Precious Stones by Darrien Lee Read Free Book Online Page B

can’t meet those terms, we need to keep searching. Okay?”
    â€œWhatever you say,” Barry replied.
    â€œWe want to try and have this settled by the first of the year, so do whatever you have to do to make it happen, but make sure he understands that we have no problem walking away from this deal.”
    â€œYou got it. Consider it done.”
    Keilah stood, picked up her leather planner, and said, “Thank you, Barry. Keep us posted.”
    â€œWill do.”
    Ramsey disconnected the call and turned to his office managers, who were taking notes from the meeting. “We’re really going to need you guys to help us as we go through this transition. Things are going to start moving fast around here, and there’s going to be some days that you have to fly to Atlanta to assist with the staffing. Are you up for the challenge?”
    Both of them happily accepted their bosses’ offer.
    â€œGreat!” he replied as they all stood and exited the conference room.
    As they walked down the hallway together, Ramsey took Keilah by the arm and guided her toward his office. “I need to see you for a second.”
    She entered his office and waited for him to close the door behind them. She sat her planner on his desk and turned to him. “What’s up?”
    He walked over to her, then stared into her beautiful brown eyes. “Answer me truthfully. Are you okay?”
    She covered her face with her hands and said, “Not really. I was so distracted in the meeting. I’m sorry.”
    He hugged her and asked, “It’s my fault, isn’t it?”
    â€œIt’s just that you drive me crazy when you touch me like you did earlier.”
    He smiled and said, “You’re so damn irresistible, you make it hard for me to keep my hands to myself no matter where we are.”
    Keilah looked up into his eyes and said, “The feeling’s mutual.”
    He released her and walked around his desk and sat down. “Why don’t you cut out early? It’ll give you the chance to spend some one-on-one time with your brother.”
    She picked up her planner and said, “I think I will. Maybe I was a little hard on him for showing up without calling. I just feel like all my brothers have moments where they treat me like I’m still sixteen.”
    Ramsey picked up the telephone and dialed a number and said, “If that’s how you feel, then fix it. You’re their only sister, and they love you. Go ahead. Get out of here. I’ll see you when I get home.”
    She blew him a kiss and said, “Thank you, baby.”
    â€œYou’re welcome. Just give me a courtesy call when you get home so I’ll know you made it home safely.”
    â€œI will,” she said before exiting his office.
    Keilah felt a little guilty about leaving the office early. Then again, she was the boss and had that luxury, especially when husband practically ordered her to leave. After all, it was his fault she was in this emotional state, anyway, so she made her way to her office, gave her assistant a few instructions, and then grabbed her purse and left. Once she got in her car, she picked up the phone and dialed her brother’s number.
    â€œHello?”
    â€œMalachi, I’m headed home. What kind of progress have you made today with your assignments?”
    â€œI see you have jokes.”
    Keilah giggled.
    Malachi looked around and said, “Since you asked, I have completed everything, so I’m good. Why are you checking up on me?”
    â€œI’m not checking on you, Malachi. I got off work early and wanted to know if you wanted to hang out.”
    He opened the door so the carpet cleaners could load up their equipment.
    â€œWhat do you have in mind? I’m up for anything.”
    â€œDo you want to grab some lunch?”
    â€œSounds good,” he answered as he rubbed his growling stomach. “I am starving.”
    â€œGreat.