Chapter 6

Lawson

The hair on the back of my neck prickles, and I sense her behind me. I instantly regret my decision to get my own coffee instead of asking Janice. For weeks, I’ve been able to avoid any confrontation that would put me in this situation.

A hand lands on my shoulder, and out of the corner of my eye, I spot her long red fingernails as they snake down my arm.

“Lawson,” Kyra purrs, the sound grating on my nerves. “I’ve wondered where you’ve been.”

I side step out of her reach. “I’ve been working, Kyra, like always.”

“Rumor has it you’ve landed a huge top-secret project. The whole office is buzzing about what’s happening behind your door.”

“The whole office needs to mind their business and do their job,” I snap, narrowing my eyes in irritation. “You should try it, too.”

“Ooh, touchy, touchy. Sounds like someone is stressed. Maybe I could help with that.” She cuts her gaze to my dick, licking her lips.

Nothing happens. No stir in my pants, no twitch in my cock, not even a flutter of excitement knowing this woman wants my dick. In the past, I was an equal opportunity asshole. I enjoyed the thrill of the chase as well as the general easy fuck.

Kyra fell into the easy fuck category.

I stare at her in repulsion, wondering what the hell I was thinking when I fucked her. The last two weeks have changed my outlook.

Kyra’s an attractive woman but unlike Greer in every way.

Greer is a natural beauty, whereas Kyra has to work at it. Her bleached blonde hair, her artificial nails, her attitude… Everything about her is an illusion. Hell, even her tits are fake.

She’s not the kind of woman you randomly blurt out personal details to about your deceased mother. Details you’ve never shared with anyone before.

She’s not the kind of woman you hold in your arms, kissing her until your lips are raw and your cock is aching, begging for relief.

She’s not the kind of woman who has you lying in bed, thinking ‘she makes me want to be a better man’.

Kyra’s the kind of woman you fuck, using double protection, and leave in the dead of night, immediately regretting your decision.

Looking at her now, all I see is a colossal mistake.

“Not interested,” I tell her, walking the long way around the breakroom to leave.

“Are you honestly turning me down?”

“Yep,” I continue.

“You’re not going to abide by that stupid fraternization rule, are you?”

“Not stupid,” I clip.

“You’re in line to be president of this company one day. Are you going to let your uptight uncle tell you who you can fuck?” Her tone is laced with disgust.

I stop, gripping the stem of my coffee mug so tight my knuckles crack. When I glance back at her, she’s standing with her hands on her hips and an icy glare.

“If I were you, I’d be careful what you say, Kyra. You’re skating a very thin line.”

“Is that a threat?”

“Not at all.”

“Then what’s your damn problem?”

“Don’t have a problem. I’m not interested in what you’re offering.”

“A month ago, you couldn’t get enough.”

“A month ago, I drank too much bourbon and let my dick make decisions. Since then, I’ve wised up.”

Her icy glare turns glacial, and her lips twist in anger. “You’re lying. You enjoyed every fucking second we were together.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her it was a less than memorable event, that my hand has given me more pleasure, but I swallow the words.

Now, it’s me skating a thin line because one claim to HR and I’ll be fighting a sexual harassment suit that will bury my career. I’ve come too far to lose it because of a greedy, social climbing bitch that’s looking for a fight.

I shrug, not replying to her statement, and start walking again. I’m almost through the doorway when she hisses, “You’re a fucking asshole.”

“Been called a lot worse,” I mutter under my breath.

When I get to my office suite, Janice is on the phone, hanging up immediately when she sees my face.

“What happened?” she asks.

“Not making that mistake again. Call whoever you need to call to get us our own coffee service station in here. Anything you want, it’s approved.”

“Kyra caught you, didn’t she?”

“How’d you know?”

“She’s been on the prowl for weeks.”

“The interest is one-sided.”

“You should have let me get your coffee for you this morning.”

“I wanted to walk around a bit, clear my head.”

Her expression softens with concern. Janice is one of the few people who knows about the Palmer Enterprises RFP.

“Maybe it’s time for a break,” she suggests kindly.

“I can’t stop now; I’m on a roll. The initial sketches are done, and I’m working on add-ins. Our competitors aren’t taking a break, so I don’t get that luxury.”

She eyes me warily and nods, knowing me well enough after all the years she’s worked for me. Twelve to fourteen-hour days are the norm when I’m creating a design. What she doesn’t know is that I’m living a double life and falling for a woman I have no right to be.

“Well, then how about fifteen minutes to show me exactly where you are and what you have so far. I’ve been dying to see your masterpiece.” The excitement in her voice catches on, and I motion for her to follow.

The coffee no longer appeals to me, so I toss it and head into my drawing room where the sketches are laid out. One by one, I take her through the details, pointing out the elements that will make it the most innovative lab ever built. When I’m not in this room sketching, I’ve been at my computer researching every lab in the world that’s been constructed within the last eight years. My mind has memorized every piece of data found, down the exact angle the building should sit for energy purposes.

It’s not the drawing that I’m most proud of; it’s the unique features. When we received the RFP, the outline included an entire floor for patient care. This is where test cases will be performed and monitored. It’s a miniature medical facility of sorts.

Usually, I’d stick with the brick and mortar, but with this design, I went outside of my specialize area. The added touches include indoor and outdoor gardens with tranquil waterfalls and lush landscaping throughout. Lavish suites for patient care and children’s playing areas for parents in need are also detailed.

So much more to humanize the design for top of the line, revolutionary care.

All because of Greer.

She is my inspiration.

The only people I’ve consulted with are Dad and Clay, keeping my plans under lock and key.

Uncle Rob pushed at first to be in the know but stopped when he saw my rough sketch and my determination. Nothing has gone through him as he originally demanded.

When we’re awarded this project, it’s going to be a beast to bring it all together from a material and construction standpoint, but Dad and Clay have my back.

I finish explaining the design and find Janice looking at me with a twinkle in her eyes.

“Who is she?”

“Who?” Her question throws me off.

“Lawson Hall, don’t play coy. I hear it in your voice, see it in your face. It’s the kind of change only a woman can bring to a man.”

“Janice, I just gave you a glimpse into the largest project of my career. I’ve slaved over every single thought and idea. How the hell did you jump to the conclusion there’s a woman?”

“There’s no doubt this has consumed your life, but there’s a woman in there somewhere.”

“Have you been watching the Hallmark Channel again?” I try to deflect her interest.

“How about the fact that I’ve been standing close enough to smell the undeniable scent of her perfume, and your cheek has the faintest sheen of lip gloss in an outline of a kiss? Or that you’ve presented me with your most brilliant piece of work ever, and not one word out of your mouth was clinical, statistical, geometrical, or mathematical? There was a passion in your voice, unlike the Lawson I know. That is most definitely from a woman.”

I attempt to block out her prying eyes, but it’s useless.

“I may have met someone,” I grumble.

“I knew when you strolled in this morning something was different. Now, I see it written all over you. You’re falling in love.”

My heart stammers at her statement, my breath leaving my lungs. I lean my hip into the table for support. Where the hell did she come up with that?

“Might be a little premature to call it love, Janice. I just met her.”

“She’s special, isn’t she?”

“She is,” I admit.

“Don’t screw it up. The look on your face says a lot.”

“Hey, why would you think I would screw it up? I’m a saint.” I raise my hands in the air, pretending to be offended.

“Need I remind you of Kyra? You are what my generation would call a playboy.”

My stomach coils at the mention of Kyra’s name, and the fact that my grandmotherly assistant referred to me as a playboy.

“I’m a reformed man. Learned my lesson with Kyra.” I defend myself.

“Glad to hear it. Hopefully, this one you have now will continue to reform you. I’d like to retire in a few years and know you’ve settled down.”

“Jesus Christ, settle down? I told you we just met.”

She pats me on the shoulder with a knowing smile. “Don’t act so scared. The harder you fight, the harder you’ll fall.”

“This conversation is done.”

She laughs, turning to leave. When she’s at the door, I call her name. “Janice, this is not something I want shared. Like I said, it’s new, and the last thing I need is Dad and Clay on my ass.”

“Secret is safe with me.”

My door shuts, and I sink down into the nearest stool, her words rattling in my brain.

Falling in love? A man like me doesn’t fall in love. Greer’s face fills my head, and a warm feeling slides through my body. After our rooftop date Friday night, we spent most of the weekend together—exploring the city, watching TV, making out on her sofa until I forced myself to say goodnight and return to my apartment alone. My lips twitch with the memory of stopping by to kiss her this morning before I came in to work. Even at six a.m., she had a glow of brightness that set my heart racing.

It can’t be love. She’s an end to a means… a pawn in my game… the gateway to getting me a seat at the table where I belong. Everything I’ve done so far has been carefully calculated to make her fall for me, to get her to trust me enough to keep providing me with information that will bleed through in my design. I’ve pushed hard and moved at lightning speed for a reason.

She’s a product of Kevin Palmer, that’s all.

Even as I think it, I know I’m now lying to myself.

This weekend, the tides turned. I’m no longer pursuing her because she’s Kevin Palmer’s daughter, the conglomerate heiress that is the key to my future.

That pursuit took a turn the minute she peeked through her door, stepped into our hallway, and offered to help me.

I should walk away, be the asshole I am and leave her behind. I have all I need.

Dammit! Why does the thought make my heart seize tight and send my anxiety spiking?

Because I can’t walk away. Greer Palmer has wrapped her golden hands around my cold, black heart.

•∞•∞•

My eyes stay locked on Greer as she sashays out of her room. The aroma of garlic and lemon from dinner fills the space of her apartment, but my mouth waters for a different reason.

That reason being the blond-haired, green-eyed woman wearing skin-tight black jeans and a red sweater with a cut so deep the swells of her tits are exposed. She’s oblivious to my glare, muttering to herself as she slips her phone into the small bag she’s carrying.

“Greer,” I call.

“All I need is my shoes and I’ll be ready.” She avoids looking at me, turning back to her room.

“Greer, come here,” I say a little more roughly.

She looks up, scrunching her nose in confusion. “Why?”

“Because I want a kiss.” Her face softens and she comes my way.

When she’s within reaching distance, I tag her around the waist and drag her across my lap, caging her in with my other arm. She curls into me naturally, her hand going to my cheek, her thumb and forefinger running across the frame of my glasses.

I lean in and nibble on her bottom lip, sucking it into my mouth. Her tongue darts out, skimming my upper lip, and I groan, kissing her hard. She rubs her chest against mine, meeting me stroke for stroke, and my dick hardens instantly. We stay like this for a few minutes, until she breaks away, scraping her fingernails lightly on my cheek.

“Lawson, are you okay?”

“Yes, why?”

“Something seems off tonight.”

I sigh, tightening my hold on her waist. “I had a weird day at work. Things are starting to pick up on a project I’m assigned to.”

“Would you like to talk about it?”

“No.”

Her fingernails stop tracing my face, and she tips her head back, the hurt evident in her expression.

“Greer, for the first time, I came home from a day at work and had a beautiful woman waiting for me with one of the best meals I’ve ever tasted. Let’s not ruin the mood talking about my bullshit at work.”

She grins, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

“Hey.” I slide my fingers through her hair, feeling the silkiness of each strand. “It’s nothing for you to worry about. It’s only business. Walking in here after a twelve-hour day helped ease the stress of everything.”

“You seem so closed off when it comes to your job. I don’t even know where your office is. You’ve seen my office and met my friends. I don’t know much about you.”

I caress her scalp and can’t miss that her eyes are swimming with questions. For the first time in my life, I want to open up and share. “My main office is downtown, but I occasionally find myself working on-site. It’s a family run company owned by my grandfather, uncle, and dad. You already know I have one brother, and next time he’s in the area, I’ll introduce you. Last Friday when I told you about my mom was the first time I’d spoken about losing her since her funeral.”

She inhales on a shaky breath, and her eyes fill with sadness. “Lawson—”

“Understand something, Greer,” I cut her off. “This is all new to me. I’m not one to talk much about myself. Any type of relationship I’ve had in the past has been casual and uncomplicated with no interest in going below the surface. Meeting you has changed that.”

“I don’t want to be complicated.”

“You’re the farthest thing from complicated there is, but I’m asking you to be patient with me. Since I’ve never done the dating thing, I may need some prodding.”

“Now, I feel like a jerk.”

“Don’t.” I pull her closer, brushing my lips against hers. “You want to know something, ask.”

She nods and resumes scraping lightly on my cheeks.

“Here’s another tidbit of information. I’m in no rush to introduce you to my brother. He’s a lady’s man, and he’ll have no problem trying to snatch you from right under my nose. I’m not an idiot and know a good thing when I find it.”

She giggles, the sound breaking any tension from earlier.

“You’re ridiculous.”

“I’m smart.”

“If you had a rough day, we don’t have to go out.”

“I’m tempted to keep you here like this, especially looking like you do. But I thought you wanted to meet your friends for drinks.”

“What’s wrong with the way I look?”

I make a point to sweep my eyes slowly over her face, neck, shoulders, and chest, stopping when I hit her low-cut neckline. “Your tits are about to burst out of your top.”

“They are not!” She swats me playfully.

I cock an eyebrow at her. “Pretty sure every man that sees you tonight is going to think the same thing. Do me a favor and don’t make any sudden movements.”

“Now, you’re being silly. This top doesn’t show that much cleavage.”

To make a point, I lean in and skim my lips along the edge on the fabric, stopping at the lowest point and darting my tongue out to touch her skin. She inhales sharply.

“Now, do you see my point? The only consolation I’ll have tonight is knowing my mouth tasted this skin that every man in the bar will be staring at.”

“Let’s skip it. It’s just a football game. It’s not that important.” Her voice sounds almost breathless, her nipples now hard and poking through the thin sweater.

A battle brews inside, my hunger for her growing with each second. But I know what will happen if we stay here. We’ll cross a line I’m not ready to cross. Until I can figure out exactly what’s happening in my head, I can’t do that to Greer. So, I force myself to withdraw.

“Not important? The Giants are playing the Cowboys. It’s more than just a football game. It’s a rivalry. No true Giants fan is missing this game.”

She rolls her eyes and huffs. “That sounds eerily similar to something my dad would say.”

“He sounds like a smart man.”

She laughs again, this time her body vibrating against mine.

“What’s so funny?”

“Calling my dad smart is the understatement of a lifetime. When you meet him, you’ll understand. But I’m laughing because my mom used to say only three things in this world could drive my dad to insanity. Her, me, and his beloved Giants. That’s why I only attend one game a year with him. He’s been known to scare grown men when the team underperforms.”

My stomach lurches at the mention of meeting her dad, but I try to play it off by chuckling along with her.

“We’ll get along great.”

“Well, come on then.” She crawls off my lap and stands, offering me her hand. “Let’s get you in a seat with a cold beer before kick-off.”

I take her hand and think for the second time today that Greer Palmer is definitely the kind of woman that makes me want to be a better man.

It’s then I know, my heart and head coming to the conclusion at the same time. No matter what happens, I’m not walking away.