Tempting the Heiress

by Martha Kennerson

  “I...I don’t know. She mentioned it and I thought maybe she was right. Maybe the time had come.”

  “For what, exactly?”

  “Marriage, kids, the whole thing.” Jia leaned in and tried to kiss Griffin, but he stopped her attempt with his hand as the image of Felicia holding his child popped into his head.

  “Jia, I’m sorry, but this—” he waved his hand between them “—isn’t going to happen.”

  Jia leaned back. “What?”

  “You know I care about you—”

  “And I care for you, too,” she said, reaching for his hand.

  Griffin gave her hand a quick squeeze before he stood and started pacing the room. He didn’t want to hurt her, but he knew the next sentence out of his mouth would not only hurt Jia but bring the wrath of his mother down upon him. Griffin had always loved and respected his parents, and while he gave his mother a hard time, he knew she was only acting out of love for her only child. He could only hope that one day she’d see that he was only doing the same. Griffin stopped and faced an anxious-looking Jia.

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t marry you. Not now...not ever.”

  Jia sat in silence for several moments before asking, “Is it that doctor? The one you went to medical school with...had a crush on?” She folded her arms.

  Griffin sighed. “Honestly, Jia, it’s a lot of things, but Felicia showing up the way she did didn’t help.”

  Griffin wasn’t prepared to share the news about Alyia yet. He was still getting used to the idea that he was a father and wanted to figure out what impact this revelation could have on his life and any potential relationship with Felicia. If Cooper was right, things could get really complicated.

  Jia reached for her shoes. As she slipped her feet into them she said, “You once told me that you had a crush on her, but you two were going in different directions. Remember that?” she asked, standing and reaching for her purse.

  “I remember.”

  “Well, the way I see it, not much has changed in that regard. She works overseas, travels around the world.” Jia used her right hand to pat Griffin on his heart before she let it rest there. “I’d hate for you to throw away something that could’ve been great for a what-if.”

  Griffin removed her hand from his heart and said, “I’m a doctor. I live in a world of what-ifs.”

  Jia took a step toward the door then looked over her shoulder. “Call me when she leaves. Maybe I’ll answer. And mark my words...she will leave.”

  “Not if I can help it,” he murmured as he watched her sashay out the door.

  Griffin retrieved his phone and dialed Cooper. “Well...”

  Cooper explained Griffin’s legal position and options regarding his rights to Alyia. When their call ended, Griffin decided to keep what he knew to himself. He was hoping to resolve things between him and Felicia without having to officially involve their lawyers or having to explain just how weak her position as Alyia’s mother really was.

  * * *

  Felicia stood in a conference room behind a glass wall, looking out into one of the largest and most respected labs in the country as she waited for her meeting to begin with the newly appointed head of the CDC.

  According to Steven, I’m going to be dealing with a life of interruptions. Add in the dangerous aspect of the job and I wonder, is that something I really want to deal with, now that I have Alyia? But I’ve worked so hard for this opportunity. I’m sure I’ll be able to figure it out.

  “Sorry to keep you waiting, Dr. Blake, but my last meeting ran long,” Dr. Stacy Gray announced as she entered the room. The tall, slim brunette with short, curly hair and smooth, dark brown skin, wearing white scrubs and black pearls, offered her hand in greeting.

  Felicia accepted it, briefly distracted by Stacy’s black nail polish. “Please, call me Felicia, and it’s a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Gray.”

  “It’s Stacy, and the feeling is mutual. I’ve heard nothing but great things about you. Our president speaks very highly of you.”

  “He’s very kind.” Felicia could feel her face warming. “Congratulations on your appointment.”

  “Thank you. Let’s sit,” she said, gesturing toward the conference table and chairs. “Sorry to interrupt your personal time off. I understand you have a new baby. Congratulations!”

  “Thank you. I’m still getting used to things,” she said.

  “Are you sure you’re ready to get back to work?”

  While Felicia had enjoyed spending the last few weeks getting to know her daughter, the call of the lab was strong. “My work is important to me...to the country, and I can’t turn my back on it.”

  “Good. Steven tells me you’ll be supervising our work with the Legionnaires’ situation.”

  “Oh, no,” Felicia insisted. “I’m here to offer my assistance, that’s all. You have an excellent team here. I’ve worked with many of them.”

  Stacy slanted her head slightly. “I’ve heard that...and on cases that we were struggling with, too.”

  Felicia shrugged. “In my current role, I’m privy to things that can help save time in resolving many mysteries.”

  “Oh, I think there’s a bit more to it than that. You have quite the reputation in the field of biochemistry,” she retorted.

  Where is she going with this? “As do you.”

  Stacy smiled, reached into her pocket and pulled out a set of key cards and a temporary ID badge. She slid them across the table to Felicia. “Those keys give you access to everything you need on this floor, as well as get you into the building. Please wear your CIA photo ID. Steven says you have one.”

  “Yes, of course.” Felicia picked up the key cards and ID.

  Stacy stood. “We should have the first set of samples for you tomorrow.”

  “No problem. I’m looking forward to working with you.”

  Stacy offered up a lopsided grin. “As am I. I’m curious to see you in action,” she replied before taking her leave.

  Felicia looked down at the key cards again. “This should be interesting.”

  * * *

  Later that afternoon, Felicia prepared for her evening with Griffin. She stared at the image before her, wearing a simple, deep green sheath dress with a scoop neck where her breasts stood proudly at attention. The dress hugged her body like a lover taking claim to what was his. Felicia looked past her mirror reflection and over her shoulder. “You think this is too much?”

  “Oh, no,” Ms. Ellen said, entering the room and holding a laughing Alyia on her hip. “You look beautiful, and this little one agrees.”

  Felicia turned away from the mirror to face her visitors. Alyia stretched out her arms and twisted her body away from her caregiver, clearly wanting her mother’s attention. Felicia’s heart exploded with joy as she reached for her daughter.

  Alyia laughed as Felicia held her and patted her back. “Thank you. It’s just I haven’t worn anything so...obvious before.”

  “Obvious?” Ms. Ellen sat in a chair across from Felicia’s bed.

  “Like I’m trying to impress him or something.”

  “Impress him?” she said, frowning. “He’s the one that needs to impress you.”

  “You’re so sweet, Ms. Ellen,” she said, kissing Alyia’s neck. Felicia loved how that made her laugh and fling her hands about. They had come a long way from that first moment when they’d seen each other.

  “Why would you have to impress Dr. Griffin? I mean, you’re a wealthy and successful doctor in your own right.”

  “I don’t. Not really. He just...he makes me feel like I do.”

  “Oh,” she sang. “Let me have that little one. We don’t want her to mess up your pretty new dress.” Felicia kissed Alyia on the cheek and handed her over. “So you like him. That’s good. It will make raisin
g this beautiful one together much easier.”

  “I don’t like him,” she said, quickly lowering her head.

  Ms. Ellen laughed. “Child, who you trying to convince? I may not be married anymore, but I know heat when I see it.”

  “We’re just friends and now parents.” Felicia checked her watch and started to gather her things.

  “It doesn’t have to stay that way, you know. I saw the way he looked at you. There’s definitely something there.” She offered a knowing smile.

  Felicia gave a nonchalant shrug, not wanting to go there. Just the idea of Griffin wanting anything more with her was a complication she wasn’t sure she was ready for. “I shouldn’t be late.”

  “No worries. After I put this little one down, I think I’ll do a little more reading before I turn in,” she said as the doorbell rang.

  “Right on time.” Felicia kissed Alyia on the top of her head and Ms. Ellen on her cheek as the two continued to rock. “Good night, you two.”

  Felicia left the room after giving herself a final once-over and went to let Griffin in, a move she knew was about to change her life; only she didn’t know just how much. For a detail-oriented scientist, that lack of information was unnerving.

  Chapter 15

  Griffin stood staring down at Felicia with his heart in his stomach and his manhood trying to get his attention. His eyes swept her body from head to toe. Her subtle makeup only enhanced her natural beauty. The dress she wore showed off her perfectly fit body and the color brought out the green in her hazel eyes. Her long, curly hair hung down her back perfectly. Felicia’s bright smile, with a hint of amusement, finally registered.

  “I’m sorry, did you say something?” Griffin asked, placing his hands in the pockets of his black Armani suit. He didn’t trust himself not to act on his desire to kiss her in that moment.

  Felicia laughed, and the sound had Griffin’s body humming. “Yes, I said good evening.”

  “Good evening to you, too. You look breathtakingly beautiful.”

  Felicia’s smile widened. “Thank you. You look quite handsome yourself.”

  “This old thing,” he offered in jest. “Is Alyia asleep yet?”

  “Ms. Ellen’s putting her down now. Would you like to see her?”

  “Yes, but when we return.” Griffin offered Felicia his arm. “Shall we?”

  The short limo ride to one of Atlanta’s most popular steakhouses was a true test of endurance for Griffin. From the moment they sat down mere inches from each other, he had to remind himself that Felicia was not his. That he had no right to pull her onto his lap. To kiss her at the base of her neck and shoulders before finding her lips. To suck and tease her mouth before kissing her until they were both out of breath. He certainly didn’t have any right to order his driver to raise the partition and drive around downtown Atlanta for at least an hour so he could explore the delicacies Felicia had always hidden under unflattering scrubs. No, Griffin knew those weren’t his rights, so he sat still and choked out small talk until they reached their destination.

  Griffin held his right hand at the small of Felicia’s back as they entered the restaurant that sat on top of one of Atlanta’s tallest downtown buildings. He only hoped that the arrangements he’d made wouldn’t make Felicia uncomfortable, but he knew their discussion required privacy. Griffin also knew being alone with Felicia at his place was a level of intimacy both weren’t quite ready for yet.

  The empty rooftop restaurant, its floor-to-ceiling windows offering three-hundred-sixty-degree views of downtown, was spectacular. The single wood table with its large, leather-backed chairs was surrounded by expensive works of art.

  “Are you sure they’re open?” Felicia asked, her eyes scanning the room.

  “Positive.”

  A long-legged brunette, wearing a tight black minidress and a big smile on her face, approached them. “Good evening, Dr. Kaile. Nice to see you again.” She leaned in, kissing him on the cheek.

  “Good evening, Kathy. I didn’t realize you were working tonight.”

  “Yeah, well, as soon as I realized it was you that bought out the place for the night, including buying dinner at our sister restaurant for those people that might have been inconvenienced...well, I just had to see the reason why,” she informed, her eyes giving Felicia a slow once-over before returning to Griffin. “I just knew you were finally proposing to what’s-her-name. I guess by the looks of things you’ve moved on...yet again.”

  “Good evening. I’m Felicia Blake.”

  Griffin smiled at Felicia. Always the peacemaker. “Forgive my manners. Dr. Felicia Blake...Kathy Manor. Kathy and I are old friends,” he explained.

  “Yes, very old friends,” Kathy offered, the bitterness in her voice dropping the temperature in the room several degrees. “Everything is as you requested. Shall I show you to your table?”

  Both Felicia and Griffin’s eyes traveled to the single-table setup. “That won’t be necessary,” Griffin answered. “I think we can find our way.”

  “Fine, Morris will be out shortly,” she replied before making her exit, allowing the warmth back into the room.

  “Wow, that was...awkward.”

  Griffin sighed. “Kathy and I went out on a few dates,” he said, taking her hand as he led her to their table.

  “You don’t say. I assume things didn’t end well.”

  “It was a long time ago.” Griffin lifted a bottle of Chardonnay from the bed of ice in which it had been resting. “Care for a glass?”

  “Yes, please.”

  Griffin used the corkscrew that had been left for his use and then poured an equal amount into two wineglasses. He handed one to Felicia and raised his. “To our future.”

  “Whatever that might be,” Felicia added before taking a sip.

  A slow smile spread across Griffin’s face. He knew exactly what their future held. Now Griffin only had to convince Felicia to go along with his plans.

  * * *

  As Felicia stood looking out over the city, she was suddenly very grateful to Farrah for insisting on taking her shopping. She would’ve hated meeting Kathy, one of what had to be many of Griffin’s ex-lovers, in one of her own unflattering outfits.

  Griffin came and stood next to Felicia. “Your wine okay? I know how much you enjoyed some Chardonnay every now and then.”

  “It’s delightful, thank you.” Felicia looked down into her glass.

  “You sure? Because you’ve hardly touched it.”

  “Well, I’ve never been much of a drinker,” she said.

  “I know.” Griffin offered a small smile. “We’ll have a few courses, but I hope you don’t mind that for our main meal I’ve asked the chef to prepare this steak and pasta dish that he’s famous for. It’s quite delicious.”

  “I’m a vegetarian now,” she said, her face expressionless.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m sure—”

  Felicia started laughing.

  “What?”

  “Griffin, I’m teasing you. Sorry, bad joke, I guess. I’m just a little nervous. That actually sounds great.”

  Griffin smiled. “No problem. I’m a little nervous, too. It’s not every day you sit down to discuss custody arrangements with the mother of your child. A child neither of you ever knew existed.”

  “I guess not,” Felicia turned away from the window and walked around the room, examining the expensive works of art on display. She wasn’t sure how she felt about Griffin closing the restaurant just so they could talk. “It really wasn’t necessary to buy out the restaurant tonight. I’m sure we would have had enough privacy.”

  “Not really. I’m pretty popular these days, especially after the announcement was made regarding my new job. It seems everywhere I go now people either want to congratulate me or schedule an appointment.
Tonight I don’t want any interruptions.”

  Felicia nodded. “I understand. Shall we sit...talk?”

  “Of course,” Griffin said, pulling out Felicia’s chair for her.

  “Such a gentleman,” she said, taking her seat.

  Griffin leaned forward, his lips grazing Felicia’s ear as he said, “I do try.” The warmth of Griffin’s breath had Felicia gripping the stem of her wineglass a little tighter, and she had the sudden desire to cross her legs.

  Griffin moved around the table and took a seat. “More wine?”

  “No, I’m fine.” No, you are not. Get it together, girl. “So what do you have in mind?”

  A slow, sexy smile eased across his face. “About what exactly?” he asked, leaning in closer as though they were actually in a crowded restaurant and Felicia couldn’t hear him.

  Griffin’s scent assaulted Felicia’s senses, forcing her to give in to her desire to slowly cross her legs; she needed the small relief that move offered. Felicia might not have had sex before, but she knew what it was to desire a man, this man in particular, and her body certainly knew what it needed.

  Felicia cleared her throat and said, “Alyia’s custody.”

  Chapter 16

  Griffin was hoping to hold off a little longer before having this conversation. Before he could respond, the chef appeared, a male waiter following behind him holding a tray with two large plates of food. “Welcome back, Doctor G, and good evening, beautiful lady. I’m Chef Morris Gill,” the tall, dark-skinned gentleman with a medium build introduced himself.

  “Good evening,” Felicia replied.

  “Thanks for doing this.” Griffin stood and offered his hand. “We really appreciate it.”

  “Any time,” he said, accepting Griffin’s handshake. “It’s not often I accept these types of requests, but for you and your family...anything.”

  Griffin nodded and turned his attention back to Felicia. “Chef Morris also owns four other restaurants around Atlanta.”