Page 47 of Obsession

“I’m here. How can I help you?” I kept up with the game, because games were my life. I’d been playing them since childhood.

Games were things I won.

“I think we should talk. Privately. When will you be in the office?” She paused. “And Blake, that talk needs to be soon.”

Chapter Seventeen

Ientered my office at approximately twelve-forty-five. Showering and dressing had taken me fifteen minutes. Traffic had taken longer.

I sat down and flipped through my datebook, scanning the meetings I had scheduled for later in the day. I’d been lucky that today was relatively open—not that my schedule was ever light, but lighter—or else I wouldn’t have been able to take the morning off.

Of course, I’d had to add another unexpected meeting to the queue, one I hadn’t notified Grace to add to my schedule.

One she would never know about.

The conversation with Violet was necessary. She wasn’t only a loyal employee; she was a pit bull when it came to protecting me and Jack. Whether or not we needed that level of attack from her was irrelevant. Violet was our soldier-at-arms, and that she often wore lace and silk didn’t alter that perception in the slightest.

When Grace arrived precisely at one o’clock, I was on the phone with a supplier who needed the personal touch to deliver the quantities we needed—overnight, at cost. I didn’t acknowledge Grace in any way, but the definite tighteningbeneath my waist caused me to shift in my chair. There were all kinds of ways to pay for sins, and my physical discomfort was topping the list right now.

Jack stepped off the elevator just as I hung up, and I expected him to stop by to razz me about who knows what as he always did. I wasn’t in the mood for it, but that wouldn’t stop the bastard.

He usually leaped upon my malcontent like a dog with a Frisbee.

This time, however, I wasn’t his intended target. No, he aimed right for Grace’s desk, and within moments, I heard her laughter. Light, unrestrained.

As if I hadn’t just fucked her against the glass hours ago. As if the man in front of her was capable of making her happy where I only brought her stress.

Irritation dogged me as I reviewed the notes for that afternoon’s video conference with the head of a new tech company that was hoping to develop a new two-way conference system using Carson Covenant’s glass. I tried to block out the sound of Grace laughing and Jack’s deeper, teasing voice. I should’ve madethisroom soundproof, as well.

Lost opportunity, one of many.

When it became clear Jack had no intention of stopping by my office—or ever allowing Grace to return to her work—I sent her a message.

I’m happy to see you have such a free schedule this afternoon, Ms. Copeland.

It wasn’t long before I received one in return, though Jack hadn’t budged from her desk. Glad to see my authority struck such obvious fear in her heart.

Grace

Are you interested in lunch, or have you satisfied all your appetites for the day?

I narrowed my eyes. Did she think she was funny?

I didn’t.

Not one bit.

I didn’t respond to her. That wasn’t for her benefit, but mine.

At the moment, I couldn’t be sure of what I might say.

Fuck, I never lost control. Grace Copeland wouldn’t make me start.

Too late.

Exhibit A, lobby vestibule.

Exhibit B, steel erection just from reading her name on your computer screen and hearing her laugh.

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