Heroic Measures (Blackbridge Security 6)

“You’d actually want to see that?” She nods, that tempting piece of lace taunting me. “Because you want to make fun of me?”

“Because I want to touch myself while you do it.”

“It turns you on?”

“Yes. I’d blindfold you, force you to use just my panties and imagination to get yourself off.”

“Not gonna lie. That sounds like a good time. Get. Dressed.”

I snatch the panties away, shoving them into my pocket before she can put them back on.

As if I’ve lit a fire under her ass, she rushes to put her clothes back on.

“We’ll leave your car here. We can get it tomorrow.”

She hastily agrees as she tugs her leggings on and shoves her feet into her shoes.

I flip off the light once she’s decent and escort her from the room. The only thing I’d want to be different as we walk toward the breakroom is a reprieve from the idiots I work with. Of course, I’d never get that.

The slow clap begins before my shadow even makes it into the room, and one by one, the guys stand and clap along as if we’ve just won some sort of humanitarian award.

Parker leans into my side, pressing her face into my chest, and I have nowhere to run and hide.

“Yuck it up, fuckers,” I grumble, but my girl stops me before we can make a hasty retreat.

“What?” I ask, ignoring my friends and looking down at her.

She crooks her finger so she can get her mouth close to my ear.

“I know you want to run, and I know you’re embarrassed, but I was thinking we could grab some coffee before we leave. We’re going to need the energy, and I don’t want to have to stop on the way back to your place.”

“You actually want to stay longer in the presence of these assholes?”

She grins, her eyes darting to the room of men who are still watching us like we’re going to do a trick at any moment like circus animals.

“You’re blushing.”

“They embarrass the crap out of me.”

“Your shyness is what turned me on the first time I saw you.”

“Really?”

She nods, her chest catching my eyes as it rises and falls beneath her shirt.

“Let’s grab some coffee then.”

“Is it too soon to give relationship advice?” Wren asks with a wildness in his eyes that makes me want to check my exam room for hidden cameras.

“Fuck off,” I hiss at him, but there’s still a playful tone to my voice.

He chuckles, salutes Parker, and then heads back to his office.

Brooks is the next to walk toward Parker as I busy myself making two cups of coffee as quickly as I can manage without burning myself.

“It’s good to see you again, Parker.”

“Mr. Morgan. Thank you for your help with my case.”

“Wish we could’ve predicted he was going to show up and—”

She holds her hand up. “He’s not all bad. He had a lot of misinformation and made a lot of really bad decisions.” She looks over at me. “And for some of it I can understand. I made a lot of wrong choices because I let certain ideas get into my head.”

“Well,” Brooks says looking at me as well. “It looks like everything has a way of working out.”

“Everyone! I’d like you to meet Leighton Redmond. I’m trying to convince her to—”

“You!” the woman snaps before Deacon can finish the introduction.

I expect that red-tipped finger to be pointing at Brooks because he’s always the one stirring up trouble, but it’s the man standing beside Parker that has her attention.

Her eyes are glued to Gaige Ward of all people.

“You two have met?” Deacon asks with a sour look on his face.

“Briefly,” Gaige says as he walks up to them. “Leighton, or should I call you Ginger?”

Her eyes narrow, and I swear if the woman had a weapon on her, she’d pull it out and use it on him. I don’t know how they know each other, but it’s clear from my vantage point that Ms. Redmond isn’t impressed with our acquisitions expert at all.

“Sorry to waste your time, Mr. Black,” she says as she turns to Deacon. “But this just isn’t going to work out.”

Every eye in the room follows her out, and Deacon is vibrating with irritation when he turns his attention to Gaige.

“What the fuck did you do?”

Gaige scoffs as if it’s no big deal. “Nothing she didn’t do first.”

“You’ll fix it.”

“You’d have better luck turning water into wine. That’s never going to happen, boss. There will be more clients.”

“She wasn’t a client, Gaige. She’s the headhunter we need to help start the newest branch of BBS.”

Gaige’s face goes pale. “Really?”

“Yes, really,” Deacon hisses. “Like I said, fix it.”

Our boss storms away muttering about wanting to go right back to the hospital. Anna just gave birth last night, but apparently the meeting was important enough for him to slip away for a few hours to meet with Leighton.