He blows out a breath. “I figured you two had been fucking at the cabin. What else is there to do out in the middle of nowhere? But you don’t need to hold on to her now that you’re back. Stick with the professionals—it’s safer that way. Don’t let her ruin us all because of your sentimental dick.”
He’s wrong. My sentimental dick would be easy to ignore. My overthinking brain, too. The part of me that doesn’t want her gagged is a whole different force inside me that my dick and brain are helpless to fight.
I fill my lungs with air, searching for patience. “You’re right. Give me the NDA. I want to see what all she agreed to.”
He snags the document and hands it to me. When I move to grab it, he pulls it back. “You’re doing the right thing.”
I take the document, then flip the lock and head out of the conference room. Remembering something, I stop. “I need you to get someone from the Department of Health to drop in on a place called Chubby’s in the Bronx. Ask them to go in today.” If the place passes health inspection, I’d be shocked. “And then make a call to the restaurant owners. Tell them you’re an attorney working on a class action suit against them for sexual harassment charges.”
“What? Why?”
Because I don’t want Jordan working with her ex, who said he’d wished she’d never come back, for one second longer. Two weeks’ notice is unacceptable. But I can’t tell Hayes all that.
“Just do it.” I turn from him and head back to my office, holding back a satisfied smile.
Twenty
Jordan
Giving my two weeks last night turned out to be unnecessary.
After a surprise inspection from the New York Health Department, Chubby’s was forced to close early. Watching Lincoln run around with his dick in his hands was as satisfying as hearing that the business was also facing a sexual harassment lawsuit.
After I accepted the offer to move in with Alexander, James took me to Lincoln’s so I could clear out what little I had. I also told Lincoln that I hope his cheating dick falls off on my way out the door. By the time I got to work, he was still unhappy with me, so when I quit, he accepted my resignation without the two weeks’ notice, relieved to see me go.
I arrived home before Alexander and fell right to sleep. He slipped into bed sometime around one o’clock in the morning and pulled me against his chest. His skin was damp, and he smelled like body wash. As much as I wanted to attack his naked body, I was too tired to work up the energy it would take to do so.
He made it a point to wake me up this morning before he left. He kissed me and told me he wouldn’t be home until late tonight.
Out of bed, I wash my face, brush my teeth, and run a brush through my hair before going to the kitchen for coffee. The television is on, but the volume is low, and I smile, wondering if Alexander had a change of plans and stayed home.
“Good morning,” I chirp as I step out of the hallway into the main room.
“Finally,” Kingston groans as he comes around the corner from the kitchen and leans a shoulder against the wall. “So the rumors are true. He moved you in.”
“Word travels fast.”
“I’m not going to lie, I’m a little surprised. My brother doesn’t typically like people touching his things.”
“I’m aware.” I think back to the cabin and how he seemed to despise me in his space. Now? Not so much. “What are you doing here?”
He crosses his arms over his chest and frowns as he takes in my clothes. “Yikes. Styled by the local homeless shelter?” His gray plaid skinny slacks hug his slender hips, and his black silk shirt is open at the throat.
“The Bee Gees called. They want their look back.”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “Funny. Who are the Bee Gees?”
“Forget it.” I move past him into the kitchen in search of coffee. “Nice eyeliner, by the way.”
“Thank you.” He takes a seat at the island and watches me closely as I stare at the restaurant grade coffee contraption in front of me.
“What the…” I squint at the words on the buttons. “This isn’t English.”
“French.”
I look at him over my shoulder. “You speak French?”
He nods. “Second button down is probably what you’re looking for.”
“Is that plain coffee?” I pull down a mug from the cabinet and hold it to my chest. “I’m afraid this thing’s going to take off.” I set my cup down, push the button Kingston suggested, and step back. The machine whispers quietly while it grinds and dispenses a delicious looking cup of black coffee. I bring the mug to my nose and inhale. Smells expensive.
“You going to drink it or make out with it?” He smirks. “Fuel up, because we have a lot to get done today.”
I look at him over the rim of my coffee cup, noting the flicker of excitement in his green eyes. “We?”
“My brother didn’t tell you?” When I don’t answer, he continues. “I’m taking you shopping.”
“I’m pretty sure I can handle shopping on my own.”
He sucks in air through his teeth and pointedly inspects my clothes. “I disagree.”
“I was on a budget.”
“I went through what little you have in my brother’s closet,” he says unapologetically.
“While I was sleeping?”
His lips quirk, and I wonder how many dates he gets from those lips alone. “You don’t have anything I haven’t seen before. But don’t worry, I didn’t look. I value my life, and I don’t think my big bro would let me keep it if he saw me ogling his woman on his surveillance cams.”
I sip my coffee and make a note to ask Alexander about those cameras in his bedroom.
“Everything you own is useless. The only salvageable pieces are the things I picked out for you when you arrived.” He drums his fingers on the countertop. “I don’t even want to talk about your panties and bra. Nightmares are made from less. We’ll hit La Perla. Now get ready so we can go.”
I purse my lips, thinking I’m already ready.
He must have read my mind because a look of horror crosses his pretty face seconds before he shakes his head. “Absolutely not. Wear the outfit I bought you.” He flicks his elegant fingers at me. “Go, go, go.”
“You’re as bossy as your brother.”
He reels back. “If you believe that, then you haven’t seen him in action yet.”
My tongue brushes against my bottom lip, remembering when I did see him in action—and the mark it left behind. Grizzly is more than bossy. He’s downright demanding and thrillingly, terrifyingly so. I never thought I’d be the kind of girl who was into that type of man, yet here I am, all hot and bothered thinking about him.
I take a shower and get ready using products Alexander brought down from the guest bathroom. As much as I would’ve liked to linger under the rain showerhead, I know Kingston is waiting for me, and I hate being late.
He checks the big gold watch on his wrist and frowns. “Forty-three minutes. It should take no less than ninety minutes to get ready properly.” He points at me. “You cut corners. We’ll have to work on that.” He looks me over. “Good enough—whoa.” He tilts his head and points as if what he’s pointing at might bite him. “What is that?”