Chapter 7
Brody glanced out his office window, taking in the gorgeous June afternoon. Too bad he was stuck inside going over contracts. He wanted to be on one of his boats, but he rarely had time to do the things he wanted these days.
Since finding Claudia, he realized he was missing out on too much of his life. He’d been working non-stop for the past ten years. He was proud of his accomplishments but wanted more out of life. At thirty-one, he wanted what his friends had. Most were already married and some even had a kid or two. He’d never thought he was missing those things until Claudia stumbled into his life.
“Brody,” Autumn buzzed him. “There’s someone here to see you.”
“I have no meetings this afternoon.” He looked at his planner to confirm. He’d left the afternoon open to finish up paperwork.
“I know, I set your schedule, but I think you’ll want to take this one.”
“Why so cryptic?”
“I’m sending her in now.”
Her?
“Thank you.” He smiled when he realized it could only be one woman. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
There was a soft knock at his door.
“Come in,” he called.
Claudia came through the double doors in a blue sundress and silver flip-flops. Her hair hung down over her shoulders just the way he liked. She carried a picnic basket with her. She was adorable.
“Hi.” She stood in front of the door, chewing on her bottom lip. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Now you sound like me.” He got up and walked toward her. “It’s a pleasant surprise.”
“I know you said you had a busy few days, but I called Autumn this morning and asked if she thought it would be okay if I brought you dinner.” She held up the picnic basket. “I thought maybe we could eat together and then you could get back to work?”
“That was very sweet of you.” He placed his hand on her cheek and drew her closer to him. “No one has ever brought me dinner before.”
“Really?” Her sweet breath swept across his lips.
“Well, not unless I pay them to.”
“I thought we could eat down by the boats? It’s such a beautiful afternoon.”
“I like the way you think.” He brushed his mouth along hers, waiting for her to grant him access. She did as soon as he ran his hand through her long hair. She parted her lips and sighed against him. He wasted no time indulging in her. She closed her eyes and let him take control of the kiss as she leaned against him and wrapped her free arm around his waist.
He ran his hand over her shoulder and down the bare skin of her arm. “I love when you wear these dresses. You’re so sexy.”
“I love when you wear this tie. It’s the one you had on the day you found me asleep.”
“Good memory.” He kissed her again. “I didn’t think you noticed anything about me that day.”
“I couldn’t believe I’d never noticed you before that.”
“I thought the same thing about you,” he said. “It was like, where have you been all of my life?”
“I know exactly what you mean.” She stared into his eyes for a few moments and then her smile disappeared. She looked disappointed.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.” She pulled away from him. “Are you ready to eat?”
He nodded not quite sure what to make of her mood swings. One second she was happy to see him and then next she shut him out. She was hard to keep up with, but he wasn’t a quitter.
“I’m not going to let you run from me,” he said. “Whatever it is you’re afraid of, I can assure you, won’t happen.”
“How can you say that?” She shrugged. “You don’t know that much about me.”
“I’m trying to fix that.” He opened the door for her, but when she headed back toward the main area, he grabbed her hand and led her in the opposite direction.
“I thought we were going outside.”
“We are.” He swiped a card through another set of doors and showed her to an elevator.
“A secret entrance?”
“Let me.” He took the picnic basket from her. “This is my own private entrance. I have access to the marina and the garage. I’ll have a code and card issued for you tomorrow.”
“How come?”
“So you can surprise me anytime you want.”
“You’d want me to just show up?”
“The more I see you, the happier I am.” They stepped into the elevator. “I can’t say I’ve ever been into surprises until today.”
She looked pleased with herself. “I was worried I overstepped when I called Autumn, and then I asked John to bring me here.”
“John is always at your disposal for anything you need. He’ll even take you grocery shopping if you need him to.”
“That’s very kind of you. It’s been a real pain not having a car.”
“I can imagine.”
“Getting in and out of the city isn’t so bad because I can use the subway and the buses, but going out to the main house has been a nightmare. John is saving me lots of time. I appreciate it.”
“If you come intern for me, I’ll get you a car of your own.”
“Brody.” She shook her head. “You don’t even know if I have any skills.”
The elevator stopped at the bottom floor. “You’re right.” When the doors opened, they could see the marina. “Sketch me something.”
“What?” She followed him outside.
“I want to see your portfolio. If I like what I see, you have to agree to come work here.” He didn’t care if he liked her stuff or not. She could learn from the architects he had on staff. If she really wanted to create, he’d send her back to school and make every opportunity available to her. All she had to do was say yes.
“You’re not going to give up, are you?”
“Not ever.” He kissed her forehead. If he had his way, she’d spend forever with him. He couldn’t believe how fast he’d fallen for her, but now that he had, he wouldn’t give up.
“You’re impossible.”
“So, do we have a deal?”
She hesitated for a few minutes, but he was a patient man. He could win any argument put in from of him. He’d have her working for Callahan Industries in a few weeks. He was certain of it.
“I’ll have Autumn email you some specs and a proposal Callahan Industries is currently working on. You put something together and show it to me when you’re ready. Fair?”
“Okay.” She nodded. “I can do that.”
“I know you can.” He took her hand again. “Now, let me show you my boats.”
* * * *
Claudia was through her first trimester. It was as if she woke up and the morning sickness had disappeared on the thirteenth week. She didn’t feel as tired anymore either. The doctor said the next twelve weeks should be some of her best. He told her most women accomplish much in the preparation of the birth of their babies during these next few months. He also encouraged her to sign up for a childbirth class. She didn’t want to think about that now. She wasn’t sure what she was going to do when it came time to give birth. She had a few friends, but no one really close.
Most of her high school friends had gone off to college and relocated to the other cities when they graduated. She didn’t have anyone but her grandmother. Both of her parents were only children and so was she, so there were no aunts, siblings or cousins. She would have to do this whole thing alone, and that scared her.
She grabbed her bag and headed toward the service entrance of the house. John would be waiting for her, so she made her way down the hall as quickly as she could. She didn’t like to keep him waiting. He was on Brody’s payroll, but she was an employee too and didn’t want to take advantage of his time.
“Claudia.”
She cringed when she heard Angela call after her. Hell! I’m off the clock. What does she want now?
“Yes?” She turned and gave her a fake smile. “Is there something else you needed before I leave for the night?”
“It has come to my attention that you are riding to and from work in a rather elaborate manner.”
“I suppose you could say that.” Is it any of her business?
“Do you mind telling me why my son has his driver and car at your disposal?”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Don’t act innocent. What’s going on with you and Brody?”
“We’re just friends.”
“Friends?”
“Yes, we enjoy one another’s company.”
Angela arched an eyebrow, making her look even more wicked than usual. “Really?”
“I don’t know what you’re asking.”
“I’m just curious,” Angela said. “Weren’t you already friends with my other son?”
“What?” Claudia’s heart rate increase and her stomach dropped. She felt like she was on a rollercoaster and couldn’t get off. Angela couldn’t possibly know what she and Gavin had done. Could she?
“There isn’t much I don’t know about around here.”
Oh God.
“I’m guessing Gavin wouldn’t give you the time of day,” Angela continued. “Why would he?”
“I have to go.” Claudia wanted to tell her exactly what she thought, but she needed this job. Just a few more months and then she’d figure out another way. As much as she hated being there, the job did pay her health insurance, and that was a big deal, especially now.
“I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but if you think you’re going to end up with either of my sons, you have another thing coming. They are out of your league.”
“Excuse me, but where do you get off telling me who I can or can’t see?”
“Watch your tone with me.” She pointed her long, bony finger in Claudia’s face. “Just do your job and go home. Stay away from Gavin and Brody. There’s no pot of gold to be found here.”
“Brody is a grown man, and if he wants to send a car for me, that’s his choice. It has nothing to do with you or my job. And I’m sure Brody wouldn’t appreciate it if you made an issue out of it.”
Angela dropped her hand, but the scowl remained on her plastic face. Claudia had no idea what she said to get her to back off, but whatever it was had worked.
“You better watch yourself,” Angela said. “Because I’m going to watch you like a hawk.” She turned and walked back down the hall, her head held high and her shoulders perfectly straight.
Claudia let out the breath she held and leaned against the wall. For a second or two, she thought Angela knew about the baby. Claudia may have started an unintentional war with the Queen, but it seemed she gained some new knowledge in the form of the Prince. Angela was afraid of Brody. Claudia saw it on her face.
Perhaps Brody could protect her from the Evil Queen after all.
When she made her way outside, the car was there, but John wasn’t. She looked around, but didn’t see him. She decided to get in and wait for him. He’d have to come back for the car sooner or later.
Claudia opened the door and slipped inside, placing her bag on the floor. She was grateful the air conditioning was on in the car, another perk the bus didn’t have.
“Hello, sweetheart.”
“Brody?” She looked up and saw him sitting next to her. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see you.” He moved his arm around her waist and pulled her close to him. “I missed you.” He freed her hair from her ponytail and shook it out with his fingers, so that it fell down her back and over her shoulders. “Much better, princess.”
She laughed because she had just referred to him as the Prince. If he only knew.
“What is it?”
“I’m happy to see you.” She giggled. “You make things much better.”
“Hard day?”
She leaned closer to him, took his face between her hands and kissed him. At first, she was slow, but the way he looked at her with those smoldering eyes told her everything she needed to know. He was just as excited to see her as she was to see him. When she pressed her mouth to his, all the unpleasant thoughts of Angela evaporated from her mind. The only one that existed for her was Brody.
She ran her tongue along his lips, begging for entrance. He eagerly accepted as he parted them and slipped his tongue inside her mouth. His breath was hot and his lips were hungry as he kissed her with more force than she expected. She moved her hands up and twisted her fingers in his hair, moving him closer to her. He lifted her onto his lap, pushed her hair to the side, and kissed her neck. His excitement pressed against her hip, fueling her desire for him. His erection was trapped between his stomach and her side. He shifted his hips and rubbed himself into her. She sighed against his mouth, but then he pulled away.
“Claudia.” His voice was desperate and breathless. “I could take you right here, but that’s not what I want.”
“It isn’t?” She didn’t mean to sound disappointed.
“Let me rephrase that, beautiful.” He moved her to sit beside him. “I would want nothing more than to have my way with you right here, but I don’t think either of us intended it to be that way between us the first time.”
“You think about our first time?”
“Every second of the day.” He shrugged. “I’m a guy.”
She laughed, but realized he was right. She’d gotten carried away. It was the way he looked at her, the scent of his body wash, all spice and cinnamon, that drove her crazy.
“It’s your fault,” she said. “You’re irresistible.”
“I was thinking the same thing about you.”
She shook her head and looked down. His fingers were on her chin in an instant, and then she was gazing into his eyes. She loved those blue depths. They were soothing and made her forget everything she had on her mind.
“You really need to take my compliments better. I speak the truth.” He kissed her. “I’ll keep telling you how perfect you are and eventually you’ll believe it.”
She would never believe it. A perfect woman wouldn’t lead a man like Brody on. A perfect woman would tell him the truth. She was far from perfect.
She wanted him. That was becoming more apparent every time they were together.
It had been different with Gavin. He’d never wooed her with kind words or asked about her day. She went to his apartment and had sex with him. When she would fall asleep in his arms, she thought that meant something. It didn’t.
Now that she’d spent time with Brody, she knew what it was supposed to be like. There was an excitement when she saw him, a smile on her face when he called or texted just to say hello, and the more time she spent with him, the more she wanted.
She placed her hand on her stomach and tried to will her little one from moving. As the weeks progressed, so had the baby’s activities. It didn’t go unnoticed to her that the baby was most active when she was close to Brody.
“Are you okay?”
Brody’s voiced pulled her from her thoughts. “Huh?”
“You’re a million miles away. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, it’s just, well, I—”
John opened the driver’s side door and smiled at her. “I see you found her.”
“Yes, sorry, John, I meant to text you, but Ms. Samson distracted me.”
“I understand.”
Claudia looked at Brody, not understanding what was going on.
“When you didn’t come out right away,” he said, “I sent John in to look for you.”
“You were eager to see me.” She rested her head on his shoulder.
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you.” He kissed the top of her head. “Would you like to have dinner with me? I have to meet with a client tonight, but I wanted a chance to see you.”
He was so sweet. She loved his impromptu visits.
“Sure, I’m starving.”
“I do love your appetite.”
“Do I eat too much?” Would he realize she was eating for two? If he didn’t he would soon enough. She glanced down at her stomach. She wasn’t showing yet. She knew her clothes were getting tighter, but it wasn’t something most would recognize. That was going to change in a matter of weeks.
“No, of course not.” He took her hand in his. “I just like how real you are.”
“You’re easy to be around.” She wished she could tell him everything. She knew she would have, if Gavin wasn’t the father. That took complications to a whole new level.
“Would you like to come to my place this Saturday?” He traced smile circles over the back of her hand with his fingers. “We could have dinner and watch a movie.”
“I’d love to,” she said. “I’m going to visit my grandmother in the afternoon, but I’ll be free in the evening.”
“I’ll have John take you to see your grandmother and then he can bring you over.”
“Doesn’t John ever have a day off?”
“He does.” Brody laughed. “But I’m sure he won’t mind spending a few hours with you on Saturday.”
She looked up at him and smiled. “Thank you.”
“Anytime, sweetheart.”