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Esme
“I apologize for the interruption, ma’am.”My private secretary pokes his head into my office as I’m reviewing a speech I’ll be giving this evening at a charity dinner benefiting cancer research initiatives that Jameson Gates asked me to attend.
I never thought I’d reach the point that I’d do Jameson Gates any favors.
But the more I’ve spoken to him over the past few weeks, the more worn out he seems with the weight of everything, the more I realize I’d allowed my imagination run away with me.Just like my father tried to tell me.
“I thought you’d already left for the day,” I tell Lieutenant Hawkins.
“I just had a few things to finish up.I’m leaving now.I do have Captain Lawson on the line for you.You’d asked him to check in when he arrived in the States?”
“Of course.”I smile, ignoring the fluttering in my stomach over the prospect of talking to Creed.
I hadn’t asked Creed to check in, but if this is a way for us to talk while he’s overseas with Anders, I’ll happily lie.
“Thank you, Thomas.Enjoy your evening.”
“You, too, ma’am.”
I watch him retreat from my office.Once he closes the door behind him, I pick up the receiver.
“This is Esme,” I say, keeping things professional in case I clicked on the wrong line.
“Your Highness,” Creed responds with a seductive lilt.
“Captain.”I lean further into my chair, kicking my feet up onto my desk.Hearing Creed’s voice as I sit in this office brings back memories of our secret affair all those years ago.All the times he visited me under the pretense of planning a baby shower for Rory.All the ways he made my body come alive.All the things he made me feel.
They’re still some of my fondest memories, despite how it ended.
And I can’t wait to make even more memories with him soon.
“It’s my understanding I asked you to check in with me once you arrived in America.”My voice oozes with sarcasm.“I don’t recall making that request.Are you sure you’re not confusing me with some other girl?”
A raspy chuckle sounds on the line, making those flutters in my stomach increase even more.It’s just a laugh, but the deep rumble does things to me.
Hits me in places I didn’t think existed.
“Trust me, princess.I could never confuse you with someone else.You’re one of a kind.At least in my eyes.”
I sigh, basking in his words.It feels like it’s been forever since we’ve been able to share a moment like this.I suppose that’s the good thing about him being in the States.It’s easier for him to reach out without raising suspicion.
“Okay then.Go ahead.”
“Go ahead?”he asks.
“Yes.How were your travels?”
“Great.”
“Pretty sure this conversation could have taken place over email.”
“Then I wouldn’t have been able to hear your voice.Or tell you to go check your gym bag.”
“My gym bag?”
“I left you a present in it this morning.”
I can hear the smile in his voice.Can picture the sensual smirk pulling on his lips.Can feel his eyes raking over my body as if he were in the room with me.
