Charity Case - The Complete Series - Piper Rayne Page 0,208

please, Kristen.” Then nothing for a moment. “Sorry about that but you know how busy I am.”

“Yes, I’m sure destroying people’s lives takes a lot of time. So let’s stop the sexual innuendos and get down to business.”

“Let’s meet tonight. You frequent Torrio’s. I frequent Torrio’s. Let’s do something crazy and have a drink together.”

“I don’t need a drink at Torrio’s, Mr. Baldwin, I need a venue to house my gala. Now tell me your terms and I want the details of this venue you insist you can secure. I refuse to meet you until you supply me with that information.” I uncross my legs and tap my foot on the floor under me.

“So demanding. I like it.” I can hear him shuffling papers in the background. “I’ll have my assistant message your assistant with all the details of the venue. I’m sure it will be to your liking. Then we’ll meet tonight at Torrio’s. Seven sharp. Consider it our own personal happy hour.”

“I’m not committing to anything until I see the venue.”

“Then I’ll see you at seven.” The phone clicks and I stare at the receiver in my hand.

“Prick,” I murmur.

A knock sounds on my door.

“Just come in.”

The two women practically fall through the door.

“Nice to know there’s no such thing as privacy in this office,” I say, tossing my pen down on my desk.

“We only heard bits and pieces.” Victoria walks in with a muffin in her hand.

“Give us some credit. At least we didn’t hide in my office and try to connect to the line.”

Chelsea seems much happier today as she sits down in the chair. No red eyes or blotchy skin, her smile wide and bright.

“You’re happy today,” I remark.

Her smile grows wider.

“Oh let me guess, Dean made use of those uncontrollable hormones last night,” I say with a chuckle.

She shrugs, her eyes flitting up behind her eyelids.

“Good for you.”

“Wait until you’re five months along. That smile might as well be sewn on your lips.” Victoria waggles her eyebrows and places the muffin on my desk.

“Tell the bakery to stop sending samples. My God, do they want my ass to be the size of Lake Michigan?” I push it away, my attitude having a lot to do with the bastard I just hung up with.

“I’ll tell them.” Victoria’s abrupt removal of the muffin says I’m being a bitch. I reach out for the delicious looking treat. “It’s fine really. Sorry. That man just makes me crazy.”

“Let me take it back. I think they think since we’re an office of women we want to give all the items a go.”

Chelsea throws her hands in the air. “Don’t go telling them to stop. Hello!” She points to her stomach. “I can eat whatever I want for the next seven months with zero guilt.”

Victoria hands the muffin to Chelsea who happily takes a big bite, crumbs falling to her lap.

“So, we’re all going to Torrio’s tonight?” Chelsea asks with a mouthful of muffin.

“No. I am. Mr. Baldwin’s assistant will be sending you the information on the venue, Vic. Let me know as soon as you get it.”

“You’re going to have a drink with him?” Chelsea asks, her gaze meeting Victoria’s. “Under those dim lights that promise roaming hands and sneaking kisses?”

“No Chelsea. I’m going to Torrio’s, where more business transactions happen than hook-ups. Where our usual waiter, Lincoln, will serve me and Mr. Baldwin. We’ll negotiate an agreement I find reasonable and then I will leave. Alone.”

Chelsea stands, dropping the muffin wrapper into my trashcan.

“Sure. Okay. Sounds like you’ve got it all figured out.” She waves her hand in the air. “Catch you on the flip side when you’re all hot and bothered and sexually unfulfilled wishing your dildo was the real thing.”

I sit at my desk with my mouth ajar.

“It’s the hormones. They make you crazy.” Victoria sticks up for her friend.

I’m not upset though. What she just did is the reason I hired her. She calls people out on their bullshit and right now I know I’m full of shit. Tonight I’m going to wear a pants suit just to protect myself. I’ll never admit that what she just said is my worst fear and could be my fate come dawn.

“Let me know when you receive the information on the venue.”

“Sure thing.” Victoria steps out of the office glancing down the hall, probably to make sure Chelsea is at her desk and not ready to mouth back to me with some more unwelcome truths.

Chapter Six

“Thank you, Sam.”

I