Chapter 15
FIFTEEN
Card of The Day:
Thursday
“Balls.”
I stared at the cards on my kitchen table next to my super-sized mug of Morning Mojo tea.
Sleep had been elusive. I was still wound up from seeing a new side of Preston yesterday.
The guy behind the suit who had an affinity for animals in need.
Who also had a sense of loneliness in his eyes that made me ache.
I didn’t have time for that nonsense.
But that didn’t seem to matter to my hormones or sleeping habits. My bed was all tangled sheets, and two of my pillows had ended up on the floor by the time I’d finally given up on pretending to sleep. And now I had all that King of Swords energy waiting for me today.
It could be for me, since I was locking shit down. But I’d bet that freaking card was for Preston.
“Two more days. You can do this.” I tapped the Three of Cups. Maybe I’d get together with the girls this weekend and decompress. Some wine and Luna would do me some good.
The Death card was my real worry. Majors weren’t just little pats on the ass. They were a slap to the back of the head and usually meant something major—duh, Major Arcana—but I was tired of all these major life hits. I had two days left and then I could get back to my life.
I glanced at the drawing on my desk, with the little cat face peering in the window.
The one I hadn’t touched in two days.
The one I’d been avoiding. I’d only drawn it eleven times now.
I swooped up the cards and set them on my altar. I tucked the death card behind my skull. “Keep me from doing anything super dumb today, huh, George?”
I finished packing my bag. The temperatures were supposed to soar today, and I’d dressed in an unusually short dress. Nothing indecent, but the air laid heavy on me and I’d been tempted to take another shower before leaving for work.
“Enough waffling, Moon.” I reached for one of my lighter crystals off the jewelry tree in the window. I chose rose quartz and citrine to settle my crazy mind and a few obsidian and silver rings for protection.
Protection from what, I so wasn’t going to say out loud.
Even to myself.
I had enough time to stop into The Honey Pot and got a sugar-charged six-pack of donuts. My phone chimed that a delivery was waiting for me at work.
My lips twitched. Preston’s coffee had finally come in.
“Need anything else, Ryan?”
I glanced up at Dre, the owner of the shop. Behind her was an obnoxious mug with a closeup of a llama with no drama scrawled on the inside lip. “I’ll take that too.”
Dre turned. “The llama?”
“Yes, definitely.”
She rang it up and quickly wrapped it in newsprint, then tucked it into a white handled bag. I handed her my card and smiled.
“That smile seems a little sinister.”
“Maybe.”
Dre shook her head. “Preston is a good guy, you know.”
I gripped my wallet more tightly. “How do you know it’s for him?”
“You’ve glanced over at his building three times.”
“I have?” I frowned and looked again.
“See?”
“I’m just seeing if I beat him to work for once. I wanted to do it at least once. Since I’m usually late.”
“Sure. Early.” She handed me the bag and my card.
I glanced outside to make sure there wasn’t another speeding biker in my future, then stopped at the door. “Oh, did you ever see that hot guy that came in last time I was here? I felt…something.”
Dre blushed. “He’s been in a few more times.”
“Talk to him.” I pointed at her. “I have a good feeling.”
She waved me off. “Have a good one, Ryan.”
“Don’t forget to call me for a reading.”
“I won’t.”
I hustled out and across the street. I was a good thirty minutes early for once, which had never happened to me in my life. I was either on time or five minutes late for pretty much everything. Early wasn’t my style.
It wasn’t as if I was eager…much.
I stopped in at the mail drop and sure enough there was a box from PMS’s fancy coffee place. I tucked it under my arm and headed for the elevator. In between juggling my parcels and not paying attention to my surroundings, I bumped into the senior Shaw at the threshold of the elevator.
He moved back and straightened his suit jacket. Even in this wilting heat, he was crisp and buttoned up. “Miss Moon, watch yourself.”
I readjusted my purse on my shoulder and forced myself not to stiffen. I really didn’t like this guy, or the way he reminded me of all the men who came in and out of my life. Suits and oily smiles with no backbone. I shouldered past him and slapped the button.
“I am one of your superiors, you know.”
I gave him a tight smile. “When hell freezes over,” I said just as the door started to close.
He gave me an icy glare and stormed off.
I dared him to try to pull rank on me. I was pretty sure Preston would stand up to him about it, simply because he really didn’t want to be without an assistant.
Sure, that was the reason.
I ignored that little voice and stalked off the elevator. The lights were on and Dexter was on the phone at my desk. I set my things down.
“What are you doing over here?” I asked as he hung up.
“Solicitor calls started coming through. I’m not sure who actually says yes to these robo-calls about an extended warranty on your car.”
I snorted. “Yeah, I have at least one of those a day. Did you turn on the phones early?” I took a peek at my phone and saw that I was still very early.
Dex sat on the corner of my desk. “Yeah, good ol’ Dad’s assistant did. Evidently, her qualifications don’t include actually handling the phones.”
I sat down and kicked the box of K-cups under my desk as the elevator opened again and Preston’s long-legged stride ate up the waiting area.
“Miss Moon?” He checked his watch. “It’s nice to see you on time this morning.”
I swallowed my gasp and managed to smile.
How he was wearing a three piece suit in this heat, I had no idea, but it was ridiculously fitted and made him look taller and broader somehow at the same time.
I cleared my throat. “I even brought gifts.” I unearthed the box of pastries and took a moment to collect myself.
Dexter snatched it out of my hands. “Oh, Honey Pot? You are a goddess.”
I leaned back in my chair and crossed my legs, feigning a relaxed vibe even as my pulse boomed in my ears. “You both finally realized this when it’s almost my last day.”
Preston’s gaze flicked down my legs and he swallowed, then met my gaze. His dark eyes were intense and far too focused for my liking. “Did you happen to find my coffee pods on your way up?”
I shook my head. “Nope.”
Dex shot a look at me with a raised brow, then went back to the box and plucked a Boston Cream from the bunch. “Thanks for the morning sugar, Sugar.”
I rolled my eyes. “Enjoy.”
Preston watched his brother walk away. “Did he want something?”
I stood and let my dress float around my hips. “Have a Honey Glazed, PMS. He was just handling the phones.”
“Oh.” He tapped his fingers on the corner of my desk. “I shouldn’t.”
“You should. I’ll see if I can find your coffee.”
“Oh, would you?” His face brightened. “I’m getting tired of the ones you found for me in the supply closet. They’re good, and I appreciate it, but…”
“They’re not what you like.” I nudged the box farther under my desk.
His gaze drifted to my mouth. “No. Not what I like.”
I did a cursory scan of the room to make sure we were alone, then leaned forward to slide my fingers down the buttons of his vest. “A little warm for this, isn’t it?”
His tongue flicked out to wet his lips. “It’s a summer blend.”
“Is this because of what we talked about yesterday?”
“It’s simply the next suit in my closet.”
“Sure.”
He gave me a wolfish smile, then took a donut. “Meet me in my office, Miss Moon. I have some correspondence you need to attend to.”
“Shall I bring my steno book?” I called after him.
He didn’t reply, just shut his door behind him.
The fact that he assumed I would follow him like a docile little kitten annoyed me enough that I pulled out a pod of his coffee and stuck it in my pocket. Knowing it was so close to him and yet so far made me hum a happy little tune.
I took the llama mug out of the bag and washed it before turning on my electric kettle at the small kitchen station in the break room. Would serve him right to have tea today.
I took out one of my tea infusers, also a llama and filled the little belly with loose leaves, then set it in the mug and poured hot water over it. I brought it back to my desk with me and while I waited for it to steep, I had a fritter.
The blinds were opened in his office and he kept looking up at me as I ate.
Very, very slowly.
He gave me a hard stare, but I didn’t budge until it was officially nine o’clock.
I licked my middle finger and gave him a wide smile before picking up his mug and the legal pad I used to scribble things on during the day. I went to his door and gave it a sharp rap with my knuckle.
“You know very well I’m waiting for you, Miss Moon.”
I opened the door. “Yes, Mr. Shaw,” I answered with a saccharine smile.
Miss Moon was better than Moonbeam, I supposed. Marginally.
His eyes narrowed at my mug. “What is that?”
“Oh, just a little something to get you through until I can track down that pesky box.” I set it down in the middle of his leather blotter, making sure the llama stared right at him. “How’s Smoky?”
His mouth opened, but no words came out. He frowned. “What?”
“The very active three-legged cat you adopted last night?”
“Oh, right. He’s getting acclimated.”
“In other words, he’s hiding?”
Preston stared hard at the mug. “Yes. I mean, no, he’s only hiding occasionally. He’s eating and his litter pan definitely got used, so he must be okay so far. Have to say that whole cleaning it out thing was a rather unpleasant start to my day.”
“That’s good to hear.”
His eyebrow winged up. “That my morning started unpleasantly?”
“I meant about Smoky doing all right. The unpleasantness is just a side benefit.”
He grunted, still examining the mug as if it contained toxic waste.
I sat down across from him and smoothed out the skirt of my dress, closing my knees and tucking one ankle behind the other in the primmest of poses. I took my pen out of the twist of my hair. “Now what letter did you need me to take care of?”
He was still staring at the llama.
I pressed my lips together. “Mr. Shaw, you needed something?”
See, I could do this whole professional thing. Sort of. And there was only a small amount of sarcasm in my tone.
He touched the mug with a fingertip. “I need to know precisely what this is if you expect me to drink it.”
Oh, for goddess’s sake.
“It’s a mug of tea. Highly caffeinated tea, to be exact. It’s actually better for you than coffee. I picked a blend that is infused with vanilla for sweetness. Though not to your usual level, I imagine.”
“Yes, but what is that?” He pointed at the metal figurine standing in the middle of his mug.
I looked down at my pad and desperately tried not to laugh. “It’s an infuser.”
He peered down at it. “It has a face.”
“It’s a llama. The little neck and head makes it easier for you to take it out of the mug.”
“There’s a llama urinating tea in my mug.”
I barely stopped the snort of laughter. The K-cup burned a hole in my thigh with every laugh I suppressed. “I suppose you could see it that way. Now you have a deposition at eleven and—”
“I know my schedule, Miss Moon.” He sounded exceptionally pissy.
I shouldn’t take such pleasure in bringing it out in him. Obviously, there was something wrong with me. Luckily, tomorrow was my last day, and I wouldn’t have to worry any longer about why I so enjoyed tormenting him.
And kissing him senseless.
“Right.” I had my pen at the ready. “So, how can I assist you?”
He lifted the mug and set it at the edge of his desk like it was contaminated and pulled his keyboard forward. “You’re sure you can’t find the coffee box?”
I heard the hope in his voice and almost reached in my pocket. “Sorry. Not yet.”
He huffed out a near growl. “Fine. I’ll just have to make do. I don’t have time to go to the bakery on my way across town.”
I barely resisted rolling my eyes. Only PMS could make missing coffee pods seem like a calamity.
That they weren’t really missing was neither here nor there.
“You have plenty of time to stop.”
“I still have to revise a few things before I leave.” His fingers flew over his keyboard, those very intelligent eyes skimming the screen even as he rattled off things for me to do while he was gone.
I stuck my hand in my pocket and rolled the little cup around. I felt a bit bad for holding his caffeine from him on a busy day. Maybe I should hand it over.
I’d had my fun.
He frowned at me briefly before resuming his mad typing. “That’s enough for now. You can go, Miss Moon.”
I nodded briefly and stood. He wasn’t getting it with that attitude. The dude brought a whole new meaning to the words hot and cold.
Last night, he’d made out with me in his car and pretended he wanted to know everything about me down to my favorite color. Now he was back to all business. Or maybe he didn’t like that I’d been chatting with his brother.
Who even knew?
I shrugged it off. If he wanted to keep things strictly professional in the office, I could handle that. And then after tomorrow, he was officially back to being April’s problem.
“Miss Moon, don’t you think that skirt is a little…brief?” He sounded strangled.
My fingers curled around the doorknob. “It’s perfectly respectable.” Okay, maybe a little less so since I was almost six feet tall with my heels on. “I’ve seen a far shorter skirt on your father’s admin.”
It was a low blow and I knew he was sensitive about the whole situation with his dad. But right now, I wasn’t above taking shots where I could.
Not when he left me edgy and wondering what the hell his game was. If anything.
I could practically hear his jaw grinding. “She’s irrelevant.”
“And I’m only a temporary assistant, and it’s almost ninety-seven degrees today.” I opened the door and let it slam behind me.
Go ahead and fire me, PMS.
It was probably the best thing he could do for both of us.