Page 41 of Free to Run
“And what about the DC office, Ms. Dempsey? Didn’t we just have an issue with your job performance there?” My head is aching from dealing with her bullshit.
“I thought you said you wanted me in New York, sir? I honestly didn’t think I was making a mistake.” Her voice is pure innocence.
“You’re not dressed for work,” I fire back.
“Neither are you.”
While Ali finished getting ready and checked out of the hotel, I ran by my condo and changed from yesterday’s suit to casual clothes. Now, I’m wondering if Melody followed me from there.
The smile that crosses my face doesn’t come close to reaching my eyes. “But I’m not working today, am I? I’m also not under review for poor work practices.”
Her face reddens, but that doesn’t help me on the phone with Caleb.
“Let’s get back to the problem here. Why are you here in Saks, Ms. Dempsey?” I press.
“Well, I…” Her voice trails off.
“Ms. Dempsey, right now your answers need to be clear and succinct. Why are you in this department store?” I wait, tapping my finger on my phone.
“Your office said you weren’t coming in. I…did a little tracking…on your phone and found you here,” she huffs. “I didn’t expect to find you with some skank picking out clothes.”
Bingo.
Melody continues her rant about Alison, but I know it’s only a matter of minutes. Soon enough, my phone is vibrating, alerting me of a call waiting. Reading the caller ID, I see one of our office numbers. With a smirk, I switch over and answer.
“Yes?”
“I don’t care what you have to do to get her ass in this office, Keene. She’s done,” Caleb growls in my ear.
Apparently, Caleb answered my call and had been listening in. He called from one of our office lines to end this.
Once and for all.
I hand the phone to Melody and say simply, “It’s for you.”
I can only imagine Caleb’s tone while ordering Melody into the office. If I had to make a guess, I’d say he plans on canning her ass for failure to perform duties as assigned and walking off the job site. I have to remember to tell him the bit about the cell phone. Melody had effectively stalked me. And let’s not forget that Caleb loves Alison.
Within moments of listening to Caleb, Melody leaves Saks.
Shortly thereafter, Alison reappears in a new dress and flats. She’s carrying a dress bag and a bag brimming with cardboard shoeboxes. Her suit and shoes she wore here are nowhere to be seen. The smile on her face brings an echoing one to my own, restoring my good humor.
Just as I’m about to open my mouth to suggest we head to Lululemon, she says, “Want to tell me about that crazy bitch who thinks she still has a claim on your cock?”
Stunned silent, I gesture her forward. I follow, admiring the way the silk of her new dress encases her ass and outlines her legs. I wonder what she has on underneath.
She stops dead in her tracks in the middle of the store.
Waving her hand to get my attention, she says, “Crazy first, Keene.”
I snap out of my lust-filled haze. Cocking my head to the side, I say, “Agreed. And while we’re on the topic, can we get Major Cockblock from the other night out of the way too?” The tic in my jaw becomes pronounced.
I stalk ahead of her to hold open the door to Saks, where she sails by, laughing. “Sure. Let’s talk about Colby.”
Just his name makes me want to rip his head off.
“Because you know, Keene, he and I have never fucked, never dated, never kissed.” She lifts her finger to her lips, pondering for a moment. “I guess that’s technically not true if you count the cheek. Do you count that?” Her tone is angelic innocence, but she’s mocking me.
“Depends on which cheek it was, baby,” I mutter as I take the bags from her arm. I pull her toward me on the crowded city street, grab one of her ass cheeks, and lay a kiss on her laughing lips.
