I close my door, pissed as hell with this guy I’m having to meet. I tried like hell to rearrange the meeting, but unlike Drake’s potential client, this guy is not having it. I wake my computer, making myself useful as I wait for my appointment time.
It doesn’t take me long to confirm the appointment with the client. I was going to cancel it if Leo couldn’t pick up Taylor for me. My next order of business is texting Taylor.
Me: Hey, Trouble. Leo is picking you up today. Be aware of your surroundings. Love you.
Taylor: Hey, okay. I always am. What do you have planned for today?
Me: Meeting a new client.
Taylor: Love you. Come home to me, safely!
I smile to myself. Taylor worrying about me is nothing new; it’s the selflessness in her. The way she gets flustered when Travis doesn’t respond to her emails in a timely manner pisses her off too. I’ve had to tell her time and time again that he’s busy and can’t always be reached. She’d respond with her hand on her hip. “It doesn’t take but one minute to say, ‘I’m okay. I love you, sis.,’ That’s all I’m asking for Slade Arnold Chavez.” Of course, that got me riled up on more than one occasion.
That sinking feeling in my gut comes back, and I hate like hell I don’t have any other options.
The rest of my afternoon goes smoothly. I brought in a suit to wear to the meeting, knowing I need to look professional for this meeting, instead of in my standard black pants and polo. I go into my bathroom, change, grab my stuff, and then head for the front door when Kellie stops me.
“Mr. Chavez, I have a message for you,” she says.
“Kellie, you can call me Slade. What’s the message?”
“It’s from a Travis Daniels. He said wheels up and he’ll be hitting the ground soon,” she replies, blinking.
“Thank you.” I nod and leave. If Travis is coming home unannounced, shit is going down and fast.
Sixteen
Taylor
I’ve been spoiled with Slade taking me to and from work. For the most part, I live at his place. I mean, one weekend we packed everything I would need for the time being. After Slade found my toy drawer, he packed it and all of my undergarments, but any other clothes? It’s like he was struck stupid at the idea that I need actual clothes. I stomped my foot enough to get his attention, so when he picked me up from work one Friday, he came with boxes. We packed up everything I could possibly need or want for the time being, including my wax warmer that he hollered at me for leaving on all day. Guess where that is now? Yep, right by the front door at his house. What can I say? I’m a creature of habit.
He welcomed me into his home with open arms, said I probably shouldn’t give up my condo just yet. Travis only has a few more months left of his deployment, and Slade wasn’t having him stay with us. The number of places we have had sex alone, from the kitchen counter, the sofa, the dining room table, against the walls… Yeah, we’d have to disinfect the whole house. Not to mention, we haven’t told him we’re dating. That’s a conversation I am not looking forward to, but I know it’ll come sooner rather than later.
It’s almost time for us to shut down shop for the weekend. Slade has been doing Friday night date nights this past month; sometimes it’s dinner and a movie, but more times than not it’s been dinner and dancing. We stay out so late, the both of us come home tipsy, horny, and end the night completely sated from one another. It causes us to sleep half the day away on Saturday. The one new thing he has me doing, begrudgingly, is working out on Sunday mornings. I’m not sure why I ever thought it was a good idea, but seeing Slade smile and reaping the benefits of him cooking afterwards makes me think I reap the rewards.
“Hey, Mike. I’m leaving for the day. Have a great weekend!” I say to my boss through his open door before grabbing my huge purse and throwing my stuff in it.
“You too, Taylor. Great job on catching up on those transcriptions. I know with Chloe out on maternity leave, it left us in a lurch,” my boss says.
“No problem. I can’t wait to see her bundle of joy when she has her.” I peek my head into his office with a smile.
He laughs and returns my smile before I walk out the door. There’s a pep in my step, not because Slade won’t pick me up, but I’m hoping since Leo is picking me up, I can surprise him with the latest lingerie I just ordered. It took an act of God to hide it from him. I almost had it shipped to my office. He looked at me weird when I hopped out of the SUV one day when we came home to hurry up and grab the package. I had to hide it deep in the house so he wouldn’t snoop.