Page 12 of Boss Level

“I’m here for you. I don’t mind waiting.” I couldn’t help but look her over as I opened the car door for her and she climbed in. In the heels, she was still a few inches shorter than me, and her dark slacks made her ass look incredible. “Especially if it means I get to check you out.” I let out a low whistle.

She took her seat and twisted to give me a look of disbelief, but her pursed lips didn’t hide the amusement crinkling at the corners of her eyes. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

“Of course I don’t.” I grasped her fingers playfully, and dipped my head to brush my lips over the back of her knuckles, and paused mid-kiss. No ring.

Judith sighed. “I forgot to put it back on.”

Xander had told me where she was wearing it when she was in the office. I hooked my finger under the exposed hint of chain and tugged the ring free from where it hid, nestled under her top and between her breasts. Following the metal rope back to the clasp, I forced myself to ignore the sparks that leaped between us, twisted the contraception loose, and caught the ring with my other hand.

“Only until dinner is over.” I slipped the band onto her finger, and hooked her necklace into place again.

With her settled, I hurried to my side of the vehicle, and a moment later we were heading toward the restaurant. “How’s the game launch going?” I’d gotten updates from both her and Xander, but with this being release week, I assumed the status changed constantly.

“Really good,” she said. “Enough that I could walk away for a couple of hours for this.” Fair point. “How’s work?”

I discovered one of our clients was pushing for a contract we weren’t comfortable with, and pushed back. Roger agreed with the decision, but it was a financial hit we weren’t in a good place to take. The truth died in the back of my throat—not because I thought Judith didn’t want to hear it, but I didn’t want it in her head before we had dinner with a prospective client.

I’d already applied pressure to get her here, and I wasn’t going to add guilt on top of that.

“What?” Judith prompted.

“We’ve got hiccups, but we’re dealing with them.” That was as good a way as any to phrase things.

“I can respect that. As your future wife, I’m here if you need to talk anything out.” Her amusement was cut with a more serious tone.

“You’re joking, but I know you mean it.”

We arrived at our destination before the rest of our party, and Judith and I moved inside to avoid the chill. Though we were five minutes early, Roger showed up a moment later. He introduced his wife, Grace, to Judith, and polite smiles and handshakes were exchanged.

Grace was another reason I was willing to stick to Roger’s requests for discretion. She knew who her husband was, and the two of them had been close friends for almost as long as I’d been alive. I didn’t want to put any undue attention on her by pushing him into being more open about who he was. Their life was good as far as I knew.

Dale Monson, the prospective client, showed at least five minutes late. He was about twenty years older than me, and the woman on his arm had to be at least ten years my junior. He introduced her as Claire. She held onto his arm like he was a security blanket, only letting go to greet everyone.

The way Judith wrapped her hands around my bicep as we were shown to our table told me she’d noticed too.

We were seated and the waiter took our drink orders. I let the rest of the table go first, to follow cues. I was disappointed, but not surprised, at a round ofI’ll have water, with the exception of Claire’s, “Do you have Dr. Pepper?” as if she was asking for something wicked.

So much for a good stiff drink to get me through the night. I stuck with Coke, and was surprised that Judith got a strawberry lemonade.

Claire instantly perked up. “Ooh, that sounds good. I’ll have that instead.”

The instant the waiter was gone, Judith leaned in, smile too bright. “Claire. My Dom has told me so much about everyone else, but I don’t know anything about you. Who are you? What do you do? Spill.”

The posture was bullshit, but Judith sold it so hard she almost had me fooled. Impressive, but also suspicious.

“Oh, I’m a housewife,” Claire said with enthusiasm. “And I’m going to have babies.”

“There’s a woman who knows what she wants.” Roger chuckled. “Good for you.”

Judith settled a hand on my knee the instant my jaw moved.

“What about you? At your age, you must already have kids. How many? Did you lose your husband? I’m so sorry.” Claire strung her questions together with the enthusiasm of a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader.

Why did I think this was a good idea?

But Judith’s facade never faltered. “I was married once before, but…” She dropped her head with a frown. “No children. It’s so hard to talk about.”

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry.” There was nothing but sympathy in Claire’s reply. “But at least you found someone again before it was too late.”

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