Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
She nodded. “My thoughts exactly. But Simon’s reputation is at stake.”
“I know. If this gets out, people may not look at him the same way.” He ran a shaky hand through his hair. “I hate this,” he muttered.
“So . . . what will you tell the mayor?” Cara asked, which she knew was the crux of his problem.
“Some version of the truth. I just haven’t decided how to phrase it to do the least amount of damage. And now I’m finished talking about this.” He walked out from behind the desk and headed toward her. “Lock the door,” he said, surprising her.
His voice, deep and full of longing, found an answering pull inside her. “But we’re at work.”
His eyes darkened. “I’m at work. You’re off duty. And I don’t want to be interrupted.”
She locked the door to his windowless office and turned back to find him right beside her. He braced his hands on her shoulders and lowered his head until his mouth captured hers. Cara moaned and leaned into him, needing everything he had to offer because she knew he would soon be gone.
He swept his tongue over her lips and she parted them, letting him inside. Mike wasn’t gentle. He plundered, devouring her with a kiss that stole her breath, buckled her knees, and had her arching her hips into his. He twisted his hand in her ponytail and tugged, shifting her head so he could deepen his possession.
She let him, wanting nothing more than to crawl into him and stay there forever, hating herself for needing him so badly and unable to do anything about it.
He broke the kiss and groaned. “I needed that,” he said as he pulled her close, suddenly connecting them in a more emotional way.
Cara understood how confused he was, not knowing how much to make public about Rex and Simon. “Are you okay?”
His laugh wasn’t all that dark or painful. “Yeah, I am. Yesterday, I saw my place in the family for the first time, and I’m grateful,” he admitted.
She smiled at the insight she’d had all along. “You’re the only one who doubted it.”
He separated them, keeping his hand at her waist as he gazed into her eyes. “Anyone ever tell you that you’re brilliant?”
She smiled. “No, but I’ll take the compliment.”
“You should.” He walked back around to his desk, gathering papers as he spoke. “I need to leave for a little bit. I want to go talk to my parents.”
“Something I said?” she asked, curious.
“Yeah. It was. But I can’t explain it. Not until I verbalize it to them. I just know I have unfinished business to wrap up there. Not only discussing what has to happen next with Simon but also laying the past to rest once and for all.”
“I get it,” she murmured. “I really do.”
“You do know that you’ve been instrumental in helping me get through this, and I’m grateful.”
Gratitude wasn’t the emotion she wanted from him, but it was all she’d get. “Well then, my work here is done. I’m going to head home and get some more sleep.”
“You do that.”
He eyed her with that hot, steady gaze, and she wished he could join her. “Say hi to your parents for me.” And ask when Simon plans to return, she thought but didn’t give voice to the words.
“Will do.” He winked and turned back to his desk, obviously needing to finish up a few things before he could leave.
“Oh! Before I forget, I heard from Daniella,” she told him.
He glanced up. “How’s she doing?”
“She sounded . . . at peace.” Cara nodded, knowing that was the right description. “She has a plan and someone in her corner. She’s good.” She smiled at the thought.
“I know how much she means to you, so I’m glad things are working out for her. Erin said her ex was assigned a stupid prick of a public defender as his lawyer. Maybe that won’t work in his favor when he goes to trial.”
“Or maybe he’ll cut a deal and disappear for good,” Cara said, wishing for just that.
“We can hope,” Mike muttered. “I have late-afternoon appointments and a dinner meeting, so I’ll call you later?”
Not see her.
Well, that was for the best, she knew. “Sure. I have dinner plans tomorrow night. Catch you at Joe’s on Wednesday?” she asked casually.
He glanced up from the papers on his desk, hesitating as if he wanted to say something important. “Sure thing,” he said instead.
Disappointed and not wanting to delve deeply into why, Cara smiled and walked out the door.
* * *
Mike had an hour to head over to his parents’ and talk before his crazy afternoon began with regularly scheduled meetings. He also needed to hash out what he planned to say to the mayor. The sooner he made an appointment with her, the sooner he could wash his hands of the whole mess, Rex included.