by Lisa Lace
“She was wonderful, as always. Emily is never any trouble. I love watching her.”
“Well, I thought I would be later, but I’ll pay you for the time anyway.” She handed the girl some money and made sure she had a way home. “Thank you, again.”
Once the babysitter left, and Mia had locked the door, she quietly walked to Emily’s door and pushed it open. The light fell on the small girl’s face and made Mia smile. She walked in and sat next to her, stroking her hair with her fingertips as she watched her sleep. The tears fell down her cheeks as she remembered her struggles in getting this far. She wanted the world for her little girl, and she hoped that in Emily’s eyes, she knew she could have that. She obviously kept her own struggles and lonely nights from Emily and wondered if she would ever find happiness beyond this little girl who thought her mama was everything.
Wiping the tears that fell down her cheeks, she tucked Emily in and quietly walked out, closing the door to a crack.
Edward
Edward walked into his father’s office, barely knocking before interrupting his meeting with Claire. They had obviously been working on something for a while, given the paperwork strewn all over in front of them on his desk. She sat across from him, elegantly leaning forward as she explained what he was looking at.
Edward did not wait for a sentence to be finished or a glance to land his way. “I need to speak with you privately.”
Reese looked up at him, annoyed at the interruption. How dare you barge into my office and interrupt my meeting with my secretary, his stare said. He didn’t lean back or put the paper down. He didn’t say a word until Edward looked at Claire, wondering why she wasn’t moving. She didn’t get up until Reese nodded approval. Only then did she gather up the paperwork by her side and set it carefully on Reese’s desk before walking out.
“What is so important that it rendered such rudeness and interruption?” Reese asked, leaning back in his chair. He folded his hands together and propped his elbows on the arms, raising an eyebrow.
“I want to know what you are planning on doing with MWSA Cosmetics.” The mere mention of the company name put Mia Walker’s image back into Edward’s mind and a warm feeling back into his loins.
“Who says I have any plans for them at all?”
“The phone call I received yesterday, from Miss Walker herself.”
Edward’s news obviously touched a nerve as his father pursed his lips. “What did she say?”
“She had questions about your meeting with her company, mainly on the topic and why she wasn’t notified before then. I sort of have the same questions.”
“It’s none of your business what my plans are for that company or any other company, for that matter,” he said, switching his attention back to his paperwork as if the conversation was completed.
“I believe it is. I am a part of this company. I think I deserve a little more information than I’m getting. You keep bitching that I’m not more of a team player.”
“Why are you so interested in MWSA?”
“I have my reasons.”
“Oh, okay.” Reese got up and walked around his desk, picking up a small watering can and giving a drink to his large leafy tree in the corner. “So, I should divulge what I know, but you have your reasons.”
“I think we can do something better with it, instead of buying it and taking it apart.”
“Seems you know more than you let on.”
“Merge Inc. is always destroying companies. Why not invest and educate? Bring the company back and make it successful again?”
“And why would I do that?”
“For one, it will allow all of their employees to keep their jobs.”
“I’m not interested in that.”
“For another, it could offer continual income for Merge. Isn’t that better than selling it off piece by piece?”
“Not in my eyes. For someone who claims to know so little about my dealings, you seem to know a lot about this one.”
“I’ve been doing my research. I think we should try and help them.”
Reese walked toward Edward and stopped in front of him. “I am only going to tell you this once,” he said, leaning into him. “Keep your nose out of my business. Don’t make me regret keeping you employed here.”
“You won’t even give my idea a chance?”
“If you must know, they are already relying on a rather large investment project to pull them out of the hole, and I see it happening if they play their cards right.”
“And you are not going to let that happen, are you?”
“No, I’m not. The project will fail, and I thereby will obtain the company.”
“And take it apart and sell it.”
“You catch on quickly.”
“What about the people there? You don’t give a shit about them, do you?”
“Edward, it’s only business. You take things too personally. This is why you are where you are, and why I own several different and successful companies.”
“I’d rather be in the mail room and happy knowing the people around me respect me than in your position.”
Reese let out an exhausted sigh and went back to his seat. “I honestly don’t know why you are trying to play the hero here. I thought you despised Mia Walker.”
“I, I do,” he stammered. “I just think we would stand to make more if we helped the company survive. Allowing the employees to keep their jobs would be a bonus and make you look good for a change.”
“You have to learn to be a businessman and keep your dick out of it. Pretty women like Mia Walker will ruin you.”
Edward looked at his father with disgust. “Looks like keeping your heart out of it didn’t ruin you as a businessman, did it?”
Reese pursed his lips, catching on to Edward’s sarcasm. “Keep your head out of the clouds and learn from what I do, and maybe you’ll be worth something someday.”
“Why bother? You don’t give me a chance to do anything about it.”
“You are the CFO of Donovan Technologies! I’ve given you plenty of chances. You choose to turn your back.”
“My title may be CFO, but I’m just a paper pusher to you. But that’s how you like it, right, Dad? You have your investment company, all your other companies I’m not a part of, and you have Jack to run it all. You don’t need me.” Edward stormed toward the door, his anger building.
Before he reached the door, Reese had his hands on him, pulling him back around. “I’m warning you, Edward.”
“Are you?”
“How do you think I got where I am today? It isn’t by caring about other people’s feelings and their companies. Merge, Donovan Technologies, the others, they all happened because I’m smart. I know how to manipulate small companies. Find them failing, buy them up, and pick the sons-a-bitches apart. That is where the big money comes in. Those people will find other jobs. The economy is rich with them. Plenty to choose from. It’s not a big deal. Stop acting like Mia Walker is. I have big plans for MWSA. Do not get in my way.”
“It’s just another small company. Pick on someone else. Someone who isn’t struggling to keep a company they’ve worked so hard to build.”
“You heard what I said.” He tightened his grip on Edward’s shirt, keeping him close.
“I get it,” he said through clenched teeth. He pulled away from his father’s grasp, his nostrils flaring. “Are we done here?”
“For now. Only you can choose if this goes any further. You will not like the consequences if it does.”
Edward wanted to tell his father what he could do with his position in the company, but he thought better of it and stormed out the door.
Edward
Bemelmans was pretty busy for a Wednesday night, so Edward decided to grab a small table close to the music. Soft jazz came from a sax and a piano, and it was just the atmosphere he needed to cool off from a bad day.
As he tipped his martini back, laughter floated above the music from female voices at a table on the opposite s
ide of the room. Edward turned his attention toward a small party of ladies and smiled as they raised their glasses before cheering and drinking them down.
He was amused at their matching sashes. Bachelorette party on a weeknight? He shrugged it off knowing that anything was possible in Manhattan and enjoyed the show. He kept his eyes on the blonde with the crown on her head until the long-haired brunette caught his eye. She was strikingly beautiful, her hair cascading in large curls down over her shoulders and down her back. The dark blue dress she wore hugged her curves perfectly, and her long, slender legs were paired with perfect stiletto heels.
Most men would imagine what a woman like that could do in bed, but Edward’s first thought was pulling those shoes off her tired and achy feet after a night of dancing. He could almost see it—her legs dangling over his, his hands massaging them through her pantyhose as she leaned back and closed her eyes. He would watch the satisfaction on her face as he rubbed the aches and pains away.
She turned toward him, and his eyes widened. He felt his heart work a little harder and the familiar fire being lit from deep inside. “Mia Walker,” he whispered. He remembered the way her picture made him feel.
He narrowed his eyes and tried to detest her, but it wasn’t possible. She tossed her head back, and she laughed when her bride-to-be friend drank a shot, her face wrinkling in disgust. How could anyone hate a woman like that? The longer he watched her, the more he ached to get closer to her.
As if fate was on his side, Mia broke away from the group, several empty glasses in her hands. He downed his own and met her at the bar.
“I can send a waitress to your table, Miss.” The bartender reached over and pulled her glasses toward him. He silently cursed the bartender for being so attentive, patiently waiting for him to walk away with the empty glasses and her order.
“That’s okay. I had to get away from them for a couple of minutes.” As Mia spoke, Edward immediately recognized her voice from the phone call he’d taken.
“Getting a little rowdy, huh?” the bartender asked.
“A little, and I apologize. My girlfriend is getting married this weekend, and this was the only night we could all get together to celebrate. If we get too loud, let me know. We can go down the street to Lexicon’s.”
“I’m sure you’ll be fine. What can I get for you?”
“Two La Fleur de Paradis, three shots of ginger brandy, two whiskey smashes, and a chardonnay, please.”
The bartender nodded and walked off.
“Let me guess,” Edward said, his eyes focused on the empty glass in his hand. “You’re the chardonnay.” He waited for her to look over at him, then turned his focus on her, giving her his all.
“I am,” she said, smiling. Her eyes glistened. “And you? Martini?”
“Is it the glass that gave me away?”
“Yeah,” she said with a giggle.
“I’m not normally a martini kind of guy, but it helps me lose myself a little faster.”
“Problems in paradise?”
“More like corporate hell.”
“Ick,” she said, crinkling her nose. “I know exactly what you mean.” Her eyes narrowed. “Pardon me for being forward, but have we met? There’s something a bit familiar about you. Not so much your face, but your voice. I feel like we’ve talked before.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, shaking his head. “I don’t believe so. I think I would have remembered a voice as sweet as yours.”
She bowed her head and smiled shyly, capturing Edward’s heart a little more.
“Come on, Mia!” Two of her friends interrupted as they grabbed her arms. “This is a no-flirting zone! And you, mister, are trespassing,” the blonde scolded as she pointed her long red fingernail at him. “This is a girl’s night only. We need to dance.” They pulled her away, stealing her from him faster than she’d hung up on him the last time they spoke.
“Sorry,” she mouthed as they dragged her back past their table.
He watched them, amused as they danced on a stage platform to a catchy jazzy tune. Mia stole a few glances his way when her friends weren’t paying attention. She had no idea who he was, and after their brief encounter, he could tell she wasn’t the coldhearted bitch his father made her out to be. Far from it.
Before the end of the song, Mia had abandoned her attempts at stealing glances and had turned so Edward was completely in her view. Her face had changed, and her playful flirting was getting more serious. Remembering his father’s words, Edward chuckled to himself. If his father only knew how badly he could mess things up for him.
He stayed at his table as he watched Mia dance with her friends. She motioned for him to join her, but he knew it would be trouble if he got involved with her. This wouldn’t be only a good time if he allowed himself the pleasures of Mia’s company. He raised his glass and nodded as he took another sip. Although he mentally told himself he wasn’t going any further with this, he ordered another drink, knowing full well how his inhibitions would be lowered.
“Here you are, sir.”
The waitress set his drink down, blocking his view of Mia. When he looked back at her, she had her arms dangling on another man’s shoulders, his hands on her waist and his eyes down her dress. His hair slicked back and short, the man was dressed in a suit much like Edward’s, but cut well; Italian perhaps.
This lit a fire inside Edward’s chest, one he’d never felt before. He wanted to jump out of his chair and tackle the man to the ground, but he forced himself to stay put as he watched the man lick his lips and move his hands down her sides to her ass.
Each time she pushed them back up, he glided them down again. He moved in to kiss her neck, but she counter-blocked him just in time. When he pulled her into him and grabbed her ass again, Edward got up, leaving his drink sitting on the table, and walked quickly toward them.
“Excuse me,” he said. He stood very tall and looked down at the man as he pulled Mia away and wedged himself in between them, his back to the guy.
“I believe I was dancing with the lady.” The guy made the mistake of puffing his chest out and pushing against him, much like Jack would have. Edward couldn’t really let Jack know how he really felt through his fist, but he had no problems telling this guy. He turned around and stepped forward, his nose coming into contact with the Italian’s forehead.
“I believe you’re finished.”
Edward stood his ground until the guy backed down and walked away, mumbling obscenities under his breath. He moved Mia to the other side of the dance floor, his hands still wrapped around her arms. He wanted to scold her for putting herself in such a compromising position. She kept her head down, stepping closer to him, her eyes barely visible to him. She didn’t pull away, and she didn’t seem to want him to leave.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yes. Thank you for that.” She leaned toward him, and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. A heat consumed him, his eyes smoldering as she looked up at him.
Her perfect red lips parted. “Dance with me,” she whispered.
But he stood there, watching every feature on her face. Her bright brown eyes all-consuming, imprisoned by her long black eyelashes, her tiny button nose, her glossy red lips. He wanted to feel her against his body as he destroyed her lipstick. He wanted to bury his hands in that long, luscious hair and hold it tightly in his balled-up fists as he made love to her.
A smile slowly spread across her lips as her eyes studied his face.
“You planned that, didn’t you?” he asked, realizing he had been played.
“It worked, didn’t it?”
“What if it didn’t?”
“I guess I’d be going home with someone I wasn’t as attracted to.” She looked up at him, and it made his manhood jump to attention. She chuckled and looked away.
“What’s funny?” he asked, pulling her attention back to him.
“I told myself after the last disastrous date, I was going to ward myself off guys
forever.”
“So, why am I standing here, so close, moments away from kissing you?” His heart raced, and his fingers felt cold.
“You’re going to kiss me?” Her words were breathy and pensive.
They stood still, staring into each other’s faces as the world around them fell away. He swore he could hear her heartbeat. Goosebumps formed at every touch of her fingertips as they contacted the back of his hand. He took her hand in his and intertwined his fingers in hers. She slowly moved her hand up his arm to his neck and slid her hand behind his head.
“This feels so good,” she said, allowing the gap to close between them.
He felt her gently pull him toward her, their lips barely touching. The anticipation of such a kiss was overwhelming, almost euphoric. He felt her warm breath on his mouth with each shaky breath that escaped her.
“Who are you?” she asked in a light whisper.
“Kiss me, and you’ll find out.” He closed his eyes.
A cell phone ringing in the far distance slowly brought the music and laughter back to them. It was the first time he broke his gaze from hers. He clenched his jaw until the ringing in his pocket stopped. Directing his attention back to her, he reached up and cupped her face. “I want to know you, Mia.”
She looked at him with confusion. “How do you know my name?”
“Your friend over there,” he said, without missing a beat. “When she pulled you away from me.”
“Oh,” she said, still confused. She looked over at her group of friends and then back at Edward, still not completely convinced.
“Where were we?” he asked, pulling her into him. He felt the familiar ringing in his pocket and annoyance surfaced on his face. “I’m sorry,” he said. He pulled his phone out, and she let him go. “I’ll just be a minute.”
“Yep. Better get that.”
He did, against everything he wanted to believe in. She was upset at his decision to take the call over her kiss, and she turned away from him. He saw his father’s name on his caller ID and walked off the dance floor as he took the call. When he turned back toward Mia, she had gone back to her friends, dancing and laughing as if he hadn’t just turned her down. He watched her dance while listening to his father talk about an important dinner that he expected Edward to attend the following evening.
