Chapter 20
HAILEY
“Hey, stop it, you’re not carrying that,” I told Val on Friday, while we were bringing the food to the living room.
“Hailey, it’s not even a pound.”
I bit my lip. “You’re right, sorry. I’m overreacting.”
“You think? You already banned me from my own kitchen.”
“Hey, that’s not how it happened,” Lori protested.
Val liked being the boss in her kitchen, but between all of us, we’d convinced her to let us cook dinner and just oversee us.
“You got to boss us; we felt as if we were actually useful, so win-win for everyone,” I said.
Cooking for more than a dozen people was no small feat. At the rate the family was growing, we’d need a caterer soon for our Friday dinners.
“Oh, boy. I’m in for a long six weeks, huh?” Val asked, turning to chop cilantro for the salad.
“You got it,” Lori said.
“But I’m feeling fine. It was just a precautionary measure, remember? I don’t need anyone to fuss over me.”
“You’re fine until you’re not,” Lori said. “I was also fine right until bed rest was ordered. And remember Mom said all her pregnancies were difficult? Don’t tempt fate.”
Val didn’t have a comeback for that. Together with the boys, we carried the dishes to the table. Yum… saffron rice with beef and tomato salad with coriander. I was already salivating.
Since we’d been surrounded by many a manly ear in the kitchen, I couldn’t fill the girls in on my Chicago escapade, but as we were preparing to sit at the table, Val whispered, “So, how was Chicago?”
“I loved it. Reid’s the best vacation partner.”
I realized what I’d said only when Val winced. So much for swearing Reid to secrecy. I’d gone and put my foot in my big mouth.
“Ouch.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.”
She laughed. “No offense taken. Not trying to compete anyway. So… details?” Then she glanced over her shoulder. The whole gang, including our brothers, was approaching the table. “Or, we can keep it for after dinner. Will and Jace are already looking suspicious.”
“They do, don’t they? Sometimes I think they have supernatural senses.”
As if to prove my point, as soon as we were all seated at the table, Jace said, “What’s this I heard about a rendezvous in Chicago?”
I laughed. “Oh, Jace. One of these days I’ll find out how you can tell exactly what we’re talking about even if you’re across the room.”
“It’s not so hard. The two of you were whispering, Val kept looking over her shoulder. Sure signs you didn’t want us to hear, which is why I thought it deserves some more digging. You went with the guy who was with you the night we looked for Milo?”
“Yes.”
“When are you bringing him around for dinner?”
“So glad you brought this up,” I told him sweetly. “He has a late meeting today, but he’ll be here next week. Which means I need to drill a few things into all the Connor men.” I looked at my nephew. “Including you.”
Milo piped up. “I’m a Connor man?”
“Yup. Which means you have the propensity to say the wrong thing.”
Will and Jace looked at Landon. “You’re the oldest. You have nothing to say about this?” Jace asked.
Landon leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. His lips twitched. “I think we all need this. Me included.”
Will blinked. Jace shook his head, muttering something that sounded like traitor.
“You’re not allowed to be difficult,” I told them.
Landon smiled. “I think we need you to elaborate.”
“You know, just let this be a regular dinner, not a test. Don’t play the brother card.”
Jace grinned. “We can’t help ourselves.”
“I’m with Jace. Someone’s got to do the job,” Will said.
I rubbed my hands over my face, shaking my head. “Well, I had to try. But you’re upsetting me, just so you know.”
Will and Jace winced. “Oh, shit. She’s starting with the emotional blackmail,” the latter said.
Landon’s smile just became more pronounced, as if he’d been expecting this. Well, he probably had. As the oldest, he’s been on the receiving end of my tactics for the longest. I practically cut my teeth on him.
But I also knew I could count on him to hold down the fort next week.
It was late when I left Val’s house, and I took my phone out when I climbed into my car, about to check on Reid, when a notification caught my eye. I’d put an alert on his name, so I’d know when he popped up in online media outlets.
Currently, the alert app showed “one new mention.” I had strictly forbidden myself to check articles in the evening, because then I couldn’t switch off my brain, which led to restless sleep. But this was Reid.
I tapped the app, and of course that was when my phone’s battery died. Crap, crap, crap.
I reached into the back seat, grabbing my laptop. Even from this distance, I still got a weak Wi-Fi signal from Val’s house.
My heart squeezed when I read the newest alert at the top of the page.
Marion had given a counterstatement, addressing Reid’s article in LA Lifestyle.
I clicked the link, reading through the article as fast as possible.
I couldn’t believe Marion. My blood boiled as I forced myself to read the article to the end.
She accused Reid of being a man-whore, of cheating on her during their entire relationship.
I ran a hand through my hair, leaning back in the seat, closing my eyes for a few moments to calm myself down.
Had Reid seen this already? Unlikely. If I could, I’d keep him away from this. Not very professional of me, but then again, when it came to Reid, I didn’t feel very professional. Right now, I felt protective of him, and I knew just how deep these accusations would hurt.
I headed straight to the hotel. I wanted to be the one to tell Reid. Usually, I first mapped out the next steps. I knew he’d appreciate that because he was a practical man. But I needed a few hours for that, and I really didn’t want him to find out about the article from anyone else.
Reid was still in the meeting when I arrived. Even his assistant had left, but I could hear muffled voices coming from one of the meeting rooms. I’d brought my laptop with me, but I was too worked up to do anything more than pace through the waiting area.
I didn’t know how much time passed before the voices grew closer, and then Reid and his appointment walked out.
Reid tilted his head playfully to one side when he saw me.
After a brief introduction, his business partner left.
“This is a pleasant surprise,” Reid said. “Missed me so much?”
I cleared my throat, smoothing my skirt. Oh, no. He was smiling broadly at me, and I came bearing bad news. His smile faded as he looked down at my hands, taking them into his.
“What’s wrong?”
“Marion made a statement in answer to your article.”
His grip on my hands tightened. “Show me.”
We sat side by side, and I opened my laptop. I hadn’t closed the article. Reading it for the third time wasn’t any less unpleasant.
“This is bullshit,” he exclaimed. Rising to his feet, he paced the waiting area, hands in his pockets, head down. He reminded me of a tiger studying his prey before lunging.
“We expected a retaliation,” I said gently.
He laughed without humor. “Yes, but I was not expecting even more lies. I’ll end her, I swear to God.”
“Reid, as your PR counsel, I urge you not to do anything rash. The easiest way to snuff this out would be to publicly declare that she had an affair with your manager. They’re not together anymore, maybe he’ll even back you up.”
“Walk up to a man who looked me in the face every day and lied to me, laughed behind my back?”
“Okay, don’t ask for his backup. Just let me write a PR statement on your behalf where I declare this.”
His features tightened. “Can’t do that. Sorry. Anything but that.”
“You’re exasperating. You’re making this unnecessarily difficult.”
“I’m not some celebrity used to having his personal life splashed across the internet. I’m a businessman. I won’t be anyone’s laughingstock.”
“It’s not about that. You know it’s not.”
“I’ve made my position clear on this.”
I shook my head. “Stubborn, prideful man.”
“What else do you suggest?”
“Maybe we should keep a low profile for a while.” My mouth felt a little dry. I wasn’t looking at him as I said this, but my entire body was on edge when he approached me. He tilted my face up.
“No.”
“What?”
“I won’t allow anyone to dictate my life, to keep me from going after what I want. Whom I want.”
Oh, God. My entire body seemed to hum from his proximity, the determination in his eyes, the sheer heat of his body.
Usually, I would push this until the client agreed with me. I would hold my ground. But I couldn’t. Not when it was this personal. Just the thought of having to press Pause on us was causing my throat to close up.
“It would be easiest for you,” I tried.
“I don’t care about easy. I care about us. I won’t hide what I feel for you.” He brought me closer to him, pushing my hair out of the way, touching my mouth with his thumb, opening me up to him. He looked at me with a warm smile and happy eyes.
“By the way, Bianca informed me her shopping day with you is tomorrow,” he said.
“Yes.”
“What time do we start?”
“You’re coming with us? Why?”
“I usually take Bianca shopping. It’s our thing. And I’ll get to spend time with two of my favorite people.”
“Hmm… I’m one of Jace’s favorite people. You wouldn’t catch him dead going shopping with me.”
“Is that supposed to scare me?”
“It should serve as a warning at the very least,” I said with a grin.
“I think we established in Chicago that I’m brave, right?”
“That’s right. Very well, join us then. But here’s another warning: don’t try to slow us down.”
“I’ll do my best. I can’t believe you’ve offered to go with her.”
“Hey, I happen to like shopping. And prom is one of the most important events in life.”
He cocked a brow. “Really?”
“Well, for teenagers, at least. I understand Bianca. I’m young at heart. Dad always said that the soul never gets old. We just forget to be children. And I can’t wait to meet Bianca in person. I want to ask her if she’s had any more trouble at school.”
“You’re amazing,” he murmured, looking at me with a glint I’ve never seen before.
He drew small circles with his fingers on my neck before skimming his hands down my arms, encircling my waist, and capturing my mouth.
I opened up for him instantly, hungry for him and everything he had to give me.
How could I always want him so much? Always miss him so much when we weren’t together? It was a new feeling for me.
His mouth was sinfully hot and determined. His hands daring. Palming my ass, he pressed me against him.
He was hard.
My nipples tightened. I pressed my thighs together, trying to ignore the ache suddenly forming between them.
“Reid,” I chastised. “Remember where we are.”
“I own this company. This building.” His voice was low and gruff, and his mouth was relentless as he embarked on a downward path on my chest. I circled my arms tight around his neck, blocking him. He looked up, amusement dancing in his eyes.
“What are you gonna do now, huh?”
His eyes flashed. “Bend you over this desk and fuck you.”
The edge of the desk pressed against my ass, his cock against my lower belly.
Right. There was no ignoring that ache now.
“I’ve been thinking about that since you were in here the first time.”
“Wow. You were good at hiding it. The only vibe I got from you was irritated.”
“I didn’t want to be attracted to you, but I was anyway.”
“Music to my ears,” I teased. “However, I’m a proper lady. I want to be wined and dined before allowing you to have your wicked way with me.”
He straightened up. “That can be easily arranged.”
“Well, unfortunately, I already had dinner, so that ship has sailed tonight.”
Smiling wolfishly, he whispered against my lips, “I can think of one or two things I could offer as a bribe.”
Sighing, I stepped out of his arms. “I want to map out the next steps. Think about what outlets to approach, a new angle.”
“It’s Friday night. You can think about this again on Monday. You don’t work on weekends, remember?”
“Yeah, but when it comes to you, it’s not work anymore.”
“Now, what kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t keep you here?”
“What?” I giggled.
“Otherwise you’ll go home and slave away at your laptop.”
“Ufff… since when do you know me so well?” That was exactly what I would do. “So… how do you plan on keeping me here?”
“Second dinner?”
“And then maybe you can persuade me to spend the night here. You think I don’t know where you’re going with this?”
“I’m that transparent, huh?” He placed his hands on my shoulders. I shimmied, aware that if I didn’t pay attention, this sexy man might somehow end up ambushing me against the welcome desk again.
“Just a little. Fine, you win. I won’t say no to a second dinner, and some quality Reid time.”
Truthfully, I just couldn’t say no to him, and that scared me.