“Damn, I haven’t taken a train during rush hour in years. This sucks.”
“Spoiled,” Bailey murmured. “Guess you won’t like it if I get squashed up against you,hmmm?” I had no chance to answer, and he put his hand on my ass, and my eyes widened.
“What’re you doing?” I hissed.
With a face as innocent as a baby’s, Bailey replied, “Giving you something to think about during the day. You know, so you don’t forget me.”
From 72nd Street to 42nd, Bailey teased me with his hands, and it was an effort to control myself. When the train slowed into Times Square, I faced him, attempting a glare but failing because I was too damn worked up from having Bailey’s hands on me. “I’ll see you later. You’re gonna pay for this.”
“I’ll be waiting. See you tonight.” He winked, and I couldn’t help myself. I grabbed him and planted a kiss on his laughing mouth, then escaped with the crowd onto the platform. The walk through the tunnel to take the shuttle to the East Side gave me a chance to cool off, yet I continued to think about Bailey.
Why him and not any other guy I’d been with throughout the years? Yeah, the sex was incredible, but from that first night I spotted him at the club, with those laughing eyes and smart-aleck mouth, he’d planted himself in my head and I couldn’t stop thinking about him. My phone buzzed again, and it was Grady.
Call me later. You still haven’t told me the whole story of what happened between you and Bailey.
I hesitated, still cringing at the thought of revealing my innermost emotions, but I’d learned to trust Grady and he’d yet to let me down.
K
Seeing the shuttle pull in, I hustled to the platform. Maybe it would be a good thing to talk to Grady about what I had going on with Bailey. He’d understand. Hopefully.
Because I sure as hell didn’t.
Chapter Twenty
Bailey
I was whistling when I walked into the office, and Lincoln raised his immaculately groomed brows.
“Well, well, someone had a good night.”
I waggled my brows but said nothing and set my coffee on the desk. “Any calls?”
Lincoln followed me. “Your mother. Twice. Dr. Engle wants to talk to you as soon as possible. Madeline Abruzzi has a question about her workers’-comp claim.” He checked his pad. “And Patrick Reilly got arrested early this morning for trying to hold up a bodega.”
“Jesus. Is that all?” I’d hoped to have a few minutes to sit and savor what was growing between Keston and me.
Plus, I wanted to look into the case of his coworker’s brother. While the guy sounded like pond scum, if he didn’t get a fair trial, that wasn’t right either. But he’d have to take his place in line, which was in front of my mother but behind my paying clients.
“The city never sleeps.” Lincoln cackled and handed me the messages. “I sent the files to you for all the callers so you can go through them before returning their calls.”
God, I’d be up shit creek without Lincoln. “Thank you, my savior. Lunch is on me today.”
“Ooh. I was feeling like sushi. Maybe Nobu?”
“More like No-you. But Sugar Fish is good too.”
Lincoln gave me the thumbs-up, and I answered my ringing phone. “Bailey Marks.”
“It’s Grady.”
“Oh, hey. Sorry I didn’t get a chance to call you yet. How’d the rest of the weekend go?” Multitasking, I tucked the phone under my ear, reached for my coffee with one hand, and clicked to open the first file Lincoln had sent. “I’m really sorry I had to run out on you all. I felt terrible. Please give Lauren my apologies.”
It was the truth. I liked Grady—the times we’d spent talking, he’d listened. He was smart as hell, fun to be with, and a little more open than his brother.
“We had a great time, but you were missed.” He paused. “As was my brother. Everything okay with you? We were all concerned, and when I didn’t hear from you, I almost came by your office yesterday. The last thing Lauren said to me as I left this morning was to check up on you and make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m good.” I chewed my lip. “I received a call from my sister—half sister, actually—and I thought she was in trouble. Turns out it was a misunderstanding. She’s fine.”
