Chapter Thirty-Nine
Aiden
For the fourth time in a month, my computer monitor at the office went out on its own. Layne had told me the last time I’d have to get a new one. I wasn’t in a hurry to get back to work, so I stared out my office window thinking about Lexa, instead.
We’d finally gotten the last of her things from her apartment and turned in her key, but she insisted on paying out her lease on her own. I didn’t put up a fight; how could I, especially when she’d told me how she’d gotten the place on her own and was going to leave there on her own, paying her way like she’d intended when she leased it. I had held up my hands and backed away, earning a cheerful laugh and kind smile.
I reminded her later when we got back to the house how I was going to insist on taking care of her, but she wasn’t having it, and we had our first spat. Making up had been amazing, but then she bit my ear and told me I wasn’t getting my way. We’d see. I had a few tricks left up my sleeve.
Glen had even pitched in to help with the move and since I wasn’t spending as much time on his barstool those days, I’d invited him over for Sunday dinner. He promised not to let anyone sit in my place, and I demanded a sign be hung.
I was laughing about that when a soft knock sounded at my door. “Come in.”
“I need some help.” Lexa’s voice sounded through the door, and I got on my feet and opened it to find her with her hands full.
“You shouldn’t be lugging all that up here alone. I could have come down.”
“No need, I’m here now. I would have called, but I thought I could make it.” She had three bags of food and a drink holder with three drinks and what looked like a fudge sundae.
“Are you feeding an army?” I dug in the bags and found three plate lunches, two slices of pie and everything we needed to eat it.
“Just you and Layne. I thought I’d bring him something in case he was still swamped with that case you’ve been stressing over.”
“And it’s only my first case, so you can imagine how good things will be when I’m six months back to work.” I hoped she would understand what she was getting herself into, but then again, her nursing wasn’t any different.
“You don’t look too busy to me.” She narrowed her eyes and glanced at my computer.
“That’s because it died again. The monitor needs to be replaced, and since I own the place, I guess they’re going to let me get it myself.” I hadn’t had a chance to call my assistant to put in a request, but as slow as she moved, I’d do better to run that errand myself.
“You pay people to do that for you.” She took out a container and peeked inside. Then she grabbed a slice of pie and a soda and carried it next door.
“I do, but I haven’t had a chance. It just happened, and then I got lost in my thoughts.”
The door to Layne’s office opened, and he greeted Lexa with a smile. “What have we here?”
“Room service. I thought you could use a little nourishment. Aiden tells me that you’re on a tough case and this is my way of showing support.” He took the containers from her and then the drink.
“Thanks so much. This will save me an hour. I’m hoping to be done before the day is over. We go to court next week.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Hope you’re ready.”
“I’ll be ready, don’t you worry.” He thanked Lexa again, and she closed his door and headed back into my office. I watched her dig into the bag and hand me my food. “You’re so caring.”
“What because I want to be helpful? It’s just a little food, don’t get all sappy on me or I’ll never come back.” She gave me a playful look, but I pulled her into my lap.
“You’re not going anywhere, and I mean it. You’re an amazing woman, and I’m not letting you forget it.” She opened the pie container in front of me.
“Do you eat peaches?” She took the sundae from the holder and placed it next to the pie.
“I don’t know, are you a peach?” I kissed her behind her ear until she giggled.
“Born and raised.” She lifted her gaze to the heavens and then gave me a nudge. “I didn’t know if you’d like it or not so brought a sundae. I’ll eat whichever you don’t want.”
“We’ll split them both. Why choose when we can have it all?” I pounded my fist on the desk, and she handed me my drink, reminding me of Glen.
“You know, I’ve been sitting here thinking.” I slid my fork into the pie and stabbed a peach.
“I thought I felt the earth shake.” She was in a silly mood, and I loved it. I loved her playful spirit and hoped my idea wouldn’t spoil it.
“I’ve been thinking about my job.” As my tone grew serious, her face fell.
“I thought it was working out okay?” She glanced at the door and hopped up to close it all the way.
“I’m doing great, but stepping in and taking over the reins has put a bad taste in my mouth. Layne should run things, not me. I can’t even get a decent computer monitor, and I don’t like coming here every day.” She stepped up to my side and ran her fingers through my hair.
“What are you thinking?” I didn’t like the look of worry set in her brow.
“There’s no need to worry. I’m not going to stop working, but I think I’d like being at home more often. I was going to sell this place and do that if that settlement was more than I could handle, but since I don’t have to do that, I’ve had to rethink things. I like being at home. I’ve gotten used to it over the past year, and I think working from there would be good for me. I could still use this place as a base, but I think Layne should run it.”
“That’s a wonderful idea, but are you sure you won’t be needed here?” She wasn’t grasping exactly what I was saying.
“Baby, I’m thinking about giving everything over to him. That way I would only have to come here when convenient for my clients. I’d like to have a separate office, a personal one where I can practice the type of cases I’m interested in, not this corporate defender shit my father loved so much.” I pulled her back down into my lap.
“We’d be okay, you know, as far as money goes. I’d still hold my investments here, and my estate is worth more than we’ll ever need, but I think Layne deserves the bigger piece of this pie.” I tapped the slice in front of me with my fork, and lifted it to her mouth.
“I don’t worry about money. I’ve got quite a little nest egg of my own, in case you ever wondered. Besides, I’m quite aware of your wealth.” She chuckled and gave me a nudge.
“Yeah? What tipped you off?” She leaned down to kiss me, throwing both arms around my neck.
“I never worry about anything with you. If you want to stop working altogether, I’d understand. I want you to do what makes you happy.” She had found her joy in organizing the foundation, and she’d even grown closer to Layne, which is why I figured she had brought him lunch, too.
“Speaking of happiness, how’s the foundation event coming along?” I took a moment to taste the tangy chicken she’d bought for lunch as her face lit up.
“All is on track, and I’m meeting with the auction house later this afternoon. I should have everything in place by then, and a few of the doctors at the hospital have even offered to donate.” I met her eyes, and she was already shaking her head. “I’m not turning down his contribution.”
“I’m not asking you to.” I caressed her cheek with my thumb and fed her another piece of pie.
“You’re not angry?” Her brow cocked high, and she seemed to study me as if gauging my reaction. She knew I didn’t like the fact that she’d went on a date with the guy, but in her defense, I’d told her to never come back. I had promised myself not to hold it against her, but I would forever keep my eye on the good doctor.
“No, I’m sure it’s a generous offer and every bit helps.”
“He’s giving twenty-thousand dollars.” My jaw dropped, and she smiled. I hadn’t expected that generous of a donation, and I turned away and glared down at the food, which I suddenly didn’t feel like eating.
“He’s still in love with you.” I stuck out my tongue and made a face, but Lexa laughed.
“Now you’re being ridiculous. He was never in love with me. Sure, he had a crush, probably a few fantasies. Naked ones, even.” She whispered close to my ear.
“Who wouldn’t? But see, that proves my point, and you admitted it.” I feigned disgust turned my head away, but she took my face in her hands, a gesture that we now used tenderly, never again in the hard way I’d used it against her, and she stared deep into my eyes.
“You know better.”
“I do, and I’m proud of you. You’ve done an amazing thing with the event planning, and it’s going to be special. Allison would have loved you and me together.” I had started speaking more of my family with her, and she’d opened up more about Shawn too.
“Would she? I think Shawn would have been a little uneasy about his sister dating a rich playboy type?” She took my fork and fed me a piece of the still warm pie.
“Playboy?” I scoffed at the word and shook my head. “Hardly. You’re the one with a bunch of horny doctors paying you thousands of dollars.” She nudged me, and I rocked us back only to turn the chair over with us both in it.
We crashed to the floor, and I broke her fall. The commotion, the chair crashing down as well as Lexa’s scream, which thankfully drowned out my own, caused Layne to react.
I heard his footsteps as he ran across his room. “Are you okay?” he called through the door.
“Are we?” I asked Lexa who broke into a fit of giggles. “Yeah, we’re good.” I started to move to get up, but she pinned me down and raked her hand through my hair. Her soft lips pressed gently against mine, and her other hand snaked down and rubbed me through my pants.
“You’re a bad girl,” I muttered against her mouth. But she held a finger to my lips and slid her hand down my pants as she ground her hips against my leg.
“I’m thinking we better make the most of this office while we can.” She flashed me a wink, but I reached up and raked my finger through the pie, collecting the filling on the end of my finger, which I brought to her mouth, smearing it across her bottom lip. She gripped my wrist and sucked my finger clean and then licked her lips before sliding down on me.
“Have I told you lately how much I love you?” Her soft giggle sounded against me and quickly turned into a moan. The last day in my office turned out to be a memorable one.