30 Days (Morgan Family Series Book 1) (10 page)

“Wow, I’m so sorry!” I rub my head and study the man apologizing to me. He’s not bad looking. He has dark, brown hair that’s cut short and dark eyes too. He’s giving me a polite smile and apologizing again.

“I was just trying to get more coffee creamer and thought I had enough room to get past you.” he explains.

“It’s fine.” I close the door to the fridge and start to walk away.

“I’m Anthony. Anthony Port.” he holds his hand out. “Let me buy you lunch today to make up for it.”

“I’m taking a late lunch and you’re coming with me.” Blake announces as she barges into my office. “I’m not taking no for an answer.”

“Take Jim or Sharon.” I tell her. “Or Memphis.”

She closes the file on my desk and tugs on my arm. “Yuck to Jim. Sharon is like my grandmother and Memphis already had lunch plans. I asked her first.”

I grumble, but stand up and follow her out. Blake presses the button for the elevator and asks me where I want to go while we wait for it.

“Doesn’t matter.”

When the doors open, Memphis and Anthony step out laughing. She’s holding a to-go cup and she stops laughing long enough to take a sip from her straw.
She went to lunch with him?

I step into the elevator and give Blake a pointed look when I realize she’s staring after Memphis and Anthony.
She’s scowling.

“What the hell? I thought she was your bae.”

“Seriously, you have to stop saying that word. I told you she isn’t my…bae.”              

“What is she then?” she challenges.

“She’s nothing. We had fun and now we’re just co-workers.” I explain.

“You’re ridiculous.” she snaps. “I’m driving.”

Blake takes me to a small bistro a few blocks from the office. As close as it is, we could’ve just walked. Once we’ve ordered, she brings up Memphis again. I knew she wouldn’t let it go.
She needs to.

“What is it with you and women? I know you like them, so why are you such an idiot when it comes to them?”

“Is this how I’m going to be treated our entire lunch?” I ask, annoyed.

“You like Memphis. It’s obvious. What’s the problem?”

“I don’t like her.” I defend. “If she wants to go to lunch with Anthony she’s more than welcome to.”

“Maybe that’s the problem.”

I have no idea what she’s talking about. She looks as though she has it all figured out though. The waitress brings our food and I pick up my sandwich.

“Did you ever take her out to lunch?” she asks, then takes a bite of her salad.              

“Wasn’t that type of relationship.”

“Maybe that’s what she wanted though.” she smarts.

“I’m not having this conversation with you.”

“I’m just pointing out that she’d probably rather be having lunch with you than Anthony Port. You’re just too big of a moron to ask her.”

“First I’m an idiot, now I’m a moron. Speaking of morons, how’s your boyfriend?” I tease.

“How dare you? Langston is not a moron. Or an idiot. We’re doing…fine.”

I notice her blush when she says this.
I don’t want to know.
Whatever is going on between them that would make my sister blush is something I don’t need to know. As long as he treats her well, we’re good.

“If you ever grow a set and ask Memphis out, we could double date.” “I’m sure her and Anthony won’t mind going out with you.”

“Ugh. Anthony is gross. He’s always trying to find some way to rub against me and then makes up a lame excuse on why he did. Total perv.”

“Yeah.”

“Changing the subject. Give me the scoop on the client you and dad met for lunch yesterday. I heard he got busted for soliciting a prostitute.”

“Attorney client privilege. Can’t discuss it.” “Bullshit. Spill.”

“Nothing to tell. The meeting didn’t happen. The client rescheduled. He’s coming in this afternoon.”

“Well, I heard he met the woman at the strip club you and Rhys went to.” I stop mid-chew when I hear her say this. “You haven’t heard that?”

“No.” I answer with my mouth full. I chew and swallow quickly. “Where’d you hear that?”

“Everywhere. Phil Andrews is the realtor guru, Cameron. He’s married with five kids. This is a huge scandal. He’s denying every bit of it, but he was caught red handed.”

“I guess that’s why he wants us to represent him.”

“Look at this. According to Twitter, a source is saying Phil claims the woman drugged him and lured him away from the club. He wants the club shut down.”

“I bet he doesn’t explain why he was in there in the first place.” “Oh, he was having drinks with a potential client.”

Sure he was.
I take a bite of my sandwich and wonder if the woman he was with is someone Memphis knows.
I’m sure it is.
Ecstasy is a large club, but not so large that the dancers wouldn’t know one another. Now he’ll be coming in Morgan, Quinley, and Sloan.
What if he recognizes her? Shit.

I balance the glasses of ice water on the small tray and walk into the conference room. I took it upon myself to put a few slices of lemon in a bowl and they sit on the tray as well. As I approach the door, I stand for a moment, trying to figure out if I should knock and how I’m going to open the door. Before I can balance the tray on one hand, Cameron steps past me and opens it.

“Thank you.”

“You can just sit the tray right here, Ms. Stone. The client should be coming in any moment.”

I put the tray where Mr. Morgan indicated and then turn to exit the conference room. As I’m walking out, the client comes in. My breath catches in my throat. I recognize him almost immediately. His eyes flicker over me, but don’t linger.

I keep walking and hurry to my office. Stacy’s words come back to my mind. So this is the big-time realtor Mindy went to jail for.
Damn.
He’ll be represented by one of the best firms in the state.
And I can’t say a word to help my friend.

I heave out a sigh and pick up the files that Mr. Morgan put on my desk to file. I get them filed and when Mr. Morgan comes back from his meeting, I don’t look up from my computer. I don’t want anything on my face to give away that I recognized the man he was just meeting with.

I spend the rest of my day staying busy with the tasks Sharon and Mr.

Morgan assign me to do. They’re menial, but busy work.

When it’s time to leave, I start getting ready to shut my computer down. I frown when I hear an instant message ping. ‘C. Morgan’ appears on my screen.

-
    
Please.

I shut down my computer and grab my things. The elevator ride to the floor below seems to go at the speed of light.
Maybe it’s because I’m nervous.
The last conversation I had with Cameron he told me I was a great fuck. It was a compliment, but still a nasty one.

I knock on his door and hear him tell me to come inside. I open the door and step in with it still propped open.

“Shut the door.”

I slowly close the door and stand beside the doorway. I clasp my hands together in front of me.

“You asked to see me.”

  “How’s the job going?” he asks. Small talk is not one of his gifts. I don’t know why he’s wasting our time.

  “Seriously? Is this what we’re going to do?” I ask him.

“Fine. Did you enjoy your lunch with Anthony Port?”

I cross my arms and shake my head, a small laugh escaping my mouth.
So that’s what this is all about. He’s jealous.
               

“Is that what you want, Memphis?”

“I don’t know you what mean.” I deadpan.

“Someone to take you to lunch?”

I study his face and he’s frowning. His brows are furrowed and he’s chewing on his bottom lip. I realize what he’s asking then and it surprises me.
Something he’s good at doing.

“I think I deserve that.”

I notice him slightly nod. His eyes rake over my body and it instantly heats in response. We’ve done this completely backwards. We started out with sex when we should’ve started out with lunch.
What do we do now?

“Good night, Cameron.”

I don’t know what came over me.
Why did I ask that?
A week later and I still can’t figure out the answer to that question. We had thirty great days together.

Thirty great days of sex.
That was it.
Nothing more to it.

Yet I pass her at work and her scent lingers in the air. It gets in my nose and I smell her all day.
I want to just breathe her in.

I hear her talking as she walks by and I like the sound of her southern accent.

I like the sound of her laughter. It’s not too loud and it’s not too soft.
It’s just right.

When I get to my apartment I stay up late wishfully thinking I’ll hear the sound of the elevator opening. She’ll walk out. Like she used to.
This doesn’t happen.

She wants lunch. Someone who’ll take her to lunch. Dinner. Movies. Dates. A boyfriend. A relationship.
I think I deserve that.
Maybe I’m just not the person to give that to her.

“Did you forget about my birthday?” Blake bursts into my office, hands on her    hips.

“Today’s not your birthday.” I quip.

A grin spreads across her face. “You’re right. Tomorrow’s my birthday, but

Langston has to go out of town with his family tomorrow so we’re going out tonight and you’re coming with us.”

“I’m working on the Beasley case.”

“Don’t care. You’re taking tonight off. We’ll pick you up at seven. Be ready.” She turns to walk out and then peeks her head back in my door. “Good job on knowing when my birthday is.”

I shake my head as she shuts my door.
Good thing my phone sent out a reminder a day ahead of time.

I work on the Beasley case a couple more hours then call it a day and head home early. I’m showered and ready when Blake and Langston arrive at 6:45. They walk in with another couple I don’t recognize. I narrow my eyes at Blake.

“I promise you won’t feel like a fifth wheel tonight.” she whispers as she gives me a hug. “This is Layla and Ian. Langston’s friends from work.”

“Hi.” I say, trying not to grit my teeth.

“I have some more friends meeting us there.” Blake explains. “Can’t wait.” I reply, dryly.

I ride in silence while the four of them chat about Langston’s upcoming trip to Alaska with his parents. I listen to him make up an excuse about it being family only and that’s why he couldn’t invite Blake.
He’ll miss her though.
He even smiles over to her as he says this.
I can’t get out of this vehicle fast enough.

I close my eyes and rest my head against the seat. As much as I try not to, I think of Memphis. Her form-fitting business skirts. Her black heels.
Bending her over my desk.
My cock throbs against my jeans. I imagine she’s rubbing her hand over the thick material, making my length harden even more.
It feels so real.

I shift in the seat and my arm brushes against Layla. Her hand is in my lap. I look down and she’s stroking me.
Fuck, it is real.
I look over to her and her face is fixed forward. Her gaze not giving away what she’s doing. I wrap my fingers around her wrist and despite how good it feels, I push her hand away.

I keep my eyes open until we arrive at Melee’s. I notice a line waiting outside the club, but Blake walks straight to the bouncer and whispers in his ear. He lets us in without a word.

I follow behind the two couples as we make our way through the crowded club. I’m sure Blake is headed to the VIP area.

“You made it!” she exclaims. “I said I would!”

I turn at the sound of pure southern charm. Memphis returns Blake’s hug and peers at me over her shoulder.

“I see you already met Kalee and Niko.” Blake says to Memphis. She introduces me to another couple and I nod at them. Blake grins back at me and I know she’s silently telling me I won’t be a fifth or seventh wheel of any kind.
If I don’t want to be.

A waitress brings a tray of shots for everyone and we all toast to Blake and her upcoming birthday.

“Time to dance!” she yells, right after she takes her shot. Langston picks her up and carries her to the dance floor. She laughs against his lips. The other couples follow behind.

“Not going to dance?” I ask Memphis.

“Maybe in a little while. I do enough of that already.” she grins.

“Afraid you might get everyone all hot and bothered?” I tease, coming to stand beside her.

“Afraid I might get you all hot and bothered?” she counters.

“I’m pretty sure I’m hot and bothered every second I’m near you.”