kidding. They bore me to tears. ”
In the limo on the way home, Cray said, “ Did that fellow you were talking to tell you a dirty joke? I heard you laugh the way you did Friday night when it caught my attention. ”
She giggled and said, “ He asked me my intentions toward you and yours toward me. I told him how much I care. He asked then if you can provide for me and that's when I lost it. I told him you'd drape me in diamonds if that's what I wanted, but it's not. He's happy for me, for us, I guess, but at one time he wanted to date me. I never succumbed. He's a dear friend and that's all. ”
He cupped her face and kissed her. “ Are we going home and there will be no more disturbances for the rest of the night? ”
“ Hey, I wanted to leave at eight like we discussed. You're the one who couldn't tear yourself away from my countrymen and ladies. ”
“ Guilty as charged. I didn't realize how late it had gotten. You're not going to punish me by going right to sleep are you? ”
She faked a yawn and said, “ It won't be intentional if it happens, darling. ”
“ I am going to make love to you and I'd prefer you be awake while it's happening. ”
She laughed. “ That depends on how exciting you make it for me, darling. ”
He chuckled and said, “ You're making me nervous and when I get nervous I cry. ”
Chapter 6
Five minutes later they stepped off the private elevator to the penthouse foyer. Cray embraced her in a kiss that had them both panting until someone cleared their throat from the living room. They broke apart.
Cray stared at his sister sitting on the sofa and said, “ What the hell, Mona? ”
“ Don't fuck with me, Cray. If you'd answer your damn phone, I wouldn't have to traipse over here to see if you're dead or dying. I'm doing my sisterly duty. ” She smiled, stood, walked toward Angelica and said, “ You must be Angelica. I'm this cretin's sister. He told me you like dirty jokes. I have a slew of them. Want to hear some of them now? ” They shook hands and grinned at each other.
“ Hell, no, she doesn't want to listen to filthy jokes now, ” Cray said.
Angelica said, “ I might, but the cretin has other things on his mind right now. ”
“ Cool your jets, cretin Cray, ” Mona said, “ and get us a beer. ”
“ Mona, I want you out of here and I'm not giving you a beer. One won't be enough and you'll stay for hours. ”
“ Tell me why you didn't call me or answer your phone. ”
He sighed. “ We were at a reception at the Norwegian Consulate General. I had my phone on vibrate. I checked it, saw it was you and figured I didn't need to engage in an inane conversation with you. ”
“ Inane? ” she said in a loud voice. “ I happen to have an important message for you, but since I only engage in inane conversations with you, forget it. ”
“ Now, now children, ” Angelica said and grinned.
“ Yes, inane, ” Cray said. “ You called me yesterday morning and this morning to discuss nothing of importance. ”
“ The CEO and owner of Grayson Mills called an emergency meeting of the board this afternoon and they nixed our buyout offer, ” Mona said.
“ Why didn't you tell me this? ”
“ What in the fuck do you think I've been trying to do? ”
“ Watch your language, Mona. ”
“ Stuff it, Cray. You drop the F bomb every other word when you're upset at work. ”
“ This isn't work. Do they want more money? ”
“ So much for this isn't work, ”
Rebecca Hamilton, Conner Kressley