Page 76 of Crave Me

“Destination three hundred feet ahead on right,” Alfred agrees.

“You’ve never been here before?” I ask.

“Never,” she admits. “Though I used to run a few blocks from here.”

“This isn’t a relative of yours?” I ask, trying to understand why she’s unfamiliar with the residence.

She does a quick check of her phone as I park along the curb. “For once, no.”

“A friend?” I press, shutting off the engine.

She reaches for the carefully wrapped gift at her feet. “I’m hoping he can be,” she says, appearing to enjoy pulling that chain she’s fastened around me.

I slip out of the SUV and walk around to open Wren’s door. “Alfred, watch,” I say, ordering the security system to activate as I reach for her hand to help her out.

“Watching,” Alfred announces when the door slams shut.

We walk toward four large balloons fastened to a mailbox. They bounce as the warm spring breeze sweeps through them, and another car drives by. “My darling,” I say. “What are you up to?”

“I’m not up to anything,” she assures me. “Gavin Merrick is turning four and we’re here to celebrate.”

“Who’s Gavin Merrick?” I ask.

“Clifton’s son,” she responds.

“He has as son?”

“And a wife he’s been with since high school.” She sweeps her fingers along my temple. “You have some really great people on your team. I think it’s time you get to know them.”

I rub my jaw. “It’s hard to associate with employees on a personal level, given the position I hold. I appreciate what you’re doing, but should I fail—”

“You won’t,” she replies, glancing toward the freshly painted black door. “I know the last few deals have fallen through. But you’re going to make it right.”

“But if I somehow can’t, how can in I, in good conscience release someone who considers me his friend?”

She stops at the bottom of the brick steps darkened by time and the city’s cruel winters. “Evan, you’re the type of man who would feel bad about letting any employee you respect go. That won’t change whether you share a few beers with them or continue to hold them at arm’s length.”

Her expression softens as well as her voice when I start to argue, effectively cutting me off. “People like Clifton worship you, they see you as this god who walks the halls, emanating intelligence and success like air they need to breathe. Their last boss sucked balls. Big, hairy, wrinkled balls. Where he yelled, threatened, and obligated them to obedience, you guide them and give them something to believe in.”

“You’re giving me too much credit,” I tell her.

“You’re wrong.” Her breasts graze my chest as she pushes up on her toes. I bend to meet her mouth, but instead of her open mouth sealing over mine and her tongue stroking lightly, soft lips press close to my ear. “You’re a good man,” she whispers. “Let the world see what I’ve known from the start.”

Her words and the way she says them render me speechless. If it weren’t for the front door opening, I wouldn’t be able to turn away.

A woman with pale blonde hair pulled away from her face stands at the threshold, huddling into her thick brown sweater. “Hello,” she says.

“Good afternoon,” I reply, at the same time Wren says, “Hey, there.”

The woman looks too young to appear so weary, the deep wrinkles and dark circles ringing her eyes suggesting the few decades she’s lived have been challenging. Despite her troubles, she welcomes us with a warm smile, opening the door wider, so a small boy can inch through.

Wren steps closer when she sees the small boy cautiously edging forward. He leans heavily on a small metal walker, his skin blanched, but his stare alert. And although he’s at the top of the steps, Wren has to bend to meet his face, given his slight stature.

It’s difficult to see someone so young and fragile. I force a smile, unlike Wren who beams at him. “Hey, handsome,” she tells him.

“I’m Susanna,” she says. “And this is Gavin.” She laughs a little, appearing embarrassed. “I apologize. Are you a friend of Clifton’s?”

“Evan?” Clifton calls. He appears at his wife’s side, clearly stunned. “This is Evan Jonah,” he tells her before I can reply. “My boss.” He turns away from her gaping face. “I’m sorry, Evan. We weren’t expecting you.” He looks to Wren. “And this is Wren his . . .”

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