“They shouldn’t be saying anything about him and should be ashamed of themselves.”
“Yeah, they should, which is why he’s probably so infatuated. You have class and would never hurt him like that. He’s dated some real witches.”
Silence.
Anna fastens Hope’s onesie and sets her on her belly. “So, are you going to make him feel like crap for saving your ass?”
“What?”
“A nice thank you, maybe with a blowjob would be a better way to express your gratitude.”
“Anna!” I swat her arm. “Hope’s ears are in front of you.”
“Please. I’m sure she’s heard a lot more from you two the past few days.”
Heat burns in my face. I look at the ground, and my phone is lit up with messages. Steven sent three within the last hour.
I tap his name. “Sorry I’m late. Here’s my selfie.” A picture of him making a silly face pops up. I laugh. The next message reads, “Kiss Hope for me, and I’ll text you later about dinner tonight. Btw, you’re allowed to be human, too. XOXO.”
“What are you laughing at?” Anna asks.
“Nothing,” I mumble.
She picks up the diamond earrings and holds them out. “Put them back in your ears, where they belong.”
I blink hard, staring at them. They are the only material thing I have that I value. And it isn’t because of their worth. Wearing them makes me feel like my grandmother is still with me. She was a strong woman, and I always feel like she gives me courage when I need it.
You’re allowed to be human, too, she used to tell me all the time.
And now Steven said it, too.
I take the earrings and put them on.
“Feel more like yourself now?” Anna asks.
I take a deep breath. “Yeah.”
She smiles. “Good. Are you going to mess up whatever mojo you have going on with Mr. Stud or do the right thing and be gracious?”
Silence.
“He doesn’t deserve any backlash from your ego over this, Harper.”
She’s right.
I pull out the card Shira gave me. Her cell is on it. I text her, “It’s Harper. Thanks for delivering the package. Is Steven in meetings all day, or is there any break between them?”
“He has an open slot between one thirty and two.”
“Great. Can you keep it open for me but don’t tell him I’m coming? I just need to talk to him.”
“Sure. Do I need to push his two back?”
“No. Don’t do that. The half-hour slot is fine, but can you hold his calls and make sure we aren’t interrupted? I have something important I need to discuss.”
“Done.”
“Thanks.”
I toss my phone on my lap and turn to Anna. “Are you doing anything between one and two thirty?”
“Besides trying to stay away from conversations with my brother?”
I wince. “Is Chase hounding you?”
“Yeah. He keeps telling me I’m not going back to New York.”
“You can’t go back to Mitch.”
Her face hardens, and she focuses on Hope.
I put my hand on her arm. “Anna.”
She wipes her face. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Okay.”
“Why did you ask me what I was doing?”
“I need to go see Steven. He’s free at one thirty. Could you stay here and watch Hope? I’ll be back no later than two thirty.”
“Are you going to be nice to him?”
You have no idea.
“Yep. Promise.”
“Okay. I’d love to stay.”
“Thanks. Can you watch her while I go get ready?”
“Sure.”
I shower and put my maximum effort into getting ready. I curl my hair and make sure my makeup is flawless. Then I put on my black stockings, garter belt, crotchless panties, and black lace and mesh teddy. It’s barely there, crisscrossing across my stomach and covering my nipples but displays the fullness of my breasts. I throw a long sweater dress over my lingerie and slide into my four-inch stilettos.
Since I don’t have my purse, I go into Quinn’s closet and borrow one. I toss a packet of baby wipes and my makeup and compact mirror in it.
When I walk out to the family room, Anna lifts her eyebrows. “You look ready for getting down to business.”
“Ha ha.”
I notify Jamison’s driver and pick up Hope. “Auntie Harper will be back shortly. You be good for Anna.”
She pulls on my hair.
I kiss her and give her back to Anna.
“Have fun,” Anna chirps.
“See you soon.”
It doesn’t take long to get to Steven’s work, but when I get to the security desk, I text Shira. “I’m here, but I had my purse stolen and don’t have my driver’s license.”
“I’ll be down in a minute.”
She comes down, works her magic, and we get in the elevator. My stomach flips from nerves.
“You look nice.” She smirks.
“Thanks.”
I like Shira, but she also makes me a bit nervous. She seems to understand everything about what goes on.
“Can you not um...when I leave can you not—”
“Make any smart remarks to Steven about you looking hot?”
“Yeah.”
“Done. Don’t worry. I’ve got your back.”
“Thanks.”
When we step off the elevator, Steven has his back to us and goes into his office and shuts the door.
“Just like clockwork,” Shira gloats.
She leads me to his door and knocks.
“Come in.”
She opens the door. In a neutral voice, she says, “Harper is here to see you. Should I let her back?”
“Yes, of course.”
She spins, smiles, and winks, then motions for me to go in. As soon as I do, I shut and lock the door.
Steven is already on his feet. “Harper, is everything okay?”
As I walk toward him, I throw my purse on his desk and pull off my sweater dress.
“Holy shit,” he mumbles, his eyes filling with heat.
I run my hands under his suit coat, from his stomach up to his pecs and then slide them around his head, lacing my fingers through his thick hair. “We have a half hour before your next meeting. I came to say thank you.”
“You don’t—”
“Quiet.” I cover his mouth with mine and flick my tongue around his, hungrily matching his growing speed. I shove his blazer over his shoulders and toss it on the chair.
I step back and order, “Sit down.”
He scans me from head to toe, walks backward, and pulls out his chair, never taking his eyes off me.
“Do you need to prepare for your next meeting?” I ask, running my finger on the length of his shoulder.
“No. I’m ready.”
“Good boy.” I set the timer on my phone, giving us a ten-minute warning, then unbuckle his pants. When I grab his waistband, he lifts his hips, and I pull them down.
I push his chair toward the glass and kiss him again. He tries to pull me on him, but I murmur in his ear, “Sorry, lover. I need your big, beautiful cock in my mouth.”
His eyes widen, and his chest rises and falls faster.