Part 5 (2/2)

”Call me Blake.”

”We were running over some of the members.h.i.+p numbers, if you want to join us,” I said quickly.

”Sure, let me talk to Sid first.”

I nodded and watched him walk away, fully appreciating how fantastic his a.s.s looked in jeans, and how they strained around his thighs. Get a grip, Erica. You're at work. Had I not gotten enough of him last night? Jesus, what was wrong with me?

I shook my head back into reality. Risa's gaze was riveted where mine had been. I cleared my throat to get her attention.

She turned back to me quickly. ”Sorry. He's... Wow.” She sighed and sifted through her notes.

Alli rolled her eyes. My body immediately tensed, going into irrational protective jealousy mode. I clicked my pen anxiously as I ran a few choice phrases for Risa through my mind. Unfortunately none of them were remotely appropriate to utter out loud. I bit my tongue, not wanting Risa's first meeting at work to be about her boss pulling a nutty staking claim over their investor who she also happened to be dating.

I took in a slow breath and tried to focus on my notes. Blake was gorgeous. He turned heads wherever he went, and this was no different.

”Where were we?” Alli interrupted me, apparently eager to wrap up.

Before I could get us back on track, my phone rang at my desk. ”Excuse me a minute. You two carry on.” I ducked behind the part.i.tion and searched for my phone in my purse. I froze when I saw the number. I snapped out of it quickly and picked up the call.

”Daniel, hi,” I rushed, hoping I'd caught him before he hung up. I hadn't spoken to him since I'd left his house on the Cape a couple weeks ago, under circ.u.mstances that he was completely in the dark about. I wasn't sure if the lapse in time had been as awkward for him as it had been for me.

”Erica, how are you?”

I smiled at the sound of his deep and confident voice. ”I'm doing well. How are you?”

”Oh, you know, busy with the campaign. But I wanted to ask about your plans for Friday. The firm is sponsoring the Spirit Gala this year and we have some extra tickets. A lot of important people will be there, maybe even a celebrity or two. Might be a good networking opportunity for you.”

”That sounds wonderful. Are you sure?”

”Absolutely. I'd like to see you again.”

”Thanks, same here. I meant to call, but...” In truth, I didn't really know how Daniel felt about staying in touch with me. Sure, he was my biological father, but we'd only recently discovered this. We barely knew each other. Outside of running into his stepson and my living nightmare, Mark, our visit had been pleasant and meaningful. I wanted a relations.h.i.+p with him, but between his run for governor and the corporate machine that was his life, I wasn't sure where I could possibly fit. We'd both agreed I should stay under the radar as his illegitimate daughter.

”No worries. I'll courier some tickets over. Invite Landon and anyone else who you'd like to mingle on your behalf.”

”Sounds wonderful. Thanks so much.”

”I'll look forward to seeing you then, Erica.”

The affection I'd heard in his voice was abruptly cut off when the call ended. I stared at the phone a few moments longer until I heard Blake join me.

He wrapped his arms around me, his body curving behind mine.

”Everything okay?” he murmured, pressing a warm kiss to my neck.

I hugged my arms over his. I wanted to keep him close to me just in case he had any ideas about leaving abruptly. He sure as h.e.l.l wouldn't be sending me off again anytime soon.

”What are you doing Friday night?” I asked.

”You.”

My face heated and I turned in his arms until I faced him.

”That can be arranged, however Daniel invited us to some gala his firm is hosting and they have some extra tickets.”

”Are you asking me out on a date?”

I smirked and considered a remark about last night's ”date” that involved his home cooking and some very intense frustrated s.e.x, but I thought better of it.

”Are you interested? I could probably find someone else in a pinch,” I teased.

”Over my dead body.” He tightened his embrace, pressing me deliciously close, melding my body to his.

”It's black tie. I'm a.s.suming you can retire the witty T-s.h.i.+rts and clean up nice?”

”What do you think?”

My heart sped up at the mere vision of Blake in a tuxedo. What that might do to me in person was almost frightening. ”I think I can't wait.”

”I have to get back to work, but let's grab dinner with Alli since it's her last night in town.”

”That would be nice.”

”I'll text you when I get out.”

He stepped back but I caught the hem of his s.h.i.+rt, as if I could hold him still with the tiny handful of fabric.

I didn't want him to go. Last night had been intense, and I needed to know he was still with me. As close as we'd been, emotionally stripped, the thought of him pus.h.i.+ng me away again, ever, scared the h.e.l.l out of me. I never wanted to feel that way again.

”What?”

”I want to keep you a little bit longer. Is that so wrong?”

”I won't argue with that.” His eyes darkened and he came closer. Sliding his hands down my arms, he leaned down to kiss me.

All too aware of our serious lack of privacy, I froze, bracing myself for the onslaught of sensations he inspired. We were stealing a moment. His lips met mine, warm, controlled. I opened my lips to his but he broke away.

”Not this again,” I muttered.

He answered my eye roll with a smirk and stroked the ridge of my lower lip with his thumb. ”I think you have a fetish for office s.e.x, sweetie,” he whispered.

”You're my fetish, Blake. The setting doesn't much matter.”

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