by Sandi Lynn
“Are you saying yes?” I asked.
“Just shut up and kiss me,” she said as she pushed me down, straddled me, and removed her robe.
Chapter Sixteen
Anna
Even while we were making love, I never once forgot what I’d overheard. My heart was still broken no matter how good he made my body feel. I needed to keep my heart out of it and let my body take over all the feelings. But it was hard. He was just another person in my life that thought I was more trouble than what it was worth. I could tell you that I was the love of Matthew’s life, but I knew I wasn’t. There were things Franco didn’t even know. At first, I did believe he truly loved me, but as time went on, I knew he only wanted to marry me to get his hands into my family’s company. Another reason why I left him standing at the altar. That was something I could never tell my father because he wouldn’t believe it. He never believed anything I said, and as much as I tried to get proof, Matthew was very careful. Was I being paranoid because I believed no one could ever love me? No. There was something shady about Matthew.
“Oh my god,” Wes moaned as he halted and exploded inside me.
He leaned down and kissed my lips before climbing off me and disposing of the condom. I sat up and slipped on my robe. As soon as he emerged from the bathroom, he slipped on his clothes.
“I’d stay, but you know I have that early meeting in the morning,” he said as he gently swept the back of his hand down my cheek.
“It’s fine. I didn’t want you to stay anyway,” I spoke as I got up from the bed.
“Oh. Okay.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I spoke, deadpan.
I followed him down the stairs and opened the door. He leaned in and gently brushed his lips against mine.
“Enjoy the rest of your night.” He smiled. “See ya, Franco.” He waved.
“Bye, Wes.”
As soon as he walked out, I shut the door and walked to the kitchen.
“So much for it being over,” Franco spoke as he followed me.
“It is. It’s just sex.”
“Not for you it isn’t. You’re emotionally involved.”
“Not anymore. Not after what I heard.”
“I’m confused as to why he came over here in the first place,” he said.
“Because he wanted to know the details about the event and I wouldn’t tell him. He’s really OCD.”
“Sounds to me like it was an excuse to see you.”
“Just stop, Franco. I don’t want to talk about Wes Carter anymore.”
The next morning, I went into the office and took a seat behind my desk to start working on the ad for the business event. Wes was in a meeting and I hadn’t seen him yet, which was fine with me. Last night was the last booty call he was going to get. I needed to distance myself from him and keep things strictly professional. If I hadn’t started putting this event together, I would have already walked out, but I felt this was important, especially for small business owners who were looking to make it big.
“Good morning. I’m back from my meeting,” Wes spoke as he walked past my desk.
“Morning,” I replied without even looking at him.
He stopped and I could feel his eyes staring down at me.
“Can I help you?” I asked as I looked up into his smoldering eyes.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’m working on the ad for the event. Because you forgot and gave such short notice, it has to be in today.”
“Sorry about that. When you’re done, bring it in so I can check it over and then I need your opinion on something.”
About an hour later, I finished the ad and handed it to him.
“This looks great.” He grinned. “Have a seat.”
I sat down in one of the chairs across from his desk and he handed me a file folder.
“What’s this?”
“I want to know your thoughts about this company. Something isn’t sitting right with me and I can’t pinpoint what it is.”
I opened the file and studied the proposal and numbers. After a few moments, I closed the file and handed it back to him.
“It’s a lose/lose situation for you. I don’t see where you would gain anything by investing in this company.”
“That’s what I’m thinking. Thanks.” He smiled.
I got up from my chair and began to walk to the door. As I placed my hand on the handle, I turned and looked at him.
“By the way, about last night.”
“What about it?”
“I asked you if you wanted to grab dinner after work, but you told me you already had plans. Then you show up at my place. Who’s the liar now?” I arched my brow before walking out and closing the door behind me.
I took a seat behind my desk and my cellphone rang from a number I wasn’t familiar with.
“Hello,” I answered.
“Anna, it’s Becca.”
“Becca? How are you?”
“I’m fine. Listen, I need to talk to you,” she spoke in a low voice.
“Okay. What’s going on?”
“First of all, I wanted to give you a heads up. Your father is planning on buying back your shares of the company and giving them to Matthew, which would make him a forty-nine percent shareholder and partner.”
“I’m not surprised. The two of them can do whatever they want. I want nothing to do with the company anymore or my father. If Matthew wants to buy my shares, then he can have them.”
“Anna, you can’t let that happen. Listen, I put in for a few days off. I need to see you. I told your father that I was going to visit my parents in Maine, which I am, but I need to see you first.”
“What is going on, Becca?”
“I’ll explain when I see you. Are you in New York?”
“Yeah. I’m staying with Franco.”
“I figured as much. My flight gets in tomorrow morning at nine a.m.”
“Okay. I’m working, but I can meet you here at the office.”
“Where are you working?” she asked.
“Carter Capital. It’s a long story. I’ll ask Franco to pick you up from the airport and drop you off here.”
Chapter Seventeen
Wes
“Excuse me, Mr. Carter,” Tori spoke as she poked her head in my office.
“What is it, Tori?” I asked as I looked up at her.
“Can I come in for a minute?”
“Sure. Have a seat. What’s up?”
“I just wanted to let you know that Anna has been on her cellphone for quite a while.”
“Okay. What’s your point?”
“I just don’t think she fits in here.”
“You’re right. She doesn’t fit in and let me tell you why. This position of being my personal assistant is beneath her. She’s actually a former COO of a company in California. She has more experience and knowledge about running a company than perhaps me. So, if I were you, I’d be nice to her because you never know, you could be working for her someday.”
She swallowed hard as she slowly rose from her seat.
“Yes, sir.”
As soon as she walked out of my office, I pressed the intercom button and told Anna to come into my office.
“Yes,” she spoke.
“There are a couple things I want to talk to you about, so sit down. First, I didn’t appreciate that comment you made earlier about me being a liar, and second, Tori just came in here and told on you about being on your cellphone.”
“Of course she did. As for calling you a liar, just admit it. And as for Tori, she can kiss my ass.”
“We’re not going to discuss about me lying to you right now, but personal calls should be saved for lunch.”
“Well, it seems to me that you’re running quite a tight ship here. Not that it’s any of your business, but the call wasn’t personal. It was a business call from one of my friends and VP at my former company. It seems that my father is going to try and buy back my shares of the company and giv
e them to Matthew. She’s flying in tomorrow morning to see me because there’s something else she needs to talk to me about.”
“I’m sorry to hear that about your father.”
“Thanks, but don’t be. Is that all?”
“Yes.”
She got up from her chair and headed towards the door.
“I know there’s more to all of this than what you’re letting on. I have a hard time believing that your father is doing all this to you because you refused to marry some guy.”
She stopped and turned her head.
“You really want to know the reason why?”
“Yes. Actually, I do.”
“I was born. That’s the reason.” She turned away and walked out of my office.
I sat there with my hands folded and a narrowed eye as I stared at the door. What the fuck did she mean by that? I grabbed my phone from my desk and sent her a text message.
“You’re having dinner with me tonight at my place and we’re going to talk.”
“I already have plans.”
“You’re lying.”
“As much as you would love to believe that I am, I can assure you I’m not. Franco is hosting a pop-up event at a storefront space in midtown tonight and I promised I’d be there.”
“Oh. I apologize for thinking you were lying.”
She didn’t respond and I wasn’t going to push it any further. As soon as she went to lunch, I called Tori into my office.
“You needed something, Mr. Carter?”
“Yes. Since Anna is at lunch, I need you to find out about a pop-up event going on tonight in Midtown. The designer’s name is Franco Stiles. I want a time and an address.”
“Yes, sir.”
I left the office around six and headed home to change suits. All I could think about was last night. I vowed to stay away from her and keep things professional, but I blew it the moment I went over to her apartment. I couldn’t help myself and I was finding that when it came to her, it was getting more difficult.
I arrived at the pop-up event, and when I walked inside, I looked around for Anna.
“Wes?” Franco smiled as he walked over to me. “What are you doing here?”
“Hi, Franco. I hope you don’t mind.”
“No. Not at all. Welcome to my pop-up event. Did Anna know you were coming?”
“No. Do you know where she is?”
“She’s over there.” He pointed to the corner of the space.
“Thanks.” I patted his back.
As I walked over to her, she had her back turned and was holding up a beautiful black dress against her.
“I think you would look stunning in that dress,” I spoke.
She froze and then slowly turned around.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’ve never been to one of these before and I was curious to see what it’s all about.”
“Okay. Enjoy.” She smiled as she began to walk away.
I lightly grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her back to me.
“You’re mad at me. Tell me why?”
“It’s a long story.” The corners of her mouth curved up into a cunning grin.
“Good, because I have all night.”
“You really don’t want to hear what I have to say to you. Besides, you’re at a good place in your life and you don’t need any drama. I’m more trouble than what I’m worth, Mr. Carter.” Her brow arched before she yanked herself out of my grip and walked away.
Shit. She must have overheard my conversation with Christopher. That explains it.
She was standing by a rack of clothing when I walked up from behind and lightly gripped her shoulders with my hands.
“Then prove to me that you aren’t,” I whispered in her ear.
“I don’t have to prove anything to you.” She walked away and I followed her.
“Stop being stubborn, Anna.”
She turned around as anger filled her eyes.
“We had one night in Paris and a couple New York nights. It was nothing but sex. Let’s leave it at that.”
“You overheard my conversation with Christopher. Admit it.”
“You’re right. I did, and you’ve expressed your true feelings about me to someone other than me.” She walked out the door of the store.
“There are things you don’t know about me,” I said in a stern voice as I followed her out and grabbed her arm.
“And there are things you don’t know about me either. You based your opinion on assumptions not facts. I heard you tell Christopher that I’m the one who had to be the problem, and you know what, in some ways, you’re right.” Her eyes began to fill with tears. “You don’t have a clue what it’s like not to ever be loved by your parents.”
A single tear fell from her eye and I caught it with my finger before it had it chance to make its way down her cheek. I pulled her into me and held her tight as she struggled to get out of my grip.
“Let’s go back to my place and talk,” I spoke. “Please, Anna. Please just talk to me.”
“No. I don’t want to talk to you.”
“I’m sorry. Please. We’ll talk and that’s it. I promise.”
She lightly nodded her head.
“Let me go tell Franco that I’m leaving,” she spoke. “I’ll be right back.”
“And I’ll have the car brought around.” I gently smiled at her as I wiped away another tear.
Chapter Eighteen
Anna
“Franco.” I placed my hand on his shoulder.
“I know. You’re leaving. I saw the two of you arguing. Go talk it out.” He kissed my cheek.
“Are you mad?”
“Not at all, darling.” He smiled. “I won’t wait up for you.”
“Thanks. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
As soon as I walked out of the store, Wes was waiting at the curb with the car door open. I climbed into the back seat and he slid in next to me. A nervousness settled inside me because I was about to tell him things I never talked about. He reached over and lightly grabbed my hand and interlaced our fingers together. I glanced up at him as a small smile graced his lips.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m starving,” he said. “How about I place an order for some food and have it delivered?”
“I’d like that. What did you have in mind?”
“Anything you want.”
“There’s a McDonalds right up there. We could order from the app and run in and get it.”
“McDonalds?” A look of confusion swept over him.
“Yeah.” I smiled. “I could really go for a Big Mac, fries, and a chocolate shake.”
“McDonalds it is.” He sighed.
When we pulled up to his Park Avenue building, he handed me the McDonalds bag and asked me to carry it along with my shake. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Are you embarrassed to be seen walking in with McDonalds?” I asked.
“Something like that.” He smirked.
As soon as we stepped into the building, I couldn’t believe my eyes.
“Miss Young?” Sebastian the doorman smiled.
“Sebastian? Oh my god. What are you doing here?”
I handed Wes the bag and my shake and gave him a hug.
“You two know each other?” Wes asked.
“We sure do. Sebastian was the doorman at my company. I had no idea you moved to New York,” I spoke.
“I moved here shortly after I left. You knew I was originally from here.”
“I know. It’s so good to see you.” I smiled.
“Still eating McDonalds, I see.” He winked. “Are you here on business?”
“Umm. No. Actually, my father fired me, and I moved here. I’m staying with Franco until I find a place.
“He fired you?”
“Yeah. Long story.” I waved my hand.
“You know how I always felt about your father. I’m sorry he did that to you. You don’t deserve it.”
&nbs
p; “Thank you, Sebastian. Now that I know you’re in New York, let’s catch up over lunch some time.”
“I’d like that, Miss Young. Enjoy your evening.”
We stepped into the elevator and Wes inserted his key to the top floor.
“You better have been nice to Sebastian,” I spoke as I opened the bag and took out a fry. “My father never was.”
“I like Sebastian. I’ve never once been rude to him.”
“Good. Because if I find out otherwise, you’re going to have to deal with me.”
He let out a chuckle.
When the door opened, an elegant marbled foyer greeted us, which led to an incredible spacious dining and living area that was decorated in muted grays and white. I followed him to the kitchen, which housed hand-painted cabinets in white, black Italian marble countertops, top-of-the-line appliances and an Italian marbled island that sat in the middle.
“Would you like to eat at the table or the island?” he asked.
“The island is fine.”
I took a seat on one of the stools and Wes sat down next to me. Reaching in the bag, he pulled out my Big Mac and handed it to me along with my large fries. Taking the lid off my shake, I picked up a fry and dipped it in.
“That is disgusting,” he spoke.
“Have you ever tried it?” I narrowed my eye at him.
“No, and I don’t ever want to.”
I popped it in my mouth with a smile, picked up another fry, dipped it, and held it up in front of him.
“You’re making assumptions again, Mr. Carter. You can’t do that until you know for a fact that you don’t like it.”
He sat there with a smirk across his lips as he took the fry from me and placed it in his mouth.
“Okay. I’ll admit that it was pretty damn good.”
I picked up my shake and placed it between us.
“Dip all you want.” I grinned.
“Listen, Anna. I’m sorry for everything you overheard. I was just talking out of a place of confusion.”
“Why? Because you like me but are afraid to admit it?”
“Something like that. I’ve told you before that I don’t trust women, and this is the reason why. With my status and wealth, a lot of women are just interested in my money and what kind of lifestyle I can provide for them. It’s happened numerous times over the years, and about three years ago, I met a woman named Alexa. We dated for a while and I liked her. I wouldn’t say I loved her, but there was an attraction there. We had gotten into an argument one night and I told her that it wasn’t working out and I didn’t want to see her anymore. Just as I was about to walk out the door, she told me she was pregnant. To make a long story short, I did the right thing and married her and it turned out she was never pregnant. She faked the whole thing. We got divorced and she got a huge settlement that set her for life. It was a bad time in my life, and I don’t like to talk about it.”
