𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐃 | ᴀ ᴅʀᴀᴍɪᴏɴᴇ ꜱᴛᴏʀʏ

Chapter 16

EVERY SUPERHERO HAS A HIDEOUT—a sanctuary. At least all the good ones do. I have one too. My own personal Bat Cave. It's where the magic happens. Where I've built the legend that is my career.

My home office.

It's a male haven. A pussy-free zone—in the good kind of way. Every guy should have one. I decorated it myself—each piece, every detail. If my car is my baby, this room is my firstborn. My pride and joy.

Dark wood floors, handmade oriental rugs, English leather couches. A stone fireplace and built-in bookshelves line one wall. Behind my desk is a full picture window that offers a priceless view of the city. And in the corner is a card table where the guys and I drink aged Scotch, smoke Cuban cigars, and play poker once a month.

It's the only time Blaise is allowed to come out and play.

I'm at my desk, in boxers, working on my laptop. It's what I do every Sunday afternoon.

Hermione? No—she's still here. But after our fuck-a-thon last night, I figured I should let her sleep in. Recharge the batteries. I canceled brunch with my mother and blew off the basketball game with the boys. And now I'm staring at the final draft of a contract when a sleepy voice calls me from the doorway.

"Hey."

I look up and smile. "Hi."

She's wearing another one of my T-shirts—the black Metallica one. It goes past her knees. That and the sleep-mussed hair make her look sweet but sexy. Alluring. Compared to Hermione, work's not looking so appetizing anymore.

She runs a hand through her hair as her eyes sweep over the room. "This is a beautiful office, Draco. Breathtaking."

Hermione is the type of woman who appreciates the importance of an awe-inspiring workspace. If you want to be a winner, you need an office that says you already are one. "Thanks. It's my favorite room in the apartment."

"I can see why."

She picks up a frame from one of the shelves and shows it to me. "Who's this?"

It's a picture of Mackenzie and me at the beach last summer. She buried me up to my neck in the sand. "My niece, Mackenzie."

She looks at the photo and smiles. "She's adorable. I bet she worships you."

"Yeah, she does. And I'd pretty much cut my hand off for her if she asked me to, so it's equitable. I'd love for you to meet her one day."

Hermione doesn't hesitate. "I'd really like that."

She makes her way over to my chair and perches herself on my knee. I lean forward till my lips find hers—my tongue driving deep into the mouth I now know so well.

She snuggles back against my bare chest. "You're so warm." She rests her head on my shoulder and looks toward my computer. "What are you working on?"

I sigh. "This deal with Jarvis Technologies."

Jarvis is a communications company. They're looking to acquire a broadband satellite subsidiary.

I rub my eyes.

"Problems?"

I'm usually a lone wolf when it comes to business. I don't confide—I don't share. My opinion is the only one that counts. But talking to Hermione about business is kind of like talking to myself. I'm actually interested in hearing what she has to say. "Yeah. The CEO is all brains and no balls. I've got the perfect deal lined up, but he won't pull the trigger. He's nervous about the risk."

Her finger traces my jaw. "Every acquisition has risks. You have to show him the payoff is worth it."

"That's what I'm trying to do."