Conflict of Interest (The McClouds of Mississippi 2)

“You didn’t tell me you were expecting Mr. McCloud this afternoon, Adrienne.”

“She didn’t know. I dropped in without calling first.”

“I see.” Lawrence’s expressive silver eyebrows rose again. “Then you were fortunate to find her in. We all have very tight schedules around here, you know.”

“I can imagine. Now, if you’ll excuse me, we were just on our way out.”

Adrienne rather enjoyed seeing her father caught off balance, if only for a moment. “You’re leaving?”

“Yes.” Adrienne met his eyes, challenging him to protest.

“You, um, don’t have anything pending?”

“Jacqueline can take care of everything for me.”

“But I needed to speak to you about—”

“It can wait.” It was one of the first times in her life Adrienne had interrupted her father. It felt pretty good, actually.

Lawrence was much too professional to show his displeasure in front of a client, but she knew he would express himself later, when they were alone. “When will you be back?”

Gideon put his hands on her shoulders and guided her toward the doorway. “We’ll let you know.”

It was probably the first time Lawrence had heard his daughter giggle since she was a teenager. She didn’t look around to see how he reacted. At that moment she only had eyes for Gideon McCloud.

“I like your apartment.”

“How would you know? You haven’t actually seen any of it.”

His weight propped on an elbow as he loomed over her in her bed, he grinned. “Okay, then, I like your bedroom.”

“Thank you.” They had barely made it through the front door before he’d swung her into his arms and carried her to bed. They hadn’t discussed their intentions after leaving her office, but had, instead, come straight to her apartment by mutual unspoken agreement.

“I’ve missed you,” she said, rubbing her hand down his firm, bare arm.

“I missed you, too.”

It rather surprised her that he had admitted it, even though he wouldn’t have come if he hadn’t missed her. “I still can’t believe you’re here.”

He slid his fingertips along her jawline. “You keep saying that.”

“I know. I can’t help it. I simply never expected you to walk into my office today.”

“It was sort of an impulse. I finished the book, and the next thing I knew I was reserving a seat on an airline. I walked into your office half expecting you to look horrified to see me.”

She laughed and rubbed her cheek against his hand. “I’m sure you could tell I was delighted to see you.”

“Actually, yeah, I could. And it was quite a relief.”

“Did you really miss me?”

“What do you want, Adrienne, flowery phrases?”

His indulgent tone made her smile. “Yes.”

“I missed you very much.”

She laughed and tugged him down on top of her. “Well, it’s not exactly poetry. But it means a great deal more to me,” she added.