Making His Baby(201)

His offer is more than tempting but I shake my head anyway.

“It’s fine, Jameson. I still have a ton of work to complete before I leave tonight. I’ll be fine,” I say assuredly.

“Work will be here when you get back, Grace. You shouldn’t be skipping meals,” he scolds unconvinced.

“I’ll have a big dinner. The workday is almost over, no need to leave now,” I reason.

He doesn’t look pleased with my answer, but thankfully decides to let it go. I suddenly miss the playful side he revealed earlier. It is a lot less intense than the man currently sitting across from me.

“Whatever you say,” he concedes, pushing himself to his feet. “Thanks for agreeing to see me at the last minute. You’re a lifesaver.”

I feel small as he towers over me so I stand to erase some of his advantage.

“It was my pleasure,” I say dutifully and the damp state of my panties taunts me with just how true those words are.

“Take care of yourself,” he says as an easy smile reclaims his lips. I breathe in relief at the welcome sight.

“I can walk you out,” I offer, not ready for our time to end.

But he declines with a firm shake of his head.

“Save your energy for work, gorgeous. I’ll see myself out.”

I watch helplessly as he walks to my door and turns the knob.

Before he leaves, he throws a teasing dare over his shoulder.

“Don’t forget to dream of me tonight.”

I fall back into my chair and sigh like a contented high school girl. There is no doubt in my mind that he’ll be the star of my dreams tonight and many nights to come.

Staring blankly at my computer screen I know there’s no way I will get any work done at the moment.

I reach up to touch my flushed cheeks and wonder how frazzled I must appear to others. Luckily, no one is in the vicinity of my office at the moment.

Retrieving my compact mirror, I flip it open and examine my face. My full, round cheeks are rosy just as I imagined. Focusing on my eyes, I notice even my pupils are dilated.

The effect this man has on me is unacceptable.

Trying to regain my composure, I run my manicured fingers through my auburn tresses, situating them on one side to flow over my right shoulder.

I’ve decided to get back to work when I receive a call from reception, telling me that I have a delivery waiting for me in the lobby.

Confused, I walk to the front of the credit union   and see a guy outfitted in a uniform from the deli across the street.

“This is for you, Ms. Chambers,” the lanky teenager says extending a paper bag in my direction.

“Wait, let me get you some cash for a tip—”

“Don’t worry about it, miss. It’s already been taken care of.” He turns and leaves the building.

Back in my office, I retrieve my phone from my desk’s surface and type out a speedy message to Jameson.

Again, you didn’t have to do this.

Thanks for lunch.

He doesn’t keep me waiting long for a reply.

It’s my pleasure, Grace.

Then a thought crosses my mind.

I wasn’t aware that the deli delivered.

In fact, I know they don’t. In the year that I’ve worked here, I’ve always had to go pick up my orders.

Some would say I’m very convincing.

Entertained by his cheeky response, I type out another message.

I’m impressed, Mr. Wilcox.

I dig into the bag and start assessing the goods. My phone vibrates again and this time warmth flashes through me as I read it.

You said yourself I was thorough, Ms. Chambers.

I want to make sure I surpass all your expectations.

I turn my phone over and, in the name of productivity, I vow to ignore his texts for the remainder of the day.





Chapter five





JAMESON WILCOX





Sitting outside of the shabby bar, I scan the crowd of people. I’m searching for Eric Mendoza.

I need to talk to him about a favor and although we don’t live in close proximity of one another, I know this isn’t a conversation I should be having over the phone.

This place is somewhat of a middle ground.

As I continue to wait for him, I run over the reasons for this meeting.

My current case is starting to rub me the wrong way and I need to know the facts before I royally fuck this up. I need the real info on this Brick guy as soon as possible and I know Eric is the guy to do that for me while I’m otherwise occupied.

Something about Grace pulls on a protective instinct I’m unfamiliar with and I need to know why. On the exterior, she appears to be a typical, sweet non-threatening woman. Had she really done something to end up on Brick’s black list?

My time in the navy had taught me how to compartmentalize, which is how thrived separating morality from my end goal: money. But I’d also learned a lot about how to read people and something just isn’t adding up.