“Yes, sir, I do. And I understand if your decision is to let me go.”
The chair squeaked as John walked to meet her on the other side. He rolled the chair out, sat down, and leaned back in the leather high back. His relaxed state alarmed her.
“Going over the decision, I tried to imagine what my daughter would feel going through this. The embarrassment and shame she might have felt and what would happen if I turned my back on her.”
John never shared personal insight when it came to business matters. She swallowed and cleared her throat. “What are you saying?”
“I would like you to stay on as CEO of Omega Records. Our PR team is working diligently to lessen this monstrosity in order to help you push forward. You made us what we are, Shane, and if I turned my back on you now, I would be no better than the men who led you here.”
A tear slipped from her eye, and she swiped it. Never had she shown her weak side to this man, and his kindness overwhelmed her.
“Wait, you said men.”
His smile warmed her. “I had an interesting conversation with Jacob Andrews. He told me about your…relationship and the Icarus Descending deal.”
Warmth spread to her face as her mouth opened. “I—”
His hand went up. “I understand you have reignited a past relationship, and I don’t agree with it. But his sacrifice made me think differently. It was refreshing to see him put you first.”
“But we aren’t…I mean we were, but it ended.” Her words stuttered over her admission. A wave of understanding hit her in the gut. She raised her head from her twisted hands. “Did he step down at AMG for me?”
His smile widened, and the wrinkles around his brown eyes creased. “I’ll let him tell you.” He stood and walked to the door. Shane followed on boneless legs. “Welcome back, Shane.”
She shook his outstretched hand. “Thank you, sir.” Confusion swept over her. Everything was happening so fast. Why had Jacob done this? Whatever the reason, she was grateful. But staying at Omega would only hold her back. Confidence flowed through her blood, and she straightened. As John’s hand hit the knob, she said, “Mr. Talbot?”
“Yes?”
“I want to tell you how honored I am. I truly am.” She stepped forward. “But I’m going to decline.”
Shane hopped into a cab toward home. She snatched her phone from her purse and dialed.
“Shane?” Jacob’s voice sounded anxious, yet his timbre still rumbled her stomach.
“What have you done?”
A deep exhale floated through the line. “How did your meeting go?”
“It went…fine. It was fine. You left AMG for me, didn’t you?”
“Are you staying with Omega?”
“Answer the question.” Her stomach fluttered as the cab floated through evening traffic.
“Yes, I did. But are you staying with Omega?”
She leaned back in the cab’s seat. Her heart hammered in her chest as her skin burned hot. Jacob had sacrificed his life’s work for her.
“I’m not staying, Jacob. I can’t. There’s too much to rebuild. I need to…” Tears flowed from her eyes. “I need to find myself, even though I feel guilty because you have nothing now.”
“I have more now than I ever have. Don’t worry about me. Does your choice feel right?”
“Yes.” Her lip quivered.
“Then nothing else matters, Lovely.” His pet name zinged from her head to her toes and filled her with gratitude. “Whatever the reason I had for stepping down from AMG is in the past now. Besides, I bet you had your decision made before you walked into the boardroom.”
Shane played with the hem of her red cape as a smile appeared on her face. He knew her so well. “I did.”
The silence seemed to pull her in. It was comfortable and assuring.
“Congratulations, Shane.”
“Thank you. You were right; I need to find myself. She’s in here.”
His breath hitched. It must have registered that she’d heard his final words the night before. A few long moments passed before he continued. “Where will you go?”
“I don’t know.”
“Wherever it is, you will do well. I’m proud of you.”
“Jacob?”
“Yes?”
“Will you think of me?” Would he be there if she needed him?
His voice came through soft and anxious. “Live your life, Shane. For you. Trust your decisions and…” He breathed out. “Everything else will fall into place.”
Ding.
Shane shuffled down the hallway, pulling her keys along with her phone from her purse. She stopped in front of her door and clicked the link embedded in a message from David. A celebrity gossip site opened with a picture of Gavin. His hands blocked the cameras as he left the Omega Records building. A red banner flashed “Breaking News”.
Gavin Mayne Leaving Omega Records. Source Claims He Is The Man Behind The Mask! Shane Vaughn Is One Lucky Lady! Who Wouldn’t Want To Be Manhandled By Him?
She dialed David’s number as she jammed her key into the lock and opened the door.
“Doll face!” he yelled.
“Nice job on the press release.” She rolled her eyes.
“Thanks. The source was heard to be fabulous.”
“Very true. But I said to out him, not revere him.”
“Celeb Deb does believe in keeping it light and upbeat with a side of sex appeal,” he laughed.
“And now he’s officially the most sought-after male in New York,” she groaned.
“Eh, what does it matter now anyway? Even though he’s a scumbag, he did rock your world.”
She cringed. “Ick. I’ll never live down that you’ve seen me having sex.”
“If it’s any consolation, straight sex doesn’t do it for me. But you, my doll…” He whistled.
“Ew, please, stop.”
“It’s true. So you sound good, all things considered. How did it go? Do we get to make an appearance at work next week?”
She closed the door. “Not exactly.”
“What do you mean?”
“Pack a bag for somewhere warm. We’re leaving in the morning.”
“Really? Where?”
“It’s a surprise. Tell Sean to come too. He should be off tour for the holidays, right?”
“Yes.” She could hear him opening and closing drawers. “What do you think about those new Bermuda shorts I bought?” he asked absent-mindedly as if he held them in front of him.
“I think those will work.” She tossed her purse on the island.
“How long will we be gone?”
She removed two sets of round trip airline tickets along with a third one-way ticket. She breathed out. “A while.”
Her phone beeped.
“Hey, I gotta take this, I will fill you in when I pick you up tomorrow.”
“Sure thing, doll!”
She sauntered over to the massive windows overlooking her city. The light of the moon peeked through a thin layer of clouds, presenting optimism and promise for what lay ahead. She tapped the screen switching the call to incoming.
“Anna Marie? Hi! I’m coming for you, girl.”
28
One Year Later
Jacob leaned on the brass rails of the elevator, and as it ascended, his thumb flicked through his texts.
S: Can you believe this!?
A picture message displayed of Shane and Anna Marie on an empty stage making duck faces at the camera, the O2 arena behind them. Shane had taken Anna Marie to global status in no time. He and Shane had talked occasionally over the last year, and his heart swelled, watching her take a leap of faith and follow her own dreams.
Their discussions never revolved around their past relationship or her asking him for advice. She was free, and they only shared the wonderful things they’d experienced as two single people. He was so proud of her.
J: Yes, I can. Looks amazing!
“Liza, did you get the packages that came toda
y?” Jacob asked, exiting the elevator. Boxes were stacked three high on her new desk, and the reception area remained covered with furniture still spun in plastic. He’d moved his new promotions company from his apartment to a small office space in downtown Austin, Texas.
“Yep.” The plastic bubble wrap squeaked as she unwrapped its contents. “Do you miss this?” She held his Achievement in Rock award from some music foundation. He grabbed it and smoothed a thumb over the glass award.
“No. It was never the same after.”
Jacob couldn’t pretend to be an award-winning CEO after paying off Gavin. However, leaving AMG was the best decision he’d ever made.
“Get rid of this.” The glass award thudded on the desktop as he set it down. Success did not exist in a cold shelf ornament. He only strived for happiness, and with the Austin sunshine and new space, he was off to a good start. “Do you miss it?”
She busied herself. “Not really. I mean Austin isn’t a place I would have chosen to live, but my husband and the kids seem to like it.
“I appreciate you coming along.”
A smile widened on her face. “You were the best boss I ever had, and making an offer I couldn’t refuse helped.”
Having Liza around made the move to Austin a bit more bearable. He looked out of the small window. It wasn’t much. No views and no visible sunsets, like at AMG. Just another building across the street where he could see the people of Austin working hard. It kept him going and distracted him from the hole in his heart. Even with every conversation with Shane, his heart ached to tell her he still loved her, even though he was sure she knew. But it was for the best.
He touched the silver knob on the door to his office. “Oh, wait.” He spun to find Liza’s hands in the air, searching her desk excitedly. “There’s one more thing.”
Her blue eyes twinkled when she handed him a white plastic mailer from her bottom drawer. He took the package from her outstretched arms. No address or shipping label.
“What is it?”
She handed him a pair of scissors from her pencil holder. “Here.”
The scissors sliced the plastic easily. He slid out a worn and rumpled t-shirt with a faded silkscreen image of his favorite band, The Ramones. The scent of wildflowers hit his nose, and a ripple of pleasure ran from head to toe. Warmth flooded his chest, and his heart skipped a few beats.
Shane.
“Is she…?” Liza grinned while motioning to the door. “Thanks.”
Shane was just beyond his door. He exhaled as he stepped through the threshold, gripping the t-shirt in his hand.
“Some office, Andrews. A little small don’t you think?” Sitting in his office chair, Shane spun around behind his corner desk. “And what a terrible view.”
Lovely.
Her hair was darker and off her shoulders, chopped at an angle. Her blunt bangs framed her face, and a deep blue shift dress allowed her bright blue eyes to shine. She stood tall from her seated position, her full, red lips pursed in a hidden smile.
“Hi. Thanks for this.” He held up his hand.
“It was your favorite.” She took it. “I can see the appeal.”
“You did have it all this time.”
“Yeah, well…it was time it found its rightful owner.” She set it on the desk and stared at it. “I thought you could use a foundation for where you’re headed. You were happiest in this shirt,” she joked.
“I-I thought you were in London.”
She shrugged coyly. “Anna Marie’s tour wrapped up last night. I jumped the red eye.”
“Why?”
“I couldn’t miss the grand opening of your new promotions company. Without your help, Anna Marie wouldn’t be a household name.”
He chuckled. She’d asked for his services to help propel Anna Marie’s career and her decisions to call the shots turned him on. She’d been a ball buster, never giving him an inch.
“Anything for my best customer.” They stared at each other, the heat growing between them. Somehow, after everything they’d been through, it never faded. “Can I get you something to drink?” He needed to do something or he would lose himself in front of her. He strode to the mini fridge.
“No. I’m good.”
He closed the fridge and rejoined her. “Here, please sit.” He motioned to the couch still wrapped in plastic covers.
“Jacob. Stop. Can we talk?”
“Yeah. I’m sorry. So how was the tour?” As his knees weakened, he sat in a visitor’s chair.
“Good. But I couldn’t stay away any longer.”
What did she mean? His brain went into a tailspin. His hands shook as he ran his fingers through his hair.
She sat next to him. “Jacob.”
“Huh,” he muttered. Pathetic.
“Look at me.” He could hear the smile in her voice at his anxious state. “Thank you for everything. I’ve never been this happy.”
He swallowed. “Don’t thank me. It was your doing.”
She glanced at the floor and blushed. “Perhaps. But there is still something missing.”
“What?”
Her blue eyes glistened when she met his gaze. “You.”
A flutter took over his heart. “Oh, Shane. I didn’t do all this so you would come back. I meant what I said about you living your life.”
“I know. And I am. But I’ve made another decision. One based on trusting myself and, therefore, allowing myself to trust someone else.”
His shirt suddenly felt too tight as his chest expanded. Was this right to pursue? She looked different. Sounded different. Hell, she was different. And what he wouldn’t give to taste her “different” and be with her as the strong woman before him. She was still Shane to the core, except now…she owned it. Believed it.
“When you left your job, I thought, What a stupid ass! Jacob has everything he’s ever wanted; why leave it behind? And you did it for me.” She pointed to her chest. “For me. And no one has ever done something like that. All this time, I’ve tried to let the thought go. Clarity and pursuing something different was my focus. But it kept coming back. And I couldn’t wait to share all my accomplishments with you. Does that make sense?”
His mouth opened, but no words escaped.
“Tell me why you did it.”
His body shook as a compulsion to be honest took over. He knelt in front of her and cupped her hands. A quivering lip and gasp escaped her. “Because, Lovely, I had to submit my world to you and lay it at your feet. The life your beautiful, selfless heart created for us. Our entire relationship, you always put me first.” He wiped her tears and his throat constricted. “My God, Shane, I really fucked us up. I’m so sorry.”
She touched his face, fingers stroking his beard. A calm tide rippled through his body, all apprehension leaving him. Their eyes flicked back and forth, conveying an understanding of the lifetime their love had spanned.
“Thank you.”
She leaned forward and kissed him. The kiss leveled him. Her warm lips and tongue flew his heart to the heavens.
He broke away. “Shane, stop. This isn’t right. It’s not what I—”
“Do you still love me, Jake?” Her speaking his name rippled over his skin. Her fingertips ran aimlessly through his hair.
“I never stopped. No matter how hard I try.”
“I can’t either.”
His forehead met hers as he gripped her nape. Tears tracked his cheeks. “Is this what you want, Shane? Are you deciding to be with me without influence?” Regret filled his heavy chest. “I didn’t mean to sway you by keeping in touch…”
“Hey, you did nothing wrong. I’m the one always calling you.” She smiled. “And you listened, cheered me on, and never once told me how to run my business. Instead you took orders from me.”
He pulled back and smirked. “I did, didn’t I?”
“Yep. It was an interesting role reversal.”
“Perhaps.” He trailed his fingertips along the outline of her face. His heart tugged
in two different directions. Desire pushed him forward, yet concern stopped him in his tracks. Starting over meant doing it different this time. “Maybe we can talk about things over dinner.”
“Are you asking me on a date?” Her smile crooked up on the side.
“You could call it that. I’ve never taken you on a real date before.”
Their fingers linked as the flame simmered between them. “Sure you did, at Billy’s restaurant.”
“The way I remember it, we did a shot of tequila and screwed in the bathroom. We rushed it the first time. Let’s take it slow, Shane.” He kissed her lips and moved down her jaw.
She swallowed. “Yeah, slow. That sounds…good.”
His erection pushed on his slacks when she shivered as his lips met the spot where her neck met shoulder. They’d never start over the right way if he kept this up. “Where are you staying?”
“The hotel down the street.”
He reluctantly rose and helped her stand. “Seven o’clock, my Lovely. I will come by to get you.”
Shane tugged at her black, form-fitting wrap dress as she stepped into the hotel lobby. A tingle swept her skin, curling her toes in her black pumps. A first date and it felt right.
When she rounded the corner, there he stood. Her Jacob. One hand in his black suit pocket, white shirt, opened at the collar, and long trench. His smile widened as she approached. Taking the wrap from her arm, he covered her.
“You look beautiful, Shane.”
She blushed. “Not too bad yourself.”
He ushered her outside, and the slight winter chill couldn’t extinguish the heat on her skin. A year made such a difference. She’d never thought she would be here with him. What he’d done would have been deemed unforgiveable, but what he’d sacrificed forced her to consider it.
She’d hired him to manage the promotional campaign in hopes she could rebuild their relationship. But he never made an advance. Only helped on her terms. It spoke volumes.
As they strolled down the block, she curled a hand in the crook of his elbow. “Where are we headed?”
“You’ll see.” His warm hand covered hers.
Beyond the Masks (Beyond Love Series Book 1) Page 28
