Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 79052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“You know him well?”
He nodded. “We’ve been coworkers a long time.”
“Do you have any dirt on him?”
He looked shocked. “I would never betray—”
“I bake cookies.”
His eyebrows flew up.
“I also love kids and would babysit.”
He covered his mouth with his hand, muffling his laughter. “Is that the way it’s gonna be?”
“I bake awesome cookies. And your kids will love me.”
He leaned forward. “One time in the office…” He paused.
I leaned closer. “I’m all ears.”
CHAPTER NINE
Damien
I walked into the coffee shop, spying Leo and Raven at a table. They were chatting, laughing, both looking relaxed. I rolled my shoulders, feeling relief that Raven was fine and grateful to Leo for being there. I studied her for a moment before heading to the table. She looked tired, but her spirits seemed to be good, so I was pleased.
She saw me walking toward her, and she smiled. Bright, wide, not hiding the fact that she was happy to see me. My heart thumped fast in my chest in reaction to her delighted expression. I bent and dropped a kiss to her cheek, then sat, extending my hand to Leo. “Thanks,” I said.
He grinned. “My pleasure. We had a great visit. Your woman is clever. She made me right away, not that I was trying to hide,” he added with a wink.
I glanced at Raven, who was shaking her head. “I was concerned,” I admitted. “Better safe than sorry. Even sitting with friends, Andy might approach you.”
She held up her hand. “I’m not upset. I appreciate it.”
“Good.”
“Besides, Leo is right. We had a lovely chat.”
“About?”
She tilted her head. “We were talking about his family.”
“And?”
She shrugged. “Maybe a few other things. That is private, Damien,” she said in her best teacher voice. “You don’t ask such personal questions.”
I grinned. “Yes, Ms. Raven.”
She blushed, standing. “I need to use the restroom.”
I watched her walk away, grateful I could see the door from the table where we sat.
“She is awesome,” Leo enthused. “Funny, articulate, pretty. The whole package.”
“I know. You saw nothing?”
His face darkened. “Once. Across the street. I was sure I saw a guy in a dark hoodie in the doorway of the office building. A semi rolled by, and when my line of vision was clear, no one was there. It could have been nothing.”
I shook my head. “In this case, I’m sure it was. He’s obsessed with her. I need to find him.”
“Egan working on it?”
“Yeah. I’ll double down now that all the meetings are done too.” I stroked my chin. “I have a feeling he knows his way around computers. How to erase his trails. He’s good.”
“You’re better. Between you and Egan, you’ll find him. I’m sure the sketch he did will ping off something.”
“I hope so. In the meantime, she’ll stay with me. I’ll keep her safe.”
“Not much of a hardship, I’m sure,” he murmured, sounding amused.
I watched Raven walk toward us, the light gleaming on her dark hair, her hips gently sashaying as she moved. My body tightened at her subtle sexiness.
Her company wasn’t a hardship at all. My cock, the desire I felt for her—that was going to be the problem.
“Nope,” I agreed dryly. “Not at all.”
Raven became visibly nervous as we headed outside to my car. I tucked her close, opening her door and closing it firmly. I noticed she kept her gaze on me as I walked around the front of the vehicle. I slid inside and started the car, then reached over and took her hand.
“You’re perfectly safe with me.”
“I know,” she said with a small smile. “I’m just—”
I shook my head. “You don’t have to explain. I understand.”
“Thank you,” she murmured, and I squeezed her fingers. “Could we stop by the grocery store?”
“Sure.”
I drove us to the large one by my building, and we went in. We both added some things to the cart. I hid my smile at all the baking ingredients she added. I needed some basics, and I stopped at the butcher counter, looking at steaks. It was supposed to be a nice weekend, and I thought I would grill our meals.
She let out a sudden giggle, and I glanced at her. “What?”
She shook her head. “Nothing. I, ah, I just have to go there.” She pointed toward the pharmacy. “I’ll be right back.”
“You’re okay?”
She nodded. “I can see you, and I’ll only be a moment.”
My number was called, so I moved forward, asking for the steaks I’d chosen, watching as Raven moved to the pharmacy, picking up something, and heading back toward me. I turned back to the butcher, asking for some chicken, my attention diverted for a moment. Raven appeared beside me, setting a couple of things in the basket. We finished the shopping and headed for the cash register. I began to unload onto the belt.
“Damn, I forgot sour cream,” I muttered.