“Okay, bye.” I hit end.
Chapter Twenty-Six
It felt strange to wander around Reed’s large home without him in it. I’d finished washing his sheets the day before along with my laundry. The cleaning crew would be in tomorrow and I didn’t have driver’s training until the afternoon with the big test on Friday. I decided to tackle Reed’s paperwork again and create a spreadsheet to figure out what was what.
It took an hour to set up the spreadsheet. As I started on the first stack of papers to add in the figures, the office phone rang. I debated answering, but quickly decided I should because it was one of my job responsibilities.
Message pen in hand, I answered, “Reed Tyler’s residence. May I help you?”
“Who is this?” It was a decidedly female voice.
“This is Jaycee Shumway. May I help you?”
“I don’t know who you are, but I will speak with my son immediately.”
Ah, oh. “I’m sorry, but Mr. Tyler is unavailable.” There was no way I was telling Reed’s mom he was in Florida and I couldn’t believe she didn’t know.
“Take a message and get it to my son.”
Didn’t she have his cell number? “Yes, ma’am. What is your message?”
“I am making a donation to the Audubon Society and he must approve the amount due to the size of the donation. Have him call me at once.”
The line went dead and I gently returned the receiver to the desktop. I didn’t want to bother Reed, but I wasn’t sure what to do. I compromised and sent him a text. An hour later, he called.
“Was she rude to you?” was the first thing he said when I answered.
“Not particularly; she just asked me to give you the message.”
“I’m in a hurry right now, but I’ll call my attorney and take care of the problem. You doing okay, baby?”
Just the word “baby” sent a thrill through me, which was completely ridiculous. “I’m good.”
“I’ll call tonight. Gotta go.” He hung up.
I spent another hour on facts and figures before it was time for driving. Today I was headed to the freeway with rush hour traffic. Poor Tom had a heart made of steel and I had a lead foot. I loved the thrill of controlling a vehicle. He didn’t make too many sounds of distress and I got myself back home in one piece.
Later, a driver—yep, I gave in on this too— picked me up and drove me to Tasty Burger. I worked six hours, climbed into the car again and was driven home. Home was an awesome word when it wasn’t a tin can.
My phone rang just as I was walking up the stairs to the loft. I stopped and leaned against the railing.
“Hi.” My voice was all breathy, but it was only because I walked up the stairs. Who was I kidding? Reed’s ringtone made my heartbeat double.
“Are you home from work yet?”
“You caught me right before I opened the front door.”
“Go to my house and talk to me there.” I could hear need in his voice and my heartbeat sped up.
I reversed directions. “Is Sal in the room?”
“No, but he’ll be back soon. Hurry.”
I opened the door, deactivated the alarm, and whispered, “I’m inside.”
“Go to my room. I want to picture you on my bed. Take off your uniform, Jaycee.”
He was thinking about what I was wearing and I couldn’t help smiling. “I need to sit the phone down.”
“Put it on speaker and keep it close.”
“You’re killing me, Reed.”
“Mmm, you kill me too. I think about you when I should have my head in the game.”
I turned the phone speaker on and set it down on the dresser.
“I want to know when you get to your bra and panties. Hurry, Jaycee.”
I pulled my top over my head while slipping out of my shoes. Unzipping my pants, I pulled them off and flung them aside. “I’m there, Reed. Can you hear me?”
“You’re not even close to there, baby, but I promise you will be. Lay down on the bed. Move the phone to the pillow.”
I did what he said. “Okay.”
“Cup your breasts.” He waited a moment. “What color is your bra?”
“White.” It was the only color I owned.
“I like white, but I’ll add some color to your wardrobe so you can feed my phone sex fetish.”
I giggled. “You have a phone sex fetish?”
“I do now. Stop talking, baby, and do what I say.” Dominant Reed was taking over. I could hear it in his voice. “Pinch your nipples over the material.”
He was seriously going to kill me. My groan was soft, but he heard it. “Harder, Jaycee. I want you feeling it in your clit.”
“Where do you get this stuff?” I asked with a louder groan.
“It’s what you do to me. Now release your nipples and slide your hands under the material. Tell me what you feel.”
“You’re embarrassing me.” He was also turning me on and this was all taking place over the phone. How would I ever live without this man who could do this to me with only his voice? My pussy was wet, and more than anything, I wanted him in bed with me.
“Tell me, Jaycee.”
“Ahh, they’re warm and soft.”
“What about your nipples?”
My breathing picked up. “They’re hard and sensitive. They want you, Reed.”
He ignored my words. “I want your hands moving down over your silky skin to the top of your panties. Do it now.”
I slipped my fingers from under my bra and skimmed them over my flesh all the way to my panties. Reed didn’t wait for me to tell him they were there.
“Just one hand, Jaycee. Flatten the other on your stomach. Now move your hand underneath the material and find your clit.”
I was past all embarrassment now and craved what he asked. My fingers went through my folds while my head moved back and forth on the pillow, my breathing rough.
“Pinch your clit between your finger and thumb. Squeeze it tighter and make it hard for me.” His voice was low and husky, almost urgent, and I wondered if he had his hand around his cock. He had to.
“Move those fingers lower and slip two inside your pussy. Bring the other hand down and use it to rub you clit. Put your hips back on the bed, Jaycee.”
“Oh, God,” I groaned. “Do you have a camera in here?” I would kill him.
“No.” His husky laugh ran over me. “But I know you. I know your body. Hips down, fingers in, and push on your clit.”
“Are you rubbing yourself, Reed? Please tell me.” My question was desperate.
“I’m stroking my cock just for you, baby. Are your fingers in?” I couldn’t miss the catch in his breath and it increased my own desire.
“Yes, they’re in.”
“Draw them out slowly and then I want you to lick your fingers.”
I couldn’t believe this.
“Jaycee, taste yourself now.”
The slide of my fingers leaving my pussy was almost painful. I needed them there, but the urgency in Reed’s voice turned me on too and I wanted to give him this.
“I want to hear it,” he hissed out.
I turned my head slightly so my lips were almost touching the phone while sucking my fingers into my mouth. Saliva pooled because of his words before I tasted myself, but it made the sound wetter and so much naughtier.
“Hell, Jaycee, I’m going to blow. I wanted to drag this out, but I can hear you sucking. I swear I feel it on my cock, your lips just on the head. Christ, lick your fingers.”
I made sure he heard it, but the joke was on me because my clit quivered and I pressed down harder with my other hand. I moaned loudly.
“Put them back inside you and finger fuck yourself, but move the phone lower. I know you’re wet and I’ll hear it.”
I didn’t waste any time. I needed my fingers inside me. My hips came up and met my slick fingers as they entered my pussy. I circled my clit with my other hand like Reed would do. He did know my body. The squishy so
und of my fingers in my pussy was loud, but so was my breathing. I smiled because I could hear Reed’s too. I cried out suddenly and pressed my fingers in deep keeping them still.
“Don’t stop, baby, I’m almost there.”
I didn’t want to move my fingers, but I did and it felt so good. Reed’s loud groan thrilled me and I rode out the sensation until the walls of my pussy finally stopped spasming.
“Pick up the phone, Jaycee, and take it off speaker.”
My fingers were wet and I would need to sanitize my poor phone so I didn’t need to worry about someone else touching it.
“Rub your wetness over the faceplate, baby.”
“How did you know?” I croaked.
His husky chuckle sent another thrill through me. “Because my hands are wet with me and so is my phone now. I want you to think of me every time your lips talk against the phone.” He laughed again. “I need to end our call and jump in the shower before Sal comes in. If he finds me like this, he’ll ask to switch rooms. Goodnight, Jaycee. Think of me.”
He ended the call without another word. My kinky baseball player was perfectly evil and I loved it.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
I met with the cleaning crew the next morning after getting Bitsy and Jon off to school. It soon became apparent that I was in the way, so I headed to Reed’s office. The phone rang minutes after I sat down.
“Reed Tyler’s residence. May I help you?”
“Is this Jaycee Shumway?” an older man asked.
“Yes. May I help you?”
“This is Lawrence Morgan, Mr. Tyler’s attorney. He wanted me to contact you and arrange a time for you to sign a few papers.”
“Umm, I’m not sure I understand.”
“Could I come to the house to meet with you at noon?”
“Well, umm, sure.”
“I’ll see you at noon, Miss Shumway.”
Wow, so formal, and I had no idea what was going on. I also couldn’t contact Reed to find out. I settled into my chair to add more figures to the spreadsheet. The more I discovered about Reed’s finances, the more uncomfortable I became. Yes, he lived nicely, but he didn’t flaunt it—at least not the kind of money I’d discovered. We were no longer talking millions.
Shit.
I was sitting in the house of a billionaire, going through his financial records and he, for some reason, trusted me. I broke into his house for god’s sake. Reed Tyler drove me crazy and I hadn’t known which way was up since breaking his window. Now his attorney wanted to speak with me. By the time noon drew closer, I was a nervous wreck.
Two minutes before noon, the bell chimed announcing my visitor had arrived. The strangeness of answering Reed’s door hadn’t gone away and I just needed to get over it.
An older man in a suit holding a briefcase stood looking at me.
He didn’t smile. “Miss Shumway.” His hand came out.
“Mr. Morgan.” His skin was cool and wrinkly, but his grip strong. I stepped back, opening the door wider so he could enter. He walked to Reed’s office and I followed.
It surprised me when he stopped at the entrance and looked back over his shoulder. “Little elves have been at work in here I see.” He walked in and sat down in a chair beside the desk chair, which I took, turning it to face him. “Mr. Tyler speaks highly of you and told me you will be taking over some of his finances.”
Shit, I wished Reed had talked to me about this. “Reed and I spoke briefly, but so far I’ve only tried to clean up his mess.”
For the first time, Mr. Morgan smiled. It softened his features. “I’ve been after Reed to hire someone for years. Do you mind if I ask, no offense meant, but do you have a background in accounting?”
He’d called Reed by his first name and I relaxed a little. “I’m in accounting classes and I’ve spent the past few days researching stocks, bonds, dividends, and securities because I had no idea what I was dealing with when I started on his paperwork.”
Mr. Morgan appeared surprised by what I said and my heart dropped a little. Someone like me had no business messing with the intricacies of Reed Tyler’s finances.
He shocked me again when he said, “I could probably be of help or even one of my associates. I also handled Mr. Tyler Senior’s books and legal issues. He was quite a bit different than Reed.”
Now I let my smile show. “Reed said you yell at him.”
His smile remained. “He exaggerates, but he does frustrate me and he knows it.”
I was still nervous about Mr. Morgan’s visit, so I decided to jump in with both feet. “You said you needed me to sign something?”
He straightened in his chair and reached for his briefcase that he’d sat on the floor. “Reed has given you authority to approve certain expenditures relating to the running of his estate and also approval for charity donations.”
Reed was a dead man. He was putting me in charge of his mother. Boiling oil was sounding good. “I don’t feel comfortable getting between Reed and his mother.”
Now the smile he gave me had a touch of pity. “For that I don’t blame you, young lady. She can be a handful, but at the same time, with Reed’s traveling, it would be easier. She has a financial charity limit and Reed has insisted there be no limit on what you may approve. He told me you are a brilliant mathematician and could do his books with your eyes closed. I believe those were his exact words.”
If I were drinking anything, I’d have choked. I fought a full out laugh. “Reed was impressed because I finished a Sudoku puzzle from the newspaper faster than he could.”
His eyes lit up. “And your time?”
“About five minutes.”
Now his laugh was full and rich, I just didn’t get it. “I think you’ll do, Miss Shumway. Five minutes you say?”
It clicked. A friend of Reed’s father got him into Sudoku puzzles. I had a feeling I was in the presence of that friend. “I was having an off morning.”
He nodded his head. “After you graduate, I hope you will consider applying for a job at my firm.” He looked down at the papers. “I’m sorry to be on a tight schedule today, but I have a meeting to attend.”
“Could I look over them first, please?”
Pure approval came through in his voice. “Yes, indeed. Here’s my card with my direct line. If I’m available, my secretary will get you through to me. If you have questions about Reed’s finances, please call and I will make sure you have answers.” He stood. “It was very nice to meet you, Miss Shumway.”
“And you, but please call me Jaycee.”
“I am Lawrence.”
We smiled at each other before he walked from the room and I followed him to the door.
“If you have problems with Mrs. Tyler, call me. I have a feeling you will hold your own, though.”
“Thank you.” What else could I say? I hadn’t signed the papers…yet, and hoped Reed had a good explanation.
The cleaning crew finished up and left. I was helping Bitsy with her homework in the afternoon when Tom knocked on the door. I learned to parallel park and a few other things that would be on Friday’s test. He was taking me on a closed course the following day before my big test and teaching me what he called “auto life lessons.”
When Tom dropped me off, Child Protective Services was waiting out front.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Michelle Browning followed me inside the apartment. Her assistant, Julie, behind her. Bitsy was excited until she saw who was with me. My heart ached for both Bitsy and Jon. Michelle had never been anything but kind to us; she gave us the trailer. But her predecessor and the months Bitsy and Jon spent in foster care were not good memories.
“How are you, Bitsy?” she asked kindly.
Bitsy hid behind me holding my leg. I could feel her little body tremble, and more than anything I wished we never had to go through an interview like this again.
Michelle understood Bitsy’s fear and turned to Jon, asking the same question.
“I’m good,
” he answered stiffly. His long black hair obscured most of his face and he didn’t move it aside. Jon looked down and my heart clenched even more. I would never be able to erase those months that CPS took them away and the fear that it would happen again.
Michelle turned from Jon and focused on me. “How is school going?”
I took a breath. “With our new living arrangement, I should be able to take three classes next semester.”
“That’s wonderful. What hours are you working for Mr. Tyler?”
My muscles tightened and I hoped she didn’t notice. “I work Monday through Friday for Mr. Tyler, but it’s only during the day. Evenings I’m going to school one night a week and working at Tasty Burger two nights.”
Michelle seemed surprised. “Are you being paid properly for your services to Mr. Tyler?”
I couldn’t stop the heat from going to my cheeks. She could not be asking what my guilt made me think she was. I had to cover my embarrassment, so I went on the attack. “We have been at the edge of poverty for two years. Jon is going to college in two years and I will need to be home with Bitsy after he leaves. As long as they have food, clothing, and a roof over their heads, I don’t feel our finances are CPS’s problem.”
I could immediately see I hurt Michelle’s feelings, but she kept her voice professional. “You’re right, Jaycee, but I was hoping that with your new job, you could stop burning the candle at both ends. I’ve never had a problem with your decisions when it comes to your brother and sister. I wish all my cases were this successful. Coming here is a required courtesy call and I’m more than satisfied with what I see. You have my phone number and know that I’m always available if you need something.”
I did know that and I felt ashamed. “I’m sorry, Michelle. We’re doing really well, but I want to be prepared if…” I waved my hands, “this goes away.”
“I understand. Good luck, Jaycee. I’ll call in a few months and check in with you.”
They left and I couldn’t help my huge sigh of relief. Jon went to his room and shut the door. Bitsy stayed by my side the remainder of the evening and barely spoke. It didn’t matter what I did or said, she was scared.
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