Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
“Come here.”
She bites that plump lower lip, and I simply lift an eyebrow, waiting for her to decide if she’ll comply.
Finally, after an internal debate that shows all over her gorgeous face, she walks across the room and stands in front of my desk.
“Closer.”
“I don’t know if—”
“Oh, bugger it.” I stand and round the desk, taking her into my arms and hugging her. “I just want to hold you, Maya.”
“Oh.” Her arms circle around me, and she holds on tightly as I bury my lips in her hair and press a kiss there. “You have to be in court in thirty minutes,” she says.
I grin and tip her chin up so I can look down at her, loving how she fits against me. Now that I have her in my arms, I want to do much more than simply kiss her.
But I do have an important court appearance that I can’t miss.
Her skin is soft and warm where I drag my fingers down her cheek. Finally, I lean in to brush my lips over hers, gently at first but then deeper. Her hand fists my tie, and the kiss becomes hotter, much more desperate, as I growl against her lips.
“If I don’t stop now,” I murmur, moving down her neck, “I’ll be in contempt of court.”
She giggles and then pulls back, her whole face lit with an amazing smile that makes me feel like I’ve won the lottery.
“You’re bloody gorgeous. And as soon as I get back to this office, I’m going to show you exactly what I want to do to you in those heels.”
She blushes and smooths my tie. “Sounds like a date. Except you’re due in court all day for the next two days. You won’t be in the office.”
I sigh, knowing she’s right.
“Let me take you out Friday night.”
She looks up in surprise. “Like, on a date?”
“People still go on those, don’t they? When they’re attracted to each other and want to ask personal questions?”
She grins once more. “Yes, I’d love to go on a date with you. I’ll cancel the other plans I had.”
I narrow my eyes, feeling jealousy worm its way in. She seems to notice and shakes her head, wraps her arms around my neck, and boosts up onto her toes to kiss me.
“I was going to a party with all my sister-in-law’s cousins. It’s easy to bow out.”
“Over my dead fucking body.”
I stiffen, and Maya whirls at the voice. Neither of us heard the outer door open.
Standing just inside my office is Grayson Sterling.
“What are you doing here?” Maya asks her brother.
“I was in the building for a meeting and thought I’d pop in to say hi.” His face is mutinous as he glares at me. “You’ll keep your fucking hands off my sister.”
I shove said hands into my pockets and rock back on my heels.
“The last I heard, she’s a grown adult, Mr. Sterling.”
“She’s ten years younger than you, Langley. Add to that, you’re a prick, and I don’t trust you.”
“Stop,” Maya says, holding up her hand. “Stop it right now. I am an adult, he’s not a prick to me, and I can kiss anyone I like, Gray.”
“Fuck that.”
“Speaking of being a prick,” I mutter, shaking my head.
“Enough,” Maya says, frowning at both of us. “This is ridiculous.”
Gray shakes his head and stomps out, and Maya flashes me an apologetic grin before rushing after him.
I have to get to the courthouse, so I gather my things, shove them into my briefcase, and hurry out.
Neither Maya nor Gray are at Maya’s desk when I get there, and I frown. I don’t know where they went, and I want to check in with her and make sure she’s okay. But I’m going to be late, so I make a mental note to call her before I walk into the courtroom.
However, when I call, she doesn’t answer.
So, I send her a text.
Me: I’ll pick you up at six on Friday evening. I won’t need you in the office before that. Let me know if you need anything.
Just as I sit at the table in the courtroom, Maya texts back.
Maya: I’m looking forward to it. Good luck. x
Relieved, I turn off the phone and get to work.
Chapter Eight
Maya
“You’re such a jerk.” After replying to Derek, I slip my phone back into my pocket and glare at my brother. I took him down the hall to the conference room so we could argue privately.
“I’m your brother.”
“So, let me get this straight. It was fine for you to date and marry Stella, who just happens to be significantly younger than you, but it’s not okay for me to be with Derek?”
“That’s different.”
I laugh at that, and Gray shuffles his feet, a scowl on his handsome face. “We both know it’s not different.”
“I’m not a complete prick, Maya.”