Besotted (Beguiling Bachelors Book 4)

by Madison Michael

  He was worth the wait.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Tyler

  Tyler moped around the office. Regan had been away for only three days, but he couldn't calm down with her out of his sight. She sent texts here and there about how much she would miss the CDFI job, causing him to feel guilty.

  “I can tell by that long face that you haven’t been surfing the net yet today,” Charlotte said, entering his office without knocking.

  “I am sick of the stories about the Russians. I am sick of the reporters and the lack of privacy. I was no hero, Charlotte. I was the bad boy who got us all into this mess.”

  “Wyatt is taking all the credit anyway, Ty, so don’t worry about hero worship from this corner. I was talking about this.” Charlotte walked behind Tyler’s desk and placed her laptop front and center where he couldn’t miss the story.

  A big headline said "Perfect Couple Not So Perfect" with a subheading "What does this mean for DC's Darling?" There were pictures of both Brandon and Regan, but not one of them together and the brief article quoted people sitting at the restaurant last night who heard Regan break up with Brandon and saw her return her engagement ring.

  A huge smile lit Tyler's face like sunshine. He jumped up, hugged Charlotte briefly and then released her awkwardly. "Thank you, Char, thank you so much." He was dialing Regan immediately.

  Tyler was sorry that he had delayed picking up when Regan called last night. He was missing her – and drinking a bit too much with Alex. He had picked up too late and then let her message go unheard. He dialed her now, but Tyler hung up the phone before Regan could answer.

  What would he say to her? Congratulations on dumping your loser fiancé?

  Tyler was sensitive enough to know it could not have been easy, but he was a man and the winner of this fight. He wanted to crow.

  Besides, but she still had a killer job in DC that she loved. It was the opportunity of a lifetime. Tyler suddenly decided that he couldn't ask her to give that up for him. He wouldn't ask her.

  In the quiet of his bedroom, wrapped in one another’s arms, they had made plans for a wedding, for a life together in Chicago. But they had not discussed her forfeiting her job.

  LHRE CEO was a plum job, one that Regan had worked a lifetime to achieve, but it was still running a family business. Her father would be looking over her shoulder for years to come. She would be answering to her brothers and sisters. Ethan would be counting the days until she stepped aside and made room for him at the helm. It was important work, but it was not life-changing work.

  At CDFI, Regan was making a real difference in people's lives. She felt her impact on a slice of society that few people protected. She put a roof over people heads, got families with small children out of shelters. Regan's efforts mattered to her, perhaps in ways they never would running LHRE.

  Tyler’s position at LHRE was meant to be temporary, a hold until Regan returned to run her business. Why hadn’t they discussed all this before she returned to Washington? He didn't know how Regan felt. Did she expect him to return to his general counsel position at Lyons Software Solutions or did she expect him to remain at the helm of her family business? He knew that Wyatt was anxious to have him back lawyering, but what was Regan thinking?

  Regan had texted and talked on and on about the projects she was heading at CDFI, the work she would have to hand off to others. He could sense the pull to her heart, and her head, involved with relinquishing her position. He could hear how much she loved her work and her team. She had barely had time to make a dent in her goals. He wanted her to see them through as he knew Regan did. He also wanted her home, with him. Now.

  Tyler paced the office, staring out the window waiting for answers that would never come. He couldn’t call Regan until he knew what to say but he also couldn’t put the call off much longer.

  He knew what he wanted. He wanted Regan here, with him, planning a wedding and starting a family. If he asked, she would comply. But, more than anything, he wanted Regan to be happy.

  A knock at his office door preceded Ethan, who didn’t wait to be invited in before flopping into a chair. “So, my sister’s a free woman,” he taunted. “Whatcha gonna do about it, Ty?”

  "Get off my case, smart ass. Regan only broke up with the guy last night."

  “Yeah, and I figured you’d be on a plane to DC by now.”

  “ A plane…” Of course. He needed to go to Washington, talk to Regan face to face so they could decide together what the future held for them. Regan would not be able to fool him if she was looking him in the eye . He would know if she said she was willing to give up her job when she wasn't.

  “Ethan, you are pretty wise for such a dumb fellow.”

  "I am very wise, Ty. Look how far I have come in such a short time. Go bring home your girl, and leave LHRE with me."

  “Not what I had in mind, Ethan. But I think I will.”

  Tyler strode to the door, not bothering with the intercom, tense with unspent energy and a mission to complete. ‘'Donna" he blurted into the hall. "Get me a ticket to DC. Today. Now."

  "With pleasure," Donna replied. "It's about time."

  Tyler returned to his office and Ethan, but not before he heard Donna mumble, "if I can’t have him, I guess Regan should.”

  “What’s that stupid grin about?” Ethan asked as Tyler stood behind his desk looking like the cat that swallowed the canary.

  “Have you ever considered dating, Ethan?”

  "Not that I would discuss with you. Why?"

  "No reason. I thought that we should find Donna a man."

  "Oh no, Ty, not me, and I think you have your hands full enough already."

  "Very full indeed."

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Regan

  Regan's nose was entirely out of joint. She could barely concentrate on the meeting she was supposedly leading, her last at CDFI. Why wasn't Tyler picking up her calls? Why wasn't he returning them?

  She had been hoping he would pick her up at the airport, so they could go out to celebrate. She was a free woman, and she was coming home where she belonged, returning to LHRE, her family and her man.

  Her mother had called near tears, watching her big wedding go down the drain. "I am not sorry about Brandon, Regan. Of course, I only want you to marry a man you truly love. But I must admit I was excited to be planning a big society wedding.

  "Thanks, Mom, for being so understanding and giving up your dream."

  "I had such high hopes for the wedding of the season, but your wedding should be the event of your dreams, dear, not mine. I know I shouldn't pry but have you heard anything from the Hockneys?"

  "No. I haven't heard a peep, but I didn't expect to. Especially with the news reports all saying that I dumped their son."

  “Well you did, right?”

  Regan smiled at the phone. "Yes, Mother, I did. No one dumps a Howe."

  “No they don’t,” her mother agreed with alacrity. “Still, you would have been a beautiful bride.”

  "And I will be someday very soon," Regan replied without considering the consequences.

  "Soon, Regan dear? Are you trying to tell me something? Is there something I should know? I could hold onto the venue. You know it takes months of planning…"

  “Mother, stop. Please. I am not telling you anything except that I promise not to be an old maid if I can help it.”

  "You deserve a man who loves you for you, Regan, and I know you will find him if you haven't already." Julia hesitated, hoping Regan would share more. When she didn't, Julia continued. "Your father married my fortune, but I always knew he loved me."

  “And he still does,” Regan confirmed. “Ooh, I have another call coming in, Mother. Let me talk to you later.”

  Regan quickly disconnected from her call, anxious to hear from Tyler at last. She was disappointed when she heard her brother’s voice.

  "Good job, Ree. Brandon was not the man for you," Wyatt told her. "He was too money-grubbing
over Thanksgiving. What changed your mind? The kidnapping – scare some smarts into you?"

  "I did have time to think then, but no, that wasn't it."

  “Tyler? Have you spoken with him?”

  "Surprisingly, no, Ivy, I haven't. Listen, I need to get back to a meeting. Let's talk tonight."

  Regan was relieved to hang up the phone without answering more questions. Why hadn't she heard from Tyler? All the doubts from high school flooded back, leaving her uncertain and vulnerable. He promised to be there for her but thoughts of a lifetime flooded over Regan.

  Was this a Tyler thing? Was he only interested when she wasn't available? He had seemed so sure, promised her the moon. Of course, he had done that years before, then left her hanging. He swore this time would be different and she believed him. Regan needed to get out of this damn meeting and get on a plane. She

  knew her doubts would subside when she was face to face with Tyler.

  Regan completed the meeting, handing things off to her successor

  and accepting good wishes and a cupcake. She was in a limo heading to the airport less than an hour later.

  Regan felt an unfamiliar tug in the region of her heart. She would miss the CDFI work more than she had expected, miss making a difference. She started jotting notes about how to incorporate similar work into LHRE.

  Regan hadn't given it a lot of thought when she was laying in Tyler's arms, but she knew he would be on board with her ideas. After all, Tyler knew how much this job had meant to her. It wouldn't hurt that she had completed everything in only three days. He would be so excited that she was home. And surprised. She hoped Tyler wouldn't mind the surprise.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Tyler

  Tyler stood surrounded by photographers who snapped his picture and reporters who unsuccessfully tried to get him to speak into their microphones. He was conspicuous standing outside Regan's townhouse, not because he lacked either a camera or a mike, but more so for the large bouquet of flowers in his hand.

  He expected to find Regan at home when he arrived. He knew she was planning to fly home tomorrow. He wanted to catch her before that happened. He would never have braved this crowd of paparazzi had he known she wouldn't answer the door.

  He hadn't called first, wanting to surprise her with his visit, with his offer to help her stay in DC. But now, standing there being ogled, his feet sore from standing on the concrete, he questioned his decision.

  Over thirty hours had passed since she left the excited message on his phone saying "I'm too damn happy. Call me." Nothing more, although her high-pitched voice told him so much more. Would she forgive him his silence? He hoped the large – ostentatious actually – bouquet of flowers would help smooth the way.

  Two hours had passed with no sign of Regan. She should have been home. Finally, someone showed up with the key to her door. The large woman dressed in colorful garb turned to the paparazzi with her hands up to silence them.

  "Go home, people. Regan Howe isn't here. The movers will be here soon. You need to get out of their way. There's no story here anymore. Pester someone else."

  The crowd of reporters dispersed after only a few pictures and shouts asking for the identity of the speaker, who turned out to be Regan's assistant. She had a personal assistant? Tyler had never realized that.

  Tyler pushed through the retreating crowd, and followed the woman through the door, scaring the life out of her. "I am sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you."

  The assistant looked at Tyler, at the flowers and started to laugh. "Tyler Winthrop, I assume?"

  "What gave me away?" Tyler laughed, handing her the huge bouquet.

  "You're in the wrong city. Regan should be landing in Chicago any minute."

  "You're shitting me," Tyler blurted indelicately. "She wasn't supposed to leave for another day."

  "She was anxious to see you."

  Tyler grabbed his phone, seeing two missed calls. He must not have heard the ring in the din of the reporters. He listened to the messages, frustration growing on his face.

  "HI hon," Regan's cheery voice said. "Just boarding a plane for home. A day early. Aren't you proud of me? I was hoping you could pick me up at O'Hare, but you must be in meetings if you're not answering. I'll try again."

  The second message repeated the same information with the addition of the fact that the plane was leaving so her phone would be off. "Oh," Regan added, "I love you, Ty." He couldn't help but smile.

  "Everything good?" the assistant, who identified herself as Marilyn, asked.

  "It will be," Tyler replied.

  He bolted out the door with a hurried goodbye and jumped into a passing taxi. "Reagan Airport," he told the driver, his fingers already on his phone texting.

  "Came to DC for you," he wrote. "be there soon."

  Tyler directed the driver to the private jets. One of the perks of his CEO job. Soon he would forfeit the right to the plane, or have to ask Regan's permission. He smiled at the idea of needing her approval. He loved her success, her power, everything she had achieved. With a scowl he remembered that horrible night when she slammed the door of his car after promising him she would succeed and he would never forget her. She was right on both counts, and he was a lucky bastard to win the lady.

  Having texted Jetways, Joey, his pilot, was standing at the ready

  "We are cleared for takeoff as soon as you are in your seat, Sir," she informed him.

  "Let's get moving then. I have a woman waiting for me."

  The blonde smiled in spite of herself, schooled her featured to be more professional. "Yes, sir," she responded crisply.

  Two hours later he disembarked from his flight, texting Regan immediately.

  "Just landed. Where are you?"

  "Main terminal, waiting for you," came her response.

  "Which one? Stay there I will come to you."

  "Terminal One, sitting at Starbucks.”

  Starbucks. There must be a thousand of them in the airport, but he would find her. He grabbed a taxi that crawled through airport traffic toward the enormous airport complex. Grabbing his overnight bag, he jogged the last short distance into the terminal. "OK, terminal one, where to now?"

  "Near baggage claim" was her response.

  Damn. Tyler was upstairs. Regan was downstairs. He went looking for an escalator, anxious to be reunited with Regan. He was almost running when he saw the Starbucks sign overhead, but no sign of his girl.

  "I'm here, where are you?"

  "I'm here too," she responded. "Where are you?"

  "Downstairs," and "Upstairs" came the simultaneous replied. Tyler started to laugh. "Come down to me," he typed.

  Watching his phone for her reply, he was surprised when she wrapped her arms around him and peppered his face with kisses.

  "That was fast," he told her, holding her still for a real kiss.

  "I was anxious," Regan responded, dropping her bag on the floor and pulling her chair close to his. "What were you doing in Washington?" she demanded.

  "I went to talk to you."

  "I can see this is serious, Ty. You're wearing your lawyer face. Should I be nervous?"

  "Of course not," Tyler told her, placing a swift kiss on her lips. "I love you, Ree. I want your happiness more than anything."

  "And I want yours," Regan responded, taking Tyler's hand in hers and stroking the back with her fingers. "What is this all about Tyler?"

  "Us."

  "Us," Regan repeated. She looked like she was about to cry.

  "Oh, honey. Don't make that face. You need to learn to trust me, Regan. I am never leaving you again."

  "Okay, then what about us?"

  "Ree, I want to be with you, but I want what's best for you, too. I think that you shouldn't have to give up your job at CDFI." Tyler looked into Regan's face, studying her reaction. She looked confused.

  "But, Ty, I thought we agreed not to wait too long to be together. I want a family. I am not getting any younger."

  �
�I am not suggesting we wait, Ree. I am suggesting I move to Washington to be with you. I can reach out to my old law firm, or a different firm. I am sure I can land a job quickly enough. You can have your government job and me.” Tyler pointed both thumbs at his chest as if he were offering Regan a great gift.

  She laughed at the gesture, then sobered. “What about Lyons Howe?”

  “Ethan could run it. He’s almost ready. We could help. So could Charlotte.”

  "What about Ivy? He won't be happy."

  Tyler rubbed the furrow Regan was developing between her brows until she relaxed her face.

  "He'll learn to be happy."

  Regan moved her hand from Tyler's hand to stroke his forearm instead. She focused on her fingers running across the strong muscles while she formed her thoughts. "You are talking about giving up a lot for me, Ty. Your home and friends, your job, everything."

  "Yes, Regan. I am saying precisely that. What do you say?"

  Tyler held his breath and focused on Regan's hand moving slowly over his arm, up and down, soft as a whisper.

  "It's a lot to think about, Ty, but I know what I want. I busted my ass to get to the top of LHRE. I bucked my father's opinion of women, everything. I am not giving that up. And I want to come home, to Chicago, to you."

  Chapter Forty

  Regan

  Tyler was whistling in the shower when Regan entered the bathroom. She didn't remember him whistling before their engagement, but he did it all the time now.

  "You're happy," she acknowledged, She stood admiring his hard body, watching it respond to her heated look. "Again?"

  "If you keep looking at me like that? You betcha." She handed Tyler the towel and watched his smile fade.

  "Sorry, Stud, but I have a 9 pm party."

  "I thought we just partied…"

  "We did," Regan laughed. "We have been partying for hours. But this is with my best girlfriends, in my honor, so let me get out of here."