Chapter 16
Ithrow a book at the door as it shuts behind him. “Asshole!” What the fuck happened? A knock at the door startles me. “Yes?”
Katie peeks in. “Are you all right?”
I wave her through. “Please shut the door behind you.”
She does as I ask, slipping into the seat in front of me. “That was intense.”
I place my face in my hands, resting my elbows on the desk. “I still have no clue what went wrong.”
“He likes you. You like him too.”
My head springs up, my mouth hanging open. “It isn’t enough. He’s a time bomb, and I’m the detonator.”
“How can you both come together to close this deal?” She brings up a good question.
“I’m not sure we can. What’s more, it’s not us. Honestly, Walker and DII continue to make top offers, but The Historical Society will not accept.” I throw my hands in the air.
“You’ll figure it out.” She stands. “And I’m thinking if he kissed you and walked away, you might want to ask why.”
“Did everyone hear?”
She grimaces. “Not everyone, but Doris bolted out the door to follow him.”
“Figures.” I wrinkle my nose.
“I think she’s outta luck.” She grins.
“Why’s that?”
“That man is sprung, girl.” She laughs before walking out.
“Sprung, huh? Doubt that.” So why am I grinning like a fool?
Work flies by the next day, which is good considering my stomach has a million knots in it with the thought of seeing Walker this evening. I sneak in early, praying to avoid him. I know he must still be angry after everything we said to each other yesterday.
I settle in, doing routine paperwork when a knock on the door startles me. “Yes?” Walker sticks his head in the door, and I begin sweating.
“Can I come in?” His eyes flicker around the room.
“Sure.”
“You’re not going to throw something at me, are you?”
I bite my lip on a snicker. I hold my hands up. “I make no promises.”
He steps in, closing the door behind him. “I come with a peace offering.” He smiles, laying a toy hammer on the desk.
My eyes bounce from it to him. “What the hell is that?”
“I give to you The Hammer of Justice,” he states proudly.
“You can’t be serious?”
“I am.” He sits down across from me. “We seem to argue at every point. I’m hoping we can take turns hearing the other out.”
I chuckle. “How does it work?”
“We exchange points and if one gets outta hand, the ‘gavel’ hammer is pounded. We take a breather and get back to it.” His chest swells with pride.
“And what do you suggest we do during our break?”
“I don’t know. Grab a drink, food, kiss?” His eyes twinkle, and I think I might die.
“I’ll have you know I’m not easy.”
“I’m damn well aware of that, Miss Morgan.” His eyes burn into me.
Heat boils up from deep in my belly. “I was wrong.”
He tilts his head, coming close to me. “About?”
“Your charm, Mr. Pennington. It may be the death of me.”
“Death, my love, can be cheated.” His lids fall heavily over his eyes, and my thighs tighten.
“But love cannot.” I’m all breathy, my chest heaving.
“Can we try dinner again?”
I sweep the tip of my tongue over my lips, and his eyes are locked onto the action. “Yeah.” I swallow hard, trying to not kiss this man in front of me. “When?”
“Tonight.” He walks around the desk and bends down to my ear, whispering against it. “I’ll come get you.”
“Okay.” My head spins from the spell he casts on me. “I’ll be waiting.”
“Not for much longer, Reese.” He places a soft kiss on my cheek, and I fucking swoon. “If you’ll excuse me?”
I’m stunned mute a full minute before I can find my words. “Yeah.”
His full strides help him exit faster than he entered. I’m left wanting.
“I’m in trouble,” I mutter.
Apparently, I wasn’t alone.
“Probably because if he can do that to you without touching you, shew, girl, what’s it gonna be like to be in his hands?” Latifa giggles, fanning herself.
“It’s good,” I growl, making Latifa fall into the seat in front of me.
“You better hook me u and tell me everything,” she mutters.
“I don’t kiss and tell.”
“You kissed him?” Maisyn says, joining us.
“Several times.” I can’t help the smile on my face. “And it was to fucking die for.”
Latifa fans herself, and Maisyn’s mouth falls open. “Is he as hot as I thought?”
“You better believe it. His body is so hard and his lips…” They scoot closer. “Soft as a feather. I couldn’t imagine those things anywhere else on my body.”
“Where have they been?” Maisyn asks, and Latifa elbows her.
“What she said.” She inclines her head at Maisyn.
“A few places, but I wouldn’t be opposed to them visiting the south.” I wink, and we burst into laughter.
“Why is there a plastic hammer on the table?” Maysin cocks her brow. Shit!
“The Hammer of Justice?” I raise my shoulders, allowing them to fall freely.
“What’s a hammer?” Latifa’s eyes are round as saucers.
“He has a hammer?” Maisyn gasps.
“Yes, but this is used so we won’t argue.”
“Honey, if he gives you his hammer, I doubt you’d be arguing.”
We squeal with laughter until there’s a sound at the door. Walker sticks his head in the door. “Ladies?” He looks to each of us. “Are we okay in here?”
Latifa’s biting her lip, looking like she’s mentally undressing the man, which clearly bothers me. And Maisyn’s checking him out from head to toe.
“We are. We’re ready to get to work. Right, ladies?” My face must be blood red because my cheeks are burning.
“Unless,” Latifa glances at me, “you wanna work with Reese?”
Oh, my fucking God. I want to melt under the desk.
Maisyn jumps from her seat. “I need to… ummm, yeah, answer the phone.”
“I’ll help.” Latifa runs out the door behind Maisyn.
Walker blocks my path as I try to follow them, angling his body into mine. “What was that all about, Reese?”
“I—I’m not sure,” I lie, poorly.
“Were you talking about me?” His breath sweeps across my ear as he leans in.
“Uh huh.”
“What were you saying?” he growls, and my panties melt.
“Kissing. We said things about kissing,” I breathe, unable to regain control of my good senses.
“You told them we kissed? You shouldn’t tell people we work with things like that, especially since you may not want me to do it again.” His nose runs along my jaw.
“I wasn’t, exactly. Besides, you don’t control me,” I mumble, trying to make a stance.
“Oh, baby, let’s be clear. The only thing I want to control on you would be your orgasms,” he grunts as if he’s in pain.
“Yeah, sounds good. So good.” My head spins as his heady scent invades me.
“Well, then. I think we need to do something about that.” He backs me into the wall with no protest from me. “I’m gonna kiss you, Reese. The way a woman like you should be kissed.”
There’s a glint of smoldering savagery beneath his eyes, and I’m lost as his lips take mine. He wraps his hand around my thigh, hiking it up his so he can leverage me to the wall. His chest rubs mine until my nipples begin to pebble.
His lips command every brush and nip he takes from me, giving me so much more in return. Our tongues collide in a dance, no longer warring. We give and take, together. When his tongue traces my bottom lip, I release a moan.
His hand is in my hair, pulling it tight, mashing his lips to mine, making my moans no longer audible. He sucks my tongue as he grinds me into the wall. “I want you and I make damn sure, I want for nothing.”
“Take me,” I murmur against his lips.
“When I do, it’ll be where I can hear you scream.” He nips at the tops of my breasts. “But first,” he releases me, resting his head against mine, “we’ll talk.”
“Wha-what?” I stutter.
“All in good time.” He kisses me tenderly then adjusts his cock with a waggle of his brow. “I gotta learn to control myself around you.”
“Or don’t.” I shrug. “Either works.”
He steals another kiss and opens the door to look around. “Coast is clear.” He darts out with a smile as big as his face, leaving me dazed.
I place my hands on my cheeks, hoping to cool them down. Hell, my entire body is on fire. I step into the hall, trying to calm myself down when movement at the end draws my attention. Walker. I mouth, “What?” cocking my brow.
He mouths, “You.” With a flourish of his hands in the shape of an hourglass. “Fucking hot.” Then, he sinks his teeth into his full bottom lip. It brings me to a full halt as I flush everywhere.
My mouth is agape when Maisyn turns the corner. “What’s up?”
Walker winks and darts into his room. I plaster on a full mega-watt smile. “Nothing.”
“Oh, no. Y’all gonna be all lovey-dovey here? Cause Lachlan likes that shit and it drives me insane.” She shakes her head, walking away from me. I continue in my dazed state.
The evening seems to drag on but I’m sure it’s because with every pass, Walker and I exchange some kind of glance or touch. My heart pounds in my chest as I follow him to our restaurant for dinner. I grab my phone at a red light, dialing Alden’s number.
“Reese Cup, what’s up?”
“I’m on my way to dinner,” I say with a half sigh. “With Walker.”
“Oh, really? How’d that happen?” His voice is low. He must be with a girl.
“He asked.”
“Look at you, being all grown up and taking dinner invitations.” He laughs.
“Smartass.”
“Let me know when you get home.” If I’m lucky, I won’t be home. “Please, be careful but have fun.”
“I will. Love ya.”
“Love you, babe.” He ends the call.
I see Walker turn on his signal. I follow his lead, turning into what must be his office. It’s then I see the sign. Pennington Law. He climbs from his truck with such swagger, my entire body flames with desire.
I’m crazy nervous. I check my reflection in the mirror for the hundredth time. He walks toward me, and I break into a sweat. When my heart begins to palpitate, a wave of nausea rushes through me. I plaster on a smile, biting back vomit.
I feel faint. He stares at me as he walks to the side of my Jeep. When he tilts his head to the side, I take a few quick breaths and decide to go for it. What’s the worst that can happen?