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I noticed that her voice sounded somewhat scratchy and low, as though she was exhausted and hadn’t gotten any sleep.
“I didn’t come for an appointment.”
Her eyes pleaded with me not to say anything more, and I wouldn’t say anything in front of her receptionist that was liable to get her in trouble. But I was saved from saying anything the moment that Jude spoke up.
“Oh, he’s with me. Cas and I are good friends, and we were together finishing a deal when I got the call from your sister.”
“Oh,” Giselle mumbled as she broke her stare with me.
She looked as if we had interrupted her in the middle of something. There were shopping bags on the low coffee table in front of the couch that I normally occupied and on the floor.
“Thank you, Imani. Would you please lock up and forward all calls to voicemail? You may leave for the remainder of the day.”
“Are you sure?” Imani asked.
“I’m sure. I won’t be doing anything else here today or tomorrow. Thanks again for everything,” Giselle stated to Imani with a warm and grateful smile.
“Anytime. That’s what friends are for,” Imani replied before she backed out of the office and closed the door behind her.
“Dr. Champagne, was this a bad time for me to come?” Jude asked.
“No. Your timing is fine,” Giselle answered as she stood and wiped her hands down the front of her fitted fuchsia-colored slacks. “I was just going through some items and sorting things out is all.”
“I’m so sorry about the loss of your home and the damages that you incurred,” Jude expressed.
“Thank you.”
“JR, can we have a minute, please?” I asked.
I hadn’t taken my eyes off her since I stepped foot in her office, and I noticed that she had trouble keeping her eyes off me too.
“Yeah. I need to take a call anyway. I’ll be out in your lobby when you’re ready, Dr. Champagne,” Jude stated.
“That’s fine. Thank you,” Giselle replied softly.
I waited until he stepped out of the office and closed the door behind him.
I sat on the couch beside her and took her hands into mine.
“Giselle, I saw it on the news this morning, but I had no idea that it was you. I’m so sorry. Were you injured? Are you okay?” I asked, peering into her eyes.
She pulled her hands free from mine and broke down crying. I immediately reached out and pulled her into my arms. She fit so perfectly in them, and the warm brown sugar and coffee scent that emanated from her made me want to taste her.
Instead, I controlled my desires and just held her while rubbing her back softly. I let her get it all out because I suspected that she needed this. And it made me wonder again who she went to with her problems. Who was that shoulder that she could lean on in times of trouble?
After a couple of minutes, Giselle pulled back and apologized. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to break down on you that way. It’s just that it’s been so difficult, and it’s been such a long day.”
“Don’t apologize, love. This wasn’t your fault. I’m sure that you’ve had plenty of shit to deal with today. Anyone in your shoes would do the same, if not worse.”
She wiped her eyes, and I reached behind me to grab a tissue from a box that always sat on the corner table. I dabbed at her eyes and then stopped as I stared into them, and she stared into mine.
I didn’t know who moved first, me or her. I swear I didn’t. But I would look back on this moment later and realize that I had no regrets. My thumbs and fingers caressed her jawline, and our gazes remained locked until the moment that our lips touched.
Hers were soft and plump and smelled of peppermint. I wasn’t sure if it was the lip gloss that she wore or if it was something she ate, because her breath held that same fresh, sweet scent. I licked her lips, unable to resist the temptation. She tasted like peppermint too.
I nipped at her bottom lip, and she moaned underneath my touch. My dick grew hard and restless in my pants, but I willed it to calm down. Unfortunately, it stayed at attention, and I didn’t want to let go of the kiss. I didn’t want the moment to end. Shehad me feeling like a sophomore with a crush on the captain of the varsity cheerleading squad.
I pulled back. “My bad. I had no right to take advantage of you that way.”