by Goode, Ella
I smooth my hair out as I walk over to my desk. When I reach it, I open the drawer and grab my purse out, rifling through it to find my compact. Once I find it, I open it and lift it up to see what’s going on with my face. I let out a little gasp when I see half of my lipstick is gone and the other half is smudged onto my face. I know Kayla is trying not to laugh before I even look her way. I peek out from behind the compact to see her with a big chunk of chocolate muffin shoved in her mouth as her shoulders shake up and down in silent laughter.
“Laugh it up over there. One of these days you’ll be in the same spot I am and we’ll see who’s laughing then.”
Her face scrunches at my words. “I don’t do men.” She opens her mouth, shoving the rest of the muffin into it. I’ve never seen someone eat as much as she does and be so tiny.
“Oh. Sorry.” I shut my compact. It was rude of me to assume she is into men. I think I assumed that because she’s made a few comments about some of the men being hot around here. So I figured she is into them.
“Oh. I’m not into women. I already have too many men in my life as it is. You’ve seen them. They’re always around. Not to mention I have five brothers!”
“That’s a lot of men.”
“You’re telling me.” Her eyes go back to my bag of pastries.
“You can have another.” I laugh as she reaches in, this time coming up with a cinnamon crunch scone.
“You two look good together. I’ve never seen him this happy before.” Kayla’s face goes a little serious. “Break his heart and we’ll have fucking problems.”
My mouth falls open for a moment, shocked at her tone and the absence of the playfulness she normally has. I get it. She sees Grey like a brother. I’d said pretty much the same thing to Victor about my own little sister.
“If anyone is going to get hurt it will be me,” I admit. “I never want to hurt anyone.”
“Straight up. Never seen him gone with a girl. So I know this is big for him. All I’m saying is don’t hurt him.”
“Okay.” What else can I say to that? It almost makes me wonder why Grey has never dated before. If everything that he has been showing me is how he really is then he should have women falling all over him. He does always give orders at everyone so maybe no one got the chance to get close. He doesn’t let them. I’m realizing with each day that passes how much different he is toward me.
“Good.” She smiles. “I like you. Wouldn't want to have to kick your ass,” she says in her normal chipper voice. I fight a small laugh as she heads out of my office leaving my head spinning and me wondering if I could really hurt Grey. I’ve been so sure up until this point that I am the one that could end up broken that I haven’t considered what it will do to him if it doesn’t work out.
Chapter 15
Greyson
“Cochrane looks like he’ll be a good addition to the team,” Bas, one of our team leaders, notes as we review the training footage. The security firm is getting more business and I’m not sure whether it’s because there are more people in the world doing shit things or more people in the world are scared of the shit things. Either way, the company has more business than it knows what to do with. We need more bodies here but we can’t hire just anyone who knows how to use a gun. You have to be trustworthy, not swayed by money, and be free of any personal issues that could affect how you do the job. Finding a person with even one of those traits isn’t easy. Finding a person with all three characteristics who can handle a gun and is physically fit is about as rare as locating a four-leaf clover in a field already gnawed to the dirt by the cows.
“Sign him up, if you think he’s a good fit,” I tell Bas. “But make it provisionary. We don’t want another Justin Patterson issue.”
Bas winces. “Our background checks are better today,” he reassures me. Patterson had an animal cruelty problem we didn’t know about until his ex reported it. After we fired him, he went off and beat up the ex. He’s in jail now and we’re keeping an eye out for the woman but it sucks we made the wrong call with him.
“Good. All right…” I check my list. “We did gear inventory yesterday and with our new office manager, our payroll systems should be upgraded.” I check two more items off my to-do list. A quick stop in my office to review last week’s project reports and I’ll be free to get supplies for tonight’s dinner. I’m thinking soup with some homemade noodles. Amie looked a little tired from last night. I kept her up late and worked her hard. She needs a little TLC. Tonight, I’m going to feed her soup and biscuits, draw her a bath, and fuck her real gentle a couple of times only.
I leave Bas with a nod and head toward my office. On my way, a text alert goes off. I read it swiftly.
Kayla: Some rich old broad is here to see you for a private consult. I put her in conf room A. Amie went to wrangle with tech support over the payroll software upgrade.
I guess my dinner plans will be delayed. I text back a response. I’m on my way. Leave a note for Amie that I’ll meet her at home. No need to wait for me.
I’d text her myself, but somewhere along the way I never got Amie’s phone number. She’s been with me nearly every second of the day since she stepped into the office and it slipped my mind. I’ll grab her phone tonight. It doesn’t sit right with me that I can’t contact her at any given second. First, though, I’ve got to get through this new client meeting.
I grab a cup of coffee, a notepad and slide into the conference room. I don’t even need an introduction to know that the woman is somehow related to Amie. Their features are a lot alike although Amie’s are softer and prettier, as if Amie’s wearing one of those internet filters that make you look ten times younger and better looking.
“Ma’am.” I stick close to the door. It’s weird Amie’s mother showing up here like this without advance notice.
The older woman rises from her seat and rubs her hands down her dress. It’s a weird move. Maybe she’s trying to be sexy but it comes off awkward. I stare at some point over the woman’s right shoulder so I don’t bust out laughing.
“I’m Karen Collins,” she says, approaching me with an outstretched hand.
“I figured.” I make no move to take her hand. I know this is Amie’s momma, but she violated Amie in a real bad way and I won’t be making nice with her. “What brings you here?”
Mrs. Collins’ tight face twitches, surprised at my curt reply. “I’m here to see my daughter.”
“Then why the private request to see me?” I peer down my nose at her in a disapproving manner.
“Because my dear Amie’s phone appears to be deactivated. I flew in from New Jersey to check up on her.” The woman dabs at the corners of her eyes. “She might be an adult, but she’ll always be my baby. I’ve been worried sick about her since she left the Lennox resort to come here and work. I just miss her so.”
If it were just me, I’d kick her out, but I’m not entirely sure what Amie wants. I scratch a small spot behind my ear and weigh the options—send this woman home or keep her here until Amie comes back to the office, assuming she is coming back to the office. Maybe she’s gone home like I suggested. The best solution here is to find out where Amie is and what she wants to do. If she wants her mom gone, then the mom is gone. If she wants the mom to stay, I’ll live with it. I’m never going to like the old woman because of her lack of loyalty but I’ll tolerate her if that’s what Amie wants.
“Why don’t you take a seat here? I’ll go see where your daughter is.”
“Wait!” Mrs. Collins cries.
I look up to see her launching herself toward me. I flatten myself against the door and lift the coffee mug high out of the way. Mrs. Collins trips at the last second and starts to tip over. I can see it all play out in slow motion—the way the pointy toe strikes the base of the chair, the way her arms windmill out to try to regain balance, the way she’s about to fall flat on her face. In that instant, my desire to see her on the floor wars with all the years of training about protecting people in dan
ger. I step forward, slide the coffee onto the table with one hand and grab her around the shoulders with my other hand. The opposing force sends her upright and spins her around. I catch her arms and lever her into a standing position.
“Watch where you’re going,” I snap.
I let the woman go and step back. She spins around and throws herself into my now empty arms.
“Thank you for saving me,” she cries so loud my ears ring. “You’re a hero. A true hero.”
“This may be the most disgusting scene I’ve ever witnessed,” I hear from the door.
Looking over my shoulder, I see Amie framed in the doorway. Damn. I made the wrong call.
Chapter 16
Amie
It’s as if a hot blade is slicing right through me seeing my mother all over Grey. My stomach turns and I have to fight not to vomit. Hell, I have to fight to have no reaction at all. I won’t give her the satisfaction of knowing that this bothers me. Even though I know what my eyes are seeing, my heart can’t believe this is happening again. I school my face and adopt a no-nonsense tone to my voice.
“Payroll is fixed. The new system is in place.” I turn to leave because if I don’t, I might lose my cool. I don’t want to give her the time of day. Worse, I don’t want Grey to see me like this. The last twenty-four hours with him have been perfect. My cold wall that I’ve been holding up had fallen away and I didn't want to resurrect it because of that woman. That’s how I refer to her now. She doesn’t deserve the title of mother.
I don’t want Grey to suffer because of her either. There is no way that I can keep a level head when she’s around. I don’t want Grey to get caught in the line of fire. I know at this point there is only one way that I can be when I am around her, cold as ice. It is the only defense I have when I’m in her presence. If I’m honest, I’m more mad about her keeping Violet away from our family for all of those months because of the bullshit kidnapping thing she pulled than I am about her fucking my ex. I could honestly give a shit about him. He doesn’t even cross my mind these days. When he does all I can think is how I dodged a bullet. Now that I’ve been with Grey I see what kind of men are out there in the world. I’ve not only seen it with some of the men around here but with Grey and my sister’s new husband.
I never loved that dipshit in any way. Grey is the only one I’ve ever truly let break through my barrier. In saying that, I still don’t like that Grey is meeting with my mother and not telling me. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It’s not that I don’t trust him. It’s her deceitful and conniving ways that put me on edge. I still have scars that are healing. I know I shouldn’t hold them against Grey but he made me believe he was going to fix them. He knew my story. I told him about my ex and my mother.
I never thought of Grey as the secret-keeping type. At this moment I’m unable to read his face. So I do what I do best and leave. I head towards my office to collect my things. Needing to put some distance between myself and that toxic human being who calls herself my mother. I ignore her calling my name. It’s impossible to ignore Grey though. He calls out my name softly at first. Then he yells it out with that stern voice that I’ve heard him use on his men. The same one that does funny things to my insides. My nipples immediately go hard as if he were giving me a command in the bedroom. I want to immediately go to him but know that it’s not an option right this second.
“What’s happening?” Kayla pops up from her desk, ready for whatever is about to go down.
“My bitch of a mother is here.”
Her eyes narrow. I might have told Kayla about my mother over lunch. It is hard not to open up to her. The five million questions she asks on a daily basis eventually get you to spill every secret to her. When I first met her she reminded me a lot of Violet but now, I’d swear she’s a mix of my sister and me all in one.
“Oh, I’ll cut a bitch. I don’t care if she’s from Jersey. She’s not even really Jersey if you ask me,” Kayla says as she starts to take her hoops out of her ears. Leave it to Kayla to make me laugh. No, Mother would never be caught in hoops. Diamonds and pearls, sure, but never hoops.
“She’s not worth it. She’s here because she wants something and I’m not going to give it to her.” I keep walking past Kayla’s desk.
“Doesn't mean I can’t give her a little something.” She drops her hoops down onto her desk.
“Sugar,” Grey tries again. He gets me with that one. He’s been calling me sugar all day because I keep eating the giant bag of baked goodies that he brought this morning. He keeps saying that every time he kisses me all he tastes is sugar. He keeps claiming it’s not the baked goods I’m eating that are making me taste so sweet, that it’s me. I know it’s all the powdered sugar I’ve consumed. Either way I am enjoying the nickname. It is sweet and different than I am used to. I’m sure most people wouldn’t use the word sweet to describe me. Violet is the only other one but she is my sister. She has to see my tender side. Times like these are when I miss her the most, even though she’s only a phone call away.
I almost reach my office when I feel a hand grab my arm. I know it’s Grey before I even turn around fully. I can feel the energy coming off of him. Before he’s able to say a word, I begin speaking.
“I know that nothing is going on with you two. I need a few minutes alone to get myself together after seeing her. Can you give me that? Please.” I practically whisper the words to him, hoping that he’ll hear the desperation in my voice. The only thing I can think about is getting inside my office and shutting the door. Shutting that woman out of my life. Grey’s eyes roam over my face and he nods, agreeing to give me some space.
He lets go of my arm so I can open my door. He reaches out and grabs it again. “You’re losing your mother. It’s mourning a death really. I know you want your space but I also know that it may not be the best thing for you right now to be alone. I remember when I lost my grandmother, who was like a mom to me, I wanted to isolate myself. Alone isn’t where you should be. Let me come in with you. I’ll hold you and you can cry or do whatever it is you have to do. Let me in.” His last three words snap something in my mind. He’s not only asking to enter my office but also my heart. “I love you, Amie. Let me show you what that means.”
Chapter 17
Greyson
She pushes the door open and I nearly get weak-kneed in relief. I sweep her up in my arms and stride through. It takes a stern look in Kayla’s direction and she’s up and out of her chair.
“I’ll just go get coffee.”
“Until tomorrow,” I bark.
“Yes sir.” The smart-ass salutes me but she leaves, which is all I need.
Amie buries her face in my chest. “Did you have to announce you’re going to have sex with me in the office?”
“I didn’t say a word,” I reply.
“You didn’t have to.”
“Probably because I want you all the time and it shows.” I place her on the edge of the desk and then get busy with her blouse. It has tiny buttons that are trying to evade my big fingers, but I manage to unfasten them until her smooth skin is exposed. I tap the tiny bow on her lemon-colored bra. “Pretty.”
“Yeah?” She leans back, bracing herself against the desk.
“Not as pretty as what it’s covering though.” I reach inside one of the cups and scoop out a delectable bit of flesh. The tiny nub calls to me and I bend down to give it the attention it deserves.
She tastes like berries and honey. I work that tit into a hard point and then move to the other. She moves her legs restlessly, her arousal too strong for her body to ignore. Reluctantly, I let go of her tits. “Hungry, are we?” I whisper as I help her off with her shirt and bra and skirt.
“If we’re going to have sex in the office, we might as well do it right,” she says in an almost rude tone.
It puts a smile on my face. “Yes, ma’am.”
I love her sass. I love everything about her. If I could’ve made my own woman in a lab, I wouldn’t have been able
to create someone as perfect as Amie.
My cock agrees. It bounces happily in the air as Amie and I work to free it from its cage of clothes.
“He’s happy to see me,” she murmurs. Her warm hand envelops my shaft. There’s a good bit of precum on the head which she uses as she strokes me from head to root and back again.
I lose track of our conversation because who can think when your woman’s hand is on your cock? Not me. I’m all instinct and action.
I slip my fingers between her legs to find her wet and ready. My hungry cock throbs in anticipation. I spread those ready thighs and lean forward to claim her mouth. The tip of my cock rubs against her inner thigh and I nearly come from that small contact. She has that effect on me. She’s just that hot. Even when she’s still, when she’s doing nothing but breathing, I get hard. I’ll see her staring at her computer screen and her tongue will creep out. It takes all I’ve got not to sweep the laptop onto the floor, bend her over her desk, and fuck her so hard that the desk has an imprint of her tits.
My tongue slips in at the same time the broad head of my cock breeches her hot pussy. She clenches around me. Our tongues war as her hot, tight sheath envelops me.
Fuck, she’s hot. I barely get my dick wet and I want to come inside of her so hard and so long that there’s an endless river of sperm swimming around in her channel, making its way to her womb so that we can make a baby.
I break away from her mouth to tell her that. “I want to breed you. I want to make you round and heavy with my child.”
Her thighs tighten around my hips. “I want that, too. I’ll be the best mom.”
“Damn straight you’d be the best mom.” I plunge into her, stroking her with my heavy cock, fucking every inch of her cunt. “You’ll be the greatest mom in the history of moms.”
Amie laughs, a bright wonderful noise that fills the room. The sound is like an aphrodisiac. My cock swells and my pace quickens. Her laughter turns into a moan and her hands flutter around my back. The soft, butterfly-light touches are maddening.