Ask Me Why(34)

A grin tugs at my lips when I think of putting more pressure on a certain blonde. I glance down at my fingers, flex and release. I’ve long since washed traces of Braelyn away. But I swear her scent still lingers. Tangy and sweet, like the woman herself. She’s a fucking puzzle I’m going to enjoy solving.

The mossy green of Braelyn’s eyes fills my vision, and I let the afternoon resurface in my mind. I could have hung around Thicket and coddled her a bit. That’s not my style, but I found myself wanting to. That’s the main reason I ripped myself away and took off. It wasn’t a lie that I had clients stacking up, but they can always wait.

I didn’t move fast enough, catching the disappointment spreading over her features. Braelyn’s frown is a fierce weapon. It made me want to bury my face between her thighs until she was screaming again. Fuck, she tastes better than the candy in her store.

Shaking those inconvenient desires away, I drag my focus to the papers strewn in front of me. That’s how I manage to waste the next few hours. I bounce between cursing Braelyn’s name and scanning over case notes.

A tentative knock echoes across the silent room. I drop the folder and check my watch. It’s almost eight o’clock.

“Come in,” I call.

Kathy pokes her head in. “Do you need anything before I leave?”

I figured she’d already left. Guess I’m not the only one burning the midnight oil. “What’re you still doing here?”

“I had some invoicing to wrap up.”

It seems this month is rough for everyone. I wave her off. “I’m good. See you in the morning.”

She hesitates in the doorway, gnawing on her lip. “Sir?”

I lift my brow. “Problem?”

“There’s a Miss Miller here to see you.”

I’m sure my jaw hits the floor. What the fuck? I brush off the surprise and school my expression. “Show her in.”

Braelyn appears out of thin air and steps into my office. She’s wearing the same outfit as earlier. Those sinful shorts taunt me as she strides further into my space.

I lean back in my chair, stretching my legs wide. “Here to return the favor?”

She bites the corner of her bottom lip. “Um, not quite.”

“Need another go first?” I scrub a palm over my mouth. “Let me clear off a spot for you to sit.”

Her breath hitches. “I-I really didn’t come for that.”

My chuckle is dark. “No shit. Pick a chair.” I point to the matching set in front of my desk.

Braelyn plops down with a huff. “Thanks for the warm welcome.”

“What can I say? My filter is weak on the best days. All bets are off when I’m stunned.”

“You’re not the only one who can drop by unexpected,” she tosses out with a flip of her hair.

“Touché.” I smirk, nearly adding a wink into the mix. “How’d you know I’d still be around?”

She lifts a shoulder. “Took a chance. I also recall someone not so subtly telling me they’d be working late.”

I gesture around my sanctuary. “Guess your gamble paid off.”

Braelyn flicks her gaze from one wall to another, taking in every square inch. I imagine viewing my office through her eyes. Gray carpet, dark furniture, tall windows, black curtains, a colossal desk. Can’t forget the imposing man glaring at her.

She returns my stare. “This space is very fitting for you.”

I shouldn’t ask, but sensible rationality doesn’t exist where this woman is involved. “How so?”

“Broody and crass, calculating and impersonal.” She points to an abstract painting that resembles a Rorschach.

“Did you come all this way to insult me?”

“I thought this was me returning the favor?”

Fucking hilarious, this one. “I’m a busy man, Braelyn. I don’t need to waste more time going back and forth with you. We both know how this goes.”

“But it’s okay for you to disrupt my routine?” She toys with the ends of her hair, and I imagine wrapping the length around my fist. Coming from her, even this insignificant action is a fucking distraction.

I see us getting nowhere, real quick, so I motion her on. “You came to spill your secrets. Out with it.”

Braelyn flinches, and another knife lodges in my stomach. I almost groan. All I fucking need is for this chick to reach my soft spot. That place is solely reserved for Ollie. I steel my resolve with a deep inhale.

“I never made a will,” she murmurs.

The chair creaks when I shift and lean forward on a bent elbow. “Okay? Not sure what that has to do with anything.”

She clears her throat. “I was hoping you could help me.”

My scoff might as well be a shout. “That’s not my department.”

Braelyn rolls her eyes. “Yes, I’m well aware. But this is a law firm full of attorneys. Surely there’s someone who can help me.”

I tap a finger to my chin. “Hmm, and yet you’re sitting in my office.”

“You’re my jumping-off point. I figure you can guide me in the correct direction.”

That earns her a laugh brimming with thunder and contempt. “Wow, you’re a shitty salesman.”

She’s off the chair and on her feet before I can track the swift movement. “You’re right. This was a mistake.”