Page 27 of Crude Heir

I take a deep, steadying breath as I go through the door Derrick’s holding for me.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes.” I manage a shaky smile and nod, not exactly sure I can handle more than one syllable, for more than one reason.

The wind rushes through again. I wrap my arms around myself as I fight back a shiver. The rain’s coming through in sheets. Even though we’re several yards from the open area above the half wall, we’re still getting covered in a sheet of moisture. This is still one hundred times better than being confined in that windowless stairwell.

Normally I’d end up parking across the street, in a separate structure, and come in through the tunnel. I’m not sure if that route will be accessible since it’s flooding. If it is, it might be dark, which is a whole other problem in itself. I only have the privilege of parking in the main building so Mr. Kelly’s coffee doesn’t get cold.

Derrick reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone as I struggle to keep the wind from whipping my dress around. It buzzes in his hand as if messages are coming in back-to-back then the blare of an emergency alert comes from his device and mine.

Frazzled, I open my bag, rummaging through the contents. Why couldn’t this warning come in earlier, when I could havemade it home without any trouble? Likely the storm itself is causing issues with reception.

“We may have a problem,” he says, bringing me up short.

I stop fishing through my bag. “What happened?” Please don’t tell me we have to go back upstairs.

“I’m looking at the traffic app, and there’s half a dozen accidents around us. On top of that, the roads are closed heading south and east. You’re not going to get very far in that little car of yours.”

My shoulders slump. I’m so screwed. He pretty much described my route home. Even if I could get a car service, which would cost an arm and a leg, I’d have to wait until the traffic issues clear up. Getting a room in this area would cost just as much, or likely more, since it would be at the last minute and in the middle of a storm. All things considered, I couldn’t afford a week’s salary for a hotel room.

“I’ll head back and try later on.” If we’d thought to check before we left the office, I would have just stayed upstairs and made myself comfortable on that couch. I’m not the first one to have had to spend the night in the building.

“You’re coming home with me,” he says, and it’s not a question.

Chapter 12

Derrick

It’s something I would easily say to a woman I want to fuck. One who came all over my fingers just a few minutes ago. One I watched sleeping until the battery on her laptop died. But that’s not how I meant it.

I’mnotmy father.

The tension around us is palpable. “Th-that’s okay.”

“You can take the bedroom,” I clarify. “I’ll sleep on the couch.” And I’m not going to explain myself. We’re both keenly aware of what happened back in my office. Nothing more needs to be said. The unspoken conversation can sit between us like a physical thing if it comes to that. It’ll help me keep my damn hands to myself until I can get her home.

“Okay,” she concedes.

I turn, leading her to my SUV, the dark vehicle sitting by itself halfway down the row. I use the remote to unlock the doors and drop my computer bag in the back while she gets in.

I take a seat and close the door, making it seem like a much more intimate space. “Buckle in,” I remind her then press the ignition button, bringing the engine to life. We take the ramp down the empty levels until we hit the street.

I keep my eyes fixed on the road while Nicole stares silently out the window at the sky. The traffic light turns red as I approach the intersection.

Dinner. I grab my phone from where I dropped it in the cup holder and find the food delivery app. “You okay with turkey sandwiches?” I ask, flipping through the selections. “Not much is open with the storm and the holiday.”

“A sandwich is fine.” She reaches for her purse. “I should have cash.”

“Don’t worry about it.” I press the button to complete the order just as the light turns green.

“No, really,” she says, pulling out her wallet. “I feel bad enough about this. You shouldn’t have to end up buying dinner, too.”

I shake my head. “It all goes through expenses.”

She settles back into her seat.

We travel the next few blocks in silence. I pull into the parking area, the waterfall coming off the building hitting the roof of my SUV with finality just as the wipers squeak to a stop. While the city doesn’t expect major flooding in the downtown area, I go up the ramp to the top level and maneuver into the nearest spot, just to be safe.

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