G-Men: The Series (122 page)

~ Easton ~

A feeling of uneasiness had seeped in after my morning spat with Darcy. Her dismissive attitude rankled me to no end. The little minx was fooling herself if she truly believed we wouldn’t be fucking anymore. That wasn’t her decision to make and she knew it. Already I’d gone too long without pussy and it didn’t sit well at all. I’d be sinking my cock into her sweetness soon and she’d want it. I’d make sure of that.

I smiled to myself, knowing just how much she enjoyed this little game of cat and mouse, hide and seek, hot and cold. It was time to crank it up a notch as in ‘Me Tarzan—You Jane’ and it’s time to spread your legs, love. My mobile rang, interrupting my thoughts and forcing me to put my twitching cock on hold for the moment.

“Matthews,” I barked.

“Bad time?”

“No, Colin, it’s fine. What’ve you got?”

“I had a call from Mark in R & D about some…uhm…jewelry, for lack of a better word I suppose. I’m confused, Easton.”

“No need for confusion,” I laughed. “I’m gifting Darcy with some titanium clit jewelry with polished onyx beads. Is there anything abnormal about that?”

“When you say it like that, I guess not,” he replied chuckling. “But why have the R & D lab make this? I thought pierced clit jewelry was commercially available.”

“True, however this is special. So, what’d Mark say about it?”

“Oh—yes, he has it finished and it’s being couriered over to your attention. You should have it tomorrow.”

“Brilliant,” I replied, smiling once again. “Is that it?”

“Well, uh,” he stammered, “your mother stopped in the office in Leeds, specifically to grill me on your whereabouts. She threw a fit about your estrangement and demanded to be put in touch with you.”

“You told her to go to hell, I’m hoping.”

“You know me, mate. I told her I’d let you know. She claims she has some important news for you. I gave her your e-mail address. I didn’t know what else to do.”

“Fuck.”

“Sorry, mate. She can be quite insistent.”

“Yeah, tell me about it. Well, I’ve not received anything from her yet. Was it my business or personal e-mail?”

“Personal,” he replied.

“Okay. No worries. I’ll handle whatever she dishes out. How are things in Leeds?”

“Everything’s running great. I think it was a brilliant solution having Devon working half days in the office and half days at home. She’s extremely productive and I suspect feeling guilt-free now that she’s able to spend more time with her baby. The staff is rallying round her as well, so the numbers are good. I probably won’t need to stay more than a couple of weeks since the transition has been nearly seamless. I’m sure you’re ready for me to take the wheel once again at Baronton-Sheridan so you can return to London, eh?”

“I’ll let you know when it’s time, Colin,” I chuckled. “Cheers.”

I ended the call and decided to saunter on out to Darcy’s office to see what the little chit was doing. I opened the door she’d slammed earlier, noticing immediately she was not at her desk.

Hmmm…must be out to lunch.

As I turned to return to my office, the large bouquet of red roses on her credenza caught my attention.

What have we here?

I went over to the vase, spying the card underneath it.

My blood ran cold when I read the scripted words on the card from the sender. That knob-head was going to be at the receiving end of my wrath if he thought for one minute he’d be getting into her skivvies again.

I hurried back into my office, twisting the wand for the mini blinds so I could see the parking lot. Her car was gone. Maybe she’d met him for lunch. She’d been dressed differently today, as if she had plans or was trying to impress someone. Someone other than me, it appeared.

I got Ryan Dobbs on the phone immediately.

“Dobbs,” he said picking up.

“Ryan, I need you to transfer the latitude/longitude feeds from Darcy’s vehicle directly into the GPS system in my computer. That way I won’t need to receive updates. I’ll have the data live.”

“Certainly. Not a problem. For how long?”

“Until further notice,” I replied, ending the call.

That pussy jewelry couldn’t get here soon enough to suit me.

I picked up my mobile, and found the name I needed quickly on my contact list. An assistant picked up, telling me the bureau chief was out to lunch. She promised to have him call me as soon as he was back.

He damn well better…

I watched the digital clock on my desk, periodically checking the parking lot to make sure when Darcy returned. Finally, I was relieved to see that she’d gone to lunch with her roommate, as I saw them walking towards the entrance from her parking space, which was right next to mine. At least I knew she hadn’t pulled a ‘nooner’ with Darin Murphy.

That’s right, I know his last name. I also know where his next assignment’s going to take him…

^{chapter 36}

I was rattled after lunch. Eli and I’d discussed it, naturally, and I knew how he felt about it. “Once a cheater, always a cheater,” he’d repeated several times.

“Oh, for Chrissake! I’m just going to hear him out. He’s probably the only guy that I’ve ever had a half-way healthy relationship with and, right now, that seems the better choice than walking this fucking tight-rope with Easton.”

“Honey, it doesn’t have to come down to one or the other, hello? You’re gorgeous, wear couture better than any other chick I know, and you like taking risks. It’s what you’re about. You like walking a tight-rope because it’s living on the edge and you crave that, whether you want to admit it or not.”

“So, what does that mean?”

“It means find someone who likes walking that tight-rope with you and who’ll adore you in spite of your flaws.”

“Flaws?” I asked, my eyes flashing.

“Baby doll, you’ve got ‘em and you know it, so deal with it.”

“Like what?”

“Where do I start? Let’s see: spoiled, self-centered, sarcastic, sneaky, stubborn—and those are only the ones that begin with an “S.”

“Wow, how
do
you tolerate me?” I rolled my eyes, but still sported the easy grin that everyone pretty much got whenever they were in the same
vicinity
as Eli.

He threw me a mock-scowl. “Because you’re also: smart, sexy, sophisticated, social, sympathetic and self-assured—
except
where matters of your heart are concerned. I can’t figure out why that is, maybe you’re not even sure of it, but honey, it’s time you come to terms with it.”

I knew what he was getting at and he was right. I’d avoided dwelling on it for the one “S” flaw Eli had failed to mention: scared. I was scared of the effect Easton had on me. I was afraid of the physical response I had to him as well. I’d been turned-on totally with the leather and the crop. He hadn’t used those props since our first weekend together, and I wondered if perhaps I hadn’t responded favorably to the play in his eyes. I was certainly a novice with that flavor of sex, but it didn’t mean I wanted to remain vanilla forever…

“Darcy—”

I jumped, hearing Easton’s voice; that’s how deeply I was in thought.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sneak up on you like that,” he said, offering me a file he had in his hand.

“Oh, just day-dreaming, I guess,” I replied softly, taking the file from him.

How is anyone with ovaries supposed pretend to be at war with a guy who looks like him?

“I wanted to pass this potential new customer assessment over to you for input into the system. I’ll need for you to do the proper screening: Dun & Brad, credit references, annual reports, stock performance graphed out for the last eight quarters, as well as any press releases over the past five years. I need this fairly quickly if a site visit is to be scheduled next week.”

“Okay,” I replied, looking over the summary sheet in the file. “I see this company is located in San Francisco,” I commented.

“Yes,” he replied. “Baronton’s looking to expand more in the private sector of security software and hardware in the U.S. This company may be ripe for acquisition. Can you stay late to get as much information as possible, since a lot of the banking references will be on the west coast?”

“Oh, well, actually I’ve got to be somewhere by six this evening, but I’ll get as much done as possible before then,” I said, starting to enter the available data into my computer.

“I see,” he replied, studying me. “Nice flowers,” he commented, glancing past me to the credenza. “Is today a special occasion?”

“Nope,” I replied, enjoying the fact that Easton was obviously curious as to why they were sent and who sent them. “I’ll get started on this right away. Is there anything else?”

“No,” he replied a bit testily. “You can provide an update later.”

I busied myself the rest of the afternoon getting all of the screening information started on the potential new client. I’d made quite a dent in it when I looked at the time and saw it was almost five. I went to the restroom to freshen up my make-up, and re-did my ponytail. I changed from my sensible shoes to the fuck-me heels I’d put in my bag, and surveyed myself one final time in the mirror. I knew I’d pass Darin’s inspection. He’d always been generous with his praise anyway.

Busbee’s was fairly packed with the after-five crowd when I arrived a little after six. I immediately saw Lindsey, waving me over to a booth where she and Jill were sitting.

“Jill,” I screeched, as she jumped up to hug me. “How you been, sweetie?”

“If you ever phoned or e-mailed me, I guess you’d know, bitch,” she said laughing. “It’s all good. Just miss my girls!”

I ordered a happy hour Margarita and joined the banter with the girls. Jill was filling us in on her wedding plans. She and Gabe had nixed the plans for a big wedding, which I personally was grateful to hear. I wasn’t prepared to be yet another bridesmaid or Maid of Honor. It was, shall we say, ‘depressing.’ Instead, they were planning to tie the knot in Aruba with a two-week cruise.

“So Darcy, anything new in your love life?” Jill asked, her eyes looking a bit mischievous. I immediately looked over at Lindsey, who was wearing a guilty look.

“I told her about the recent events with Darin,” she said, holding her hand up to ‘shush’ me.

“You mean there’s someone besides Darin?” Jill asked.

“No one important,” I lied, clearly not wanting to get into all of it and ruin my mood for the evening. “By the way, I received two dozen freshly cut red roses in a crystal vase at work today from Darin.”

“Oh my God!” Lindsey and Jill exclaimed together, as if they’d practiced it.

“Oh, I see. You already knew.”

Lindsey giggled, already feeling the slight buzz from her drink since this was likely the first bit of alcohol she’d consumed since Harper was born. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” she apologized, smiling. “It was just kinda cute when Darin called me last night and wondered what I thought a good ice-breaker would be to get his foot in the door with you. I happened to mention it to Jill before you got here. So, were you impressed?”

“I’m not sure that’s the right word. Let’s just say I felt several emotions. Then he showed up in the parking lot at lunch time wanting to talk.”

“Oh,” Jill said, frowning. “That’s kind of lame.”

“No it isn’t,” Lindsey snapped. “I think it’s sweet.”

“And why are you such a supporter of Darin’s all of a sudden?”

“I just think—and Jill agrees, by the way, that the two of you are well-suited. I mean, c’mon Darce, he’s G-Man for Chrissake. That’s totally hot.”

“Yeah, well,
cheating
isn’t,” I said, waving for the server to bring me another drink after I’d downed the rest of mine.

“Why are you getting so pissy about it, then? I mean, he’s going to be here soon.”

I raised my eyebrows at my best friend sitting across from me, knowing she truly had my best interest at heart, but what the fuck? “How did you know he was coming here?”

Both she and Jill squirmed uncomfortably in their seats.

“Well, I mean he called after he ran into you in the parking lot at lunch time and said you guys had talked and you suggested he stop by.”

“You know,” I said, clearly ticked off, “this is starting to sound like a little too much interference by well-meaning friends. I appreciate that you care, but in all honesty, it’s not really Darin I’ve been thinking about lately.”

They both exchanged looks once again. I’d be damned if Lindsey didn’t have a bucket mouth. She’d evidently clued Jill in on everything.

“Lighten up,” Lindsey scolded. “Darin just came in, so behave.”

Behave? Umm…doubtful.

I already had an uber bad feeling about this, and an even worse feeling that it damn well wasn’t going to end with me ‘behaving.’ I turned around, gracing Darin with a faux smile as he approached our booth.

“Hey Jill, why don’t we go out on the patio and give these two a little privacy?” Lindsey said, scooting out of the booth. I shot her a dirty look that went nowhere. They both left and Darin slid into the booth across from me.

“Hey, Darce,” he said softly, waving for the server. “Are you ready for another?” he asked, as I slurped up the rest of my second margarita.