by Chelle Bliss
“So glad to see you, Ms. True,” she replied as she nodded. “You take all the time you need, honey.”
I turned on my heel and walked into my office, closing the door quietly behind me. My back collapsed against the door as I used it to hold myself up.
I couldn’t do this.
I didn’t want to do this.
I hated it here.
The last time I had been in this room, Natasha was with me. Even though she was dead, her words and actions haunted me.
I didn’t want to be that girl.
I wasn’t her.
I was Race—the tough chick that people cowered in front of, the one who bossed people around and exuded confidence. Not the girl who needed a door to hold myself up as I found the strength to take another step.
I glanced at the clock on the wall behind my desk, realizing I had two hours before the meeting with Mr. Emerson. Maybe I’d feel different if I immersed myself in my work, letting my mind focus only on the task at hand.
It’ll only be tough for the first day.
If I could only get through this day, tomorrow would be easier. Just one day. Just like my therapist had told me.
Even over the last four weeks, small tasks had become simpler and I’d found myself feeling like I had before the attack. But that was at home, running to the store, or spending time with Morgan.
Coming back to work was like starting again at square one. I had to take baby steps to become the kickass businesswoman I had always been.
I was Race True.
Strong.
Smart.
Feared.
“Race.” Cara’s muffled voice came from the other side of the door as she knocked.
I pushed off the door and strode toward my desk as I tossed my purse on the couch. “Come in,” I replied, running my fingers against the cool glass of the desktop.
Cara entered. After taking two steps, she stopped. “What’s wrong?” she asked with a frown.
“Nothing, Cara,” I replied, glancing out the window.
“Come on now. I can always tell when there’s something you aren’t saying,” she said as she walked toward her usual chair.
“I just don’t feel at home here anymore.” I sat down, testing my chair as I rocked back and forth.
“You were meant for bigger things,” Cara said as she looked around. “You weren’t meant to be cooped up in a place like this. You should be running your own company.”
“Now you’re just being silly, Cara.” I sighed as I leaned back in my chair, thinking about what she’d said. “What’s my schedule today?”
She stared down at her legal pad, tapping her pencil against the surface. “It’s pretty light. I didn’t want to overburden you today.” She glanced up at me.
I returned her smile, though mine was less believable. “Thanks. What’s first?”
“You have a meeting with Sue in development at ten and Mr. Emerson at eleven. Your afternoon is free because I didn’t know if you’d make it a full day,” she said, peering down at the paper.
“I think I’m just nervous about meeting with Emerson. I’ll feel better when that’s over, I’m sure.”
“I’m sure,” she repeated, standing from the chair. “Would you like me to get you a cup of coffee?” she asked as she strolled toward the door.
“That would be lovely, Cara.”
“Coming right up, Ms. True.”
With that, she disappeared.
Maybe a little kick of caffeine would have me feeling like my old self again. Or after I listened to Sue drone on for an hour, I’d be so bored and annoyed I’d want to throat-punch someone.
It had been a long time since I’d felt that fire burn deep in my belly. The old me had it smoldering, ready to explode at any moment.
I turned my computer on, ready to bury myself in my work and find the slow burn again. I wouldn’t let them defeat me.
* * *
“Mr. Emerson will see you now,” his secretary said, raking her eyes over my body with her lips set in a firm line.
As I walked through the doors of his office, I knew exactly what I needed to do.
Chapter Thirty-Four
A Little Race for Lunch
Morgan
“Who is he again?” I asked Thomas, glancing down at my clock.
Race and I were meeting for a late lunch today. It was her first day back at work. She promised that she’d be here at two and I shouldn’t keep her waiting.
“He’s one of Joey’s friends from the Neon Cowboy. His name is Frisco.”
“Joe vouches for him,” James said, raising an eyebrow as he rested his hands behind his head.
Thomas nodded, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Well, you two are the bosses, and if Joe vouches for him, then I’m sure he’s a good guy,” I said, knowing that Joe didn’t like many people.
The door opened and Angel was standing there with a man behind her. “Thomas, Frisco is here.” She glanced over her shoulder and stepped aside.
“Frisco,” Thomas said, walking around his desk to greet the newcomer.
“Thomas,” he replied, shaking his hand.
I gave him a quick appraisal.
He had a muscular build but a lean frame. He stood pin straight, reminding me of a military man. His eyes never left one of ours, showing he was honest.
“It’s great to have you here.” Thomas looked over at James. “That’s James, and over there,” he said, looking toward me, “is my cousin, Morgan. Guys, this is Frisco.”
“Frank is my real name, but I go by Frisco,” he said, giving us each a quick nod.
“Come on in, Frisco. We have a lot to discuss,” James said.
“Thank you,” Thomas said to Angel.
She waved and closed the door, leaving the four of us to speak.
“What’s with the name Frisco?” James asked as Frisco sat down. “Was your mom a General Hospital fan?”
“I’m from San Fran. The guys at the bar like to use nicknames.” He shrugged.
“GH is a better angle.”
“Let’s go over a few rules,” Thomas said as he sat down.
“Shoot,” Frisco replied, relaxing into his chair.
“First things first. Angel, whom you’ve met already, is mine. Race, whom you will meet, is Morgan’s. Hands off our ladies. Let’s just get that free and clear.”
He sighed, raking his fingers through his hair. “I’m having enough trouble with my woman to even bother thinking about someone else’s.”
“Why don’t you tell us about your skills?” James said, changing the subject.
“I was a Navy man for years, serving as a SEAL. I can’t go into detail. Many of my missions are still classified,” he said, shifting in his seat.
I glanced over at Thomas just as he looked at me.
We both had the same impressed look on our faces.
Even though I was an army man through and through, I still had respect for all branches of the service.
SEALs weren’t pussies.
“I think I have many of the skills, if not all, that would make me a great PI.”
“Full of yourself,” I muttered in a low voice.
He glanced at me. “I am,” he replied with a smirk. “But I can back that shit up.”
“So can I.”
“Gentlemen, let’s save the attitudes for the bad guys,” Thomas said.
“We’re cool, man,” I said, giving Frisco a nod. “I know that, if he was a SEAL, he can back his shit up, but even if I was only an army grunt, I can too.”
“We all have skills,” James said. “If any of you didn’t, you wouldn’t be here.”
“Go on,” Thomas said as he stared at Frisco and ignored me.
“Whatever you need done, I can do it.” Frisco glanced at me out of the corner of his eye. “I’m here to be a team player. I just want to dive in and get my hands dirty.”
“Let’s just hope your first case doesn’t go down like Morgan’s,” James sa
id, patting me on the back.
“I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.”
“That bad?” Frisco asked as he grimaced.
“Someday, I’ll tell you about her.”
“Did you lose her?” he asked, tilting his head. “I couldn’t imagine someone dying because I fucked up.”
“Nah, man. I didn’t lose her. My world has never been the same since the day I was assigned to her case.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Frisco winced.
I remembered how simple shit used to be. “I’m not.”
He returned his attention to Thomas. “I’m a pretty straightforward guy. I shoot straight, tell the truth, and sometimes I speak before thinking.”
“Sounds like you’ll fit right in.”
I glanced at my watch again, realizing I was about to be late to my lunch appointment with Race. “I’m gonna run, guys,” I said as I stood.
“Try not to take an extended lunch again today,” Thomas warned.
“At least I take mine outside of the office,” I shot back. “Word to the wise, Frisco. Always knock,” I said, holding my hand out.
He gave me a confused look as Thomas and James both laughed. “What?” he asked.
I shook my head. “Never mind. You’ll figure it out.”
“I have to run too,” Thomas said as he walked around his desk. “I have a meeting with a potential client.”
“I’ll show Frisco the ropes and get him situated,” James said.
I snapped my fingers, turning toward Thomas. “I have a meeting tonight with a client. So I plan to take a very long lunch. I’ll be back in the office around six.”
“Do you need one of us here?” Thomas asked.
“Nah, I got it.”
“I’ll be around,” James added. “Izzy’s home with the kids today.”
“You better not stay late. She’ll murder you if you leave her all day with the boys.”
“Let me worry about your sister, Thomas.”
“Frisco, if James doesn’t come back to work tomorrow because my sister kills him, you can have his office.”
“What the fuck?” I asked, pretending to be insulted. “I should get that office first.”
“Boys,” James interrupted as he headed for the door and opened it. “No one gets my office. Someday you’ll learn to handle your women like I do.”
Thomas and I burst into laughter.
“He’s so full of shit,” Thomas said.
I used that as my cue to exit. “I’m out. Catch ya guys later. Nice to meet you, Frisco.”
“Bye,” he said as I walked out.
As I walked toward my office, Race approached from the waiting room.
“Hey, baby,” she said, wrapping her arms around me.
“Hey, princess. How did work go?” I asked, kissing the top of her head.
She peered up at me. “Fantastic.”
“Really?”
She nodded and kept smiling. “Not at first, but it got better.”
“Let’s go into my office and talk before we head to lunch. Okay?” I asked, opening the door.
“Sure,” she said as she stepped inside.
“So, work wasn’t as bad as you thought it would be?”
“It was worse.” She laughed. “So much worse.”
“Okay,” I whispered and stroked my chin. “You’re acting weird. Why are you so happy if it was worse?”
She sobered as she placed her hands flat on the desk and leaned over. “Because I quit!” she shouted.
“You quit?” Relief washed over me.
“Yes.” She stood up, held her arms out, and began to twirl. “I marched into Mr. Emerson’s office and told him I was done.” She fist-pumped the air.
I’d never seen Race this free and excited about anything before, and I couldn’t help but smile. “Wow. That’s amazing, babe. I’m so excited for you.”
I hadn’t been able to get her out of my thoughts this morning. Walking into that office had to be one of the toughest things she’d ever done. Everyone knew about her case; it had been all over the news the next day. She couldn’t hide from it, and if her office was as cutthroat as she claimed, I’d expected problems ahead.
She stopped spinning, dropping her arms to her side and swaying. “I feel free for the first time ever,” she said, and then she sighed.
I walked over to her, needing to get a little piece of happiness myself. “I’m so proud of you,” I told her as I pulled her into my arms.
“We need to celebrate.” She giggled as she stared up at me.
“What do you have in mind?” I asked then leaned forward and peppered her neck with kisses.
“Oh, no you don’t,” she said, trying to get out of my grasp.
I chuckled against her skin. “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate.”
“You’re taking me to lunch,” she said as she crawled out of my arms, darting behind me.
“I’d rather have a little Race for lunch,” I teased.
“We can’t,” she said as I tried to grab her, but she moved sideways and out of reach.
“Yes, we can. I’ve walked in on Thomas and Angel more times than I’d like to remember.” I groaned, trying to catch her again.
She stopped moving as her mouth dropped open. “You have?”
This time, I didn’t miss, grabbing hold of her arms. “Gotcha,” I growled. “I have. I fear my office is the only one that hasn’t been christened.”
She placed her hands on my chest, smiling at me. “I’m afraid that’ll have to wait.”
“What am I supposed to do with this?” I asked as I rubbed my crotch against her stomach, letting her feel my hard dick.
“Oh,” she murmured. “We can’t have you going to lunch like that.”
I stared into her eyes and pouted. “It would be a shame for it to go to waste. I can’t really walk out of here like this, either, princess.”
“I suppose you can’t,” she whispered, rubbing her fingers along my stubble. “Just a quickie. I’m starving.”
“Quickie works, but later I expect it long and slow.” I groaned as I brushed my mouth against the skin of her face, feeling the silkiness on my lips.
“Have something in mind?” she asked as she tipped her head back, giving me access to her neck.
“I always have a plan,” I murmured as I kissed my way to her collarbone, stopping before I got to her scars. “Quickie now to make you happy, and a little something extra later to make me happy,” I said before I bit down on her flesh.
She thought about it, her eyes darting around the room. She nodded as she looked into my eyes. “It’s a deal.”
“Sometimes a deal with the devil isn’t always smart.” I smirked.
“I think I can take whatever you’re giving.”
“Don’t write checks with your mouth that your ass can’t cash.”
“What?” she asked, scrunching her nose.
“You’ll see,” I said.
She threw her head back. “I trust you,” she said through her giggles.
I held her ass in my hands and squeezed. “I want to own all of you. I plan to claim every last inch of you tonight.”
She gasped. “Oh,” she said, her cheeks growing flushed. “You know all the pretty things to say to a lady.” She placed her hand on my chest, her palm scorching my skin through the material.
I placed my mouth over hers and gave her a kiss that stole the air from my lungs.
Fuck, I loved her.
I lifted her in the air as she wrapped her legs around my back, locking our bodies together. Carrying her over to the desk, I placed my mouth on hers, quieting her moans.
Opening one eye, I found the desk and laid her out on top of it.
“Are you sure this is okay?” she asked in a breathy tone.
“Totally sure,” I told her as my hands slid up her thighs, finding her garter. “Lie back,” I commanded as I reached the edge of her panties.
“Oh God,” she groaned
as she grabbed the edge of the desk.
“Perfect,” I murmured as I started to undo my pants and push them down to my ankles. My cock sprang free, harder than ever and ready for action.
Without having to be told, she lifted her ass and shimmied her skirt up to her waist, giving me an amazing view.
“Those have to go,” I said as I touched the edge of her black lace panties. As I grabbed the sides, she lifted, allowing me to pull them off. I twirled them in my fingers before throwing them across the room.
“Hey!” she yelled as she turned her head, trying to see where they landed.
“I have a new rule,” I said as I leaned over the desk, bringing my lips to hers.
“What’s that?” she asked, her breath skating across my face.
“No more panties. They’re forbidden.”
“You can’t just make that rule,” she said.
“I did. No more,” I growled, moving her mouth with mine.
My palm caressed her breasts, and I rubbed her nipple with my fingertips as I kissed her. As my hand slid down her body, her back arched, moving my hand down.
She was slick and ready when I cupped her pussy.
“This is mine,” I said, not really putting it up for debate.
“It’s yours,” she breathed, arching her back and pushing down against my hand.
“Good girl,” I said as I slipped a finger inside.
Her back arched further, pushing my finger deeper inside her. “I want more. Gimme your cock, baby!” she whisper-yelled.
I looked down at her, totally in shock. I fucking loved dirty-girl Race. “Say it again.”
She spread her legs. “Fuck me, Morgan.”
It wasn’t the same, but it made my cock leap at her words.
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” I said as I pressed the tip of my cock against her wetness, removed my finger, and thrust inside.
“Jesus,” she murmured as I leaned forward, pulling out and pushing back inside her with more force.
“You feel so damn good,” I moaned against her neck, pounding into her.
“Yes! Yes!” she chanted as I covered her mouth with my hand, quieting her.
The desk jumped, moving with each thrust as I pummeled her pussy, driving deeper with each stroke.