Page 28 of Devious Temptation
Not having time to shower and barely having a few minutes to take a ho bath before dousing myself in perfume? Double check.
Missing my wax appointment last night and not having time to shave my lady bits before my appointment? Not reading the morning memo, even though Dr. Russo ran late, and I had more than enough time, but decided to scroll Iconic instead? Thinking the worst is behind me and that nothing else can possibly happen on this beautiful summery day?
Check. Check. Check.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
I’m acutely aware that Mary is looking between Lawson and me like we’re a strange sideshow at the circus, but I can’t bring myself to speak, and he looks like he’s seen a ghost.
Lawson Morgan.
A man I truly never thought I’d see again.
A man I’ve thought about at least once a day since graduation night.
A man who…
“You blocked me on Iconic?”
Six years and that’s what you say to him? Yeah, that’s really gonna show him you’ve grown up. So smooth, Lucy.
A flicker of a smirk pulls at his lips before he presses them into a flat line, eyes hardening as he looks at Mary briefly before turning the stormy gaze that I think about so often back to me. “Ms. Bradee, I wasn’t aware you worked here.”
Mary swishes her finger between us. “Do you two?—?”
“Yes, we know each other,” I interject, straightening as his subtle glance reminds me to remember where we are.
Professionalism drips from Lawson’s clipped tone when he quickly adds, “She used to date my son. It’s good to see you again, Lucy.”
It should offend me, but one look at Mary’s skeptical expression has me agreeing. “You as well, Mr. Morgan.”
“Will this be a problem? I can arrange for Lucy and Anna to switch if you’d like?” Mary inquires, even though Anna’s job is a step down from mine, and there’s no way in hell I’m taking a pay cut after I’ve worked my butt off for this company for the last year.
“No. It won’t be a problem. If anything, this is a blessing in disguise. Lucy has done some work for me in the past, and her organizational skills are impeccable.” Lawson motions to the bookcase behind him. “And here’s all the proof I need that she hasn’t lost her touch. If you could goahead and get that email sent out by the end of the day, I’d appreciate it.” He dismisses her with a tight smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
Mary doesn’t read into it and offers him a beaming grin before looking at me. “Great! If you need anything, let me know!”
“Will do. Thank you, Mary.” My new boss ushers her out of the room with his hand hovering over the small of her back.
As he shuts the door, the tension visibly seeps back into his posture. He takes a few seconds to collect himself, expelling an audible breath before he turns around and bores those twin thunderclouds into my soul.
“I thought Cameron was taking over the Chicago office?”
Again,that’swhat you say to him the first time you’re alone? Get it together, girl.
He bristles at my use of Mr. Crueller’s first name, fists clenching at his sides as he goes to sit behind the desk. “Cameronwants to stay in New York to take Danvers’ place when he retires. Sorry to disappoint you.”
My face burns with embarrassment and somethingelseas I observe him. The last six years have been kind to Lawson, as time usually is to men like him. His charcoal gray suit hugs his muscular body, which is still toned enough to tell through the fabric, and he’s stopped dying his hair, allowing the silver to shine through at the temples and in the scruff of his short beard.
He looks good enough to eat—and I didn’t have breakfast.
And I know firsthand just how appetizing he is.
“I didn’t mean to sound putoff that it’s you instead. I just… I was… prepared forhim,” I offer lamely.
He arches a brow as he slides the coffee meant for Cameron toward himself. Removing the lid, he lifts the paper cup to his nose and inhales before huffing a short laugh. “You sure were. Even got a dash of cinnamon. Cam always likes his coffee sweet as shit.”
As he places the lid back, I can’t help but notice the absence of his wedding ring. Before I can say anything about it or even ask how Rhys and River are doing, he pushes the cup back my way and says, “For future reference, I take mine black.”
