Page 36 of Off Limits Daddy

I frowned at her. "Did you think I should be interrogating and offending the social worker and her boss as well? My goal is to adopt Aiden, not have them take him away."

She rolled her shoulders, and her fingers flexed and then wrapped around the steering wheel again. "It all turned out fine. I filled out the paperwork, and there's no doubt that Aiden’s social worker wants to leave him with you. I don't think you need to worry."

"Did you forget why we were there?"

"I didn't forget, it's just I can't turn off being an FBI agent. Aiden isn't going to be my son, but for the time being, he is under my protection, and that means I need to know everything that is going on in his life. That includes knowing what Social Services is thinking and doing in his regard."

I turned to look out the window, knowing that what she said made sense. "Maybe you could do it in less of an FBI way."

"I think it's going to be fine, Duncan. Ms. Racine may be jaded and hardened by the bureaucracy that she works in, but I have no doubt that Ms. Thomas ate up my whole spiel on destiny bringing you and Aiden into my life."

I had to admit the dreamy smile that Aiden’s social worker had at Veronica's comments did make it appear that she believed what Veronica had been saying. I suppose that made Veronica a good actress because she struck me as the type of personwho didn’t believe in destiny. I don't think she believed in love, either.

"The thing I find really shocking is how they continue to place children with Wally Creighton. I mean, I know he’s never been convicted of a crime and he looks like a pillar of the community, but the rumors are rampant. It's weird, don't you think?"

"Perhaps it's the same way that the police can't arrest him. On paper, he looks like an ideal citizen. His wife is involved in all sorts of charitable organizations. Plus, I don't imagine there's a surplus of people willing to take kids in."

She seemed to think about that for a minute and nodded. "I know what you're saying, but it's still odd to me."

"Well, I have every faith that you will figure it out." I couldn’t be sure things would turn out for me and Aiden, but I had no doubt that Veronica would put Wally away. It was clear that it was her mission in life. Thinking that reminded me that I was planning to allow her to use my former office whenever she wanted to work from home.

"Do you have to hurry back to the office after you drop me off? I have something I want to show you."

She glanced at me, her brow arched. "Is that some sort of innuendo? Because?—"

I let out a laugh. "I'm just going to point out that you're the one thinking about sex. In fact, you're thinking about my dick, and I can't tell you how much that pleases me. But no, that's not what I'm talking about."

A flush came to her cheeks, and while it surprised me that she could be embarrassed, I also found it adorable.

"It'll just take a few minutes,” I told her.

"Okay."

When we arrived at the house, she pulled into the drive, but not into the garage. We got out of the car and entered thehouse, divesting ourselves of our warm coats, and then I led her upstairs.

"We’re heading up to the third floor,” I said as we started up. I half expected her to make a comment about my taking her to my room, but she didn’t. I suppose she didn’t want to be caught thinking about my dick again. My dick, on the other hand, was pretty excited that the cool and aloof Veronica still thought of him.

When we got to the third floor, I headed to my former office, opening the door to let her in.

She entered, stopping just inside the door to take in the room. “Is this your office?”

"It used to be. But when Aiden moved in, I set up space down on the main floor. I wanted to make sure that I was always close to wherever he was in the house. So, I was thinking that maybe you could use this whenever you wanted to work from home."

She glanced at me. "You're giving me an office in your house?"

I wondered why that sounded so strange to her. "Well, I figure there will be times you need to work off regular hours, and I don't want you to feel like you have to hide out in your room."

She looked around the room again, and this time, it was as if she was taking it in as a space she would be able to use. "This will be nice. Thank you."

"You act as if this gesture is something strange. Are you not with people who are willing to help you out or do nice things for you?"

She turned away, walking to the window as if she were going to look at the view. But I knew that I had hit the nail on the head. Agent Veronica Marsden wasn't a woman who received kindness very often. I found the idea of that sad, and it made me want to give her more.

Determining she wasn't going to open up and share her life with me, I decided to change the subject. "Why don’t you try out the chair? If you don't like it, I can get you another one.”

She moved away from the window and sat in the chair, testing it out. "This is nice. I'm surprised you didn't bring it to your new office."

"I bought another one. If there's anything else you might need, let me know." I sat on the edge of the desk and watched her as she checked the drawers. She looked good in my old office. Confident. Comfortable.

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