Page 23 of His Gift
Coming around, sweet girl, I knew it.
I burst out laughing, earning a puzzled look from Paula. I'd love to tell her what I was truly doing during this week. I bet she'd have the time of her life. And probably she'd call the cops, like I should have, instead of flirting with a crazy man via text message.
Back to this contract. I'll have to research the client better and I'm not asking Paula. This whole thing stinks to high heaven.
"I think that guy is waving at you." Paula is looking at the man leaning against a luxury car, who is totally waving at me.
"Yeah, he's a friend." Conrad walks over to us while Paula cheekily wishes she had friends like him.You just have to get yourself kidnapped, girl.
"Hi. Conrad Sinclair, nice to meet you." And I finally get his full name, in addition to his phone number. Tonight I'll have a nice session on the internet stalking himfor once.
"Hi, I'm Paula Wilkinson. I work with Harper." She says it like she's buddies with the CEO.
"Well, any friend of Harper… Ready to go home?" Damn, Conrad!
"Yes, though I didn't need a lift. Don't you have plans for tonight?" I don't want anyone to know that he's living with me. Conrad smiles and then the smile becomes a grin.
"I have a date with you, remember?" Fucking prick. Paula chuckles and I cut my losses, wishing her a pleasant evening and dragging Conrad away.
"You didn't have to broadcast to the entire world we see each other. Oh… thank you!" A driver has appeared to open the door for us. "Do you have a driver?"
"Yeah, when I can't be bothered with driving in NYC. And yes, I really like that now your colleague knows we're seeing each other. How was your day?"
I almost tell him about the contract that's nagging me, but I think better of it. It's just a hunch, and what would Conrad really care about my boring job? When Ben bothered to ask, he'd get annoyed if I went into too much detail.
"Nothing to report."
"Hey, slow down with all the talking, sweet girl." Maybe he cares… But, again, it's just a hunch.
"Seriously, nothing special. Contracts, meetings, sorting out my inbox."
"Okay… Since you're worried about my health, I hit the gym. And since you're not coming with me to see the world, I actually showed up at my company. They were quite shocked when I told them I'll be back tomorrow."
"Good boy. Keep yourself busy so you don't go crazy stalking me."
His arm sneaks around my shoulders and I let myself melt into his embrace. How the fuck did I end up here? I have no clue, but I'm not planning on being anywhere else for the time being.
I just finished giving my phone the evil eye because Paula texted about how hot Conrad is, and my ex's name pops up on the screen. I hung up on him—no point talking, and Conrad would hear everything in the car. But the moron keeps calling and I finally pick up.
"Hi Ben." I've told him time and again that we're done and I'm usually much more aggressive when I'm forced to speak with him, but Conrad's presence compels me to behave.
"Have you finally come to your senses, Harper?"
"Yes, Ben. I came to my senses when I divorced you. It's over. You have your bimbo, what the hell do you want with me?" To hell with behaving.
"It was a mistake. The pastor has helped me see my mistake. And you must see yours. A supportive wife stands by her husband, offering compassion during his struggles."
I feel my cheeks go up in flames as Conrad pulls me onto his lap.
"Were you struggling when you were fucking another woman, Ben? Because I happen to know that fucking another man is no struggle at all." Conrad snorts in my neck then gives me a kiss.
"Harper! What would your mother say?"
"That I'm a slut!" I yell, end the call and turn off the phone before bursting into sobs. Fuck him and fuck my mother.
Conrad drags me closer and cradles me. I'm so grateful he's not saying anything. I'm so stupid and so fucking ridiculous.
When the tears finally subside, he raises my head and gives me a faint smile.
