The CEO Above My Desk (Mckenzie Shinabery) novel Chapter 82

Chapter 82

“Just in case,” I whisper, ridiculous.

Then I leave him there.

Downstairs, the house feels different in the morning. Less ominous. Sunlight filters in through the tall windows, bouncing off stone and glass. The security hum is still there, but softer somehow. Like it’s just part of the background now.

I check the time.

7:15.

Of course.

My body doesn’t know how to sleep in anymore. Even here. Even now.

I wander into the kitchen and open the fridge.

Empty.

Not literally, but close. Water. Protein drinks. Some fruit that looks like it’s more decorative than edible. Condiments lined up like soldiers. No real food. Nothing comforting.

Of course Rowan doesn’t grocery shop.

I close the fridge and make my way back toward the entryway, where one of the guards is stationed near the door. He

straightens immediately when he sees me.

“Morning,” he says, polite but easy.

“Morning,” I reply. “Can I ask you a favor?”

His eyebrows lift slightly. “Depends. Are you asking or ordering?”

I smile despite myself, “Asking.”

He grins. “Then yeah. What do you need?”

“A grocery run,” I say. “I’ll make a list. I’ll pay.”

He waves that off immediately. “Not necessary.”

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“It is,” I say firmly, already grabbing a notepad from the side table. “I’m not billing groceries to a security budget.”

He watches me write, leaning casually against the wall. “You always this organized?”

“Only when I’m stressed,” I reply.

“So always,” he says, amused.

I glance up at him. “You’re not wrong.”

He chuckles. “What’s your damage? Allergies? Preferences?”

“Coffee. Real coffee,” I say. “Eggs, Bread, Milk. Something green so I feel like I tried.”

He nods. “Got it.”

“And,” I add, hesitating just a second, “pancake mix. Just in case.”

His grin widens. “Just in case.”

I hand him the list. “Thank you. Really.”

“No problem,” he says. “Give me forty five minutes.”

By eight o’clock, he’s back.

Right on time.

I’m in the kitchen unpacking bags when I hear voices from the entryway.

Theo’s laugh. Devin’s calm baritone.

They step inside together and freeze.

Because the guard is leaning against the counter, sleeves rolled up, unpacking groceries with me like he belongs there.

“Did I miss something?” Theo asks slowly.

The guard looks up, unbothered. “Morning.”

Theo’s eyes flick to me. Then back to the guard. Then to the bags. “Why is security doing domestic duties?”

“I asked,” I say simply.

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Devin’s gaze sharpens just a fraction. “You asked him to leave the premises.”

“I asked him to go to the store,” I correct. “He came back. Successfully.”

The guard grins. “Got everything on the list. Even the fancy creamer.”

Theo squints. “She has a list?”

“Color coded,” the guard says proudly. “Impressive handwriting.”‘

Theo exhales. “I hate this already.”

Devin crosses his arms, studying the guard like a chess piece that just moved where it shouldn’t have. “You’re getting comfortable.”

The guard shrugs. “She’s easy to talk to.”

Theo snorts. “Oh, you have no idea.”

I feel heat creep up my neck. “I can hear you.”

The guard glances at me, smiling. “You want help putting this away?”

“I’ve got it,” I say, though I don’t move.

He doesn’t either.

There’s a beat.

Then Devin clears his throat. “You can go.‘

The guard looks at me instead of Devin. “Anything else you need before I head out?”

Theo makes a strangled sound.

“I’m good,” I say, trying not to laugh. “Thank you.”

He nods, backing away slowly. “Anytime.”

He leaves.

The door closes.

Theo turns to me. “Do you flirt with everyone, or are we special?”

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“I didn’t flirt,” I protest.

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“You absolutely did,” Theo says. “It was subtle. But it was there.”

Devin’s mouth twitches. “Rowan is going to lose his mind.”

I blink, “Rowan?”

Theo grins. “Oh yeah. You haven’t seen that yet.”

My stomach flips again.

And this time, I don’t tell it to stop.

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I’m glad she’s thinking about having a relationship beyond a working one with him. It’s about time, especially since he’s thinking along those lines, also.

4 days ago

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