Unexpected Chances

by A. M. Willard

“No one does. They think I give an idea to designers and let them do it.”

  “Why? Why don’t you take the credit for this?”

  “Long story, maybe another day. Huh?” He says with a shrug, as if it’s no big deal to not take credit for your work.

  “Come on, let me show you around and introduce you.”

  He places his and on the lower section of my back and guides me out of his office. We stop at the reception area where I was greeted.

  “Kelly, I’d like to introduce you to Tabitha Michaelson. Kelly here is my right-hand lady. She handles pretty much everything in the office for me,” Carter says, as I reach out and shake Kelly’s hand.

  “Nice to meet you, Kelly.”

  “Oh, the pleasure is all mine,” as she says this, I take a quick glance over to Carter. Has he said anything about me to her? I wonder.

  “Come on, let me show you the rest of the office.”

  I’d love to be able to stop and look at all the pictures on the wall, but will have to save that for another day. The office is small with just Carter and Kelly. He’s informed me that the board consists of members who bought into the company years ago.

  They are all in different offices around town and have their own companies. In short words he has investors to answer to. From the past I’ve learned that investors are worse than just board members sitting across a table from you.

  Investors want a detailed list of why they aren’t gaining capital.

  “We can grab a bite to eat now or after I show you the first location.”

  “After is fine. That way I can pick you apart over lunch.”

  “You don’t have to wait until lunch to do that,” Carter responds, as he picks up his keys.

  ****

  Carter

  Tabitha made my heart stop beating when I walked in my office and saw her looking at my artwork.

  She was admiring it as if she’s never seen anything like it. Standing in her designer dress and heels that I’ve become accustomed to seeing her in. Her hair is cascading down in soft curls.

  Breathless… That’s what Tabitha does to me.

  The shock on her face when she realized that I was the one who does most of the drawings and designs was; priceless.

  Neither Bethany nor my family cares for my work. They all feel that I wasted my time going to Washington State for my Engineering and Architecture degree. So seeing that look on her face today, it made me feel as if I was important, and my work mattered.

  Tabitha’s not just an investor who cares if I’m making them money or not, she could see behind each line and every curve in the design.

  After showing her the office, I lead her out into the parking garage and open the door for her to jump into my truck.

  It’s cute watching her try to hide her ass from me while climbing in.

  “You know we could have taken my rental car. This thing is outrageous,” she’s saying as I close the door and move around the front of the truck laughing.

  As I climb in she’s shooting daggers at me.

  “Buckle up, Tabby Cat.”

  “Tabby Cat?” She questions.

  “Umm… Yeah, I gave you a nickname,” I stutter around as I back the truck out and head out to the freeway.

  “I think we need to stick to our names, Carter. No giving nicknames or anything.”

  “Not changing it. It fits you and I like calling you that.”

  “How can you like calling me something that you just used?”

  “Oh, I use it. You might not be here when I do, but I use it.”

  “Gross, Carter,” she exclaims.

  “Not like that. Goodness you are feisty.”

  “You have no idea,” I hear her say, as she looks out towards the city.

  We sit in silence as we make our way to the first complex. My hope is to move past this type of setup and design for a few housing developments.

  Pulling into the parking space, I hear Tabitha, “This is something else.”

  “What were you expecting?”

  “Not this. Your website doesn’t do this place any justice.”

  “I’ll make a note of that. Come on let me show you the model home. Most of them are the same as this. The owners can choose paint, flooring and such, but the layouts are the same,” I explain, escorting her to the entryway.

  Opening the door, I allow Tabitha to enter first. I take her in as she looks around wide-eyed and surprised.

  “I’m confused,” she says walking into the kitchen.

  “Why is that?” I ask, leaning up against the center island and cross my arms and feet.

  “About why we are here. The place is beautiful and upscale. Why aren’t you getting the clients that you’re going after?”

  “Simple. I think it has to do with the way our marketing is planned out. Just as you said a little while ago, the pictures don’t do it justice.”

  “True, but I don’t know,” she says, as she moves about the room.

  It’s then that I know if she’d let me, I’d build a palace for her. She’s taking in every bit of detail as if she’s going to buy this place for herself.

  “What do you think?”

  “I love it. Do you do remodels?” She asks laughing.

  “I can do anything you need me to,” I say, which earns me another glare that I’ve become accustomed to now.

  Tabitha doesn’t realize that at this point I’d move a mountain to make her happy. Hell, I’m trying to move one huge ass one called Mount Bethany as we speak.

  Chapter Twenty

  Tabitha

  Carter stayed in the kitchen area while I continued to walk the space. I took in every last detail, and was in awe of every square inch.

  Upon entering the kitchen, I spot Carter still leaned up against the island. He’s staring down at something on his phone with a distressed look on his face. For someone as talented as he is, I’ve noticed he always has this glimpse of sadness in his eyes.

  A look of desire, but not for someone.

  I don’t know how to explain it, I just know it makes me want to dig deep into his soul.

  “Hey. I’m done,” I say, and notice that he was in his own world.

  “So what do you think?”

  “I love it and I have a few ideas that I’ll share soon.”

  He’s got that look again in his eyes that I noticed at dinner, it’s intense and causes me to back away from him. Needing to put a little space between us.

  “Hungry?” I say, plastering a smile on my face.

  “I am, but not for food,” he says, as he saunters toward me causing me to back up against the counter.

  “Carter,” saying sternly.

  “Shh… I’ve been dying to kiss you since I walked into my office this morning.” Taking both sides of my face into his hands, Carter leans down spreading my mouth open with his tongue. He tastes of peppermint, and I let go with him. My hands slide up his back and wrap around his neck, pulling him into me closer. As I do this he deepens the kiss between us.

  Carter nibbles on the bottom of my lip, before he pulls back and leaves me panting.

  “You’re staying at my place tonight,” He instructs, as he pulls me out of the room and towards the door.

  “I don’t think so,” I huff, as I stomp my feet.

  “You are and it’s not up for discussion. While you are here, you’re with me. I have the room and I won’t take no for an answer.”

  “Carter Northwood you do not own me, and you can’t tell me what to do.” I stand tall facing him as I cross my arms to stare him down.

  Turning towards me, he gets into my space, “No I don’t own you. If I did, I’d tie you to my bed and never let you leave. I’m not asking you to sleep with me. You can have your own room and we’ll talk business, if that’s what you wish.” His soft demeanor and harsh voice is causing me to be weak.

  I’ve never allowed anyone to speak to me this way, or maybe no one has ever tried.

  I’m in a confused state b
etween turned on and angry.

  Angry that he thinks I’m willing to share the same space with him at night, turned on with the thought of him tying me to his bed forever.

  “You’re blushing, Tabby Cat.”

  “I am not,” I say, storming past him and head to the passenger side of his truck. I don’t bother waiting for him to reach my side. I snatch it open and slam it as I hoist myself into the seat.

  As Carter slides in with ease, he looks over towards me, “Next time you open your own door, I’ll spank you. You need to let people do things for you.”

  “Not going to happen.”

  “It will. You drive me insane, Tabitha. I hardly know you but Lord help me I can’t help it when I’m around you.”

  “You need to help it, before I place your balls into a vice grip.”

  “I’m sure you’d enjoy that,” he snarls out, causing me to laugh a little at his remark. At this moment I would love it. He frustrates me to no end.

  Carter distracted me long enough to get us back to his office building.

  “Give me your keys.”

  “No I’m not giving you my keys. Why do you even need them?”

  “Just give the damn things to me.”

  “Stop snarling at me,” I spit out, as I dig around my purse for the rental car keys and toss them over at him.

  “Stay here.”

  Fuming, that’s what I’m doing. If I had a bat right now I would knock him out and shove him into a deep freezer. Thinking to myself that I could still make this happen. He might want to sleep with one eye open tonight, just in case I locate a bat or crowbar.

  Watching him gather my bags from the trunk, he’s saying something out loud but I can’t hear him. Even as I roll the window down, I can’t hear.

  “Stupid man,” I say into the cab of his truck, watching him roll my bags to his truck.

  Opening the back to toss them in he asks, “What the hell did you pack? It feels as if you have a brick house in this thing.”

  “Weapons to kill you in your sleep,” I state with a chuckle.

  “Your full of remarks now, we’ll see how funny you think you’re later.” Slamming the door behind him he gets back in and starts the truck back up.

  “I can’t leave the car here.”

  “You can, it’s in one of my parking spots. You won’t need it anytime soon.”

  I notice we’re driving in the opposite direction from this afternoon. I guess we used up all the smart remarks, because we are riding in complete silence.

  I reach over to turn the radio on and take a peek over towards Carter. I plan to find a girl song on the radio. Just as I’m scanning through “Party in the U.S.A” by Miley Cyrus blares through the speakers.

  I crank it up and start belting it out. Throwing my hands up and not having a care in the world.

  “Go ahead, crank it up as loud as you’d like. This side of you turns me on, like you wouldn’t know.”

  I slap my hands down onto my thighs because now I’m pissed that my plan backfired.

  ****

  Carter

  Infuriating! That’s what she is. I’ve never spoken to a woman the way I did a while ago. It’s true though, she causes me to feel and think of things that I have to do to her.

  I know what she’s up to with the radio, but it’s not going to work. Watching her like this, full of life, it’s a complete turn on. I could pull this truck over into the emergency lane and show her just how much of turn on I find it.

  Making our way to the complex I live in, I eye Tabitha leaning down to look at the place. She hasn’t a clue of what this complex looks like.

  She was in love with the other one, this is more of a hotel feel. When I designed these, I wanted the look of a condo inside while still allowing for the hotel atmosphere.

  We don’t rent these out, purely for sale. Offering a bell hop, front reception, gym, and restaurant.

  “Where are we?” Tabitha asks.

  “This is my place, come on,” I instruct, as I drive up to the front and hop out to assist her.

  She’s not saying anything, just looking around as we walk through the foyer.

  I show her the way to the bank of elevators and push the number to the 14th floor.

  “I’m going to get you settled in, and then I have to step out for a bit this evening. I hope that’s okay with you?”

  “Yeah it’s fine. I have work to do anyway.”

  “Sorry for dragging you here and then ditching. I forgot about a prior engagement that I’ve already committed to.”

  “You don’t owe me an excuse, Carter. I’m a big girl, and I’m sure I can find something to do with my time.”

  As she’s saying this, I catch a quick glimpse of sadness in her eyes.

  Totally forgetting that I had to attend a dinner with Bethany and her father tonight. Richard has instructed me to continue as before with Bethany. So today when she texted me to remind me of this dinner, I was frustrated that I’d forgotten.

  We step out into the hallway and Tabitha follows me to my door.

  “Come on in,” I say, as gesture for her to enter the room.

  Tabitha’s taking it all in and it makes me feel a little proud that she gets to see my work. I’ve designed this space to fit my needs and even worked with one of my decorators to design the interior.

  “It’s beautiful and fitting for you, Carter,” she says, as she plops her purse down on the sofa table.

  “Are these all your drawings?” She asks as she points to the walls.

  “They are. Some are of my first designs before college and then some I’ve done that I haven’t shared with anyone.”

  “I’ll let you have a look around while I drop off your bags in your room. I need to get ready, if you don’t mind.”

  She looks over and gives me a nod. I haul the bags that I’m convinced have a body in them to her room.

  Showered and dressed in my charcoal suit, I head out to check on her.

  Tabitha is curled up on the sofa with her laptop upon her lap. She hasn’t changed, but she’s slipped her shoes off.

  “Look, I’m really sorry for this. Call down to room service or you can head down to the restaurant. Put it all on my house account. I shouldn’t be long.”

  “No worries, Carter. I can take care of myself. I have been for years, you know?”

  When she says it like that, it causes my heart to break for her. I wonder how someone like her has had to fend for herself all these years.

  “Well, okay I’m out. You have my number if you need anything,” I state, as I grab my jacket and head out.

  Chapter Twenty One

  Tabitha

  A part of me is happy to watch him walk out that door tonight, then the other part is let down.

  What was I thinking would happen tonight? Did I actually think he was that interested in me and would divulge his dying love?

  Jokes on me tonight.

  Carter got so distracted by his plans that he didn’t even show me around his place. I have no idea where my bedroom is, and right now I’m perfectly happy tucked in on his sofa.

  Faking that I was working when he left, I boot up the computer and wait. We never made it to lunch and I hear the low growl of hunger take over.

  I could go check out the downstairs, but my feet hurt from my new shoes and I’m wiped out from the emotions I have streaming through my body.

  Room service delivers me the best hamburger I’ve ever eaten and fries. Completely bad for me, but I don’t mind. I needed comfort food.

  After I place my plates onto the tray, I waltz over to the windows.

  Staring out into the night, I hear the door slam behind me. Turning to see what has caused the room to heat up.

  My breath quickens as I turn and see Carter in his business attire. I’ve always seen him in jeans and button up shirts, but standing in front of me is a man to desire.

  Dressed in a charcoal suit and royal blue shirt. His eyes light up even more once our eye con
nect with each other.

  Licking my lips as I watch him start to loosen his tie. He prowls toward me. Carter slides out of his suit jacket, tossing it over the back of the sofa.

  His tie hangs loose around his neck. I slowly backup into the glass behind me. Pulling my lip in to bite down, as I continue to admire this man coming towards me.

  Carter’s only a few inches in front of me, I inhale as I reach up and yank him closer by the his tie.

  “Hi,” Is all I manage to squeak out.

  “Hi, yourself,” he responds in a low husky voice.

  Letting the air out from my lungs, I continue to say “You seem happy now.”

  “I am,” Is all he says, as he strokes the side of my face gently with the back of his fingers.

  I can’t think straight at the moment. If I think about it, I can’t any time he touches me. He causes me to lose sight of the world around me.

  Leaning down, he places a soft kiss on my forehead before he says, “This is all I could think about tonight. Coming back here and finding you still here, that makes me happy.”

  With a big gulp, I ask “What were you thinking about?”

  “This… You up against something, but still in your heels,” he says, as he starts to trail soft kisses down my neck.

  As I throw my head back up against the glass, he continues to say “You know your eyes tell everything. I know when you’re turned on, mad, and want to fight.”

  I don’t know how I manage to speak but I do, “You think you’re so smart, don’t you?”

  “No, I just know your body craves mine as mine craves yours.”

  I can’t think straight with his hard body pushed up against me, my chest is rising and falling and I breathlessly say, “We can’t do this, Carter.”

  “Who says we can’t? I feel your heart beating from here,” he states as he places his hand on my chest continuing “Tell me you don’t want this? Tell me to stop and I’ll take you to your hotel.”

  “That’s the thing. I can’t tell you to stop. As much as I know I’m not good enough for you, I can’t.”

  “You, my Tabby Cat are perfect for me. I’m the one with too much baggage, and should turn right around and walk out that door. But I can’t.”