Chapter 4
“Walker Pennington is the biggest jerk.” I huff, slumping into my seat.
“Reese?” Jenn says to get my attention.
“I’m sorry. My mind is everywhere. Maisyn and Allen are gonna give you a ride. I’ll call my friend at the clerk’s office before you get there.” I reach for my phone as Maisyn enters the room.
“Allen’s waiting.” Maisyn holds the door open for Jenn.
“Thank you, Miss Reese.” Jenn stands and walks to the door.
“I’ll be right behind you.” Maisyn turns to me as she shuts the door behind Jenn. “Are we all right? I mean, will you be with both of us here?”
“I’ll get over it.” I lay my head on my desk. “Besides, the judge ordered Walker and I to work together to solve the site issue.” I sigh.
“Well, at least you’ll get to know one another.” I peek up at her. “I promise to not interfere or ask about anything. The center is what’s most important to me.”
I raise my head further. “Me too.” At least we agree on that. Now to get Walker on board.
“Good. I’m gonna run and get Jenn to the courthouse.” Maisyn steps toward the door.
“I’ll call the magistrate's office and let them know she’s on the way. She’ll need an order of protection, and we’ll need to make sure she has a place to stay.”
After my call, I move on to the next client, trying to put as much time and distance between Walker and myself as I can. “Mandy, you do realize we have an excellent counselor here?”
“I’m afraid Joe will find out.” The woman already sports a black eye she says came from the door.
“I understand, but if you change your mind or you just want to talk, let me know. I’m not going to give you a card. We don’t want anyone to find out our secret,” I explain.
“I’ll let you know about the protection order. I only came today to figure out my options.” She shrugs. “You know, just in case.”
“Do you have a ride home?” I stand, rounding the table.
“I’m taking the bus.”
I offer her a reassuring smile. “All right. Let me know if I can help in any way.” I can’t help myself when I pull her into a hug. My chest tightens as my heart sinks for her.
I watch Mandy stand at the bus stop, my heart in my throat. I wish I could help them all.
“You okay?” Walker asks from behind me.
“I want to help.” I fold my arms across my chest, turning to look at him.
“Yeah. Me too.” He sighs, leaning against the door.
I bite my lip and decide to ask. “Why are you here?”
Walker straightens, shoving his hands in his pockets. “The same reason you are, to help people.”
I shake my head, huffing. “For Christ’s sake, just be honest for once.”
“I have my reasons… it’s personal.” He presses his lips into a thin line.
I narrow my eyes. “As I suspected.”
His hands fly in the air. “No! Reese, I’m not here to spy on you or to try to persuade you in any way.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Simple as that, is it?” Walker grinds his jaw.
“Yep,” I snap.
“Why in the hell did you ask if you already knew the answer?” He steps closer to me, and my pulse begins to race.
I swallow hard, my breath quickening. “I want to hear you admit I’m right.”
He leans in, his scent washing over me. “You’re not.”
I fight the yearning in my core as my stomach knots. “Admit it. You’re here to sway my opinion,” I squeak as he invades my senses.
Walker moves closer. There’s no more than air between us. “Not a fucking chance, lady.”
Sweat beads on the nape of my neck and in between my breasts. My eyes shut involuntary, and I pray to regain my composure. I bare down on the inside of my bottom lip, forcing myself to look up at him.
To my shock, he’s staring at my mouth. What in the world? He’s affected in the head. That’s what my granny used to say when someone was about to lose their mind. I release my hold on my lip with a pop.
Walker’s gaze floats from my mouth to my breasts, which heave under his watchful eye. My chest glistens under the lights, and I fight the urge to take a deep breath. Desire coils in my belly, threatening to break free like a spring.
His eyes flutter to mine and suddenly, the spell is broken. Or I wake up from my lust-filled thoughts. Now who’s affected in the head? This man. This gorgeous, intelligent man wants nothing to do with me. I need to snap my ass out of it.
Gathering my dignity, I spit my final words at him. “I never doubted that, Mr. Pennington. Nor do I want a chance to sway yours.”
I brush past him with a bad taste in my mouth. As if I need another reason to dislike myself, I don’t need him around to remind me. I grab my purse, hauling ass out the back door. I’m not waiting for an escort tonight. I need to get away from him. The faster, the better.
“Reese!” I hear Walker call my name, but there’s no way in hell I’m turning around. “Reese!” he calls again as I toss my bag in and slam my Jeep door.
Driving from the parking lot, I glance in my rearview mirror to see him standing, hands in his pockets, glaring at me as I drive away. “That’s it, girl. Keep driving.”
I fight tears as I turn the corner and hit Highway Seventeen. I’m not sure why I do this to myself. Guys like that are not into girls like me. The short ride to my apartment helps me not to dwell on Walker. I pull in my designated spot.
Buzz. Buzz.
“Shit!” I jump. Dragging my phone from my purse, I can see it’s her. “Hey, Mom. You scared the shit outta me.”
“Language. You’ll never find a decent man with a mouth like that, Destiny Reese,” my mother scolds me. Little does she know, I’d prefer my hair pulled, not my door opened.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Are you just getting in? It’s so late. Were you working?”
Geez. Let me get a word in. “Walking through my door as we speak. Late night at work.” I kick my shoes off and lock the door before, falling into my chair.
“You know you need at least eight hours of sleep or you’ll get bags,” she admonishes me. “And please remember, no eating after six. You put weight on so easily.”
Yep, I’m over today. “Okay, thanks. I need to run. Literally, I’m going to hit the treadmill to burn off today’s stress.”
“Oh, good.” She hesitates. “Before I let you go, have you spoken to him?”
“Who?” I’m too fried to play.
“Gary.” The word leaves her mouth like venom. I can’t say I blame her on this one.
“Yes. My father has left several messages, but I haven’t had time to return his call.”
“Good. Serves him right. Besides, he taught it to you,” she seethes.
“I’ll let you know when I do,” I assure her. “I’m gonna run.”
“All right, dear.” She ends the call.
“Love you too.” I rest my head against the back of the chair. I know she means well but man, she does things at the exact moment she shouldn’t.
And my father, that’s an entirely different story that I really don’t have the energy to go into at this time.
I skip the cardio and head to the shower. The hot water steams the mirror quickly as it runs over my tensed muscles. I pour a generous amount of my favorite soap, allowing the bubbles to clear away my bad mood. Chamomile soothes all the rough edges.
After my shower, I sink into my fluffiest bathrobe and a tub of chocolate peanut butter ice cream. “There’s only so much shit a girl can take before she pulls out the big guns,” I mutter as I flip through the channels.
I finally doze off sometime after midnight. Morning comes too early and with a bang.
“Shit!” The shout brings me straight from my dreams. I listen for another minute when I hear Alden clearly. “Dammit.”
I stumble through the hall to find him standing in front of my open fridge with the microwave spinning. “Find what you need, handsome?”
He raises up from the door with a wink of his perfect green eyes. “I have now, gorgeous.”
I pour a cup of coffee and try to wake up. “How was your night?”
“Fuckin’ killer.” He grins as he leans against the counter. “Sold out.” I raise my brows from behind my cup. “I’m goin’ places, honey, and I’m takin’ you with me.”
“I’d settle for you buying groceries next week.” I smile.
“I’ve been so busy, haven’t had time, but I promise next week, I cook.” The microwave buzzes. He turns to pull his… my breakfast burrito out, and I’m blessed with a peek of his muscle-bound torso.
Oddly enough, it does nothing for me anymore. I’m ruined. I sigh heavily before I realize Alden’s watching me. I cock my brow. “What?”
“Don’t what me.” He jerks his head toward me. “What’s up with you?”
I drop my eyes, hoping to avoid my best friend’s scrutiny. “Nothing.”
“No, not nothing.” He takes two steps and is in front of me. Damn, he’s tall.
Not as tall as Walker.
Fuck.
My face scrunches with the thought of the biggest prick in my life. Which puts my father in a solid second place now. “It’s this case for The Historical Society. The judge ordered me to work with the opposing counsel to try to find a happy medium.”
“And that’s bad?”
“He’s an asshole. Arrogant as a rich, entitled man can get. I hate him.” I pretend to pick lint from my robe.
“Clearly.” I glance in my friend’s direction to see him smiling at me like a lunatic.
“What?” I cross my arms in defiance.
He smirks at me, and I know it’s coming. “He… hot?”
“Define hot?” I stand and walk my cup to the sink.
“Oh, hell no. Talk.” He spins in his chair, glaring at me.
“Seriously, it doesn’t matter.”
Alden’s face drops. Here it comes. “And why is that?”
“I don’t have time for this. Mom called last night with another reminder that I need to talk to my father. I’m not sure which thing to tackle first. My absent father, my infuriating mom, or Walker.” I walk toward the kitchen door.
“I can see your dilemma. Talk about a hot guy you’re about to work closely with or your parents. Hmmmm… decisions, decisions.” He taps his chin while pretending to think.
“He’s also volunteering at the center. I get all kinds of time with him,” I sneer. “I’m so excited.”
“Damn. That bad, huh?” Alden curls his lip.
“Yeah, that bad.” I roll my eyes as I walk out.
But the questions linger. If I hate him so much, why am I so attracted to him?
Well, because his ass is so fine would be one reason.
He’s hotter than hell, and I have no doubt I’d find myself in such a mess with him, I would, indeed, be in hell.
But he’s gorgeous. Blond, built, and his hands are as big as his ego.
“Honestly, Reesie Cup, what’s so bad?” Alden follows me into my bedroom.
I pause at my closet door as I try to find an answer. Finally, I give him the only one I have. Turning to him, I wave my hand up and down my body, showcasing my lumps, bumps and curves. “Look at me. He would never be interested in someone like me.”
As only my best friend can, he gives me hell. “Oh, fuck that. You’re gorgeous and you know it. Did he make you think otherwise?” He frowns.
“No.” I drag a much-needed breath in. “He has no response to me.” I turn to grab my clothes. “Well, it could be the fact that he works for the opposition. Or the fact he knows Maisyn.” I step into the bathroom. “Oh! And there’s the fact that he’s perfect. But no, he’s not said anything.”
“I’ll kick his ass if he does.”
I giggle at his fierceness. “Sweetheart, he’d tear you up.” I wink at him.
“Do tell.” He sits on the bed as I jump in the shower. “You know I like it rough.”
“You and me both. He could pull my hair and smack my ass any day.” I laugh.
“So flirt and see where it goes.”
“Here’s the problem. I think he volunteered to get me to bend for his case. It’s too coincidental,” I explain as I rinse off.
“What is? That he decided to work at the center?”
“Yes.” I turn the water off and reach for my towel. “The day before we’re ordered to work out this property issue, he begins working there.”
“Maybe it was. You’re too jaded.” He chuckles.
“I prefer guarded,” I say, wrapping my towel around me. “I mean, why that day? Maisyn did tell me she invited him before but hadn’t given him details. Oh, and Maisyn’s dating the guy I’m suing.”
“Damn. This is too much information this early.” He shakes his head.
“Precisely.” I lean against the wall. “It’s all convoluted. I’m gonna remain guarded and stay the hell away from Walker.”
“All right. I’ll finish my breakfast and clean up before I leave.” He stands. “Thanks for the food.” He kisses my cheek on his way out. Just as I’m about to drop my towel, he sticks his head back in. “Do you have pictures?”
“Of Walker?” My mouth hangs open.
“I’ll take that as a no. Maybe try.” He winks before I can throw something at him. Alden’s been by my side since we were young and when I decided to move here, he came with me.