Series: Paige Michaels
Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Cameron followed Carol and spoke to her quietly at her desk before returning and ushering Aria into his office. When the door clicked closed, she looked up at him, still rattled by the encounter.
“I bet you’re hungry. I meant to have everything heated up before you got here.”
“You’re busy. I can eat in my cubicle.”
“You will not,” he stated firmly. “My apologies about Carol. She’s new on the job and is very serious about it.”
“She is quite the guard dog. Maybe we can meet outside for lunch next time,” Aria suggested quickly.
“We can try that as well, but not because you’re running from anything. You have the right to be here. I want you here with me.”
“O-okay.”
“Okay. Dumplings?” he asked and opened a door at the side of the office, revealing a small closet with a minifridge and microwave.
“Yes, please.” She wondered where to sit as he popped the dumplings into the microwave.
“Sit at the table. We can share the dipping sauce there,” he suggested.
“Your office is big,” she said, wandering in that direction.
“I have a lot of meetings and interviews. They finally had me move into what used to be a conference room,” he explained as he answered the ding and opened the microwave.
In just a few seconds, they sat together at the table. Cameron placed a napkin on her lap and tucked one into the neck of his white dress shirt. Aria tried not to laugh at the comical picture, but her giggles escaped.
“I know. It’s ridiculous but I’ll end up wearing dumpling sauce all afternoon if I don’t take precautions,” Cameron said with laughter, making his eyes dance.
“I understand,” she assured him before allowing her mirth to emerge once again as she concentrated on removing the paper wrapper from a pair of chopsticks.
“I’ll remember this,” Cameron warned, dipping his chopsticks into the container to snag a fat dumpling. He dipped it in the sauce and cupped his hand under it as he offered it to her.
“Mmm!” Aria hummed her delight as she chewed the bite.
“Good, huh?”
Cameron plunked the remainder back into the sauce and popped it into his mouth. He chewed with a look of enjoyment on his face before swallowing and stating, “We need to do this often. I had a tough morning and was glad to have something to look forward to.”
“I’m sorry. It’s been a typical Monday in my part of the building.”
“Did you sleep well?” he asked, getting up to grab two bottles of water from the fridge.
Aria could feel her face heating as she nodded. Immediately, her mind flashed back to how she’d felt as he tucked her into bed. “I did. How about you?”
“I was lonely, but happy. Yesterday was delightful. Are you busy tonight?”
“I have a standing date with my folks for dinner, I’m afraid. I could cancel, but then I’d have to explain,” she said hesitantly.
“Go to dinner with your parents. I can wait until Tuesday to tuck you in again. Maybe soon, you’ll invite me to join you,” Cameron suggested.
“They’d love that. I’d love that. Be forewarned that Mom frequently tries to play matchmaker with various men she runs into around town. None of them are anyone anybody should consider.” Her voice rose to a higher tone as she pretended to be her mother. “What do you do? You’d be perfect for my Aria. Oh, you’re a street thug, selling drugs? Maybe if you change clothes?” She let her voice drift away.
“It can’t be that bad,” he chuckled.
“Oh, it can be. I just happened to investigate the last man she set me up with, and he had violated his parole.”
“You didn’t ever date him?” Cameron said, leaning forward in concern.
“No, the sheriff found him first. He did call to explain and to ask me to visit him instead. I didn’t go,” she clarified.
“Your mother needs to allow you to choose someone that is better suited,” Cameron suggested.
“She did back off for a while. I think Dad talked to her.”
Cameron held a bite of food up to her mouth before taking one himself. As he chewed, Aria knew he was holding back what he really wanted to say. Warmth gathered in her tummy at the thought that he had reacted so protectively. So much like a Daddy.
“Have some noodles, Giggles,” Cameron suggested, offering a portion of noodles wrapped around his chopsticks.
Accepting the treat, Aria opened her mouth and wiggled happily in her seat as she chewed. She froze in place as she realized he was feeding her. Just like a Little girl.
“I can eat myself,” she rushed to assure him, lifting her chopsticks for proof.
“Of course you can. I enjoy taking care of you. I think I remember you liked this?” Cameron lifted a piece of broccoli and offered it to her.
“I do,” she admitted and opened her mouth, setting her chopsticks down with a soft click.