Saint James Elle Unbr

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Stella couldn t wait.
* * * *
Clay smiled to himself as he held the door open for Stella to climb
out of his SUV. He was about to have some good old-fashioned fun
and right a wrong at the same time.
He grabbed her elbow and walked with her to the elaborately
decorated entrance of the law firm of Baker, Fuller and Howe. It
definitely looked like a Western law office. Lots of tall glass
windows, slate-colored stone, and weathered wood were arranged in a
pleasing and rustic display.
Thanks for coming with me, Clay. Stella flashed him a smile. I
didn t want to go in to work alone to meet Mr. Baker. It s only been a
two weeks, but seems like I ve been gone for long time.
No problem. That s what protective older male relatives do.
Clay hadn t told her the true reason he d wanted to tag along.
A week ago, Clay had seen the cardboard box Stella had brought
from where she worked. On the top of the pile was a glass-framed
172 Elle Saint James
company picture from some company ceremony. He recognized
someone in the picture. Someone he hadn t seen in many years.
Careful research in a few places he probably shouldn t have been
reading had yielded interesting information regarding the person in
the picture and a further theory he wanted to test.
Still, it s nice to go in to work feeling like I have a bodyguard,
just in case I need one.
He nodded. That s the job of any security detail. I promise that
I ll promptly crush anyone who fucks with you.
She laughed as they crossed the threshold of the entryway and
warm air surrounded them.
A pretty dark-haired receptionist sat at a circular desk and smiled
with seemingly genuine happiness as Stella approached. Her gaze
took him in, but she focused quickly back on Stella.
Stella. It s so good to see you. Her bright smile almost made
Clay take notice. Long ago, he d been partial to brunettes. But he
wasn t here to chat up a pretty receptionist. He was here for Stella.
Hi, Abby, good to see you, too.
Are the rumors true? Are you coming back here to work?
I m considering it, but I haven t quite decided yet.
She leaned closer to Stella. I m not the only one who misses
you.
Stella s brows furrowed. Who else misses me?
Abby glanced over each shoulder before leaning further forward
and whispering, I m convinced Claudia misses you, but she d never
admit it out loud. She actually has to work and do all the things she
used to make you take care of.
Oh no, the horror. Stella s lyrical laughter touched Clay s
hardened soul. He was glad she had cheered up so significantly after
spending quality time with Dominick and Tyler. The three of them
deserved to be happy together. He thought they made an outstanding
threesome.
Unbridled and Unbound 173
Abby leaned even closer as if she was about to spill gossip. Plus,
she and Mr. Fuller aren t sharing any benefits anymore. If you know
what I mean.
Really? Stella leaned forward. What happened?
Rumor around the water cooler is that she was sleeping with
someone else. Someone even more inappropriate than Mr. Fuller. It
was also apparently the reason she was late the morning you were
sent off, for no good reason, by Mr. Fuller. The next day they had a
big fat fight in his office. The gist of the conversation was hard to
ignore.
Wow. I m sorry to have missed that. Stella asked, So who
could possibly be more inappropriate to sleep with than her boss?
Abby looked over one shoulder and scanned the area carefully
before whispering, Mr. Fuller s twenty-two-year-old son.
Stella s eyes widened. And I thought she only screwed men who
could boost her career or give her money.
The phone rang and Abby put a finger in the air before answering
it. After directing a call, she put her attention back on the two of them.
She took a longer look at him this time. He didn t frown or anything,
but tried not to look too fierce.
Abby s gaze lingered a bit, but Clay turned away, not wanting to
lead her on. He was here for his own amusement, not to get a date.
That particular pleasure, of seeking women, wasn t even on his radar.
Not yet.
Is Mr. Baker ready to see me, Abby?
He sure is. Told me to send you right back to his office just as
soon as you got here. Abby glanced at Clay. Will your friend be
going back there, as well?
Clay could speak for himself. Yes. I m accompanying her, but
not directly into Mr. Baker s office. I ll wait for her close by. I hope
that won t be a problem. He rested one elbow on the elevated
counter and drilled her a long, steady look.
174 Elle Saint James
No. Not at all. That will be just fine. She in turn stared at his
mouth for just a bit too long, but soon recovered.
Stella tilted her head his way. I ll keep an eye on him. He s my
bodyguard in case Claudia the Bitch gets out of hand.
Abby turned back to Stella. Just so you know, Mr. Baker s
secretary is not here today, so just knock on his door.
She then smiled and leaned toward Clay. Behave yourself now.
Clay also moved forward. I ll do my best. Then he winked at
her. But no promises.
Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open a bit. He was a
little ashamed of himself for that bit of flirting. Someday he d get
back into the dating world, but not yet. He turned away and followed
Stella.
She waved at Abby and broke her staring spell. Together he and
Stella walked into the law firm. She moved straight ahead. Clay
swiveled his head around slowly, looking for Claudia. He d seen a
picture of her from seven years ago. Given the description he d gotten
from Dominick, Clay already knew she hadn t changed that much. A
skinny, tight-assed bitch on wheels that made otherwise ordinary and
competent men turn into idiots because she put out and sucked cock
for anyone who might further her career or her bank account.
The moment they arrived at Mr. Baker s office, Stella was
ushered inside his private office by Mr. Baker. She introduced him as
a friend. Clay told her he d wait outside.
Instead of seating himself, Clay wandered down the hall toward a
water fountain by the exit. Three doors down and on the left, he found
Claudia s office.
Hi, Claudia Walker, he said and leaned a shoulder against the
doorframe of her office. He glanced at her door. I mean, Claudia
Hart.
Her mud-brown eyes lifted to greet his steady gaze first in anger,
but then she got a better look at him. The recognition hit her hard
even all these years later. She half stood and promptly dropped a
Unbridled and Unbound 175
sheaf of papers across her already messy desk, scattering them into
the mix of untidiness. Clayton?
Yes. That s right.
She stood up the rest of the way and backed against her chair.
What in the world are you doing here?
I came to take care of some old business involving you. I m
settling a score.
Her sudden panicked look satisfied him. I don t know what
you re talking about. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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