Playing Dirty: Windy City Kink, Book 3 Read Online Free Page B

it.”
    Raff lifted his chin, but he trusted Paul. The guy had nerves of titanium, thank fuck, because Raff had gone through half a dozen VPs of Construction who couldn’t handle the pressure. Paul’s expertise in construction scheduling had kept them from ever missing a completion date under his oversight. “Good,” he said.
    Moments into the meeting his cell phone rang. A glance at the screen told him it was Jaworski. “Excuse me,” he said to Paul and Ravi. “I need to take this call.” He answered the phone. “Lauden.”
    “Mr. Lauden, I just spoke to Paige Nelson.”
    “Okay good.”
    “I told her that the other clients had unfortunately taken the spot in the Stennis Building, but we happened to have something else that would appear to meet her needs for the same price. She seemed taken aback but was interested in seeing it. I told her it would take a week to get some minor repairs done but I would take her to see it next week.”
    “I’m showing it to her.”
    Jaworski’s pause was barely perceptible. “Okay.”
    “Send me her contact information and let me know as soon as the space is ready to view.”
    “I will.”
    “Did she say anything else?”
    “Uh. Not really. I mean, I gave her the specs of the unit and we talked about developing it to meet her needs. That’s once we’ve gotten it cleaned up for her.”
    “Okay. Thanks, Brad. Keep me posted.”
    “I will.”
    Raff knew she’d gotten the delivery he’d arranged yesterday. He’d almost thought she would say something to Brad about it, since he wasn’t even sure she knew who he was.
    He refocused on the business meeting. As Paul and Ravi left his office shortly after ten, Mark walked in carrying a big box.
    Raff frowned at it, recognizing it immediately. “Where the fuck did that come from?”
    Mark’s forehead creased. “It was just dropped off at the security desk in the lobby, with your name on it. Do you know what it is?”
    “Yeah, I know. Fuck.”
    “What do you need me to do?”
    “Nothing. I mean, cancel my next meeting. Where’s my lunch appointment?”
    “Concetta’s at noon.”
    “I have to go out. You can set that parcel on the table.”
    “Sure thing.”
    Raff wanted to growl as he grabbed his coat, scarf and gloves, then hauled up the box he’d sent to Paige Nelson yesterday. Clearly she did know who he was or had figured it out.
    He rode the elevator to the underground parking garage and tossed the box into the passenger seat of his Bentley, parked conveniently near the elevator. Then he roared out, the concrete walls and floors echoing the rumble of the turbocharged engine.
    His near-photographic memory called up the address Paige had given him yesterday. Even if she hadn’t mentioned it, he could’ve gotten it easily from Jaworski.
    It didn’t take him long to get there. He parked in a loading zone on the narrow street lined with turn-of-the-century warehouse buildings.
    He grabbed the parcel and strode up the cracked and icy sidewalk to the building with her number on it. Jesus fuck, this was not a great neighborhood. He was pretty sure that was a drug deal going down farther up the street. A growl rose in his throat as he located her unit. The door was locked.
    Well thank fuck for that. He lifted a hand and laid a series of heavy raps on the door.
    It opened seconds later. He looked at an attractive, young African-American woman standing there, one hand on the door. A mass of dark curls framed her face. Her full lips pursed and eyebrows rose quizzically.
    “Paige Nelson,” he said. “She here?”
    “Yes.” The girl glanced over her shoulder. Then Paige appeared. Her eyes went wide as she took him in.
    Christ, she was sweet. Today she was dressed in jeans—low-rise skinny jeans—black, knee-high boots and a black turtleneck that emphasized the creamy ivory of her skin and the pale gold of her hair.
    “Mr. Lauden,” she said, crossing her arms. “What are you doing here?”
    For some reason, his