Page 14 of Legally Binding
“Um, the vet said he’s ten weeks old.” I shake my head. “And you call yourself his mother.”
“Damn, that’s right.” Piper falls onto the pillows laughing as Garfield runs over and pounces on her hair. “Oh no, he’s mad at me because I forgot when he was born.”
He’s rolling around in her hair and seems to be having the time of his life, but I scoot closer and make a show of coming to the rescue.
“You’re lucky that I’m a professional kitten wrangler,” I say as I unwrap her hair from around Garfield's paws.
“Hey, that’s not a bad title. I should put that on my résumé. I’m looking for work tomorrow, and that could snag some attention.” Garfield gets distracted by another toy and leaps across the living room. “How is he not tired yet? He’s been running for hours.”
“Piper,” I say, and she turns on her back, looking up me. I’m almost flush against her side with my head resting on my elbow. “You need work, and I’m in need of a house manager while Steven is gone. Why don’t you work here?”
I thought of it earlier when we were eating dinner and she was telling me about some of her odd jobs. I couldn’t believe some of the stories she had, including her time as towel girl for a senior men's bowling team. It sounded as gross as I imagined.
“But it’s only for a few weeks. I’m sure you’ll be fine.” She shrugs and doesn’t meet my eyes.
We might have just met, but I can already read her. She’s pretending to play it off because she thinks I’m doing it out of pity.
“I’ve got enough skills that I won’t starve, but if you don’t want the job, I’m going to pay someone else to do it. And they’ll get to play with Garfield instead of you.”
“Okay, that’s low even for a lawyer.”
I grin down at her. “I’m not above manipulative tactics.”
“Clearly.”
“Seriously, Piper, I work a lot, and I’ve got the means to pay someone to help me at home. You can move in here and not pay rent. Pick a room and it’s yours. I’d rather it be someone I already know now that we have Garfield. Someone I trust.”
“You trust me?” She seems surprised but pleased.
“Of course I do.” I brush the hair away from her face, and my fingers take their time tracing her cheek.
“But what if you decide you don’t want me here? Or when the time is up I’ve got no place to go?”
“Would a contract make you feel better?” I offer, and she bites her lip nervously.
“Maybe?”
“Then consider it done. I’ll have something for you to look over first thing in the morning.”
“Why are you being so nice to me?”
I look into her eyes, and I can see that she’s desperate to believe me, but she’s been burned in the past. She told me about her life after her grandmother passed, and she hasn’t had it easy. Not by any means.
“Because you’re a good person with a kind heart. People in this city take advantage of people like you. I’ve seen the worst of the worst in my line of work.” I trace my finger along the shell of her ear and down her neck. “And I know that I haven’t always done the right thing, but I think this is my chance to make up for that.”
Her eyes lock with mine, and she licks her lips. They look so soft it makes me ache to feel them against mine.
“I’m not a charity case, Landon. I promise I’ll do the work.”
“I know you’re not a charity case. But you deserve a soft place to land after all you’ve been through. I’m offering you a well-paying job with the added benefit of entertaining our furry son while you do it.”
“How do you keep surprising me?” She puts her hand against my chest, and I place my hand on top of hers.
“Honestly, I keep surprising myself, but I think you’re bringing it out of me.” I lean down, getting closer. “Let me take care of you, baby girl.”
She looks up at me through her lashes before nodding. “Okay.” The whisper of approval is all I need.
“Good girl,” I tell her and then gently press my lips to hers.
