“Get serious, Jodi. This is about your grandaddy,” I murmured at the same time I turned into the parking lot of LS Investigations.
The building appeared as if it could pass for one of those box gyms that the cross-fitters worked out at. Except this didn’t look like someone’s old revamped garage. The dark grey and black building was sleek in design and modern. The windows gave unobstructed views into the lobby but not much else of the building. As if it were designed to make you believe you were seeing everything that was going on inside, without actually letting you see anything.
As I strolled closer, I wondered if Micah owned the building or rented it out for his company’s needs. Then, I shook my head, reminding myself that sort of thing was none of my damn business.
As soon as I pulled the door open, Leona looked up from her desk. Her smile was slow and almost appeared as if it hid some secret or mirth.
“Good morning, Ms. Taylor,” she greeted as I approached.
“Good morning. Please, call me Jodi.”
She didn’t get a chance to answer before I heard a whining sound. A second later, Hound stepped out from behind her desk, moving closer as if to greet me himself. He whimpered a little before stopping a few inches away from me and sitting on his hind legs, waiting to be pet.
Reaching out, I rubbed his head and scratched behind his ear as he tilted his head, savoring the petting.
“Hmm.”
I glanced up to find Leona giving me a funny look, her gaze shifting between Hound and me. I started to question her about it, but that’s when I felt Micah’s presence. My body sensed he was there before I even laid eyes on him. It wasn’t the way Hound stood up at attention either, or the way Leona cocked her head to the side to look over at him. It was the way the goosebumps on my arms sprang up out of nowhere, and the way the air seemed to vibrate with a new energy.
All of that happened from him rounding the corner into the lobby.
Our gazes connected, and I let out a breath that was akin to a sigh. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell my body to fucking relax. He was only a man. But then, he widened his lips into a grin that I interpreted as happy to see me, and there was that giddy feeling again.
“Good morning.”
Had his voice gotten deeper overnight?
“Good morning.”
“I would’ve been out to meet you sooner, but I got entangled in a phone meeting with a client that went longer than expected.” He moved closer, placing his hand at the small of my back, guiding me in the direction of his office.
Luckily, I had enough common sense that morning not to wear another crop top, even though the weather was expected to get into the eighties later that afternoon. Outside was hot enough, but Micah’s hand on my bare skin would’ve sent my body temperature to scorching levels. That was the last thing I needed.
“I’m actually a few minutes early,” I stated, glancing up at the clock to see it read 8:55.
Micah didn’t respond. He simply kept moving in the direction of his office, with his hand at my waist, leading me to follow.
I heard Hound’s footsteps behind us.
“How’d you sleep last night?”
I lifted my eyebrows, surprised by the question, but the look on his face indicated that he was sincere.
“Fine. You?”
Inhaling deeply, he stared at me. We sat on the couch in his office instead of across from one another at his desk.
“Not as well as I would’ve liked.” He let his eyes travel down the length of my body. His expression revealed as much as his comment.
Ditto, I thought, but bit my tongue.
“Do you have any plans next Thursday evening?”
I frowned, thinking about the following week. “Not that I’m aware of.” It wasn’t like I had a social life there in Harlington.
He nodded. “Now, you do.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Do I?” I cocked my head to the side, my attitude increasing at being told instead of asked.
