Homewrecker Incorporated (24 page)

"This looks really great," Gregory said when I laid it in front of him.

"So you're good with the font and the color scheme?" I asked. "It's really easy to change if you prefer something else. Here, let me show you." I walked around to stand next to him. Instead of crouching down, I bent over at the waist so he'd be sure to get the maximum effect if he turned to look at me while I demonstrated the software. I was pretty sure he knew how to use the program just fine on his own, but he indulged me.

"I actually think I prefer this one," Gregory said after he'd toggled through a couple different themes.

"I think you're right." I leaned even closer to him. My left breast was touching his shoulder, but he didn't seem to notice. "That looks much better; you have a great eye." I pretended to admire the change without moving away. I wondered if I would need to get on his lap to get his attention.

"Ahem."

I jumped at the sudden sound from the doorway. Grey leaned against the jamb, glaring directly at me. I tried to control my features as a twinge of guilt tightened my stomach. I took a small step away from Gregory.

Grey strode into the room calmly and smiled at his brother. "Sorry to interrupt your
meeting
," he said to Gregory.

My heart was in my throat and the blood rushed so hard behind my ears, I could barely make out what they were talking about. Something about their trip to Dallas and a call that afternoon. They must have finished because Grey started walking out, and my heart slowed just a little.

"Ms. Winston," Grey said, looking back with a smirk, "Janet sent over a list of potential assistants for me, I'd like your opinion on a couple I like. Stop by my office when you're finished here," he demanded before finally walking out. He didn't bother to wait for a response or close the door. I wondered if it was to be rude on purpose or he thought I needed the lack of privacy to control myself with his brother.

"I wonder what's gotten under his skin." Gregory said rhetorically after his brother left. "Well, with that change, I'm happy with everything, Claudia. I really appreciate all of your work, and it seems as though Janet is finally getting excited about retirement now she's not worried about who's going to take care of me." He chuckled as he passed the tablet over, looking at me for the first time since I'd stood beside him. His gaze remained focused on my face.

"Thank you, Gregory. It's been a pleasure working here so far," I said, finally stepping back around the desk.

"Can you send Janet in to see me when she gets back from lunch?" He smiled before he studied some paperwork on his desk, effectively dismissing me. I felt sick when I walked out. I couldn't talk to Grey yet, not until I got ahold of myself because I was pretty sure he didn't actually want to talk about assistant candidates. I ducked into the bathroom and hid in a stall for God knows how long before I felt calm enough to face him.

❖

"You wanted some help deciding on a candidate?" I tried to keep my voice from shaking as I stepped into Grey's office. I was usually so happy in that space, but in that moment I was nothing short of terrified. I knew what was coming. Grey was looking out the window.

"Not really," he said, swiveling around in the chair. His eyes were dark. He stood and stalked toward me where I stood just inside the door, not stopping until there were just a few inches between us. He didn't touch me or grab me like I'd expected. Instead, he reached behind me and pushed the door closed. Grey didn't move back for several seconds. He just kept staring down into my eyes as though he was daring me to look away and trying to see into my soul at the same time.

My fear turned into anger. Who did he think he was? He didn't own me and he certainly wasn't going to control me. I don't get intimidated.

Still holding his gaze, I finally spoke. "Did you summon me here to have a staring contest then?" I said, challenging him. That probably wasn't a wise move.

"No, I think you know I want to ask what the fuck you were trying to do with my brother." His breath was even, no expression graced his face.

"We were going over his presentation for Dallas." I lifted my chin.

"Bullshit. What is it, some kind of fetish?" His voice grew louder. "You were practically sitting on his lap!"

"You're delusional," I replied, feigning conviction when all I felt was guilt.

"Am I?" He looked down. "Funny, two more buttons were undone when you were leaning in Gregory's face." He hooked his index finger in the front of my jacket and pulled it out. Despite myself, I shivered when his finger brushed the top of my cleavage and my panties dampened. "What? You didn't want them on display for me? And you never answered my other question. Do you have some kind of fetish for married men? It certainly seems that way?"

It was a reasonable question under the circumstances; my response was less so. Before I knew what was happening, I smacked the side of his face. He didn't even look surprised--in fact, he smiled.

"So that it, then? Catching a single guy must be too fucking easy for a woman like you. You must need the challenge of destroying a family to get off."

His words stung, a feeling I clearly wanted to share. I swung my hand at his face a second time, but he caught my wrist before I could make contact and crashed his mouth down over mine.

His tongued pushed between my lips, not waiting for an invitation. He released my wrist and gripped my hips, digging his fingers into my flesh. My body relaxed against him and I moaned into his mouth. It must have been the response he was waiting for because as soon as I gave in he let go and stormed out of this office, leaving me there horny and confused.

Chapter 14 

I stumbled through the rest of the day. As much as I wanted to pack up and go home, I couldn't. Janet wouldn't mind, but I couldn't face Grace yet, so I headed to my other apartment to hide out for the night. She would want to talk about what happened with Gregory, which was a big fat nothing. Whether he just wasn't attracted to me, or there was something else going on, Gregory clearly wasn't taking any bait I was casting.

To head off Grace's inevitable inquiry, I shot her a quick message.

Me: It was a no go with Gregory today. Meeting got canceled

Me: Going to try and reschedule.

Grace: Bad luck, where are you?

Me: Other apartment.

Grace: You okay?

Me: Absolutely :) Who knows, maybe he'll show up here ;)

Grace: Fingers crossed!

I didn't see or hear from Grey that night or the next two days. I wasn't even sure if he'd come into the office on Wednesday. I considered texting him to apologize or try to explain, but what could I say? Nothing I could tell him would make any sense. Besides, I didn't want to lie to him again. Silence was the best alternative.

It was no surprise the surveillance reports revealed nothing of interest once again. We hadn't gotten anything new since finding out Kristen worked for Arrow Components.

"With Gregory gone, we can slip a bug into his office. No one would bat an eye at me stopping to see you while you're working in there now," Bridget suggested on Friday when we were out for our third lunch that week. "We can swing by Homewrecker Incorporated and pick up the equipment on our way back to G&G."

"That's a great idea," I said as I pushed bits of salad around on my plate. It couldn't hurt to listen in on all the calls Gregory made from his office.

"What's wrong, not hungry?" Bridget asked, her brow furrowed.

"Not really, guess the stress of the job is getting to me. I've never had to work so hard for it before. I'm just ready for it to be over."

"I know," Bridget said, her expression soft. She was the only one who knew about the added frustration that was Greyston Michaels.

After lunch and short taxi ride, I walked into my office at Homewrecker Incorporated while Bridget gathered the equipment she needed.

I stopped cold when I saw the box on my desk. I'd completely forgotten it was my birthday. I had a pretty good idea who it was from since I got one every year. I was just about to toss it in the trash, like always, when there was a knock at my door.

"Hi, Claudia. I swung by your other place on my way in to pick up your mail. Happy birthday, by the way," Lydia said with a smile as she handed me the two packages wrapped in identical paper. One was small and rectangular; the other was much larger and flat.

I looked at the other box on my desk and sighed, picking up the card next to it.

Opening it, I scanned it quickly. Despite my intention to just read who the sender was, I made the mistake of reading "My dearest Claudia" in handwriting I hadn't seen in over fifteen years. I closed the card as tears stung my eyes and tossed it into the trash can beside my desk.

"Here, you can have whatever this is. Just wait until I'm gone to open it. I don't want to know what it is, and you have to promise not to mention it again." I handed the box from my desk to Lydia.

"Shit, really?" Lydia said and then nodded and walked out when she saw my expression.

With the annual gift from my father out of the way, I was curious who'd sent the other gifts. The girls usually went in on something together, but they would wait until we were all together to give it to me, and Grace was nowhere to be found.

I peeled the second envelope open and pulled out the card.

Happy birthday, Claudia.

I'm sorry.

Grey

He shouldn't have been the one apologizing. I'd slapped him for asking what were fair questions under the circumstances, after all.

Pulling the paper off the small box, my breath quickened when I recognized the signature robin's egg blue box. I flipped open the lid and gasped at the exquisite diamond and ruby tennis bracelet inside. It must have cost a small fortune and I absolutely loved it, but there was no way I could accept it. I considered calling him to tell him as much but thought better of it. I couldn't talk to him yet.

Instead I carefully pulled the wrapping of the other gift.

"Oh my God," I said into the silence of my office as I stared down at the mountain landscape painting I'd admired in passing at Grey's house. I didn't even realize he'd seen me looking at it.

For someone who didn't really cry, I seemed to be coming close a lot lately.

Me: Thank you for the gifts. They're beautiful

Grey: Happy birthday

Me: But I can't accept them

Grey: What about the apology?

I accepted it, but I really didn't understand why he offered it. I didn't understand why he wanted anything to do with me. 

Me: That I accept

I knew if I didn't accept his apology, he would just keep trying whether I deserved it or not.

Grey: Now it's your turn

Me: I'm sorry for slapping you

He deserved that much at least, but the friends thing wasn't really working anymore.

Me: Let's just forget the other day and move forward professionally

Grey: So not even friends now?

Was that what I was saying? The thought made me feel sick, but either way it would all be over soon.

Me: Maybe that's for the best

Grey: Mom wants you to come to dinner Sunday

Shit. I'd agreed to dinner with the family at the gala.

Me: I don't think that's a good idea

Grey: If you're turning down an invitation from Bethany Michaels, you'll have to tell her yourself

How did it all get so complicated? Oh yeah, because I was a selfish idiot.

Me: Fine. What time?

Grey: 5

Grey: I'll send my car for you at 4:30

I was probably going to regret this.

Me: Okay. I'll be in front of my building at 4:30