But, my expression remained level as I waited for her to continue. She’d tell on herself and whoever else in this office of walls with ears, snitched on me. I sure wasn’t offering up the goods; especially since I’d already done that with Reid yesterday.
When she saw I wasn’t gonna fall into the trap of answering that ridiculous question, she continued on with her tirade. “I called here looking for you to pull a file, and John told me you’d left for lunch and hadn’t come back. He told me Reid left also and didn’t come back either. Was that a coincidence, Addison? Or, did you have an extended lunch...together?”
John…
Why in the world would he give that detailed information to Arlene? He knew I couldn’t stand her. Hell, he couldn’t stand her either. I wasn’t for certain why he would throw me under the mother of all buses, but I would have a nice little chat with my co-worker the first chance I could.
Thanks a lot, asshat.
“I had some things I had to take care of yesterday…”
On my back…
“Reid said I could take off to do them.”
Do him.
I almost chuckled at my own perverse thoughts, but the look on Arlene’s face killed all humor I could find in any of this.
“Since when do you report to Reid? If you need time off, I okay it. Understood?” She leaned forward in the seat pinning me with one of those, ‘if looks could kill’ glares.
That is not what Reid told me yesterday.
Before I could voice my confusion, Reid appeared at my door and cleared his throat. “Arlene, what exactly did you need her to work on?”
The wicked witch of the firm’s head swiveled around so fast I thought it would spin right off.
She shot from the chair and turned on Reid. “I’m having a conversation with my paralegal. It is none of your business what we are discussing, or what I need her to do.”
“Well, it is my business when she is working primarily on a project for me right now. She is my paralegal. If you have a problem with that, take it up with Joe. While she is working with me, I told her she could leave and take care of something…”
His gaze flicked to me. We both knew that something was him. And, we both were well taken care of during that over-night, extended lunch, if three mind blowing orgasms was any indication.
My lady parts clenched just thinking about it and were more than ready to be serviced by this delicious man again in the near future.
“You aren’t going to nag her for taking time when she has worked her ass off for this firm. Why were you working anyway, Arlene? I thought you left to take a mental break,” Reid’s tone was snide.
Arlene shot daggers through her eyes at him. Talk about the expression ‘if looks could kill’. Good Lord, he’d be dead twice.
“Why are you even here, Reid?” she said with venom in her tone.
“You mean right here.” He pointed at his feet, sarcasm dripped from his tone. “Well, I came in here because I could hear you giving her a hard time about something I said she could do. I couldn’t very well sit idly by and let you do that, now could I?” Reid smirked at her and Arlene scowled.
“How did you know I was in here? Are you stalking her or me?” Arlene raised a brow.
“I can soundly assure you it’s not the latter,” he scoffed.
“So, it’s her?” she threw a look over her shoulder at me and my face grew warm.
For Christ’s sake. Stay calm. Don’t give yourself away, Addison.
She snapped a look back at Reid. “Are you fucking her, now?”
I cringed at the implication, yet again. The word went all through me like a shock of water to the face. They’d been intimate at one point, I already knew that, but hearing about it again after laying in his arms 24 hours ago did not set well.
“You’re reaching, Arlene. It’s not a good look,” he said, side-stepping the question.
“I don’t give a damn if it’s a good look or not. Answer me. I suspected before, but now… I know you, Reid. You go after what you want. You weaseled your way in here to work with her, didn’t you?”
I shot a glance at Reid. He looked infuriated to the point, if murder wasn’t a crime, he’d seriously contemplate it
“I suggest you leave.” He stepped out of the doorway so she could make her exit.
“You know what? That sounds like a great idea. I’m sure Joe would love to hear about this. The man he brought in to consult on one of our top client mergers is banging the paralegal. That’s rich.” She went to pass him, but Reid grabbed her wrist pulling her to him. He lowered his mouth to her ear and whispered something I couldn’t quite make out. Arlene’s eyes grew wide as she looked up at him and wrenched her arm away.
“Get the hell off me. You’re so goddamn crude. You make me sick,” she gritted through clenched teeth.
“Oh, come on, Arlene. Is that nice?” Reid gave her a lopsided grin and a boyish wink.
“Screw you.” She stormed off down the hall, leaving a rather smug Reid in her wake.
He turned to look at me and his expression fell. He stepped in my office and shut the door behind him. “Hey, what is it?” he asked, coming to me. He kneeled on the floor beside my chair.
“This is what I was worried about. She is gonna find us out, Reid,” I whispered in case she was back in her office with a glass to the wall trying to hear.
“So what if she does?” He put a hand on my knee.
“There is a no fraternization policy!” My voice was a loud whisper, though I wanted to scream, but this was neither the time nor the place. “If I “report” to you and she finds out we are… doing the do…” He smirked. “This is not funny, Reid.” He stood from his crouching position and landed a kiss on my lips and deepened it when I gasped using the entry to slip his tongue in.
He broke the kiss just seconds later. “Of course it’s not funny, sweetheart. I take none of this lightly,” he said pulling away, leveling his stormy gray gaze on me. “You feeling secure in your job, especially when you are working for me, is my only concern, nothing else. If I have to deal with Joe about this, I will. You’ll be fine. I promise. Okay?” he reassured.
“Okay,” I whispered. I know my expression did not change or match what I said. I wasn’t exactly okay. I had other concerns. Arlene had asked him why he was here. Now, I was doubting what he’d told me. Why all of a sudden did Joe ask Reid to work on this case when Arlene had it more than wrapped up? Well, I had it wrapped up for her. It’s not like she ever went above and beyond to get anything done. I needed those answers. Was this because of me? I couldn’t be selfish to think it was. Something else had to be going on. That also reminded me, I still needed to talk to John’s snitching ass.
“You say you are okay, but I see the wheels turning in that beautiful mind. Have dinner with me tonight. We can talk about it,” Reid offered.
“We both have class, tonight,” I hissed.
He raised a brow. “Oh, you are coming tonight?”
“Wouldn’t be the first time I was coming, Reid.” I winked and he chuckled at my double meaning. This man was the king of orgasms, and he knew it. “But, yes, I’m coming to class. Since I’m not working on her assignments, I’m not swamped and having anxiety attacks. I can actually focus on work and my classwork at the same time. I’ll be there tonight.”
“Good. I’m glad this arrangement is working out better for you.” He ran a thumb over my bottom lip and my tongue shot out to meet it. I glanced up at him and those eyes darkened with lust. “Careful, Princess. I’ll have you on your back on this desk if you keep that up.”
“Promise?” I asked, my tone husky.
“Christ.” He shut his eyes. “I’m going to go. Dinner tonight, though? After class, of course.”
I shook my head ‘yes’ and he nodded once. “Good. I look forward to it.”
He walked toward my door before turning back. “Addison, one more thing.” My eyes grew wide in anticipation.
“Yes?” I ask
ed.
“Don’t wear any panties tonight.”
He opened the door and left my office before I could respond.
Chapter 17
When class was over that night I took my time gathering my books and papers. I moved at a snail’s pace putting each item away, instead of shoving them all in the bag and jetting like I usually do. I was trying to wait out the last student sticking around to talk to Reid.
I spied John taking just as long to gather up his items.
Wonder what that is all about?
I remembered what Arlene had said earlier today about him telling her where I’d been. I narrowed my gaze in his direction. Now was as good a time as any to ask him why he felt the need to snitch.
I looked over at Reid and noticed him still talking to a few lingering students. That would give me a few minutes at least to go over and chat it up with John.
He looked up at me as I walked over and his eyes lit up a bit. “Hey, Addison. How’s it going?” He’d always seemed nice enough in class and at work; never acting like he’d do anything malicious or try to get me into some shit. Which is why I was confused he felt the need to tell Arlene anything.
“What are you getting into tonight?” he asked, flinging his bag over his shoulder.
“Just grabbing some dinner and catching up on some work I need to finish. You getting home to that new baby girl?” I asked about the bundle of joy his girlfriend just had. He didn’t talk about them much, but he owed no one answers. That was his personal life. Sometimes it was good to separate the two. I could stand to learn from that.
“She is doing well. We couldn’t be more happy. You do realize my daughter is three, right? Not so new anymore.”
My head shot up, and I looked at him. I knew I had been a terrible coworker with Arlene breathing down my neck and with school, but how did we go from having a daddy baby shower for him at the office to his daughter being ready for freaking pre-school already?
“I am so sorry. I completely lost track of time, ages...everything. If feel like a horrible person.” My face warmed. I really did feel bad. John and I had worked together for quite some time. We’d started school at the same time. We’d graduate at the same time. For me not to know who his baby mama was or to even realize his kid was basically ready to graduate high school was unforgivable. Okay, I’m a bit dramatic, I know.
The only reason I even knew how old she is now was because I came over to see why he was potentially screwing me over in the workplace. I suck as a human.
You have to do better Addison.
“It’s okay. I know you’ve had a lot going on at work and your personal life.” He glanced at Reid only briefly before looking back at me. I followed his gaze and noticed Reid standing at his desk watching us over one of his student’s heads. “Anyway, Ashley is getting so big; Head Start program in the fall.” Shit, I knew it. I missed too much. “Kayla and I are very proud.”
I nearly choked on my tongue. “Kayla? As in Kayla from work? Kayla is your baby mama?”
John looked at me as if I’d grown two heads. “I’m sorry, I mean...the mother of your child.”
“I know what ‘baby mama’ means, Addison. I just thought everyone knew that. She started as Arlene’s assistant after our daughter turned a year old.”
I tried to think back over the myriad of assignments Arlene had me on and there were a ton. All I remember is I was happy the younger girl had started. She helped keep Arlene grounded and off my back for the most part. I didn’t know whose kid she had or what man claimed her. But, it did leave me feeling kinda douchey since I worked with these people every damn day. I was clearly in my own world.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know. Or, maybe I did and it slipped my mind. This firm has been running us ragged; am I right when I say that? I could use a three month vacation!”
He looked at me and his features read disappointment. I felt bad. “Yes, things have been crazy. I will say, you have the busier of the partners.”
“Very true… Speaking of her, she mentioned to me today you told her I left half day yesterday and didn’t return. I was just wondering why that came up as a topic of conversation and why she asked you. And, to be blunt, why’d you throw me under the front wheels of the bus?”
“She already knew you weren’t there when she came to me. She needed a document drafted, and you weren’t around, so she asked me to do it.”
“But, she had left for the day...”
“No, she came back in specifically looking for you and Reid,” John said.
“She failed to mention that…” I was even more confused now.
“I wasn’t trying to throw you under the bus or anything. I wouldn’t do that.”
“No, not at all, John. I was just curious. And, now I have even more questions. But, thank you for covering for me. ”
“Not a problem.” He looked over my shoulder and back to me. “The Professor is headed this way. I don’t think it’s me he wants to talk to.” He winked at me.
“Hey, what is that supposed to mean?” I asked, but Reid joined us before John could respond.
Reid extended a hand, and John took it and shook it with a normal level of pleasantry. “John, sorry to interrupt your conversation, but could you give Addison and me a second, please?”
“Absolutely. I need to stop at the library anyway before I head home. I’ll see you tomorrow at work, Addison.”
“See ya, John.” I shot him a, ‘this conversation is not over’ look before he walked out of the classroom leaving me alone with Reid as the other students had left as well. Reid turned back to me, giving me his full attention. “Is that my competition?” Reid asked, his face serious. I couldn’t help but laugh. “John and me? You can’t be serious.”
“Hey, I’m secure enough in my manhood to admit he is a good looking guy. He looks like he is interested in you.” Reid raised a brow.
“Oh, please. He is apparently with Kayla from work. They have a kid together. Mr. Matheson, are you jealous?” I teased.
His hands were at my waist, pulling me to him. “I can say I don’t share well. If that is what you are asking.”
“I’m not yours to share,” I tested.
He put two fingers under my chin, lifting my mouth to his, claiming me. He kissed like a man ravenous, and I was his last supper. He broke the kiss and looked down into my eyes. His voice was gruff when he spoke. “I want to change that. I am very interested in you. I’ve been very interested for a long time. I’m willing to wait until you graduate and you’re established in the law firm, but I want to see what we could have.”
I searched his face to see if he had any doubt about anything he’d just said, but he showed no signs of uncertainty.
“What is it, Addison? Is it something I said?” Reid asked.
“No… Something John said before you came over.”
“What did he say?”
“Maybe it was nothing, but I asked him about what Arlene said today. He told me he didn’t tell her about us leaving; she already knew and was looking for us. He then just made a comment about you wanting to talk to me and not him.”
“He’s right about that.” Reid chuckled.
“Do you think people in the office are on to us? I mean I want there to be an us, but...”
“Let’s go get that dinner we talked about,” he said, not acknowledging what I’d said.
“Reid, this could be a problem. I think we should…”
He pressed into me and I could feel the heat of his body wash over me. “We can talk about it and all that concerns you over dinner.” I searched his eyes; heat and desire were there. My body responded almost immediately.
“What do you want to eat?” I asked, looking at his lips. I knew what that mouth could do. I thought about it more than once throughout the evening, watching him walk back and forth in front of the classroom.
“There is Indian fare near here that is really good, if you like that type of food.”
“Isn’t India
n food very hot and spicy?” I asked, watching his lips as he spoke.
“Just how I like it.” He lowered his head to nibble at my ear. “It’s not the only thing I want to eat tonight,” he whispered.
I didn’t know what it was about his advances that made me giggle like a little school girl, but I liked the way he made me feel.
“Are we able to get the Indian food to go?” I grinned a sly grin.
“I like the way you think, sweetheart. Let’s get out of here.”
Chapter 18
I sat on Reid’s couch naked wrapped in a sheet from his bed. He wore only boxers as we finished our dinner of Tandoori chicken. “That was delicious. I’d never had Indian food before tonight.” I sipped my wine and looked at him.
“We built up a bit of an appetite,” he said of him stripping my clothes from my body the minute we set foot into his home, again. We’d just gotten around to the food we’d ordered nearly two hours before.
“Yes, we certainly did…” I blushed.
“So, Addison. I need to tell you something—”
“Oh my God, are you married?” I blurted before I could reel it back in. I slapped a hand over my mouth.
Reid burst out laughing, easing my embarrassment. “I’m not married. Though, I was in a relationship for quite some time. We had a daughter. She is fifteen. Her name is Emma.”
“Emma.” I tested the name on for size. I liked it. If the girl looked anything like her father, she was probably a beautiful child.
“Yes, she lives in Jersey with her mother. I see her as often as I can.”
“Are you and her mother still—”
“No. No, that ship has long since sailed. She’s married and has other children with him. They are all happy,” he answered.
“A college fling?” I asked.
“Yea, I met her during my undergrad before law school. When I came up north, she followed me. We thought something would come out of the relationship but it fizzled out once we got up here though. We met other people…started hanging out with different friends. She isn’t a lawyer, and you know how time consuming this profession is. By the time she found out she was pregnant, we weren’t really invested in working on us.”
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