Because of His Heart (For His Pleasure, Book 27) Read Free

purse.
    She’d purposely brought her biggest bag in order to fit the files, and it worked.
    As she made her way out of the suite, Grace stopped for a moment and looked around at the carpet, the furniture, the little kitchenette, her old desk.
    Tears threatened, but then they never quite came.
    Progress, Grace decided.
    She left the office and made her way outside, then walked until she was able to flag down a cab to take her to the hospital.

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    G race entered the room slowly , feeling some nervousness. After all, she knew Kennedy had never even liked her, and Easton had only just come around to being a little bit nicer to her very recently.
    But the moment Grace walked inside holding her flowers out like a shield (she’d bought the bouquet at a shop just a block away from the hospital), Easton was greeting her warmly, taking the flowers and thanking her profusely.
    She couldn’t get over how different Easton seemed now. He was wearing a sweater and jeans, and he had a five o’clock shadow. But he was smiling and his eyes were filled with happiness.
    “I’m so happy for the both of you!” Grace said, turning her attention to Kennedy, who was lying in her hospital bed, holding the newborn close to her chest and looking very relaxed.
    Kennedy smiled. “Thanks for coming on short notice,” she said, softly stroking her baby’s cheek.
    The baby made a gurgling noise and then fell silent.
    “He’s tired,” Easton explained. “Long night.”
    Grace laughed a little. “He’s been working hard, hasn’t he?”
    “Just like his father,” Kennedy chuckled. She gave Easton a glance and he took her hand.
    “Anyway,” Grace said, not wanting to ruin their private family time. “I brought those files. They’re in my purse.”
    She rustled around inside her bag and then pulled out the folders and handed them over to Easton, who glanced inside the folders and nodded.
    “Thanks again,” he sighed. “You have no idea how much it helps.”
    “It’s the least I could do,” Grace said.
    Kennedy looked again at Easton, and seemed to clear her throat in a rather purposeful manner, as if hinting at something.
    She probably wants me to get the hell out of the room as fast as possible.
    But as Grace was about to say goodbye, Easton scratched his cheek and began talking. “Grace, I know this might be a little bit out of left field…but…Red and I were meeting recently, and your name came up.”
    Grace waited, her brow furrowing. “Okay…”
    “Thing is, we still need to find me a good assistant. And I’ve been interviewing people and we’ve tried a few temps, but you’re still the first person that came to both our minds.”
    “Me?” Grace said, shocked. She looked at Kennedy, who was smiling proudly, as if she too had thought it was a great idea.
    Easton looked at her. “I promise things will be different this time. Better.” His eyes were slightly pained. “I know we—I know I treated you terribly and you went through hell with…well…everything.”
    Grace shook her head. “It wasn’t your fault. I—I don’t know what to say.”
    Part of her was in shock, another part just felt grateful they’d even have considered hiring her back after everything that had gone on.
    “We can give you a raise,” Easton said. “And opportunities to move up in the organization, take on more responsibilities.”
    “You should really consider it,” Kennedy told her. “You deserve a chance, Grace.”
    “I’m just honored,” Grace said, feeling the tears and trying to hold it all in.
    “Don’t be sad for God’s sake,” Easton said. He seemed unsure of what to do next, as Grace was crying in the middle of their room. “It’s supposed to be a good thing.”
    “It is a good thing,” Grace said. “I’m just happy. I know it doesn’t seem like it,” she laughed through her tears.
    “No, it really doesn’t,” Easton remarked, a little taken aback.
    “But I am,” she sighed, nodding. She looked at