Series: Paige Michaels
Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
“Come here, Little girl. Let’s get you out of the tub and tucked into bed so you can go to sleep.”
“I’m tired,” she admitted, allowing him to help her out and gently dry her skin.
With her teeth freshly brushed, hair brushed to a shine, and skin softened by lotion, Cameron tucked her into bed in her cute PJs she’d worn that evening. Immediately, Aria slid her hands out from under the covers to nab the dinosaur and pull him close.
Cameron sat next to her until her breath settled into a regular pattern and he knew she was asleep. She’d been way too tired for a story, but he hoped to incorporate story time into their future. Making one last stop before he tiptoed out of the apartment, Cameron locked the door securely behind him. Once back in his vehicle, he sat looking at her bedroom window, picturing the sweet image now emblazoned in his memory of her curled up in bed.
Chapter Nine
Aria had to admit that she felt better than she’d ever felt waking up on a Monday. Almost dancing through her morning routine, she discovered that Cameron had plugged in her phone to charge and left a note in her refrigerator. She remembered him packaging their leftovers up for lunch the next day when he’d cleaned up after dinner, but the Chinese food was missing.
I’m holding the leftover dumplings for ransom in my office. Come at noon with a healthy appetite or they’re going to meet a crushing end.
A peal of giggles erupted from her mouth. He made everything so much fun. She couldn’t help but look forward to lunch even though she still worried about the rumor mill at work. Looking back at the note, she followed the arrow pointing off the side of the page and turned it over.
Eat breakfast, Little girl.
Quickly pouring herself a bowl of cereal, Aria followed his directions as she had her usual cup of coffee. In just a few minutes, she was finished. After brushing her teeth and putting on makeup, she headed out the door with a positive attitude. Having a Daddy was good for her.
The morning flew past in a flurry of work. Five minutes before twelve, she headed for the bathroom. As she washed her hands, she listened to two women chatting to each other from adjacent stalls.
“He’s so handsome. There’s something so dynamic about his green eyes that makes him so mysterious.”
“You just want to see the tattoos,” the other woman accused.
“Shoot me. You’re right. I never knew he had tattoos until you said something about seeing him at the gym. Now I can’t think about anything else.”
“You may have to join Fitness Haven.”
“Oh, my, God. Talk about a weird reason to join a gym.”
Aria let herself out of the bathroom before they emerged from the stalls. Maybe they weren’t talking about Cameron. There were plenty of people with tattoos who worked in the building.
Still trying to convince herself, she headed down the hallway toward HR. Opening the glass door announcing that department, Aria walked inside.
“Hi! How can we help you today?” the administrative assistant at the front desk asked automatically.
“I’m good, thank you. Just meeting a friend,” Aria said quickly as she walked past.
She could feel the woman’s gaze follow her path as she walked down the hallway, glancing at the names on the doors. Finally, she glimpsed Cameron at his desk. He was on the phone, and she didn’t want to interrupt. Pausing in the doorway, she waited until he looked up and then walked around the corner to lean against the corridor wall.
“Are you sure you don’t need help?”
Aria looked up to see the woman who had greeted her approaching. “No, thank you. I’m just waiting for Cameron.”
“Do you have an appointment with Mr. Ferguson? He’s a very busy man.”
“I do,” Aria said, putting starch into her voice to offset the woman’s questions.
“I don’t have you on the schedule, Miss…” The woman leaned forward to look at Aria’s employee ID attached to her collar. “Miss Martin.”
“Oh, I don’t have a… A work-related appointment with Cameron,” Aria stammered. Her worst fears were coming true. “I’ll just check in with him later.”
“You will do nothing of the sort,” Cameron’s deep voice assured her.
Aria whirled to see him standing in the doorway, smiling at her. That smile faded as he turned to the administrative assistant.
“Carol, please take screening my visitors off your list of assigned job duties. I will handle scheduling anyone dropping by my office for a future appointment if I don’t have time to meet with them at that time. This is HR. I’m here to help the employees if they need something.”
“But… I know you’re busy, Cameron.”
He simply raised an eyebrow and waited.
“As you wish,” the woman answered with an obvious fake tone before turning and heading back to her desk.