“Hello?” she said.
“Hi, Baylee. This is Palmer. Did you get my flowers?
“Yes, they just arrived. They are lovely. Thank you.”
“Why don’t we have dinner tomorrow night? I have the zoning permit, and I threw in the building one, as well.”
“Wonderful. Thank you so much, Palmer. It makes my job much easier.”
“Anything for a beautiful lady. Tomorrow night at seven?”
“That would be fine.”
“Excellent. I’ll pick you up at the hotel.”
“Sounds good. Thank you again.”
She placed her phone down. Yes! I got the permits. They could finally break ground and lay the foundation. As an architect, it was always thrilling when the actual building started and all the ideas, diagrams, and designs became reality.
Her mouth went dry when she realized she’d made a date with Axe for the following night. They were supposed to go out to dinner that evening, but he’d called earlier in the day and told her he couldn’t come over because he had club business. He wouldn’t tell her what it was, but he’d told her he’d see her the following night. Axe was not going to be happy when she told him she couldn’t go out with him because she was having dinner with Palmer. Even though he would be pissed, he had to realize it was very important for her to have the permits in hand, and she wasn’t going to jeopardize the project because Axe and Palmer couldn’t play nice in the sandbox. Axe would have to deal with it. This was business, and it benefitted the Insurgents.
She sighed, knowing she was in for a battle with him.
Exhaustion weaved through her muscles and Baylee packed up her laptop, deciding to skip out an hour early and have a glass of white wine at the hotel bar.
With her trusty bodyguard beside her, she stepped into the hotel bar, the familiar wood paneling and red-leather chairs a welcomed sight. Grabbing a table away from the lobby—she didn’t want to risk Logan joining her—she settled in the comfortable swivel chair and kicked off her shoes. Four-inch heels had to have been invented by a man—they were pure torture, but damn pretty and sexy. Digging her toes in the plush maroon carpet was nirvana. Turning her head, she spotted Puck at a table behind her. She smiled.
“Would you like something to drink?”
He shook his head.
“You don’t mind if I do?”
“You can do whatever you want. Axe just told me to keep you safe.” He crossed his massive, inked arms.
She nodded. So, he is capable of forming sentences. Her phone rang, and Axe’s name flashed. Her heart soared.
“Axe.”
“Who the fuck sent you the flowers?”
“Hello to you too.”
“Who sent them to you?”
Baylee glanced at Puck, who watched with an impassioned face. “News travels fast, huh?”
“Who?”
“Palmer Rodgers sent them.” She heard his low growl. “I impressed him, which is good news, because he’s signing off on the zoning permit. He’s throwing in the building permit, as well.”
“What color are the roses?”
“Pink. Did you hear what I said?”
“I heard you. You’re done with him?”
Baylee paused, breathed deeply, then said, “Not quite. I have to get the permits.”
“He can drop them off at your office.”
“He could, but he’s in all-day meetings tomorrow, so we’re meeting for dinner.” She licked her lips. “It’s just a quickie dinner. I’ll have both permits in hand tomorrow night.”
“You don’t really believe his bullshit line, do you?”
She whispered, “It’s just business, Axe. You know that.”
“I thought we had a date.”
“We can get together later, or the next day. I can’t blow all this because you’re feeling insecure or threatened.”
A very long pause ensued. When he spoke, Axe’s voice dripped ice. “I’m not fuckin’ insecure. Threatened? That’s a load of shit. I don’t like being number two. Tell the motherfucker you can meet him the day after tomorrow. We have plans.”
“Axe, you’re being unreasonable. I have to get the permits, you know that. I said we can meet later, at around ten o’clock. You can come to the hotel, and we can have some fun.”
“I don’t have to wait in line to have fun, baby. Plenty of willing chicks who’re dying to show me a helluva good time. So are we on for dinner tomorrow, or not?”
Baylee’s skin pricked. Why the hell was he being so unreasonable about this? He was acting like a macho asshole who wanted his way. Well, too bad; she needed the permits. She compromised by asking him to come by later, and then he threw the threat of fucking other women in her face? No way was she putting up with that nonsense.