Page 53 of Masked

Gage grinned. “You got it darlin’. Now, since I can tell you’re wishing a hole would swallow you up, we can talk about our project instead of your love life.”

She wiped a hand over her forehead. “Oh, thank God. I’m really excited about what you’re trying to do here.”

Chapter 13

Noah

Noahstoodinfrontof Parker’s front door and debated the pros and cons of knocking. Confronting his son about harassing Reva was asking for trouble. Especially since Parker already suspected he was seeing Reva.

But he didn’t like seeing her so uncomfortable. And he didn’t like that Parker seemed to have trouble taking no for an answer. Perhaps calling him for a meeting would be better than ambushing him. As he turned to head back to his car, a woman stepped out of the elevator.

Monica Parrish.

“Dr. Jasper. What a pleasant surprise. You here to see Parker?” she asked as she reached out to touch his shoulder.

Noah shook his head and stepped away from her touch. “Not today, Ms. Parrish. He’s all yours.”

At least he knew Parker wasn’t actually interested in winning Reva back. Or if he was, he needed some lessons in how to treat a woman.

A glance at his watch told him he still had an hour before Reva got off work. His work in Canada wrapped up earlier than he expected, so he got into town at lunch time and found himself at Parker’s a few hours later.

Instead of confronting his son, he decided to pick up dinner and buy something pretty for Reva before heading to the apartment to wait for her arrival.

The contract allowed her to ask for privacy, but unless she asked for a night alone, he could enter the apartment any time he wanted. But he would rarely take advantage of that clause. She was a PhD candidate working on her dissertation, was teaching part time, and now worked part time for the ACSL. A job that would turn full time when her coursework was done, and she was in the final stages of her dissertation.

Sleep was important and he would see that she got enough by staying away most nights or at least going home when they were finished spending time together because if he stayed, he wouldn’t be able to keep his hands to himself.

But tonight was the first night she was truly his. He planned to take advantage of it. They only had thirty days.

When he got to her apartment, he looked around and smiled. It was nice seeing her personal little touches around the space that made it clear she was living there.

He put the flowers on the counter and began pulling out dinner. Reva already knew to come straight home after work. They would talk, sign the contract, and enjoy a celebratory dinner before he claimed her body in every room of the house.

She walked in twenty minutes later looking exhausted, and he almost changed his plans and sent her straight to bed.

But she stopped him in his tracks when she kicked off her shoes and pulled her blouse over her head.

Thirty seconds later, she was naked and kneeling the way he’d outlined in the contract. She wanted this as much as he did.

“Good girl,” he praised as he made his way to her and crouched down beside her, stroking a hand through her hair.

“How was work?”

She lifted her lips in a half smile. “It was long. And I had class with my least favorite professor. I will be so glad when I’m done with classes and can focus on my dissertation.”

“How much longer until you get there?”

“This should be my last semester of classes. Then it’s all research and no coursework.”

“That’s excellent. When did you last eat?”

She dropped her eyes, and he shook his head. “Tell me the truth, Reva.”

“Breakfast on my way to work.”

“And that breakfast was?”

She sighed. “A coffee and a granola bar.”

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