Charity Case - The Complete Series - Piper Rayne Page 0,28

public law, we should be in the private sector making lots of money with which to rule the world.” He says it with a tone of arrogance he clearly doesn’t possess.

“Well, sorry to offend.” I use the same accent and he laughs.

“You’d fit right in.”

“Well, I didn’t know any of that. I didn’t even know you were Reed from the Warners of Winnetka.” He points, clearly enjoying the fact that I’m playing along.

“Get with it, Victoria.” He pretends to stand the collar up on his pullover, but it flops back down. “See, even my clothes rebel.”

I glance over to the play zone and watch for a minute as Jade and Henry chase one another around. “How long have you been Henry’s big brother?”

He follows my line of vision. “Two years. His grandparents raise him now. That’s why I drop him off on Mondays at school. Ned and Helen usually meet their friends for coffee Monday mornings.”

“How did his parents die?” I ask, turning to face Reed again.

It’s none of my business and if he wants to tell me to buzz off, I won’t be offended.

“Car accident.” The corner of his lips turn down.

My heart breaks for the small boy and I look over to him again. You’d never guess he’s been through so much, except for his quietness.

“Ned is kind of old school—doesn’t want Henry running and jumping in the house. I think that’s why he’s quiet. But once you get to know him, you’d be surprised.” He stares over at him with such love and affection that I can practically feel my pupils morphing into cartoon hearts.

I pinch the skin on my arm. Ouch, that damn well hurt, but at least I’m not looking at him all googly-eyed now.

“Well.” I straighten in my seat, grab my notebook and pen from my purse and lay them out in front of me.

“We’re back to business I assume.” His gaze flicks to my notebook.

“Well, that’s why we’re here.” I poise my pen over the paper.

“I wondered how long you’d let the casual conversation continue.” The smirk on his face says he’s not surprised that I’m not acting like I’m all sorts of impressed after learning all the admirable things he does for Henry and this city.

“I don’t want to hear it from Darcie, so we need to get going on this. If you don’t have any ideas, I have one.”

He stands up, unzips the small zipper at the top of his pullover, grabs the hem of the jacket and pulls it over his head. His shirt rises, giving me the pleasure of seeing his love arrow in all its glory. His groin cleavage and happy trail are an arrow pointing south and everything in me wants to see where the road leads. Preferably with my tongue leading the way.

The shirt falls down, covering my sneak peek, leaving only Reed’s amused expression on display.

“So...” I swallow a large gulp and attempt to focus on the sheet of paper.

His large frame slides back into the booth, where he clasps both hands in front of him on the table, waiting for me to continue. Thankfully, he makes no sly comment about catching me ogling his body.

“I was thinking we do something different. Who’s paying for the tickets?”

“Darcie said it was the parents,” he says.

“Okay, I have an idea. We get a car from a junkyard, remove the fluids, and anything else that’s dangerous. Then we sell tickets to let someone have at it for a few minutes to release all their pent-up aggression.”

His smile grows as he leans back in the bench seat. “I like it. I think a few of the moms—Darcie included—could unleash a shitload of sexual frustration. Will she approve it though?”

“I didn’t plan on telling her. I was going to make it a surprise.” I look over at him with my most serene, full-of-shit smile.

“Man, I knew I always liked you.”

I roll my eyes and a second later a fry hits my forehead. “Did you just throw a fry at my head?”

He glances over his shoulder and points to the elderly woman in the next booth.

The smile won’t stop teasing my lips as I look at him. He’s so easy. Too easy. There has to be something wrong with him.

Duh, my subconscious chimes in—he was the best man at your wedding and he’s a lawyer. Double whammy!

Chapter Eight

On Monday, despite myself, I’m giddy knowing I’ll see Reed again. The fact that I bought a new outfit yesterday and dragged myself out