“Do you know where you want to go to breakfast?” I asked.
“We’re going to Ollie’s. We saw it yesterday when we were walking around,” Claudia spoke as she poured me a cup of coffee.
“Great place. I was just there yesterday morning having Belgian waffles.”
“Aw, Avery.” Lisa pouted. “We were just discussing that yesterday, how weird it was not making those for you on your birthday.”
Claudia walked over to me with her arms held out. “Come here, baby.” She gave me a tight hug. “We’re going to miss you.”
“Mom, you’re only an hour and fifteen minutes away. We can see each other all the time. It’s just been crazy these last few weeks trying to get settled in here and at the law firm. I can make weekend visits any time.”
“You’re right. But why do you seem so far away?”
Lisa looked at the clock. “We better get going. I’m starving.”
I grabbed my briefcase and purse and the three of us headed out the door to Ollie’s.
“Why, hello there.” The perky brunette from yesterday smiled. “Three today?”
“No. There will be four of us,” Claudia replied.
I looked at her strangely. “Four? Who else is coming?”
“Just a friend.”
The brunette showed us to a table for four by the window.
“Mom. What friend?”
“Oh, there he is.” Lisa smiled as she waved.
I turned around before taking my seat and saw Liam walking towards us.
“Good morning,” he said with a smile as he took a seat next to me.
“Morning.” I narrowed one eye. “Mom?”
She waved her hand in front of her face. “We had such a nice conversation last night and we’ve really taken a liking to Mr. Wyatt, so we wanted to say a proper goodbye with a nice breakfast. We sent him a text message last night asking if he would like to join us.”
I rolled my eyes. I knew exactly what she and Lisa were doing. I pulled my phone from my purse and scrolled through my text messages.
“Liam, this is Claudia, Avery’s mother. We would love for you to meet us and Avery for breakfast tomorrow morning at eight o’clock at Ollie’s.”
“Thank you, Claudia. I would love to.”
I held up my phone. “This is an invasion of privacy.”
“Oh please. We only sent a text message.”
Once again, I rolled my eyes and took a sip of my coffee. “You’ve never asked one of my guy friends to breakfast.”
“That’s because we didn’t like any of them.” Lisa smiled.
I sighed as the waitress brought out breakfast. We ate, talked, and then I had to head to the office. Outside of the diner, I hugged Claudia and Lisa goodbye and so did Liam. I frowned.
“You make sure to come back home in a couple of weeks for the weekend and bring this handsome guy with you.” Claudia winked as she placed her hand on Liam’s chest.
“Goodbye, mothers.” I frowned.
They climbed into the car with a smile and pulled away. I shook my head as I looked at Liam.
“What? I can’t help it if they like me.”
“I have to go to work. Have a nice day, Mr. Wyatt.” I began to walk away.
“Hey, Avery,” Liam called out to me.
I stopped and looked at him.
“How about dinner tonight?”
“Working late. Maybe another time.”
“I’m holding you to that.”
I put my hand up and waved as I continued to walk down the street with a smile splayed across my face.
Chapter 28
Liam
Placing my hands in my pockets, I walked down the street with a smile on my face. Avery didn’t know it yet, but she was having dinner with me tonight. Claudia and Lisa told me I’d have to fight back twice as hard and that was exactly what I planned to do. No more of this game that was going on and no more Mr. Nice Guy. I wanted Avery Lewis as my girl and I was going to fucking make sure that happened.
Sitting in my office, I pulled my phone from my pocket and called Avery’s secretary, Ella.
“Avery Lewis’s office, Ella speaking.”
“Ella, it’s Liam Wyatt.”
“Well, hi there, Mr.—”
“Shh. I don’t want Avery to know I’m calling.”
“Okay, then. How may I help you?”
“Avery said she’s working late tonight. I need you to find out if she’s working alone or if someone else will be working with her. I want to bring her dinner at the office.”
“Oh, that’s so sweet. Okay. I’m on it. Give me your number and I’ll call you back as soon as I find out.”
“Thank you, Ella. Remember, not a word of this to Avery.”
“My lips are sealed.”
I ended the call and leaned back in my chair. As I was pondering what to order for dinner, Oliver walked in the office.
“You look like you’re in deep thought. What’s going on?”
“Just deciding on what to bring Avery for dinner at her office later.”
“So the two of you are having dinner again? Nice.”
“She doesn’t know it yet.”
Oliver raised his brow. “A surprise dinner. Even better.”
“I asked her earlier to have dinner with me and she said she was working late and maybe another time. I’m done playing games, bro. I’m going after her with everything I have. I don’t care if it takes a day, a week, a month, or even a year. I’m going to make her mine.”
“Now that’s the brother I know and love!” His smile grew as he got up from his seat.
“Did you need to talk to me about something?” I asked.
“No. I was just going to ask you if you wanted to go out to dinner with us tonight. But I guess you already have other plans.”
“Thanks, bro. Maybe next time.”
As Oliver was leaving my office, my phone rang.
“Liam Wyatt.”
“It’s Ella,” she said in a whisper.
“Hi, Ella.”
“Avery will be working alone tonight. Joel was supposed to work on a case with her, but his wife is ill and he has to leave.”
“Are you sure she’s staying at the office?”
“Yes. She said she has a lot of work to do and she’ll be here late.”
“Thank you, Ella. I owe you one.”
“You’re welcome. Have fun tonight.”
“I fully intend to.”
I heard her giggle before I ended the call.
****
It was eight o’clock when I took the elevator up to Avery’s office. As I approached, she was sitting behind her desk, looking at what I believed was a law book.
“Ahem,” I cleared my throat as I stood in the doorway.
She looked up and our eyes locked. “Liam, what are you doing here?”
I held up the white plastic bag I was carrying. “I brought you dinner. I hope you haven’t eaten already.”
She put down her pen and closed the law book. “No. I haven’t had a chance. You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know I didn’t, but I wanted to. You have to eat and I was hungry, so I thought we could dine together. It won’t kill you to take a small break.”
She hesitated for a moment. Her eyes looked tired and her face looked drained, but she was still just as beautiful as always.
“What did you bring?”
“Chinese.”
“My favorite. You may enter my office.” She smiled.
I chuckled as I walked in and set the bag down on the chair.
“Let’s go eat in the kitchen,” Avery spoke as she got up from her desk.
I followed her out of the office and down the hallway to the kitchen area. “Are you the only one here?”
“No, Mark is here too. He’s in his office tying up some loose ends on a case for court tomorrow.”
I took the cartons out of the bag while Avery opened the refrigerator. “All we have is bottled water.
Good?”
“That’s fine.” I smiled as I sat down. “I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I got some chicken and pork.”
“I like both.” She took the seat at the table across from me and handed me the bottled water. “Shit. I don’t think we have any plates.”
“No problem. I’ll set the cartons in the middle of the table and we can share them.”
This was perfect and there was no other place I wanted to be. Having dinner with her was something that I wanted to do every night. She made me feel incredible. It was something I’d never felt before.
“How was your day?” she asked.
“Busy. I don’t need to ask how yours was because from the looks of your desk, you’ve had a tough day.”
“The life of a lawyer.” She grinned as she stuck her chopsticks in the sesame chicken.
“I really like Claudia and Lisa. They’re great ladies.”
“Thanks. I think so too, even though they like to meddle in my life.”
“Nah. I wouldn’t call it meddling. They just want you to be happy.”
As we were talking, Mark walked in. “Hey, Liam, what are you doing here?”
“Hey, Mark.” I got up and shook his hand.
“We’re going over some information about the case for his company lawsuit,” Avery jumped in.
“Ah. Over dinner?” he asked.
“Yes, Mark. Over dinner. Is that a problem?” I asked with seriousness.
“Umm. No. Whatever floats your boat. Anyway, I’m out of here. Don’t stay too much longer, Avery. I really don’t like it when the female associates are here late at night by themselves.”
“I won’t, Mark.”
“I’ll make sure she leaves safely,” I said before he walked out.
“Thanks, Liam. I appreciate it.” He walked out and Avery sighed.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m just tired.”
We finished eating and I helped Avery clean up. Walking back to her office, I noticed the pretty flowers sitting on the corner of her desk.
“Those are pretty.”
“I forgot to tell you last night. John sent them to me.”
“Really? I’m surprised you didn’t throw them out.”
“Believe me, I wanted to. But they’re too pretty to dump in the trash. I just hate looking at them, knowing they’re from him.”
I took a seat in the chair across from her desk as she stood there.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Staying until you’re done. I’m not leaving you here alone.”
“Why? Because I’m a woman? I could kick your ass.” She smiled.
I cocked my head and studied her. “You think so?”
“I know so, Mr. Wyatt. Now be a good boy and leave my office.”
I got up from my chair, grabbed her, and lightly pushed her up against the wall, holding her wrists above her head with one hand, while my other hand made its way up her skirt until my fingers reached her panties. She let out a light moan. My face was mere inches from hers.
“Are you going to kick my ass?” I asked as my tongue trailed down the side of her neck.
“Maybe. You have to do better than that.”
Moving her panties to the side, I dipped a finger inside of her. She was already soaking wet with excitement.
“How’s that?” I continued to roam her neck.
She began to pant. “Better.”
My tongue slid down her throat and in between the opening of her blouse. “Tell me what you want.” My fingers were still exploring her insides.
My grip on her wrists tightened as she tried to wiggle out from under me.
“Let go of my wrist and I’ll show you.” She bit down on her bottom lip and I almost lost it.
I slowly let go of one wrist and she placed her hand over the fabric of my pants, lightly gripping my hard cock.
“I want this.”
My tongue lightly licked her lips, teasing her while my finger moved in and out of her. Her fingers undid my belt first before working my button and pulling the zipper down. Before I knew it, her hand reached down the front of my pants and took hold of me, softly caressing my cock. Her chest was moving up and down as our eyes locked onto each other. Her breathing was shallow as she moaned and her body gave way to an orgasm.
“That’s it, baby. Come for me,” I whispered as I ran my lips across her neck.
I let go of her other wrist and unzipped her skirt, letting it fall to the ground. She stepped out of it and stood there in her red lace thong, high black heels, and cream-colored blouse. She was the sexiest woman I’d ever laid eyes on. After kicking off my shoes, she took down my pants, releasing my throbbing cock, which was dying to be inside of her. She stroked me up and down as I slowly unbuttoned her blouse, sliding it off her shoulders and admiring her large, round breasts, which were partially covered by a lace bra. I took hold of her hips and turned her around so she was facing her desk. After I took her panties down and gripped her beautifully toned ass, she bent over, begging me to fuck her.
“Is this what you wanted?” I whispered as I thrust into her.
“Yes,” she moaned softly.
I moved in and out of her as my tongue explored her shoulder, making tiny circles, which drove her crazy. Reaching my hand over, I placed my finger on her clit, moving it in sync as my thrusting became more intense. Her moans grew louder as did mine and we both came at the same time. Pushing deep inside her, I halted and poured every last drop of pleasure inside of her. We stood there for a moment, catching our breath and letting our heart rates get back to normal. I wanted to tell her right then and there that I was in love with her. But if I did, I’d probably never see her again. So I silently thought it.
Pulling out of her, I tightened my arms around her waist and laid my head on her shoulder. This was what I so desperately wanted. To hold her and protect her. After a few moments, we both got dressed and I took her home.
“Thank you for dinner and for distracting me from my work.”
“It was my pleasure.” I smiled as my lips brushed against hers. “Good night, Avery.”
“Good night, Liam.” She stepped inside her apartment and shut the door.
I don’t think I’ve ever felt more alone than I did at that moment.
Chapter 29
Avery
As soon as I shut the door, I leaned against it and slowly dropped to the floor. Things were getting more intense between us. He was getting more intense. The perfume, the breakfast, the dinner, and the amazing sex, which got hotter each time, were starting to mess with my head. I found myself thinking about him every second of the day. Simple things would remind me of him, and now, every time I sat down at my desk, the memory of what happened between us would always be there. I had just wanted him physically, and now I found myself wanting him emotionally. He was safe to talk to. As much as I tried to push him away, my defense was slowly fading and I couldn’t let that happen. It was new, adventurous, and exciting. But for how long would it last? How long until he came to me and said that we should see other people or that we should take a break? My feelings for him ran deeper than anyone else I’d ever been with and that was something I realized every day. If he hurt me, I didn’t think I could survive it. Okay, I would survive, but I would bury myself so deep that I wouldn’t be able to climb out. I already knew how this would play out. He was rich, very successful, sexy, and when he got bored with me, he’d seek out someone else. He was a millionaire playboy who could have anything he wanted with the snap of his fingers; the one who would walk away unharmed, leaving a trail of my destruction behind.
The next day, I was sitting in my office, putting together the case for Wyatt Enterprises and trying to put Liam out of my mind until Ella walked in with a flower arrangement.
“Look what just came for you.” She smiled.
My eyes diverted up and stared at the same exact flower arrangement that John sent me.
“Open the card. Open
the card,” Ella said excitedly as she set the arrangement on the other side of my desk.
I couldn’t figure out for the life of me who it was from. I took the envelope out of her hand and opened it, pulling out the card inside.
“Avery, I know they’re too pretty to throw away, so I sent you these to replace the ones John sent. Hopefully, you’ll feel more comfortable when you look at them.
Love, Liam”
What the fuck? I asked myself as I stared at the card. My heart started to ache and I didn’t know why.
“Well, who are they from?” Ella bounced up and down.
“Wyatt Enterprises. They’re thanking me for handling their case.”
She looked at me and twisted her face. “Oh. Weird that they’re the same ones you already have. That must be a popular arrangement.”
“Yeah. Probably.” I gave a small smile.
She walked out of my office and I took the flowers that John sent, threw them in the trash, and set the ones that Liam sent in their place. Picking up my phone, I sent him a text message.
“Thank you for the flowers. That was really sweet of you.”
“You’re welcome. I’d like to see you later.”
“I can’t. Willow scheduled us a spa appointment at six o’clock and then we’re going to dinner.”
“Nice. Enjoy your spa treatment and I’ll talk to you later. Tell Willow I said hi.”
“Thank you. I will.”
I stared at my phone for a moment before setting it down.
****
I met Willow at the spa and we relaxed with a great facial, massage, and a couple glasses of wine. When we were finished and discussing where to have dinner, she received a call from her babysitter informing her that she had a family emergency and had to leave. We hugged goodbye, and I decided to walk home since the spa was only three blocks from my apartment. Walking down the street and checking my emails, I halted when I heard my name.
“Hello, Avery.”
My heart began to race as I stood and stared at my father.
“I’ve been meaning to call you. Did you get my flowers?”
Standing there, trying to control the nerves that took over me, I swallowed hard.
“Yes, I did.”