Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Then it is time to return home, and the uncomfortableness between Mia and me returns and continues over the next few days.
Mia holes up in her room, and I spend time in my home office. I busy myself with paperwork for Dan and Alpha Security, conference calls, and scheduling and generally keep busy.
Not that I ever stop thinking about Mia and the look on her face when she ended things, telling me she was reminded of her place. That hurt me. I never want her to feel like an outsider in my life, but unless I let her in, go public with the relationship, call it serious, that’s what she is.
Fuck.
I run a hand through my hair, finding it difficult to get back into my work zone. Thankfully, my cell rings, giving me something else to focus on.
I answer, “Rhodes.”
“It’s Dante and I finally have something solid.” He goes on to detail information that is going to guarantee me custody of Bailey.
It is the first good news of the day, and I intend to make use of it. I head to the kitchen and pour myself a glass of scotch, taking a long sip, the burn feeling as good as the sense of relief filling me at the thought of keeping my child and banishing her unworthy mother from her life for good.
“Hey. Are you okay? Drinking during the day isn’t like you,” Mia says, joining me and leaning a hip against the counter.
My gaze drops to the dip of her sweater, the swell of her breasts, and I swallow a groan. My one-track mind when it comes to remembering how her sweet pussy feels around my cock isn’t going to help me treat her like an employee. Hell, she doesn’t just work for me, she is a friend. More than that, but right now, she is someone I want to confide in.
“I got good news, so consider this like a celebration.” I raise my glass.
“Care to share?” she asks. “The information, not the drink,” she says, laughing.
The light, happy sound twists my stomach in knots.
“I absolutely do.” I take another sip and place the glass onto the counter, meeting her gaze. “Kayla’s boyfriend is dealing drugs from her apartment. Dante has proof. And we have a strategy that will guarantee me my daughter and get Kayla out of my life for good.”
Mia’s eyes light up at my words.
She, of all people, understands the importance of my news. She knows how much Bailey means to me, how much Kayla’s threats are eating away at me. The fear of losing the one person in my life who means the world to me, who defines me, who I’d do anything for petrified me even if I did my best not to show it.
“Kayla can be darn persuasive when she sets her mind to convincing someone about her point of view,” I say.
I shake my head at the memories of her telling me she was pregnant, explaining through tears how much she wanted a family and how she loved him. I bought her act.
“I don’t want her anywhere near a judge. And now she won’t be.”
Mia claps her hands and squeals with glee. “What’s your plan?”
“I’m going to call her and ask to meet. Explain I have some terms I’d like to discuss with her. Let her think I’m coming around to her way of thinking, that maybe she’ll see a payday. At which point I’ll lay out my evidence, tell her that, as we speak, the police are searching her apartment and arresting her boyfriend. And just happen to be outside the restaurant waiting to bring her in for questioning. She won’t see Bailey again. Ever,” I say on a low growl.
“Oh, Austin.” Without hesitation, she steps forward, wraps her arms around my waist, and holds me close. “I’m so relieved for you.”
Despite everything that passed between us, despite her having pulled back, she is here for me now. I run a hand down her silky hair. I bend my head and inhale her fragrant scent, the hint of citrus and freshness I always associate with her causing my dick to harden as want fills me.
“Mia,” I groan.
She tips her head up, meeting my gaze, her lips offered up to me—even if that isn’t her intent.
Intent or not, I need a taste. One last taste if that’s what it turns out to be. I capture her lips with mine, gliding my tongue over the seam, waiting for the breathy moan sure to follow, and when she gives it up, I slide deeper inside. I kiss her hard, grasping her face and turning her first one way, then another, anything to devour all of her.
She rises onto tiptoes, presses her body into mine, her breasts smashed against my chest, her arms coming to wrap around my neck, her fingers curling up and into my hair. My hands drop to her waist, and I pull her into me, my cock rubbing sensually against her stomach. I throb painfully, and it must be my thick erection that sinks into her consciousness, because she jerks back, stepping out of my arms.