Page 35 of The Criminal

Derek: Yeah?

Lee: Nap naked. It’s a rule.

Fuck. I flopped back on the bed. A thousand deliciously sexy images of Lee tangled naked in my sheets, sun pouring in the windows and highlighting every inch of her body, filled my head. I pushed down the pinstripe fabric of my sleep pants and grabbed my hardening cock.

I wasn’t fighting it anymore. Lee was what I wanted. Today’s texting was the beginning, I was sure of it. My paperwork could wait until I indulged in one quick, satisfying fantasy.

Chapter 17

Lee

Istaredattheempty text on my cell phone’s screen below Derek’s name. Keep it simple.Happy Birthday.Then I added and deleted a smiley face emoji. Maybe a champagne bottle would be better.

I deleted the entire message and put the phone on my desk, questioning my sanity. I’d left his GPS tracker on my car. I’d kissed him. Now I was initiating a text conversation. Ugh. I should leave Derek alone and forget about him.

Onyx whined at the weird, hollow thump made by my forehead when I bonked it repeatedly on my mahogany desktop. I turned and laid my cheek on the cool wood surface and looked at the dog sitting up in his plush velvet bed.

“Easy, buddy. Mommy is having a moment.”

He cocked his head, his pink tongue flopping out one side of his mouth. For a vicious attack dog, he was a goof.

“Come.” I sat up and patted my leg. He bounced over, wiggling in anticipation of pets. I buried my fingers in his thick coat and scratched. A good dog snuggle was worth its weight in gold.

These unhinged moments happened more frequently since my fortieth birthday and the decision to get out from under Uncle Jimmy’s thumb. Being a fully self-actualized human was bullshit. I snorted. I was a long fucking way from being self-actualized. All I wanted was freedom, safety, and self-determination—a normal life.

I looked out the glass wall of my office to the sales floor. A couple holding hands was shopping for an engagement ring with Sara’s help. They looked so young and happy. A pang of something very similar to regret bloomed in my chest. I hated regrets. They were for people that didn’t create their destiny—not me.

It was only a text. He might not even reply, and I would regret not sending it.

I kissed Onyx on his silky black head and scooped up my cell phone.

Lee: Happy Birthday.

Click. Done.

I held the phone and my breath while I waited for a reply. Onyx nudged my hand with his head, looking for more attention. I rubbed his favorite spot on the tip of his right ear for a few moments.

No reply. That was for the best.

Out in the showroom, the ring-shopping couple was embracing. Obviously, they’d made a selection. I dropped my phone on my desk and tipped my head back to look at the ceiling, fighting the tears that threatened to fall.

The chirp of an incoming text message made my heart squeeze and my pending tears vanish.

Derek: Thank you.

My fingers flew over the screen without consent from my brain, poking out a reply.

Lee: Any party plans?

Derek: No party. Quinn at the office got me a cupcake.

He texted a picture of a pretty but petite cupcake with a single candle.

Lee: Just one. So sad.

Derek: All things in moderation.

Lee: Lame. It’s your birthday.

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