by Nana Prah
Lamar shrugged. He enjoyed the time spent with the kids, but it never seemed like enough. “It’s good. I’m glad we’re on track.” He held up his phone. “I’ve got to make a call.”
Unperturbed by the brush off, Suarez shook his head. “We have a lunch meeting at the architect’s office in about thirty minutes, and she’s a stickler for time. We need to head out. You have five minutes to change. See you in the lobby.”
He’d completely forgotten.
The well-known Boston-based architect, Sadie Tufton, was working with them on the youth center project for free. Hers had been one of the only firms who’d stepped up when they’d advertised the venture. They couldn’t afford to waste her time.
Lamar removed his T-shirt, raised an arm and sniffed. Wouldn’t knock anyone out, but he put on more deodorant anyway. He changed into one of the dress shirts and trousers he stored in his office for such occasions. People who did business preferred a well-dressed man versus someone in sweats. Sliding a tie around his neck, he rushed out of his office.
Before he’d made it down the hallway to where El and Suarez waited, he remembered the text he owed Gia. He’d make it in the car.
“Where’d you park,” El asked Lamar.
Why couldn’t he catch a break today? “How about you drive.”
“I drove the Lambo. Only two of us can head out.”
He turned to Suarez with expectation.
“You know how I get when I drive in traffic. I need to be calm and clear-headed for this meeting.”
Frustrated, Lamar removed the keys from his pocket and tossed them to El.
El shook his head as he chucked them right back. “No way. The last time I drove your car, we ended up not speaking for a week. We have too much to accomplish to let that ever happen again.”
Lamar sighed. The message to Gia could wait a couple of hours. Or maybe it was better that he didn’t rush to contact her after only leaving her bed that morning. For once he wished he could ask the guys for their opinion, but he’d had Gia promise not to tell anyone. It was only fair that he didn’t either.
At least he’d get to see her tonight during her session and possibly after, too. The sudden anticipation bolstered him as he accepted the truth of the situation.
He was sprung.
Harrison had been right about Ramesh’s design. They’d need to spend more time on it than a regular workday would allow if they were to meet the deadline.
Unlike others in their department whom Gia had helped, Ramesh thanked her for everything she tutored him on along the way. Spending all of that money, time and energy on a master’s degree had been well worth it to make her a better mechanical engineer.
When Gia’s stomach grumbled, she checked her watch to find that it was already three. She hadn’t yet contacted Lamar to cancel. She didn’t look forward to it.
Checking her phone, she noticed that there were no calls or messages from him. Not something she expected after a night of passion as explosive as they’d shared. Maybe it hadn’t meant anything to him. But then again, she hadn’t texted him either. Perhaps he was busy, like her.
“I’ll go pick up a couple of sandwiches from the deli across the street,” Ramesh offered. “What kind would you like?”
She reached into her bag to pull out her purse.
Ramesh’s head jiggled in what she’d learned was a positive response in his culture as he smiled. “Since you’re helping me out, it’s my treat. The least I can do.”
“Oh, okay. I’ll take a vegetable wrap and a bag of baked potato chips with a sweetened iced tea.”
He waited. When she didn’t add to her order, he asked. “Is that all?”
Her cheeks heated. She tried not to eat in the office and the few times they’d caught her having a meal somewhere, there had been enough at her table for two people.
“Yes.”
“I’ll be back soon.”
Gia dialed Lamar’s number. The call went to voice mail.
“Hey, Lamar. Something came up at work so I can’t make it to our session today. I guess I’ll see you on Wednesday. Um, bye.”
She regretted having to skip the workout, not just because she’d miss being with him, but she enjoyed how she felt after exercising. She may not be able to see it in the mirror to her satisfaction yet, but she felt the energy and increased willpower when it came to her food intake. She’d even started climbing the stairs at work. The bonus being that she avoided being trapped in the elevator with her boss.
Ramesh returned fifteen minutes later with their food. After scarfing it down, they got back to designing. Thoughts of Lamar and her missed workout were replaced by creating the most awesome coffee maker the world had yet to see.
Chapter 20
If Gia had thought he’d been joking when he’d threatened to show up at her job, she had a huge surprise in store.
Lamar strode into Gia’s building wearing a UFC T-shirt with his name on it. Not something he did often, but Gia deserved it. Knowing him would give her a nudge of power. Maybe not enough for her boss to back off, but more clout than she had before.
The man at the security desk did a double take when Lamar stepped up to it.
“You’re Lamar the ‘Phantom’ Pearce.”
Lamar smiled as the second guard whose attention had been glued to a computer screen whipped his head up.
“What’s up? I’m here to see Giana Baxter.”
The men stared at him a little longer before remembering their job.
The first one pointed to the camera. “We’ll need to take your picture for the name tag.”
Lamar cheesed it up. “No problem.”
The guard placed a tablet on the desk. “Please write your name and who you’re coming to see.”
A minute later the guy had contacted Gia and handed him a sticker which he placed on his shoulder to prevent covering the UFC logo.
“She’ll be right down.”
“Great. Thanks.” Always happy to give a fan what they wanted, he asked, “Would you like a picture with me?”
The guard bobbed his head and pulled out his phone from under the desk. “Sure. Thanks.”
By the time Gia reached them, a crowd had gathered.
“Lamar?” She asked as if she didn’t believe her eyes.
A soothing warmth filled his chest at the sight of her and he released a full breath of satisfaction. Her lovely face had been on his mind all day and now she was a few feet away. The struggle with his lower limbs was real as he restrained himself from rushing to her side and scooping her up.
His eyes glued to her, he spoke to his fans. “It was wonderful meeting you all, but I have to go.”
“What are you doing here?” she said in a low voice after moving them away from those lurking in the lobby. His lips twitched with the need to kiss her. Get her in a corner and make love until she came apart like she had last night. He raised the gym bag to keep himself from reaching out for her and making a public spectacle.
“Time for our workout. I’m thirty minutes early, but no problem. I’ll wait for you in your office.”
“Didn’t you get my message?”
“That’s why I’m here. I can’t have you losing momentum. We’ll keep it to a quick forty-five minutes. I presume your workout clothes are in your car. Let’s grab them so you can change and get started.”
She covered her hands over her mouth and nose, her eyes blazing. “Is dropping by a client’s workplace a normal thing to do when they don’t show up at the gym?”
“Everyone understands what they’re getting into when they sign on with me. They tend to arrive when scheduled. They know I don’t play.”
She shook her head and then laughed. “I can’t believe you came all the way down here to torment me.”
“I take commitment seriously.”
Gia rolled her eyes. “Obviously.”
He hitched a thumb towards the revolving glass door. “Where did you park?”
“I have to get my
keys from the office.”
At the elevator, she pressed the up button and waited for people to exit when it arrived. They got on alone.
He thanked God for small favors as he gave in to the magnetic pull. In one step her sweet body pressed against him as his greedy lips devoured. The kiss took him beyond where he’d intended as she opened for him.
Her hands against his flesh after a day apart was like being home and he savored it. Every stroke of her tongue, the sexy mewling sounds from her throat, and the fact that such an accomplished, intelligent, gorgeous woman was interested in him made him desire her more.
He ended their kiss with one last nibble of her delectable lips when the elevator reached its destination before the doors opened.
“I missed you all day,” he admitted when they stepped out.
Rather than the reciprocal sentiment he’d expected, she grunted.
“What does that mean?”
The arched brow was accompanied by a head tilt. “How am I supposed to believe you when I didn’t hear from you?”
He chuckled and squeezed her shoulder. He’d never have to wonder what she was thinking because she tended to tell him. Vastly different from the game players he’d gone out with and even married.
He stopped their casual stroll down the hallway. “Sweetheart,” he said in a near whisper “I had a hell of a day. Back-to-back clients in the morning and then when I thought I’d gotten a free minute, I was dragged to a meeting which was supposed to last for an hour. It ended up taking three. By the time we left I was dazed and confused.”
She smiled at his last words.
“And then I had a group MMA session. Knowing I’d see you gave me energy. When I listened to your message, I got a little upset.”
“Sounds like you had a full day.” She bobbed her head once in a definitive gesture. “I forgive you.”
Being with her was so easy, but he couldn’t get deterred from his true mission. “Do a quick intro to your coworkers. Excuse yourself for an hour—”
“You said forty-five minutes.”
He shrugged. “You still have to change. We’ll hammer out a workout and then get you back to meeting your deadline.”
Gia wrinkled her nose. “But I’ll be sweaty and stinky.”
“It’ll make them think twice about having you stay late to work when you have better things to do with your time.”
“Huh.”
Over her shock about Lamar arriving at her workplace, Gia ignored the receptionist who gawked at Lamar as they passed. Someone who had been catty to her since the first day she’d arrived didn’t deserve to be introduced to such an extraordinary man. Hell, Ramesh, Darius, and Alan would be the only ones she’d end up introducing him to. Fuck everyone else.
When they reached Ramesh’s desk and loomed over him, he raised his head. His eyes bulged in recognition. She must’ve been the only person in Boston who’d had no idea who Lamar was when they’d first met because all of a sudden every single one of her coworkers had surrounded him.
“This is Ramesh Pankar, Darius Jackson, and Alan McDermott. Guys, this is Lamar Pearce.”
Taking her cue, he only shook the hands of the men she’d pointed to.
Reaching into her bag for the car keys, she cackled under her breath at the expressions of anticipation on the others faces.
Harrison came out of the office to meet the excitement. With her boss present, she went up to Ramesh with a sashay of confidence.
“Since I couldn’t make it to my personal training session with Lamar, he came to me. You’ll have to make do without me for an hour.”
Harrison stepped into the group. “Hi, my name is Vincent Harrison, I’m the head engineer for this department. I’m a huge fan.” He held out his hand to Lamar.
Could anyone else see the mischievous glint in her lover’s eyes?
Lamar reached out and gripped the smaller man’s hand, engulfing it. Harrison winced.
“So, you’re the one who had me travelling across town to keep a commitment to Gia.” Lamar released his grip and clapped Harrison hard on the shoulder. Her boss flew into Carl and they both stumbled. To her dissatisfaction, neither fell.
Harrison righted himself and grinned. “If she had told me about an appointment with the ‘Phantom’ I would’ve insisted that she go.”
Lamar got right into Harrison’s face and stared him down. Everyone but Gia leaned away.
“The same thing happened a couple of weeks ago. Twice. Not good.” He got closer until they were inches away from being nose to nose. “Her health is my concern.”
Harrison gulped as he rimmed a finger around his collar. He stepped backwards only to have the space filled with Lamar’s bulk.
“We…We had an emergency. It couldn’t be helped.”
Lamar placed his cannon arms over his chest.
Gia tucked her lips into her mouth to keep from cracking up. She really shouldn’t be enjoying this so much.
“Did you all stay to take care of this emergency?”
Gazes hit the floor, but Harrison linked his with Lamar.
“It was something she had to work on alone.”
Lamar didn’t relent with his narrow-eyed scowl. “So not only was she the singular person working overtime in this place, but she stayed late and had to get home on her own. It doesn’t sound safe. Not even for a woman who has been learning self-defense from me.”
A couple of the men gasped. How many wished they were in her shoes?
Harrison broke the stare-down and looked at Gia with wide pleading eyes. She said nothing to help him.
His Adam’s apple bobbed and he returned his attention to Lamar. “We have security that walks anyone who stays late to their car. Isn’t that right, Gia?”
This is what power felt like. She loved it.
“Come on, Lamar, we’d better get started. I don’t want to be here all night working like before.”
He tipped his gaze in her direction. “What time did you leave?”
Okay, so it wasn’t comfortable being on the receiving end of that intensity.
“At about one.”
The growl emanating from Lamar’s throat had everyone, including herself this time, backing away.
His voice deepened. “Will you be alone tonight?”
“No.” Harrison jumped in. “She’s working with Ramesh.”
Lamar’s shoulders relaxed a fraction when he dropped his arms to the sides.
Ramesh waved and smiled. “She’s helping me out. I’ll make sure she’s safe.”
“You’d better,” he said while looking in Harrison’s direction. “As I mentioned before, her health is my concern.”
The room went silent enough to hear the low buzz of high-tech computers. And then Lamar clapped his hands together making them jump. His grin softened the blow. “Ramesh, Darius, and Alan, get in here for a picture.”
The three pulled out their phones and gave them to Gia while the others sulked back to their desks.
She would forever sing Lamar’s praises for giving her the best day she’d ever experienced in the office.
Ever.
Chapter 21
Gia had become a one-woman musical with the random bouts of humming. She was even starting to annoy herself with the chipper mood, but she couldn’t help it. Her exuberant joy needed an outlet. Expressing it came easily enough when she was engulfed in Lamar’s arms having sex with a passion that left her sated.
She’d spent almost every night of the past week getting to know his incredible body in a way that left her both boneless and strong in the morning when he woke her with a kiss before leaving.
Her stomach clenched with dread each time he left hours before the sun came up. Was he really going to the gym so early? She’d been tempted to ask, but didn’t feel it was her place. After all, weren’t they just screwing around? She could be one of his many rebound encounters after divorcing less than six months ago. It was better to keep things casual so she wouldn’t get hurt too bad
ly.
The secret she held from Trista was gutting her. At the same time she liked having Lamar all to herself. No stress to dissect him or her feelings. For once she was just having a good time with a man. Telling her sister would make it real and then the pressure to find out what it meant would start.
Meeting with him outside of the gym would likely come to a screeching halt for the next five days anyway. Her period had come to destroy her decadent sexual exploration. Besides, once their sessions ended, they wouldn’t see each other again. They were having a good time.
According to the internet gossip, Lamar wasn’t one for relationships. She didn’t hold out hope that she’d be the one he fell so madly in love with that he’d make her his one and only. Who was she among the glamorous women he’d gone out with? She held no delusions. Simple, smarty-pants Gia wouldn’t be the exception to capture the heart of the “Phantom.”
Hands clammy with nerves, Gia pushed Lamar out of her mind as she waited at Canova Restaurant. The expansive view of the river, rich dark furnishings, and serene atmosphere, even during the lunch rush helped put her at ease. She’d chosen the place to impress the woman who Gia hoped would save her job.
Ramesh, Alan, and Darius had become her best buds since Lamar stopped by the office, making things at work a little easier. The other guys hadn’t been as snide to her, but Harrison’s manipulations and subtle insults continued.
Last week she had followed through on her plan to obtain an ally.
Sanjana Rao breezed through the crowded restaurant towards Gia’s table. Gia returned the woman’s smile and extended a hand with a brief greeting.
Sanjana gave Gia a firm handshake that exuded the same confidence that the woman’s outfit did. A cream and tan pinstriped tailored skirt suit accented with a royal blue silk blouse, highlighted with a designer bag and shoes screamed that she wasn’t one to forgo femininity for function. Gia took notes.
“Forgive me for being late. I had a meeting with the CEO, and he had more on the agenda than anticipated.”
