A Good Time

by Shannyn Schroeder

“You are some damn fine arm candy, but he’s bringing his wife. She’s concerned about uprooting their family to a new city. I figured if anyone knows the city it’s you.”

  She inched up so they were almost nose to nose. Her breast brushed against the smattering of hair on his chest. “A business lunch about real estate I can do. Let me know what information they need and I’ll have it ready.”

  The idea of going to RL intrigued her. It was the place to be seen. Being seen with Griffin could help her tap a lot of potential clients with deep pockets.

  He suddenly pulled back from her. “It’s a business lunch, but I want you there as my date, not as my real estate agent.”

  She blinked slowly at the irritation in his voice. She hadn’t considered that. They’d agreed to be casual. “Oh.”

  He studied her face. “What did you think we were doing?”

  “Uh.” Her heart crashed in her chest. Had she misunderstood their conversation? She sat up and stared at the shadows on the wall. She began slowly. “I assumed casual meant we enjoy each other’s company. Here. Like this.” She pointed to the bed.

  He pulled himself up and took her chin in his hand. “You thought I’d come here to fuck you, but I wouldn’t want to be seen in public with you?”

  She winced and pulled away from his hand. “When you put it like that it sounds bad, but I guess that’s what it boils down to. Isn’t that what casual means?”

  He sighed. The muscle in his jaw twitched. “Casual means we enjoy our time together without expectations for the future.”

  She shrugged. “I guess we should’ve shared definitions earlier.”

  “Hey, if all you want is a fuck buddy, I could probably suffer through.” He stretched out on the bed again with a smug smile on his lips.

  She smacked him with her pillow. “Your idea of casual might be more fun. Care to show me the ropes?”

  He pulled her back until her head nestled in the crook of his shoulder. “First, sleep. Lunch Tuesday. We’ll figure out the rest as we go.”

  She heard Griffin’s breathing slow, and Indy settled into his warmth. Giddiness danced across her nerves. Griffin wanted to spend time with her out of bed. He was taking her to an expensive restaurant to meet a potential employee.

  He trusted her not to screw it up or embarrass him.

  The thought created a hard pressure in her chest. In one fell swoop her rebound guy had given her more than Richard ever had.

  Don’t get carried away. Casual was best.

  We’ll figure it out as we go.

  It was the most promise she’d felt in a long time.

  The morning sun streamed through the narrow window facing the neighbors’ building. The sheets next to her were cool. So he hadn’t spent the night. But she smelled coffee.

  She flipped off the covers and pulled on an oversized T-shirt. The sight in her kitchen caused a hitch in her stride. Griffin stood in his underwear, staring out her back windows.

  He had stayed.

  The lines of his muscles were relaxed. Raising coffee to his lips caused the tattoo on the back of his shoulder to take life. The blue monster with claws and wings eyed her fiercely.

  Griffin turned and looked at her. “Morning.”

  “I thought you left.”

  He met her at the counter while she poured her coffee. “Unlike some people, I don’t sneak off.”

  He said it without animosity, but with enough bite to let her know he knew she lied.

  “I apologized.”

  “With a bullshit excuse.”

  There had been no way to explain that she wouldn’t be the way she’d been with Richard. She wouldn’t stay in his expensive condo while he never came to her. But Griffin had come to her. He’d spent the night. She shrugged. “Want breakfast?”

  She bent and pulled eggs from the fridge.

  “Now I know why your neighbor Eddie looks at you like you’re naked.”

  She straightened and nudged him out of the way to grab a bowl and fork to scramble eggs. “Eddie has never seen me naked.”

  “You sure?”

  “Look,” she said, jabbing the fork in the air at him.

  He cut her off. “No, you look. Your kitchen window lines up with his. We had a companionable nod over a cup of coffee earlier.”

  She’d never considered it. She’d never seen Eddie in the window looking at her. “I rarely stroll around naked.”

  His gaze wandered over the shirt that skimmed her thighs. “Barely dressed is almost worse than naked. Fuels the imagination.”

  “Whatever.” She picked up her cow salt and pepper shakers and sprinkled the eggs.

  Griffin eased away from the stove as she set the pan on the flame. He lowered the blinds on the window. “What’s with the cows?”

  “Do not give me hard time about the cows.” Her voice came out sharper than she had intended. She popped bread in the toaster and put butter and jelly on the table while eggs sizzled in the pan.

  Griffin sat silently, waiting for breakfast. He checked something on his phone while she plated food.

  She set the plates down and took the seat across from him. He picked up his fork, then set it back down. “I wasn’t giving you a hard time about your damn cows. It’s a weird collection and I was making conversation.”

  She blew on some eggs before putting them in her mouth. “I know. I didn’t mean to snap at you.”

  He took a bite of eggs, but she pushed her plate away. “Richard hated the cows.”

  Griffin’s fork clanged against his plate. “I told you before, I’m not him.”

  Indy softened her voice. “I know. It’s like I’ve suddenly realized I spent months trying to live up to the expectation of being something I’m not.”

  She paused. She enjoyed acknowledging the feeling.

  It felt so good, she continued. “The living room furniture? Richard picked it out. He wanted one room where he could feel comfortable when he came over.” She got up from the table and words rushed out.

  “I used to hide the cows. Or at least push them back so they were less visible. Which was ridiculous because he never came into the kitchen. He never used the back door.”

  Her eyes locked on Griffin’s. “He never spent the night.”

  Griffin stood and wrapped his arms around her. She didn’t cry. She didn’t even want to. Anger ran through her.

  “You’re not crying, are you?”

  Her cheek rested against his hard chest, his steady heartbeat soothing her. She smiled. “No, I’m fine. I’m frustrated with myself. Eat your eggs before they get totally cold.”

  He returned to the chair and she topped off both cups of coffee. She sat, feeling better after venting. “The collection was an accident. After my mom died, and I picked up Quinn, I grabbed the three cows my mom kept in the kitchen. I thought Quinn would want them.”

  She took a bite of eggs, now cold, and washed them down with hot coffee. “Quinn laughed when I tried to give them to her. She thinks they’re ugly. So I kept them. Then friends bought more as gag gifts. Now it’s a collection.”

  Griffin finished his eggs and toast without comment. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” She stood and reached for his plate.

  “Not for breakfast. For telling me about your cows.”

  She put the dishes in the sink. “I figured I owed you for letting me rant about my ex-boyfriend. Most men would’ve walked away.”

  He stood and kissed the side of her neck. “He means nothing. His loss, my gain.”

  In a moment, she was breathless again, hoping her jelly legs would hold her. His almost beard rubbed roughly against her skin, burning pleasure through her. “Don’t you have to work?”

  His hands were all over her, warming her skin. “I’m the boss.”

  He picked her up and set her on the edge of the table. Making his intentions clear, he pushed his underwear down and ripped open a condom. Where the hell had he hidden that? “I don’t think this table is strong enough.
It might collapse.”

  “I’ll buy you a new one,” he whispered against her flesh as he nipped and sucked.

  Chapter 6

  Tuesday morning, Griffin received a text from Indy saying she’d meet him at the restaurant. Indy was always late, so he’d offered to pick her up, but she declined.

  He arrived at the restaurant a few minutes early and waited for his prospective employee Rob and his wife, Michelle. And Indy. Before he could pull out his phone to check the time, the door opened and Indy stepped through. Her royal blue suit exuded professionalism, but being Indy, she wore a deep-cut silk blouse as a nod to her femininity.

  “Hi.” She smiled.

  “You’re not late.”

  Her smile broadened and she raised a brow. “No ‘Hi, Indy. How’s your day?’ ”

  He returned her smile and mocked, “Hi, Indy. How’s your day?”

  “It doesn’t count if I have to prompt you. And I’m not always late.”

  He stepped closer and kissed her cheek, knowing if he touched her lips, he wouldn’t be able to stop. “You look gorgeous.”

  “Thank you,” she answered coolly.

  The compliment meant nothing to her. Men probably said similar things to her all the time. He didn’t know how to explain what she did to him. Any attempt would sound like a lame come-on. He’d never wanted a woman as much as she made him want her.

  The hostess seated them near the center of the room. He pulled Indy’s chair out for her. She shot a grin at him over her shoulder.

  People noticed her. It happened when she walked into any room. The problem lay in the fact that many people knew him, if only by name or face. The whispering began.

  As he took his seat beside Indy, she whispered, “Am I fodder for gossip columnists by being seen with you?”

  He sighed. He hadn’t wanted her to be. “Probably.”

  “Good.”

  His gaze shot to hers. “Good?”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever been in a newspaper before.” She waved a hand near her face. “Makeup?”

  “Flawless.” He found her eagerness disarming. The novelty of the spotlight would fade. She wasn’t part of this world. She wasn’t one of the flighty socialites who craved the publicity. At least he hadn’t thought so.

  A couple approached the table, and Griffin recognized Rob.

  “Mr. Walker?”

  Griffin stood. “Griffin, please.” He shook Rob’s hand. “You must be Michelle.”

  “Yes.” She extended her hand.

  Griffin looked at Indy by his side. “Rob, Michelle, this is Indy Adams.” They exchanged quick greetings and returned to their seats.

  The couple was obviously uncomfortable. Griffin asked about projects Rob developed, and Indy nudged him.

  “Don’t interview the man over lunch.” She turned to Michelle. “Have you had a chance to enjoy much of the city?”

  Michelle’s face relaxed, and the women talked about museums. Griffin changed the subject to sports and the various Chicago-based teams. During the main course, Griffin broached the topic that was the purpose of the lunch.

  “What can I do to get you to relocate to Chicago and work for me?” He directed the question at the couple. The job itself would draw Rob, but Michelle had higher expectations.

  “The job offer is fabulous,” Rob began.

  Michelle continued. “But we have two children. We need to make sure the move will benefit them as well.”

  Griffin didn’t know what to say. He knew his offer would give Rob a huge pay hike. They could give their kids whatever they wanted.

  Michelle looked flustered. “The money is great, but I’ve never been outside California. What I’ve experienced of Chicago over the last couple of days has been fascinating. But what about schools and neighborhoods and sports and friends for my kids?”

  Indy placed a hand on Griffin’s thigh under the table. The touch short-circuited his brain for a moment, and Indy jumped in. “I know what you mean, Michelle. I came to Chicago from a small town for college. It was a scary move. Now I’m a real estate agent. I know this city. Tell me about your neighborhood.”

  Michelle launched into great detail about the offerings of their little corner of the world. Indy listened and Griffin saw her developing a plan.

  He took the time to talk about job responsibilities and the benefits package. Rob looked anxious to start something fresh.

  A phone rang and Indy held hers up. “I’m sorry. I need to take this.”

  She stood and scooted out of sight. Moments later, Griffin’s phone signaled a text. “Sorry,” he said to Rob, and picked up the phone. A text from Indy? He checked the urge to look over his shoulder.

  Can I take her out of here?

  He responded with a quick yes. If Indy occupied Michelle, he could continue his hard sell on Rob.

  Indy returned. “Sorry. What I was thinking, before we were interrupted, was that I could take you through some neighborhoods, Michelle.”

  Michelle’s forehead furrowed, and Griffin thought they lost the moment.

  “No pressure,” Indy explained. “I think it will be impossible for you to make an informed decision without really looking at the city. Based on what you’ve told me about your neighborhood, I have some in mind that might be comparable.”

  Michelle looked at Rob, who shrugged.

  Griffin interrupted. “Rob and I can go back to the office and have a tour.”

  Michelle looked at Rob and back at Indy. “You’re sure you don’t mind?”

  “Not at all.”

  “I need to get my bag out of the car. I’d like to take notes.” She stood. “Griffin, it was nice to meet you.”

  Indy said, “I’ll meet you by the front door in five minutes.”

  Rob stood with his wife. “I’ll walk you out.” The couple left, murmuring to each other.

  Indy stood and slung her purse over her shoulder.

  Griffin slid his arm around her waist, pulled her to him, and planted a kiss. He knew heads were turning again.

  She pulled away. “What was that for?”

  “I would say your brilliance, but truth is, it’s what you do to me every time I see you.”

  Her eyes widened and her mouth eased open. He hit his mark. He wanted her to know she was much more than excellent arm candy. She’d gone out of her way to help him without expecting anything in return. He’d only ever experienced that with the O’Learys.

  “Thank you.” The words were completely inadequate.

  “No problem. My afternoon was free anyway.”

  He pushed her hair behind her shoulder, brushing her neck with his fingers. “I’ll call you later.”

  Indy spent two hours driving through various neighborhoods with Michelle. She hoped Griffin knew how much he owed her for this. She’d figured a tour of the city would loosen Michelle up and give Griffin some time alone with Rob. The woman was extremely picky, though. Like Chicago could never compare to California. No matter what Indy showed her, she found fault.

  As Indy drove back to the hotel, Michelle said, “Thanks for doing this. I really appreciate it. Mr. Walker certainly knows how to sell.”

  “What do you mean?” Indy stole a look at the woman beside her.

  “I’m not dumb. I know he brought you to lunch to convince me to move here. He knows I’m the only thing standing between my husband and this job. I did my research. He’s not the kind of man who likes to lose.”

  Talk about an understatement. “No, he’s not, but my offer to take you around was not planned.”

  “It wouldn’t have surprised or upset me if it had been. Like I said, I did my research. Mr. Walker isn’t a man who cares about kids. Mine are my life.”

  Anger tensed Indy’s shoulders. What could this woman know about Griffin? She wanted to tell her all about the work he did with his kids in the foundation, but she knew Griffin didn’t want it public knowledge yet. “Why would you say that?”

  She felt Michelle’s eyes on her, so
she turned to catch a glimpse.

  “Are the two of you serious?”

  What a loaded question. It probably wouldn’t go over well if she told Michelle Griffin was her rebound guy and she was in it only for the sex. “We haven’t been together long enough to think like that.”

  From the corner of her eye, she saw Michelle shake her head. “I’ve researched both Mr. Walker and his company. The company is solid. The usual complaints about violence in video games. But personally, I don’t think he’s a man I would want to spend too much time with. He has a revolving door of women.”

  Defensiveness pricked her nerves. Griffin had never made her feel like part of the revolving door. But she supposed she was. Then she wondered what Michelle would say if she’d been able to research Indy.

  “So he’s not looking to settle down. It doesn’t make him a bad person.”

  “Ten years ago, he got a woman pregnant, then denied everything. The woman was so crushed, she committed suicide. They buried the story, but I dug and found it.”

  Indy was grateful they’d arrived at the hotel. She stepped on the brakes and put the car in park. Turning to Michelle, she tried to figure out what to say. “You can’t believe everything you read online.”

  Michelle shook her head again. “I don’t want to ruin whatever you have going with him, but he’s not who I want to associate with. I do appreciate all of your help today. If we decide to move, I’d like to give you call. Do you have a card?”

  “Sure.” Indy pulled a card from her purse. “It was nice talking to you. Give me a call if you have any other questions.” Indy felt very adult. She’d wanted to toss the woman from her car for being a gossip, but if Michelle wanted to become a client, Indy would take it.

  Michelle slid from the car and walked into the hotel.

  On the drive back home, she thought about what Michelle had said.

  Did Griffin’s past matter? They’d agreed to keep it casual.

  Hell, anything that happened ten years ago should stay in the past. Everyone had baggage. She had skeletons of her own.

  Of course, hers didn’t involve anyone killing himself over her.

  The following morning, Griffin’s office door swung open and the excitement of having Rob almost signed dropped. He knew Kendra was here to ream him again.