Reporters she kind of understood but lawn mowers? She thought all men loved lawn mowers. “Lawn mowers?”
“Don’t ask.” Cady gave her a look. “And I know I have to talk to him. It’s just that I’m not sure whether he even wants this child or not.”
“The two of you haven’t spoken about kids before?” Seemed like a conversation they should have had by now.
“Yeah, sort of. But it was always in the future, you know? Not now.”
Yes, she knew. Lacey had always thought she had plenty of time for a family. She’d put her career first and now at thirty-five, she didn’t hold out much hope for children.
“I get it. But you aren’t going to get anything solved if you’re both in denial. Talk to him. Hunter doesn’t seem the type of man to go silent on something for no reason. I’m sure it won’t be as bad as you’re imagining.”
Cady sighed. “Yeah, I guess. Still can’t believe he said ‘yes dear’ to me. Strangest thing I’ve ever heard coming from his lips, and I’ve heard his spiel over his hatred of lawn mowers so often I can recite it. Again, don’t ask.”
She wasn’t going to.
“By the way, if you want to keep this thing with Gray quiet, I get it. But you can’t keep anything a secret for long.”
She bit her lip worriedly. “It won’t get in the way of my job.”
Cady grinned. “If it doesn’t then you’re doing something wrong. I’m not worried about your job performance, you’re a professional. I like you, Lacey, but Gray is like family. Don’t hurt him.”
Lacey swallowed. Great, so if things didn’t work out she’d be out of a job and a friend. If they broke up she could hardly stay on at Black-Gray. Seeing him every day would be a special kind of torture.
God, listen to her. They’d barely started anything and already she was imagining them over.
“But for what it’s worth, I think you’re good for him. Women flock to Gray everywhere he goes, but none of them really care about him. You’re different. Plus, I like you and some of those other bitches really annoy the shit out of me.”
And she was back to her usual self.
***
Lacey stretched her arms up with a yawn. She’d been typing up notes and she could feel the ache of hunching over her desk in her neck and arms. But she’d gotten everything she wanted finished for the week, and now her weekend could begin.
Another weekend with Gray. She felt a small thrill at the thought. A month had passed since that night at The Twisted Thorn and Gray had been true to his word. They’d gone out on dates, they’d kissed, and there had been some touching. But nothing more. No sex, no orgasms, no play.
She was so aroused she was surprised she hadn’t worn out her vibrator.
Thinking about Gray binding her with the ropes got her hot quicker than anything else. The idea of submitting to him, of letting him take control was all she could think about. Fantasize about.
She just needed to take that final step. To fully trust him. If she never tried, she’d always wonder. Always think about what could have been.
She glanced at the time. He’d probably already left for home by now, but she’d check his office on her way out. After grabbing her stuff, she shut her door and made her way down to Gray’s office. She could hear his voice as she drew closer and paused outside, unsure whether to wait or give him some privacy.
“No, mother . . . yes . . . sure. Okay.” There was frustration in his voice as he spoke, and she tried to slip away down the passage, certain he wouldn’t want her listening in on his conversation.
“Okay . . . yes, mother. Goodbye.” There was a loud sigh of frustration and she hesitated. Should she leave and pretend she was never here? Or go in and offer him . . . what? A sympathetic ear? She didn’t really know what he was going through, the last time her had mother called her was just after she’d graduated high school. And most of the conversation had been dominated by her stories about Alison and Robert, her stepkids.
But he sounded like he could use someone to talk to, and she wanted to be there for him. So she took a deep breath and stepped forward, knocking quietly on his open door.
He raised his head, looking tired and a little defeated. “Lacey?” He glanced at his watch with a small frown. “What are you still doing here, it’s getting late.”
“I wanted to talk to you. Plus, I was finishing up some notes.”
“Oh, right.” He pinched the top of his nose. “Sorry, I’m not the best company at the moment.”
She needed to come clean. “It’s okay. I didn’t mean to listen in, but I heard a little of your conversation.”
He barked out a humorless laugh. “Don’t worry, you wouldn’t have heard any state secrets. Just me mentally strangling my mother, who is in a state of panic over Rory.”