Charity Case - The Complete Series - Piper Rayne Page 0,52

asks.

“Sure, but he is a she. Reed brought an intellectual property attorney with him to look over the contract.”

“Really? Perfect. Send her in.”

I hang up, stand, straightening my own skirt. My outfit looks like I got it from the thrift store in comparison to Raegan’s.

“Ms. Gilroy, Hannah is ready.”

Raegan stands, again whispers something to Reed. He shakes his head and she says nothing more, smiling at me as she meets me right outside Hannah’s office.

I open the door, following Raegan in. “Ms. Gilroy, this is Ms. Crowley.” I introduce the two of them and take a seat on the couch by the window, notepad in hand.

They shake hands and I see the stack of contracts sitting on the corner of Hannah’s desk. She picks them up and rounds her desk.

“Thank you so much for doing this on such short notice. Oh, Victoria, on second thought we’re good. I don’t need notes but thank you.” She smiles and then signals toward the couch to Raegan, effectively dismissing me. “Can we get you anything?”

“No, I’m good.” Raegan looks at me because yes, I am the beverage go-getter. Isn’t she a smart one.

“Let me know if you change your mind.” I leave the room, closing the door behind me. When I return to my desk I find Reed in the chair situated in front of my desk, his ankle propped up on his knee, revealing black socks with lines on them, his black shoes shined with no sign of wear.

“Thank you. That was nice of you to set us up with an IP attorney.” I sit down at my desk, sliding my chair in.

“I’m nice like that.” He winks, and I want to glue his eyelids open, so he can’t repeat that sexy move.

“There’s that ego again. I enjoyed its short vacation.”

He raises his hands in the air. “I’m not going to stop thinking I’m the best person for you. I told you I’d prove it.”

“How long until you think you’ll give up?” I shift some papers around my desk that don’t really need shifting.

He shakes his head, his foot drops to the floor and he leans forward. “Never. I told you I like you, Victoria. I want you and I’m not easily sidetracked when I’m this sure about something.”

“Am I really supposed to expect that you’re just pining away for me, remaining celibate until I say yes?”

He grabs his phone from his pocket and tosses it on my desk, followed by his keys.

“Here.”

“What?”

“The password to my phone is 624507. The round key is for the front door of my building. The square one gets you into my condo and that small one, that will get you into my safe.” He leans back in his chair like it’s case closed.

“I don’t want any of this. I trust you.”

“You clearly don’t. I could tell you thought Raegan was a lunch date I brought here with me. Why would I bring a woman here when I’m trying my damnedest to get with you?”

I pick up his phone and keys, placing them on the edge of my desk. “Believe me, I don’t want to worry about that stuff. I don’t want to think the worst, but that seed was planted in me a long time ago and the roots grew too deep. At this point, I don’t know how to kill it.”

He stands up, circling my desk and leaning against the edge. His fingers graze along my forehead down my face until he’s cupping my cheek with his hand. And it feels good. So good. And comforting. And scarier than all of that, it makes me feel safe.

“I’ll help you. I know I’m asking you to make a giant leap, so let’s start small. A dinner. A meal and I’ll drive you home right after. We won’t even have dessert. If you want to take a taxi home, fine. I just want to spend time with you.”

I swallow down the anxiety threatening to make me bolt. The idea of giving someone else a chance to hurt me again has me wanting to push him away. But in his eyes, I see only adoration and decide that this will be the time I give him what he wants.

“One dinner,” I whisper, barely believing the words coming out of my mouth.

“One dinner.”

“Nothing more.”

“Not yet.”

“Okay.”

His eyes widen with my agreement. “I’ll pick you up Friday at seven.”

“Okay.”

“You’re being way too agreeable now. What’s the catch?”

I giggle softly and close my eyes as his thumb runs along my skin. “No