What You Need(105)
What the hell was wrong with Walker that he talked about private family stuff to a stranger in a random bar? That’s beside the point, isn’t it? Get back to her. “What else did your mother say to you?”
“It doesn’t matter. I talked to Annika about it and that helped.”
“Annika? You could talk to her about it but not me?”
“I tried to talk to you, but you were busy.”
“Bullshit. I would’ve dropped everything to be there for you.”
“How was I supposed to know that?”
My eyes took on a glint I didn’t bother to hide. “That’s the point I’m trying to make. You wouldn’t know that because you keep an emotional distance from me—and not because I’m an owner in the company you work for. Do you know how deep that slices me, Lennox? Hearing that you were hurting and you didn’t think I was important enough to share that with?”
Those beautiful eyes widened, as if that was the first time she’d considered it. “I’m sorry.”
“So am I.”
Her phone buzzed and she pulled it out to check the time. “My lunch break is over.”
“I don’t give a damn. Take the afternoon off. We’re not done here.”
Her tone was as snappish as her eyes. “I may be changing departments, but that doesn’t change how I work. And if you don’t know that about me—”
I smashed my mouth to hers and hauled her close, my fingers circling the smooth skin of her strong biceps. I kissed her with hunger and finesse, with possession. My body reminding hers how well I knew it. Reminding her how good it was between us.
Lennox melted into me. Giving me the sweet fire she always did. Making me want to get on my knees and thank the universe for bringing her into my life. Making me want to stand on the top of the tallest structure and proclaim my devotion to her. How could she imagine that there’d ever be anyone else for me?
Show her, dumbass. Don’t tell her.
I released her mouth with just as much confidence as I’d taken it. “You’re right. Let’s not do this here. Come over tonight.”
“When?”
“Seven. Unless you want to come upstairs when you’re done and ride home with me.”
“I’ll drive over. I need to talk to Kiley first.”
“About you not getting fired?”
She looked away. “I wasn’t eager to tell the woman who counts on rent from me that I was about to be out of a job.”
I tipped her chin back toward me. “Hopefully she’ll figure out you’re headed to my place for hot makeup sex as you’re racing out the door with an overnight bag.”
“Brady. Don’t push.”
“I’m the pushy type, baby. You know that about me, so you’ve got to expect I’m not going to sit back and wait when it’s been days since we’ve been alone together.” I brushed my mouth across hers. “Days since I kissed you.” Another teasing kiss. “Days since I touched you.”
Her eyes heated.
Good.
“I said I’d come over. But first I need to relay information to Kiley from your mom.”
“My mom?” That was scary.
Lennox smirked. “It worries you, what your mom and I talked about?”
“No,” I lied.
Her phone beeped again. “I’ve gotta go.”
I kissed her again. “See you at seven.”
*
I wasn’t surprised that my uncle Monte, my dad, Ash, Nolan and I were called into Uncle Archer’s private conference room. I was surprised to be the last one to arrive, however.
“Brady. Have a seat.”
“Thanks.”
“What the hell happened in the Personnel department today?” Uncle Archer zeroed in on me with his I don’t have time for bullshit CEO stare.
“Bluntly? Anita Mohr has had way too much power for too long. Blatant disregard of company protocols. Leveling verbal threats at other employees. Misdirection. Extreme nepotism.” I felt both Ash and Nolan studying me. “This time she’s beyond your protection, sir.”
“My protection?” He truly seemed shocked. “Why would you say that?”
“Anita has made no bones about telling anyone who disagrees with her that she has the ear of the CEO and isn’t afraid to use it.”
“Who’d believe that?”
“Everyone, sir. She makes them believe it. And maybe it’s a scare tactic, but it works.”
“For example?”
I filled him in on the HR complaints, the missing performance reviews and the bogus investigation after discrepancies were discovered. I didn’t mention Lennox or Nolan’s admin or Ash’s admin’s part. After the morning meeting they’d assured me they’d deal with the fallout. Ash had slipped into quiet anger mode and I could tell he hadn’t slipped back out of it yet several hours later.