Anything To Be With You

10. Five More Times

Five More Times

Dani

I kick my heels off as soon as I open the door, my feet screaming from being locked up in those heels all day. The house is quiet, thanks to Mom taking Mason for the night. That little shit thought he could pull one over on me, sneaking into the house at two in the morning. The kid’s as big as a mountain and thinks he can sneak in.

Ha!

My calf muscle twitches and I decide a soak in the tub will soothe my aching body. I may work in an office, but sitting on my ass for hours does a number on my muscles. Getting everything ready for my much-needed soak, I fill the tub with hot water and add one of the bath bombs that Erin gave me last year for my birthday. I slowly lower myself into the amazing grapefruit scented—and hot as fuck—water and lean back, dunking my head under the water.

It has been years since I’ve been able to do this, and with Mason at my parents, I don’t have to worry about having someone barging through the door at any given moment. I just pop up from under the water when my cell goes off.

"For the love." I growl. Half ass drying my hands, I grab it off the toilet lid. "Hello?"

"Hello my love."

"Hi Mom. How’s it going?"

Mom sighs happily. "Things are going great. My baby is here, helping around the house."

My brows creep up my forehead. "Mason’s helping around the house?" I ask dumbfounded. "How’d you manage that?"

Mom huffs. "Oh, your father promised to teach him how to drive if he cleans the house."

Of course, he did.

"How’ve you been, darling? Mason said that boss of yours calls at all hours of the night," Mom says.

"I’ve been good. This job is definitely more demanding than the others. But the pay is great, the benefits are better and working there gets Mason a college fund supplied by Archer law firm."

"Oh honey!" I smile at the joy in Mom’s voice. "That is amazing. Maybe now you can get yourself a newer car."

I laugh. "The pay is good, Mom, but you get killed after taxes."

She huffs again. "Just take some of it out of the money you already have aside for Mason. If the firm is going to give you a college fund, treat yourself honey."

"I don’t want to risk it right now. Archer is hard to work for and is getting on my damn nerves."

Mom laughs. "It’s only your third day, it’ll get better."

"I doubt it," I snort.

"Oh, Daniella," Mom tsks, "what have I told you about making that noise?" she scolds. "You’ll never land a man sounding like a piglet."

I roll my eyes. "Mom, I highly doubt the man I land is going to care if I snort or not."

She tsks again. "Honey, when was the last time you had a date?"

That’s a very good question. Antoni and I broke up six years ago, but as for date wise…

"I can’t remember."

"I know the perfect guy for you."

I love my Mother and I know she means well, but she really needs to stop trying to hook me up with random men,

"Mom, no," I whine, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Last time you set me up, the guy 'forgot' his wallet after ordering over eighty dollars worth of food for himself. Then thought he was going to, and I quote 'tap that ass' at the end of the night."

The sigh that comes through the phone sounds identical to Mason’s. "How many times do I have to apologise for that, Daniella?"

"Five more times."

"That’s enough of your smart mouth," Mom warns.

I go for eye roll number two.

"This guy is different. He works with your father but in the offices. I have met him a handful of times, he’s a nice boy."

"Boy?"

"You know what I mean, Daniella."

The only way to get her off my back is to agree to this date . "Fine. Give him my number."

Mom squeals with delight. "I already did. He’s going to call you tonight."

I sink deeper in the water with a sigh. "Lovely."

"His name is Malakai. He’s thirty-eight, recently divorced and no kids."

"Great. I can’t wait." I comment wryly.

My phone beeps in my ear. "My other line is beeping in Mom; I’ll talk to you later." I switch lines before Mom can get another word in. "Hello?" there’s a hesitation before a very deep voice comes over the line.

"Daniella?" the baritone of his voice vibrates through the speaker.

"Yes. Who is this?"

"This is Malakai. Your mother gave me your number."

This is going to be a very awkward conversation. "Yes, she just told me. Let me ask you something."

There’s another hesitation. "Um, okay."

"What did she tell you about me?"

He chuckles. "That you were single, have a seventeen-year-old son and in your early thirties."

Huh.

I figured Mom would’ve played me up more like she has done in the past.

"She ah, she showed me your picture."

Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnd there it is.

"You’re a very beautiful woman," Malakai says.

I flush at the compliment. "Th—thank you."

As the awkward silence descends on us once more, my other line beeps in again. I glance at the screen and cringe.

"Malakai, I’m sorry to cut this short, however my boss is on the other line, and I have a feeling it’s going to be a looooong conversation."

He chuckles again, making me smile. "Completely understand. Before you go, are you free for dinner tomorrow?"

"As a matter of fact, I am."

"Would you like to have dinner with me?"

"I’d love to."

"Wonderful. How does eight o’clock sound at Pearls."

Holy shit. I have always wanted to try that place but never had the time.

"Sounds great. I’ll see you then." I switch lines. "Yes, Archer."

"Took you long enough, Daniella." He barks.

I drop my head back. "I do have a life outside of you." I slide down the tub, submersing myself deeper in the water.

"Daniella," he says.

"What?"

"Are you in the bath?"

A sinful smile grows on my lips. "Why yes, Archer. I am in the bath." I move my hand in the water, receiving a grunt.

"Get out of the tub, Daniella." He growls.

"Why? Are you picturing me naked?" I tease.

"Yes."

What the fuck!

"Get out of the bath, Daniella." Luke demands.

"Why should I? I am off the clock; I don’t have to listen to you." I bite out.

"If you don’t get out of that tub in the next ten seconds, I’m coming over and removing you myself." Luke snarls.

"I dare you.' I challenge.

A deep rumble comes over the phone and my body responds. Heat pools low in my belly and a moan slips out between my lips. Fuck, why did that turn me on?

"I’m coming for you, Daniella," Luke growls.

Panic over Luke actually showing up, has me jumping out of the tub, slipping on the bathmat, and slamming my shin into the side of the tub. I hiss as I throw on my robe and stroll into my room.

"I’m out of the tub," I tell him.

"Good." He answers.

"And I smashed my fucking shin on the tub."

"You should watch what you’re doing."

I scrunch up my face in annoyance. "You’re the reason it happened."

"I’m not even there, you can’t blame me for your clumsiness."

"You threatened to come over and drag me out!" I shout.

"And by the sound of the moan you gave me, I believe you liked that idea." Luke replies.

I choose to ignore that comment, even if he’s right. "What do you want?" I flop onto my back on the bed.

"Joni Dobson's case just took a nasty turn. I am going to need you in earlier tomorrow." He says.

I brush my wet hair off my forehead. "How early are we talkin' Archer."

"Six."

I blow out a breath. "Okay, but I’m giving you fair warning, I’m not a morning person."

"Noted."

"And I don’t drink coffee," I add.

"Okay."

"And I’m coming in my pjs." I state.

"Absolutely not." He argues.

"Then I’m not coming in." I smirk.

Luke mutters a curse under his breath. "Fine, but you have to change by eight."

"Deal, and I need to leave by seven." I add.

"Excuse me?"

"Are you hard of hearing? I need to leave by seven."

"Why?" he asks.

I pull the phone away from my ear and look at it. "That is none of your business, Archer."

"I beg to differ. Unless it’s of grave importance, you leave when I say you leave." He snarls.

"You can’t stop me from leaving." I hiss.

"Can and will." He seethes.

I close my eyes and count to ten, only making it to three. "How? Physically keep me in the office? Hold me against my will?"

"You leave, you’re fired."

"You can’t do that!" I shriek.

"The fuck I can’t. You’re still on probation. I could fire you over nothing if I wanted to."

I run a hand down my face and groan. "I’ll make you a deal."

Luke grunts. "What might that be?"

I roll onto my stomach. "If I finish everything of importance by seven, you let me leave."

"And if you don’t?"

"I’ll stay." I say, disappointment filling my voice.

"We’ll see." Luke hangs up on me.