Eight
Luke
“You’re up early,” Laura said as she walked into the kitchen on Monday. “And you’re dressed.” She wrinkled her nose in apparent disappointment.
“And you’re not.” I strode over to her and pulled her into my arms, dropping a kiss onto her beautiful mouth.
She was wearing my shirt, which covered more than I’d like, but the unbuttoned top portion gaped, hinting she was probably naked underneath.
I slid my hands up her thighs, confirming she was. “You’re so perfect.”
“You taste like coffee,” she whispered.
“Do you want some?” When she nodded, I reluctantly released her and went back to pour her a cup.
As she settled onto a chair, I brought the coffee to the table then slid the creamer over to her, as well.
“What’s the plan for today?” she asked.
“I have to go in to work for a little while,” I told her. She looked as disappointed as I felt. “I’ll try not to be long.”
“It’s okay,” she assured me. “I know you have things to do. I don’t expect you to entertain me for the rest of my life.”
“I would, you know.”
She smiled, and my heart stuttered in my chest. I’d quit my job without hesitation to see that look on her face every day.
“I know you would. But how would you keep me in the lap of luxury if you didn’t get back to the office?”
I heard the teasing in her tone but wondered if she fully realized how set for life we were, regardless of whether or not I kept working. Before I assured her that I’d treat her like a princess for the rest of time, she spoke again.
“Do you really want me to spruce up the apartment? I could start looking at stuff today while you’re out. I should probably start getting the lay of the land, so to speak, if I’ll be living in New York City.”
“Of course, I meant it.” I reached across the table and wrapped my hand around hers. “This is your home. I want you to feel comfortable here.” I stood and pulled out my wallet, grabbing my Amex and handing it over to her. “Whatever you want. For this place, for yourself, just swipe.”
“Just swipe,” she repeated softly, staring down at the credit card in her hand.
“As long as you don’t use it to run away again.”
She glanced up at me, a look on her face I couldn’t quite read. We stared at each other for a moment, before she slid off the stool and walked over to me.
“Luke.” She wrapped her arms around my neck and met my gaze. “For better or for worse, I’m here. I’m yours. I won’t run again.”
Once again, I found myself wishing I’d just proposed last night.
Maybe when I got back this afternoon, I could whisk her to city hall and just get it all over with at once.
I wanted her to be my wife. The sooner we got married, the sooner I could start putting my babies in her.
The sooner I could guarantee she was out of her family’s clutches forever. The sooner we could build our forever.
“You look very serious all of a sudden,” she said, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Sorry.” I kissed her quickly. “I really should get going, so I can get back.” I pulled out a business card and scribbled our address on the back. “Anything you buy can be delivered, don’t let them tell you otherwise. I’ll send Rick to drive you wherever you need.”
“Okay. Have a good day, dear.”
I smacked her ass as I walked past then grabbed my briefcase and headed out before I changed my mind and carried her back to bed.
* * * *
“Well, who the hell filed the permits!” I yelled at my brother, Jameson, staring down at the stop-work notice he’d handed me when I’d gotten to the job site just outside Tarrytown.
“I did!” he bellowed back. “All of them. But it looks like they got blocked in committee.”
“That’s ridiculous.” I ran my free hand through my hair and glared down at the papers. “We’ve never been denied. Who would want to block us?”
“I’m working on it.”
I was honestly glad to see the fire in his eyes.
My youngest brother hadn’t always been the most ambitious of us.
But he’d been stepping up a lot lately, and I was proud of him.
But this was a disaster. We’d already broken ground.
The crew was standing around smoking, talking, and occasionally casting furtive glances our way.
We employed hundreds of people, and a stop-work affected everybody.
We’d still pay them out. They had a thirty-day guarantee in their contracts for just this sort of hiccup.
But if we didn’t get it resolved soon, they’d be unemployed and we’d be out millions of dollars.
Not to mention the hit to our company’s reputation.
“Figure it out,” I growled, shoving the notices back at him. “And fix this.”
“What are you gonna do?” Jameson asked.
“I’m talking to the guys, then I’m heading to the office to put in a few calls. Then I’m going home, I guess. If you need me, call me. Immediately.”
He nodded, clapping me on the back before walking toward the parking lot.
I blew out a sigh and looked back at the crew.
What a fucking nightmare. Locating the foreman, I strode over to him.
He was in conversation with a small group of men, and I walked slowly, allowing them to continue.
This wasn’t their fault. The fact that they were still on site showed a work ethic that made me proud of them.
Technically, they should have vacated as soon as they knew about the stop-order.
“So, the waiter brings over the champagne, and there’s a fucking ring in it!” one of the crew was saying as I approached. “I couldn’t believe it. Before I could say anything, Mel just screams yes at me. Then she’s on her phone, calling her mom.”
“You just let her think you were proposing?” another man asked.
“What was I gonna do? She had this massive ring on her hand, and she was all excited. Man, I’m so fucked.”
Oh. My. God.
It was Mark. The kid I’d accidentally pushed into a proposal at the restaurant the night before. Fuck. Could this day get any worse?
“Mr. Cassel,” Mark said, noticing me. “Sorry, sir, me and the guys were just talking. I’m sure you want Doug.” He pointed at the foreman, who’d turned to face me. “We’ll just be…over there.”
I nodded, smiling grimly as they walked off to give us privacy.
“What do you want us to do?” Doug asked bluntly. “We’ll stay, but I can’t let the guys work right now.”
“No, no, of course not. I’m not risking any of your licenses getting pulled. This is our mess, and we’ll get it fixed. I promise you.” I sighed and looked over at the rest of the crew. This was gonna put us behind schedule. “They okay?”
“Oh, yeah.” Doug made a dismissive gesture. “It’s not the first time we’ve run into this. Those permit committees pull this shit all the time. You’re a good family. You’ll fix it, and we’ll be back at it before you know it.”
“Thanks, Doug.” I shook his hand. “Send your boys home. I’ll be in touch. Make sure they know their wages are covered.”
“No problem.” He nodded then headed over to dismiss his guys.
I glanced around the site and kicked a rock with the toe of my shoe. I was pissed. Doug might think it happened all the time, but it had never happened to us. Our company was meticulous, and we didn’t let these things affect us or our crews.
My phone chirped, and I looked down to see a message from Jameson.
It was Willow.
Jesus Christ. Willow Tate and my brother had been at each other’s throats since kindergarten. Honestly, I thought they were secretly crazy for one another but both were too chicken to admit it.
She worked for another development firm that built strip malls in the towns surrounding the Burroughs of New York, just as we did.
Well, we didn’t build strip malls, but that company was our competition and occasionally we battle over land and contractors.
If she’d been able to get our permits revoked, her boss must have pulled a million strings.
I knew for a fact the state made way more off our buildings than his developments.
He must have called in every favor he’d ever gotten to pull off something like this for spite.
Can you fix it? I texted back.
His reply came immediately. It’s being handled. Give me a few days.
I fucking hoped so. This was a nightmare.
Instead of going into the office, where I’d just be bombarded with questions I couldn’t answer, I climbed into my town car and had the driver take me home.
I heard music as soon as I got off the elevator to the penthouse.
Silently slipping into the living room, I leaned against the wall and watched Laura as she danced around the room.
She’d gotten dressed, more’s the pity, but her tight jeans highlighted her pert little ass as her hips swayed to the pop song she blared through her phone.
“Honey, I’m home,” I called out as soon as the music ended.
She jumped, spinning around as her hand went to her chest. “Jesus, Luke, you nearly gave me a heart attack.”
I walked over and pulled her into my arms, kissing her deeply.
“I’m sorry,” I said, leaning back to look into her eyes. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
She pulled away and turned off the speaker. “You’re back early. I wasn’t expecting you for hours.”
“Yeah, well, there’s a problem at the site, so they had to shut down. Jameson is working on it.”
“That’s your youngest brother?” she asked.
“Yeah. He’s kind of a goof, but if he says he’ll get it taken care of, he really will.” I pulled her back into me. “But for now, it looks like you’re stuck with me.”
“Lucky, lucky me,” she murmured, going up on tiptoes to kiss me. “Whatever shall we do with ourselves?”
God, I was so in love with this woman. I knew I’d never tire of coming home to her. Of kissing her. Of holding her in my arms. I wanted her forever, and I needed that forever to start as soon as possible.
I knew I couldn’t ask her yet. But before the end of this week, I was damn sure Laura Moretti would be Laura Cassel for the rest of her life.
Her stomach grumbled, and she giggled as her cheeks turned pink. “Oops. I finished my coffee but skipped breakfast.”
“Well, I suppose I’d better feed you,” I said with a mock sigh.
“Sorry, I went online when you left, and then when I came up for air, my song came on and I was feeling so good I just had to dance. I forgot to eat.”
“I’m not complaining,” I assured her. “I love to watch you dance. You look very happy today.”
“And you look like you could use a ten a.m. beer.” She ran her palm over my cheek. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” I promised her, covering her hand with mine. “I’m just a little shell-shocked from work.” I pulled her toward the door. “Let’s get an early lunch then come back here and make the most of my free afternoon.”
“How can I resist an offer like that?” she asked.
“Hopefully, you’ll never be able to resist me.”
“I don’t think you’re in danger of that ever happening.” She slipped on her shoes and snagged her purse before allowing me to usher her toward the penthouse’s elevator.