Chapter 111

Howard's POV

I placed the last signed document on the corner of my desk, completing today's work ahead of schedule. My mind drifted back to the conversation I'd had with Lucy this morning.

While Annie was still asleep, I had telling stories to Lucy. She had suddenly picked up a toy airplane from her collection, examining it with serious concentration before looking up at me with those inquísitive blue eyes.

"Why can airplanes fly?" she'd asked, her voice soft but clear.

Kids were so unpredictable.

I'd explained the basic principles of aerodynamics in simple terms-how the shape of wings creates lift, how engines provide thrust,and how the air pressure differences help keep the plane aloft. To my surprise, Lucy had been completely captivated, asking me at least a dozen follow-up questions,some so technical that even I couldn't provide complete answers.

"What happens if the air gets too thin?" "Why are some wings straight and others angled back?" "How do pilots know which buttons to press?"

The memory brought a smile to my face.

I picked up my phone and dialed the head of HR.

"Mr. Thompson, what can I do for you?" Susan's efficient voice came through.

"I need a science tutor for Lucy," I explained. "Someone with expertise in aerodynamics and physics, but who can teach at a child's level."

"T'll find someone right away," Susan assured me. "Any specific time requirements?"

"The sooner the better. Tonight would be ideal, if possible. Lucy and Penny will both benefit from it."

"Tll make it happen," she promised.

Once I'd arranged for Lucy's tutor, I headed over to Annie's office. I found her at her desk, brow furrowed in concentration as she sorted through several draft sketches for her romance comic series. She didn't notice me immediately, which gave me a moment to appreciate her focused expression-the slight bite of her lower lip, the intensity in her eyes as she assessed her own work.

I sat down in the chair opposite her desk. "What's on your mind?"

Annie looked up, momentarily startled before her expression softened."I've finished these comics, but I don't have accounts set up to publish them."

"Need some help?" I offered.

Annie hesitated, concern flashing across her face. "I was wondering if I could use your phone number to register some accounts. But if you think it might affect your image..."

Without a second thought, I pulled ouat my phone and handed it to her."Here,use it."

She stared at the device in surprise. "You're just giving me your phone like that?"

"Why wouldn't I?" I reached out to gently stroke her hair."You're my girlfriend, the person I want to spend my life with. I have nothing to hide from you."

Annie took the phone. I bet Philip had never allowed her to touch his phone during their six years of marriage.

"Thank you," she said softly.

"It's only right." I replied, leaning in to place a quick kiss on her lips.

Annie quickly set to work, her fingers moving efficiently across the screen as she registered accounts and uploaded her content. After a few minutes,she handed the phone back to me. "All done."

"That was fast," I commented, pocketing the device without even checking what she'd done. My trust in her was implicit.

"Do you think I should accept advertising offers?" Annie asked casually,organizing her sketches into neat piles.

"It would increase your revenue," I analyzed objectively, "but might affect merchandise sales."

Annie nodded thoughtfully. "Then I'l stick with merchandise sales for now."

"Why?" I asked, genuinely curious about her decision-making process.

"I'm using your account," she explained, her expression earnest. "If there's any issue with the advertisements, it could affect you. I don't want to cause you any problems."

"Merchandise sales will eventually plateau," I pointed out. "When that

ens. you'll have no income."

"Tll have savings by then,"Annie smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners."I could take a break, focus on caring for Lucy." Her expression brightened further. "And whiletaking care of her, I might find new inspiration..."

"That makes sense," I agreed, appreciating her long-term thinking.

As we continued our conversation, I noticed Annie's gaze occasionally shifting away, as if she were contemplating something she was hesitant to voice.

"What is it?" I prompted.

Annie bit her lip before speaking. "Don't you think... you've been coming to my office too frequently lately? It might cause gossip."

I paused, taking a moment to understand her concern. "You're worried our relationship might affect work?"

"Yes, considering how many people work here," she explained.

I couldn't help but smile. "I thought you were saying we spend too much time together."

"What? No..." Annie's cheeks flushed. "That's not what I meant..."

"Now that you mention it though," I leaned closer, my voice dropping to a lower register, "I find myself wanting more time with you."

Annie's blush deepened, but she maintained a serious expression. "Howard,we're still at the office. We should maintain some professional boundaries."

"My company has always supported employees' freedom to meet their needs," I murmured near her ear. "Like taking necessary breaks."

Annie's breathing quickened slightly, her professional resolve visibly wavering. "At this time of day, everyonte's probably rushing to finish work before going home... the women's restroom should be empty."

"Why don't you check and see?" I suggested, struggling to maintain my composed exterior despite my growing anticipation.

Annie nodded and left the office. A few minutes later, I received a message confirming her assessment.

I walked unhurriedly toward the restroom, making sure no one was watching before entering and locking the door behind me. I proceeded to the furthest stall where Annie was waiting. The moment I saw her,standing there with anticipation written across her features, desire ignited within me.

"Every time I see you focused during meetings," I whispered near her ear,"I imagine pushing you onto the conference table."

Her face flushed immediately. "Howard!"

"Haven't you had similar thoughts?" My hands were already finding their way beneath her blouse.

"I..," her voicę trembled at my touch. "Sometimes I dream about you taking me on your desk."

The moment she made her candid confession, my desire ignited completely.I pressed her against the wall, eagerly capturing her lips with mine.Her response was equally passionate, her arms encircling mny neck as her entire body pressed against me.

I pinned her against the partition wall, my handssliding beneath the hem of her blouse to feel her skin, burning hot with desire. The moans

escaping her throat acted like an aphrodisiac, intensifying my senses.Seeing Annie-normally so confident and independent-now so sensitive and vulnerable beneath my touch ignited a powerful sense of possession within me.

Her fingers deftly unbuckled my belt. each touch making my desire increasingly difficult to contain. Though the space was small,it was perfect for keeping us pressed together without an inch of separation. Her skirt was pushed up as my fingers explored her most intimate area, feeling how ready she was for me.

"So you were worried about coming to the office too frequently," I deliberately whispered in her ear, "not about us doing this too frequently."

"Both... a little..." her words were interrupted by my touch, causing her to let out a soft gasp.

"But your body seems quite honest," my fingers circled gently at her sensitive spot. "it seems I haven't been trying hard enough if you still have energy to worry about such things."

"Howard..." she bit her lip, her voice carrying a plea.

"Is this how you show your gratitude?" I asked teasingly, though my fingers didn't cease their movements.

"How...how should I thank you?" she asked between breaths.

"Like this." I hesitated no longer and thrust into her body.

When we finally joined, we both released sighs of satisfaction. The confined space made every movement more intimate, every rhythm deeper.Her legs wrapped around my waist, her nails digging into my back,leaving her mark.

I gazed at her impassioned face, those eyes-usually so confident-now unfocused with pleasure, her lips parted,emitting suppressed gasps. The thought that this version of her belonged only to me caused the possessiveness within me to spead like wildfire.

"Annie..." I quickened the pace while kissing her lips, swallowing all her moans.

In this forbidden place, with the danger of someone entering at any moment, our senses were infinitely heightened. Every touch, every inch of skin friction brought unprecedented stimulation. I could feel her every contraction. every slight tremor, driving me increasingly wild.

When her body suddenly tensed, then violently trembled,I knew she had reached her peak. She bit down on my shoulder to prevent herself from making a sound. Her reaction completely demolished my last defenses,and I released as well.

"I'm already looking forward to next time," I confessed against her lips,knowing with absolute certainty that this desire would never fade. And I didn't want it to.