CH.84

The clock finally struck 5 o'clock, signaling the workday was over and we could head home.

I gathered up my laptop, notebooks, and random desk clutter into my bag and made my way out of my office and down the hall toward Karl's.

"Hey babe, you finished up yet?" I called out after pushing open his door without knocking, as was our usual routine.

Karl glanced up from the stack of papers he was poring over, giving me a brief nod of acknowledgment before turning his attention back to the documents in front of him.

I crossed the room and came up behind his chair. I draped my arms around his broad shoulders and began to knead the tense muscles there with my fingertips.

"Ugh, I still have a bit more work to get through," he grumbled, reaching up to squeeze my hand in silent thanks for the impromptu shoulder massage. "Why don't you just have the driver take you home? I'll wrap things up here and be along in a little while."

I opened my mouth to protest, not loving the idea of going h