Chapter 236: Between Them

Holly's POV

The rest of the day dragged on like nothing had exploded between us earlier. No heated stares, no accidental brushes, no more of that insane tension.

David stayed buried in calls and paperwork, and I kept my head down at my desk, typing away like a good little assistant.

I didn't get to see Amber at all…she must've been out or avoiding the floor entirely…so I just slipped her phone onto her desk when no one was looking and headed back to my side.

By 5:30, I was packing up my stuff, mentally prepping for this mystery meeting, when David came storming out of his office. He looked wrecked in the hottest way possible…tie loosened, shirt half-unbuttoned like he'd been tugging at it in frustration, hair a mess that made me want to run my fingers through it and yank just to stress him out more. Dark circles under his eyes, jaw tight from whatever hell day he'd had. God, why did tired and stressed look so good on him?

He didn't even glance my way at first…just flung his jacket off his arm straight at me. I caught it on reflex, nearly dropping my bag.

"Pack up," he barked. "We're leaving now."

I rolled my eyes…subtly, because I wasn't trying to start round two…and shoved my laptop into my bag, slinging it over my shoulder. His jacket smelled like him, all warm and spicy, and I hated how I noticed.

I rushed to catch up as he strode toward the elevator, but the doors were already sliding shut. He didn't even bother holding them open…just shot me this wicked grin as they closed on his face.

"You asshole!" I screamed, but it was too late.

My phone buzzed in my hand almost immediately. It was him.

I answered with a glare he couldn't see. Maybe he called to apologize. Maybe he just got caught up in whatever moment he's having, and forgot to keep it open for me.

“Why aren't you moving? I don't want to get to the down floor before you do," he said, voice all smug and low.

"Whose fault is that? Why didn't you wait for me?"

A pause, like he was enjoying this way too much. "You work for me, Holly. We're not friends. Why would I hold the door? Besides, you need to burn some of those stupid thoughts out of your head. So use the stairs. If not—"

He hung up.

I stared at the phone, screaming "You absolute dick!" into the dead line. The elevator dinged mockingly. Screw that. I bolted for the stairs, cursing him with every step. "Fucking prick... arrogant bastard...who does he think he is..."

My lungs burned  as I descended further, bag banging against my hip, his stupid jacket clutched in my arms. I was gasping, sweaty, hair sticking to my neck, legs screaming by the time I burst out the stairwell door after what felt like forever.

And there he was, leaning against the wall in the lobby, checking his watch like he had all the time in the world. When he saw me…panting, flushed, probably looking like a hot mess…his eyes raked over me head to toe, slow and deliberate. Then he smirked. That infuriating, cocky smirk.

“Let's go.” He instructed, as he turned and walked out without a word.

I followed, still muttering curses under my breath, trying to catch it. The second we stepped outside, the cool evening air hit me like a lifesaver, drying the sweat on my skin, making me feel human again.

I was still catching my breath, legs wobbly from those damn stairs, David's jacket draped over my arm like some trophy he’d tossed me. I was muttering curses under my breath, following his long strides toward the parking lot, when—

"Baby?"

I froze for a second, then pure exhaustion took over. I didn't even think…just moved toward the voice on autopilot, ignoring David's low warning groan behind me.

Tyler was there, waiting by the curb like he'd planned it. How long has he been waiting? Why didn't he call?

I practically collapsed into his arms, legs shaky, almost wiping out.

He caught me effortlessly, one arm sliding around my waist, the other hand cupping the back of my head as he pulled me flush against his chest.

"Hey, easy," he murmured, voice low and possessive right by my ear. "What the hell did he do to you? You look wrecked."

"Stairs..." I panted, words tumbling out messy. "He... made me... take the stairs... all the way... down..."

Tyler’s body went rigid. He lifted his head, and I felt the shift…like a switch flipping from concerned boyfriend to full-on territorial mode. His eyes locked on David over my shoulder, and the glare he threw could’ve started a fire.

"What kind of bullshit is this?" Tyler said, voice sharp and loud enough for anyone nearby to hear. "We could report you for workplace violation. You got a personal vendetta against my girlfriend or something? Making her run down twenty flights like some punishment? She’s not your damn slave."

David stopped a few feet away. He didn’t say a word at first…just stood there, tall and broad, hands shoved into his pockets, staring at us with this icy, unreadable expression.

But I could feel the tension rolling off him in waves. His jaw was clenched so tight I swear I heard it tick.

David didn't even acknowledge Tyler. Like he wasn't even there. He just looked at me, voice ice cold. "Holly. Get over here. Now."

I started to pull away from Tyler on instinct, but Tyler’s grip didn’t budge. His fingers dug in, holding me against him. "Nah," he said, smirking right at David. "She’s off the clock. And she’s coming home with me. Like she always does."

David’s eyes flicked to Tyler’s hand on my waist, then back up…dark, dangerous. "She works for me," he said slowly, each word clipped. "We have a client meeting. She’s coming with me."

Tyler laughed, short and mocking. "A client meeting? At this hour? Convenient." He turned his head, lips brushing my ear again. "You don’t have to go anywhere with him, baby. I can tell him to fuck off. You’re mine."

He brushed this quick, unexpected peck on my hand…like some possessive claim…and smiled down at me.

David's eyes narrowed, his voice coming out angry and irritated. "Mine? We? Home? You guys live together?"

Before I could scramble for words, Tyler jumped in, all proud and smug. "Of course. She's mine. Why wouldn't we live together?"

David took one step closer. Not aggressive, but enough to shrink the space, to make Tyler’s arm around me feel like a challenge. "I’m not asking again," David said, eyes locked on mine now, ignoring Tyler completely. "Car. Now. Or you quit, Holly."

Tyler’s jaw tightened. He shifted, angling his body slightly like he was ready to block David if he got any closer. "She’s not your property, man. Back off."

David didn’t even glance at him. His gaze stayed on me…burning, commanding. "Holly."

I swallowed hard, forcing my voice out sweet and steady for Tyler’s sake. "I... I do have to go. It’s work. I’ll be home later, okay? Promise."

Tyler’s eyes searched mine, reluctant, but he finally loosened his grip…just enough for me to step away. He caught my hand though, giving it a quick squeeze, brushing another possessive kiss across my knuckles right where David could see.

David didn’t wait. The second I was free, his hand clamped around my upper arm…firm, no room for argument…and he pulled me toward his car. Not rough enough to hurt, but definitely not gentle. A statement. Mine to command, at least for tonight.

"We’re late," he muttered under his breath as he steered me away. "Can’t keep clients waiting."

Tyler called after us, "Text me the address. I’ll come get her when you’re done playing boss."

David didn’t answer. He just opened the passenger door, guided me in with that iron grip on my arm until I was seated, then slammed the door hard enough to make the car rock. One last glacial stare at Tyler through the windshield…like a silent warning…before he rounded the hood, got in, and peeled out, leaving Tyler standing on the curb.

The silence in the car was thick for about ten seconds before he exploded.

"How the hell are you living with him? I thought you were staying with some girl? Does Ava know about this shit?"

I leaned my head against the cool glass of the window, watching the city lights blur by. And for the first time since this ridiculous obsession with David started…not even the accident had done this…something shifted. Cold. Indifferent. Like a switch flipped.

It's always Ava, Ava, Ava. Ava's little sister.

I'm Holly. My name is Holly. Not "Ava's little sick sister."

The more he ranted…about how careless I was, how irresponsible I was trusting Tyler without knowing him thoroughly, how he was definitely telling Ava everything…the more that enormous spark I'd carried for him dimmed. Just a bit. But enough to feel it.

I didn't say a word. Just stared out the window and let him talk.