Chapter Twenty-Four
Zachary
The next week, I finally got some financials from Felicia and Gaston: the current profit and loss sheet as well as what they estimated they needed for the renovations. I liked the numbers. My initial intention had been to ask Xander to take a look at them, but that wasn’t necessary. It was very straightforward.
I replied to Gaston’s email almost within the hour of getting the documents to make an offer. Then I put the whole issue at the back of my mind because I was swamped with shipping delays, and I was in crisis management mode. The one other priority I had was to give my family a heads-up that I wanted to introduce Grace to them.
It might be a surprise for Mom and Dad, since our grandmothers had put two and two together. I bet our grandfathers already knew as well. And my brothers were in the loop. But Mom and Dad usually kept themselves out of the LeBlanc-Broussard gossip line. That’s why I called Mom on Tuesday, around lunchtime. I knew she had the afternoon off on Tuesdays because she always hosted an evening event at the gallery.
“Hi, son,” she answered. “How come you’re calling?”
I didn’t call very often. It just wasn’t my MO. I usually texted.
“How are you, Mom?”
“Busy, but good busy. I did hear through the grapevine, though, that it’s a shipping hell week.”
I laughed because that was exactly how I’d dubbed this time of year last year.
“Yes, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
“I never worry about you,” she said. “So, to what do I owe the pleasure?”
“On Saturday, I’d like to bring someone to brunch,” I said bluntly.
“Would that someone happen to be Grace Deveraux?”
My eyes widened in surprise. “Yes, but how do you know?”
“Everyone in the family talks. I heard a whisper here, a word there, and I started to wonder if there was something happening between the two of you.”
I took everything back that I’d thought about Mom and Dad. Clearly they were just as involved in gossip as everyone else.
“Yes, I’d like Grace to officially meet our family. She’s already met Anthony and Beckett, plus the grandmothers.”
“So, you’re serious about her,” Mom concluded.
I cleared my throat. “I like her a lot.”
“Oh, I’m always so thrilled when one of you finds happiness. It’s all I want for my sons. Having a partner is one of the greatest joys in life. I’ll tell everyone you’re bringing her to brunch,” Mom said.
“Thanks. How did you know I was going to ask that?”
“Because I have a sixth sense. I know when my boys need something from me. Not that you do very often. You’re all very independent—maybe a bit too much so.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“You’re welcome. Now, I have to go because I want to explore this very unusual new shop that opened next to the gallery. I’ve been meaning to check it out for a while.”
“Sure. Have fun.” I laughed as I hung up. My family was definitely a strange bunch.
I felt good about bringing Grace. Sure, it could be overwhelming, but at least she’d already met some of the clan. I couldn’t wait for Saturday.
As the day passed, though, I realized I didn’t want to wait that long to see her. So, at five o’clock that afternoon, I texted her.
Zachary: Workday over?
Grace: No chance in hell. It’s going to be another dinner-at-the-office kind of week.
Zachary: I’ll take care of you.
I was about to instruct LeBlanc & Broussard to send her dinner when I got a better idea. I was going to deliver it to her myself. That way, I could also see her.
I’d never felt the impulse to be close to a woman. To seek her presence so often. But things were changing. I took everything with ease my whole life, and I never questioned why I did something. I simply followed my instinct.
Forty minutes later, I entered the lobby of Grace’s building with two portions of jambalaya. Since it was comfort food for both of us, why not share it? I walked straight to the reception desk. A tall brunette looked up at me.
“Delivery from LeBlanc & Broussard?” she asked.
I nodded. “Exactly.”
“I will have to ask for ID, just because you’re a different guy than last time.”
“Sure.”
I took out my wallet and showed her my ID.
She jerked her head back. “Zachary LeBlanc . All right. Fourth floor, Unit B.”
“Thank you.”
The building was still teeming with people coming in and out. The atmosphere was much less casual than in the Quarter. There were plenty of offices there, too, but you wouldn’t know judging by how people dressed. But almost everyone I met in this lobby was wearing a suit or something similar and seemed very businesslike.
I went straight to Grace’s floor and was surprised by the complete silence. There was a light at the end of the corridor on the right. I assumed that’s where her office was. I didn’t want to call out and give myself away.
Was she the last one working?
Then again, it would fit Grace to a T. She demanded more of herself than of the people surrounding her.
“I’m in my office,” she called loudly. “Just like last time.”
I walked there with quick steps, then stopped in the doorway.
“Just a... Oh, Zachary?” she asked, noticing me as I stepped in. “Did you tell me you were coming?”
“No, I figured I’d surprise you.”
She grinned and pushed her laptop to one side. Then, as if she’d thought better of it, she rose to her feet, coming around to the other side of the desk.
“What goodies did you bring?” she asked.
I walked to the desk, putting the bag down. “Jambalaya. But first, I demand a kiss.”
“Oh, so you’re not doing this out of the goodness of your heart, huh?” she murmured. “You expect payback?”
“Lots of payback.”
I kissed her so damn hard that I pushed her against the desk. Then I deepened it even more. I couldn’t stop exploring her. I sat her on the desk, and she groaned as I put my hands between her knees, trying to push them open so I could step between them.
Grace put a hand on my chest, pulling her head back.
“Zachary,” she whispered. “This skirt is too tight. You’ll rip it.”
“Then take it off,” I growled.
“Oh, you bad man. You want me to take off my clothes right here in the middle of my office?”
I took a deep breath and moved back. “Fuck, you’re right. I don’t even think I remembered we were here.”
She threw her head back, laughing. I leaned in, kissing her neck, then immediately nuzzled down to her collarbone. Her tank top had a V-neckline that very much appealed to me. Before I knew it, I kissed right down to the hem of the fabric. Grace gasped again, and I straightened up.
Fuck, this was a bad idea. “I don’t understand why I can’t keep myself in check.”
“I have a thought,” she said. “Walk back a few steps.”
I did what she said as she rounded her desk, sitting back in her chair.
“How about that, huh?” she asked. “Now we have the desk between us.”
Yeah, that wasn’t going to work, but I didn’t say anything.
“Now, let’s eat.”
I was glad for the distraction. We ate straight out of the carton with the forks I’d brought.
“I don’t think I will ever tire of this jambalaya.”
“You can mention that to the grandmothers on Saturday. They’ll love you even more.”
“How did your family react?” Grace asked, looking up from her food.
“I told Mom and asked her to spread the word.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Interesting tactic.”
“I figured Mom and Dad would be the only ones who wouldn’t know about us. I decided to inform her. But she’d already figured it out.”
Grace’s mouth fell open. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah. That’s just how things work in the family.”
“I’m starting to get a bit jittery,” she said.
“There’s absolutely no reason to be, Grace.”
I thought I’d be happy just being here with her, but now I simply wanted to touch her more and more.
“It might be a bit overwhelming, but you’ll get used to it fast enough,” I added.
“I mean, I already know some of your family,” she said.
“Exactly.”
I didn’t say anything else as we continued to eat.
I finished first, and Grace ate two more spoonfuls before declaring, “Oh, I’m so full.”
To my astonishment, she pushed her chair back and rose to her feet.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Well, you behaved during dinner.” She went to the door, closing it. “So now I guess you more than deserve your reward.”
My cock twitched. “And what is that?”
“Since you were so keen on taking off my skirt, why don’t I start with that?”
This evening was shaping up to be so much better than I’d envisioned this morning. I kept racking my brain, knowing I had something else to discuss with Grace tonight.
Then it dawned on me. I’d wanted to talk to her about Gaston and Felicia, but this didn’t seem like a good time.
For now, I was simply going to focus on pleasing this gorgeous woman.