. "Amelia, I'm so sorry." My hands cup her cheeks and I trying to look at her face. 'Please don't bleed.' I silently beg her nose. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." She looks up at me, her slow smile freezing when she notices how close we are.

I can't help the way my adam's apple bobs as I swallow.

She's too close, her breath warming my lips.

"Cameron." She whispers, her hands on my chest fisting around my dress shirt before pulling me down.

Her lips meet mine and I instantly jerk back but not without get a taste. And it's one that will both last a life time and never satisfy me.

"I-" I open and close my mouth, probably looking like floundering fish. "I-"

"Shut up and kiss me Cameron." She mumbles, pulling me down again.

This time, when our lips connect, I do. I use my mouth to say everything I've been keeping to myself, everything that was in that damn letter and everything I've felt since all come pouring out. My lung get to the point where they feel as if they may explode but I don't stop, I can't. If I do I may never have the chance again.

Her mouth, surprisingly, moves against mine with equal vigor. She seemingly trying to express something as well.

She suddenly pulls away, breathing heavily, looking thoroughly kissed. Her lips are swollen, wet from where my tongue had been tracing, pleading for the entrance I was eventually given.

Mine, no doubt, the same.

Her taste, along with her sweet chapstick, creates a new craving.

I'm currently at a loss for words.

"I-" She starts to break the silence that's fallen around us when the door opens.

"Mr. James, your one o'clock." My secretary reminds and I want to throw something.

Amelia smiles softly. "We can talk later." She starts to walk toward the door but I grab her wrist, effectively stopping her.

She can't just walk away after that.

I know my face does nothing to hide the utter confusion I feel. I mean, what the the hell?!

"You can't just leave." I finally find my voice. It's raspy and exasperated, but it's there.

Amelia just smiles and I want to pull her to me but she doesn't give me a chance. Stepping to me and pressing her lips against mine again, quickly this time.

"I promise," She whispers, her mesmerizing ocean orbs looking into my very soul. "We'll talk tonight."

Something in her eyes tells me she means it. My fingers unwrap from her wrist, allowing her to walk away from me and I promise myself this will be the last time.

I've finally gotten a taste, and I plan on having it again.

~

"Come in."

The door to my office opens, revealing my grinning wife.

"What have I told you about knocking?"

"Cameron," She shakes her head, walking in with a pizza box. "This is a professional workplace, I will continue to knock." The pizza box is placed on my small table by the couch in the back corner before she makes her way to my desk. "How's your day?"

"Much better now." I swivel my chair to the side, allowing her to step between my legs. "I like our tradition." I mumble and as her arms move to rest on my shoulders my grip her thighs. The denim feeling frustratingly think.

"Which one?" She asks, grinning mischievously, and I taking my time showing her just which tradition I'm talking about.

😊