She unfurled her legs and moved just a little closer to him. She couldn’t make out what he’d just said. Breathlessly she responded. “What?”
Garrett hadn’t realized he’d moved closer too. Their lips were so close that they could feel the heat of the other’s breath on their skin.
Imani sucked her bottom lip in between her teeth. Garrett couldn’t help but follow the movement. Her eyes fluttered closed ready to be kissed.
The door flung open, and the two jumped away from each other as if they had been scalded.
It was Aaliyah. She smiled. “Oh. Sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt, but Mama was looking for you, Garrett.”
He nodded. “Okay. I’ll be right there.”
Aaliyah quickly went back into the house.
“Sorry. I didn’t . . .” Garrett began.
“Whatever you were about to say, if it starts with sorry, don’t.”
Garrett cleared his throat. “I’m doing my damnedest not to send you mixed signals and failing miserably.”
“Yes, you are.” She shrugged. “Maybe you should try to go with what you feel?”
“I’m in no position to start anything serious. As of this moment, I have a wife and son.”
“You said you filed for divorce.”
“I’m damaged goods.”
“Aren’t we all?”
Frustrated, he exhaled. “We should try being friends first.”
Imani wasn’t ready to give up on Garrett just yet. There was too much between them she wanted to explore. It was understandable that he didn’t want to start anything with everything going on in his life. If all he could handle was a friendship, she would be patient and try it. “Friends? Do you think we can really do that?”
“I hope so. I’d like to start by offering you a job.”
Imani shook her head vigorously. “I can’t accept that. You’ve already spent a fortune on my parents’ new appliances. Whatever imaginary debt you think you owe has been paid.”
“Don’t be proud. You need a job, and I’m offering you one.” Garrett took out his business card. “Here’s my office number and my personal ones are on the back. Call me when you get back to Chicago—for anything. I’m sure that I have a need for some with your interior design talents.”
Imani took the card. “You haven’t even seen my work?”
He shrugged. “I have faith in you.”
“This is nepotism, favoritism, and all the isms.”
His smile was mesmerizing. “It absolutely is. One of the best perks of being the boss.”
Unable to control himself, Garrett pulled Imani by the back of the head towards him and kissed her hard on the lips. “Call me as soon as you get back into town.”
“Friends kiss?”
“I couldn’t help it.”
“That might be a problem for you.” Imani stood. “I don’t have friends with benefits types of relationships, Mr. Hadley. As much as I want to be with you, I don’t plan on starting now.” Imani reached her hand out to his. “Your car is here, and my mother has summoned you. You better go see what she wants before you leave.”
Chapter 13
The reprieve Garrett had been given staying with Imani’s family was over. It was back to the real world and time to deal with his problems . . . and enemies.
A limo picked him up from the O’Hare airport. As soon as he slid into the car, Garrett called his son’s nanny to check on him. He couldn’t wait to get home to see him with his own eyes, but that would have to wait a few more hours.
Garrett instructed the driver to take him to his office. Then, made a phone call.
Arrogant and smug, Raymond answered on the second ring. “I guess you’ve finally come to a decision about my offer.”
Garrett ran his hand back and forth over the stubble on his chin. “You know what I find most interesting? Your complete amnesia about what I’m capable of.”
Loathing laced with defiance was evident in Raymond’s response. “No, I know exactly who you are, Garrett.”
“You couldn’t. Otherwise, you would already be preparing for the shit storm that’s about to rain down on you.”
This time it was Raymond who laughed out loud. “I’ve taken everything that’s ever mattered to you—your business, wife, and if you don’t cooperate, I’ll take your son.”
Garrett was ready. He’d prepared himself before his plane landed on the Chicago airstrip. Raymond’s words wouldn’t penetrate his armor. As a matter of fact, he welcomed his attempts. The upcoming fight thawed some of the numbness that started to settle inside of him.
Raymond’s weakness was that he had always played small ball. Always trying to be successful off the backs of others. It was too bad he wasn’t content with the cushy position Garrett had given him. If Raymond wanted to move up to the big leagues, so be it. He would crush him.
“That’s where you’ve miscalculated. However, I’ll be generous and tell you this—you’ve revealed yourself.” Garrett’s voice lowered to a menacing level. “That’s not good for you.”
“Are you Michael Corleone now? Am I supposed to squeal like a little bitch? Your threats don’t phase me. I’m holding all of the cards.”
“I only called to warn you.” Garrett looked at his watch. “I’ll be at the office within the next half hour.”
“I guess I’ll see you there.”
“No one would ever accuse you of being a smart man. If you were, you’d make sure you weren’t anywhere within a thousand feet of me. But more importantly, you would know you should be scared.”
Garrett disconnected. He still needed to make one last call. He dialed the number. “Hey, it’s me. Is everything all
