The publisher

Chapter 3

I find myself stuck in place after the words Scott just said. I turn to leave, but I stop and face Scott again. “Why do you like me?” I ask, raising an eyebrow. ” I find you passionate about life and people, and you are honest, don’t take s**t from anyone, and I also find you very attractive.” He says, grinning, he never takes his eyes off me.

“Well, Scott, that is winning you some points,” I say, laughing. He gives me a big smile, and I open the door walking out. I walk to Megan’s office, opening the door, and find it empty. I move my things from my desk to Megan’s office, which is now mine.

I finished organizing my office. I’m crouched down on the floor putting some papers in a file cabinet when I hear the door open I look over the desk, but no one is there. I shrug and go back to filing the papers, and a hand touches my back, and I jump, turning around to see Grace standing there.

“Hey, Grace, You startled me,” I tell her, smiling. She laughs, “Sorry, I wanted to see you.” “That’s so sweet. you want to help me put these papers away?” handing Grace some. “Yes,” she says excitedly. We put the files away together; then we sit on the floor reading a book. She sits in my lap, mesmerized by it.

Grace and I sit on the floor for what seems like forever when the door opens. “Grace!” Scott calls. ” Right here, daddy,” Grace yells back. He walks around my desk to see Grace cuddled in my lap, looking at the pictures in the book. “I’m sorry, Scott I should have told you she was in here with me,” I say, giving him a forgive me look. He smirks, “You don’t have to be sorry, has she been here for a while?” “Yeah, she helped me put some files away, then we have been here reading since,” I laugh. “Grace, we need to head home for dinner,” Scott looks to her, holding out his hand. ” Daddy, can Clara come with us?” She asks. “That is up to her, Sweetie,” He says, looking at me.

I look to Grace. I kneel to be level to her. “Grace, I’m sorry I promised a friend I would meet up tonight, but maybe tomorrow after work, if your dad doesn’t mind, we could go to the park. Would that be okay?” I tell her, holding her hand. “YES!! I can’t wait, please daddy, can I go?” She looks at him with puppy dog eyes. He smiles then looks at me. “Of course, sweetie,” He declares. Grace jumps up and down in excitement then wraps her arms around me. ” I’ll see you tomorrow Clara,” She says, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “Goodnight, Grace,” I say. not able to stop the smile from forming.

Grace, can you take a seat at the desk outside please” Scott asks her. “Okay, daddy,” She answers, opening the door, walking out. “I’m sorry I should have asked first, but I didn’t want to see her sad,” I explain. Scott doesn’t say anything. He grabs me by the nape of my neck, pushing me to the wall locking his soft lips to mine his tongue brushes against my lips, and I open them to let him enter. Scott takes both his hands to cup my face to make the kiss more passionate. He breaks the kiss we both breathe heavy, looking into each other’s eyes. “Clara, nothing is sexier than a woman that can accept my daughter. If Grace weren’t here, I would have taken you right here on this desk. He says in a seductive voice—my breath hitches.

Scott rubs his finger across my lower lip ” Goodnight, Clara,” He whispers, then turning to walk out, stopping as he is about to close the door giving me one last look. Then disappears behind the closed door. I trace my lips missing his connected to mine. My body tells me to run after him, but my mind tells me to stay put.

I grab my things heading down the elevator walking through security then exiting the building walking in the fresh night air of New York.

I met Lydia at a burger shop down the street from my place. I walk in, looking around, spotting her in the back of the restaurant in a corner booth. “Hey, girl!” I say, taking a seat across from her. “Clara!” She says, smiling. “So, what happened to you last night?” Lydia questions. “I caught Megan trying to steal Scott’s biggest client,” I tell her. “No way!” She says with shock. “Yeah, Scott fired his sister today and made me editor,” I say, smiling. “OMG CONGRATS!!” Lydia squeals. She moves to my seat to hug me. “Scott also kissed me” I looked at her cautiously. “What!? you made out with your boss?” She says with surprise. ” He kissed me, not the other way around,” I tell Lydia Laughing. She starts laughing and elbows me. We talk and laugh for several hours before we say our goodbyes and go our separate ways.

I walk in the door to my apartment, laying my things on the counter. When my phone rings, I slide to answer, “Hello?” I say.

“Hey, Clara!” My brother Oliver says. “How have you been? I miss you when you come home?” I question. it’s been over a year since his deployment. “Why don’t you open your door to find out,” Oli says, laughing. “WHAT!!??” I squeal running to open my door to find him standing there in his uniform. I jump in his arms, he catches me, and we both cry. “I can’t believe your home,” I say with excitement. He lets me down “Come in, We have so much to catch up on” I drag him inside by his hand.

We sat on the sofa, talking for hours until I noticed the time. “Oh, Oli, I have to work at Six. I need to get to bed. You can stay here. I’ll set up the couch.” I tell him, grabbing some sheets and blankets from a nearby cabinet. I fix the couch, and he lays down. “Goodnight, Oli,” I whisper as he has already fallen asleep.

I wake up making some coffee for Oli when he gets up, and I get ready for work. I put on my makeup and pull on a white blouse and a high waisted skirt that fits my curves. I slip on my tan stilettos. And I grab my keys, looking over the couch to see Oli still asleep. I don’t wake him and walk out the door.

I step into the coffee shop, finding it packed as usual, but Luke waves me over to the side. “Morning, Luke!” I say friendly. “Good morning Clara. I have your coffee ready. I didn’t want you to have to wait in line,” he says, smiling. “Aw Thanks, Luke, that’s so sweet!” I tell him, handing him cash. “Keep the rest for you,” I say as I walk away waving.

I make it to my office building, opening the door to see Phil scanning someone with a security wand. “PHIL!!” I shout, running up to him, wrapping my arms around him. “Clara, thank you so much for making sure I got my job back. I don’t know how you did it, but Mr. Lawson gave me full benefits and vacation time plus a raise.” He squeezes my hand smiling. Thank you, Clara!” He says almost with tears. “Of course, Phil, tell the kids and Claudia I say hello,” I tell him, walking for the elevator. Once I’m on the 34th floor, I rush for Scott’s office.

I open his door, and he stands there with some papers in his hand, and I run to him, jumping into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist, and planting a deep kiss to his soft lips. We pull away, and he looks at me with fiery eyes. Before I can say thank you, I hear someone clear their throat, and I turn to look, seeing a woman in the corner she looks pissed.

“Who is this, Scott?” The woman says, frowning.

I look back at Scott with wide eyes. He puts me down. “I’m so sorry,” I say, straightening my clothes to leave when he grabs my hand, stopping me. I turn back to him, “Clara, don’t go,” He pleads. I look at the woman again, confused. “I’m Natalie, Scott’s wife”...