Stuck-Up Suit(59)

“Is there something special you want for your birthday, sweetheart?”

Her finger went to the tip of her nose while she looked up to the sky. When she looked Graham square in the eyes and delivered her answer, she couldn’t have known the irony of fate. “I want my dad back.”





CHAPTER 22


GRAHAM



IN A MATTER OF WEEKS, I went from Genevieve being a distant memory to her calling on a regular basis and showing up at my office unannounced.

I took off my glasses and scrubbed my hands over my face before pushing the intercom button. “Send her in.”

Genevieve strutted into my office and planted herself on the other side of my desk in a guest chair.

“We need to talk.”

“Is Chloe alright?”

“She’s fine.”

“Then what are you doing here, Genevieve?”

“I just said we need to talk.”

I slipped my glasses back on my face and dug back into the pile of papers on my desk, not looking up when I spoke. “I’m busy. Make an appointment on your way out.”

She sighed loudly but didn’t budge. “Chloe’s birthday party is a family event.”

“And…”

“You should be there.”

“I told you the other night when we spoke that we would attend.”

“She’s not family.”

“Not yet, no.”

Genevieve looked startled. “You can’t be serious? Saying something like that? How long have you known each other? You have a daughter to consider now. As a father figure, you shouldn’t be introducing our daughter to someone who you barely even know. Chloe could get attached.”

“I’m well aware of that.”

“You barely even know each other. What’s it been? A month? Two months?”

“I know her better than I ever knew you.”

“We spent nearly three years together.”

“And yet I never knew the woman you were. The things you were capable of.”

“That’s not fair.”

“On the contrary. I think I’ve been exceedingly fair with you. More so than you even deserve. You slept with my best friend, deprived me of my daughter for more than four years, and now you show up at my office unannounced to insult someone who I care deeply about.”

“She’s not right for you.”

“Let me guess. You are?”

“Well…yes. We’re on the same level, Graham.”

“I don’t think so. I would never have f*cked Avery.”

She flinched, but recovered quickly, straightening her back as she spoke. “She has a tongue ring. I saw it the other day.”

“Yes. And it feels incredible on my cock.”

Her eyes narrowed. “It won’t last.”

“Get out, Genevieve. I have work to do.”

“I’m just trying to protect my daughter.”

“Our daughter.”

“That’s what I said.”

“Out.” I pointed to the door.

“Fine.” She stood. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She huffed off.

That night, I took Soraya out to dinner. Now that I’d squared away with Genevieve that Soraya would be with me for Chloe’s party this weekend, the only thing left was convincing Soraya to go with me. She’d already voiced doubts about going. I didn’t broach the subject during our meal, thinking it was better to ply her with good food and wine and make my move later in the evening.

The last hour I’d spent bringing her to orgasm first with my mouth, and then a second time as we made love, me spooning her from behind. When she let out a relaxed and comforted sigh, I decided it was time. Still behind her, I kissed a bare shoulder and molded my body around hers. “It would mean a lot to me if you came with me this weekend.”

“I don’t know, Graham.”

I nuzzled closer. “I need you there with me.”

“You need time with your daughter. And we both know Genevieve doesn’t like me.”

“It’s important to me. I know you have your doubts. I want you to see that we can still work even though things have changed.”

“Graham…”

“Please?” I asked softly.

“Fine.” She sounded defeated, but I didn’t care. I was selfish enough to take it any way I could get it.

“Thank you. I’ll make it worth your while the following weekend. I promise.”

***

IT WAS SOMETHING I’D BEEN THINKING about doing for a while anyway. With all of the changes happening lately, there was no better time than the present to bite the bullet.

When Louis dropped me off at Tig’s tattoo parlor on Eighth Avenue, I was feeling pumped.

Bells chimed when I opened the door. As usual, it smelled like cinnamon incense and tobacco. Bob Marley was playing. Being here somehow oddly reminded me of my college days.

Tig put out his cigarette and greeted me. “Mr. Big Prick! When I saw your name on the appointment list, I nearly shit a brick. What the f*ck? Has she finally driven you to lose your mind?”

“You didn’t tell Soraya I was coming, did you?”

“No,” Delia said. “When you called to make the appointment, you made it clear you wanted it to be a surprise, so we won’t ruin it. Right, Tig?”