She gave it a call.
He answered on the second ring. “Hello?”
“Christopher.” She said. “I wanted to say thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. It was a terrible business move.” His voice was flat, firm, and she sensed he was trying to hold her at arm’s length.
But a genuine laugh burst from her. “True, you suck at this whole spoiled rich boy thing.”
“Is there anything else I can do for you?” he asked, his own voice lacking humor. But she wasn’t bothered by it. She understood he felt the need to put distance between them. That what had happened between them was as terrifying for him as it was for her. But she’d never been so sure of anything in her life.
And she was going to go for it. “Go out with me.”
He was silent, and she knew he was going to turn her down.
“At least let me explain my position,” she said, doing her best to sound totally reasonable.
“Explain, then,” he said. “I’m listening.”
“Not over the phone,” she said, a smile sneaking across her lips at the familiar back and forth. “Over dinner, instead.”
“A business dinner?” He asked, and her grin widened. He was playing along with her. There was hope after all.
“Sure,” she said, and her heart began to beat in overtime. “Tonight at eight,” she added before hanging up on him. With feet light as air, she began to bounce around the kitchen – still dressed up all pretty in the dress he’d given her – and began to pour her heart and soul into a dinner they would share.
An hour later, with the table set, candles lit, wine and glasses in place, she took a second to breathe and smile at her handiwork.
A knock at the door startled her and she rushed over to open it. On the other side stood Christopher.
“You’re early,” she breathed. He scooped her into a hug and growled in her ear.
“I couldn’t wait any longer.” With that, his lips met hers again and she melted into his arms. There was a clear difference between this kiss and the one she’d instigated. He was all in. Total control. Absolute domination.
It left her weak in the knees and sent heat rushing to her core.
He broke the kiss and she took a much needed breath. “I have to get back to the pork chops,” she whispered.
“God you’re sexy when you talk dirty,” he said, and she giggled. He smiled and planted a quick kiss on her lips before letting her go.
With quick steps, she rescued the pork and pulled out plates. To her surprise, Christopher began to help, finding silverware and napkins and left. She peeked out and caught sight of him setting the table. He took great care to place the silverware in just the right spots on the dark wood of the tall table. Precision that he used in every facet of his life shone even in such a small task.
He met her glance and shrugged. “I know how to set a table.”
She shook her head. “It’s not that.”
“What is it then?” he asked, his expression serious on her face.
“I can’t believe you’re here, I my house. That we’ve kissed. That I think I’ve got feelings for you.” She shook her head. “I’m so stupid.”
He gave her a slight smile. “You know,” he said, nodding to her, “I’ve never let anyone wear that necklace.”
Her fingers flew to the pendant and she stared at him, beyond flattered.
His green eyes reminded her of verdant mountains as he spoke, “I didn’t tell you all of it. My grandfather told me to give it to the girl that made me feel lucky.”
He stilled and her heart began to pound. “No matter what,” he said, his expression absolutely serious, “I want you to keep it.”
“I couldn’t,” she whispered, her voice scraping painfully in her throat. Taking something with such sentimental value would keep her up at night.
But he shook his head. “I insist. I’m lucky you came into my life. Do you know how long I’ve waited for someone to just be honest with me without worrying who I am or what I might do?” He placed a fork carefully where it belonged on the table, suddenly engrossed in the task of setting the table.
“Still…” she said, unable to even consider keeping the necklace.
“And at your most vulnerable, you trusted me,” he said, seeming to be talking more to himself than her now.
“You’re trustworthy,” she said, needing him to know how she felt and what her reasons were. To her shock, he halted, his glare hitting her full force.
“I’m not.” He said, his tone forceful.
But she wasn’t buying it. “You are.”
“Would a trustworthy person go behind your back and by up your stock?” He asked, but she refused to listen.
“A trustworthy person would give them back and stand by me when I needed him to.” She said, her voice low.
He growled, the sound raising the hair on the back of her neck. “Would a trust worthy person the prey on you while you’re in said vulnerable place?”
“What?” She asked, confused.
“Kissing you when you’re in no position to be in a place to give consent?” He said, dropping the napkins into place.
“I kissed you,” she said, a blush stinging her cheeks. It was really out of character for her, but with him, it felt so natural. He wouldn’t tease her for her innocence.
“You think that. When I first saw you that day, I knew you were a virgin and I wanted to take that from you.” His jaw rippled like he was wrestling with himself internally.
“I want you to.” The words popped out and shock roared through her even as he jerked his head up and stared at her.
“You won’t judge me,” she whispered, needing to explain. “You won’t make me feel bad for not knowing. You won’t hold it against me. I bet it would be amazing.” Her voice ended on a whimsical note, and she found herself in his arms before she even knew he’d moved.
“You’re going to destroy me,” he whispered, and she giggled.
“Maybe you’re doing it wrong,” she said, her heart singing. He was interested in her. In making love. In her.
He growled, and his lips met hers, but the kiss was chaste. Still, his lips promised sizzling encounters, incredible nights filled with passion and maybe, just maybe, a dirty four letter word she refused to consider. She wasn’t there yet. But her heart was.
“Dinner,” she said, before planting a kiss on his chin and slipping out of his arms.
“You’re lucky,” he said, and she laughed. Once in the kitchen, she dished up the pork and the perfectly sliced, sautéed potatoes and carrots.
Taking both plates, she found him standing still, staring off into the living room. Following his gaze, she saw his words framed on the mantle.
He turned to face her, his eyes sparkling with joy and something warm, something so sweet it felt like home. To her surprise, he felt like home. He made her apartment feel fuller, perfect.
“It’s perfect there, right?” she said, taking the plates to the table and placing them at each spot. She turned and found herself in his arms once more.
“Not as perfect as you are right here,” he said, his voice a growl that sent her heart into overdrive.
“Agreed,” she whispered, looking up at him. She swore she could see promises in his eyes that she wasn’t ready for. It wasn’t love, not yet. But it was something that promised to hold her hand and lead her down that path, should she so choose.
CHRISTOPHER
Christopher had never expected to meet someone quite like her. She was unique in more ways than he thought she knew. It was a full system shock to be here, in her home, feeling like someone important in her life. Not just in a business sense. Not because he had money. Not because of his power. Not even because of his influence.
But because he was himself.
Christopher stared down at her, aware of how much she meant to him. She was perfection personified. Sure, she had issues, but so did he. So did everyone. But her issues seemed to fit him just right, and
he had a feeling she’d soften his had edges without thought or worry.
And he realized that she offered something totally alien for him: he felt free.
Free to speak his mind. Free to act. Free to be himself. Free to enjoy the glory that was life without fear of what she might think or say.
It was the ultimate gift, and he could only hope that someday, somehow, he could give her something so valuable.
And, if he was lucky, maybe she’d give him more than enough time to find an opportunity to do so. Maybe forever wasn’t in their future. But he’d spend every day – of the rest of his life if he had to – trying to show her just how much she meant to him.
But for now, he’d settle to see if her pork chops could even hold a candle to her baking skills. If they did, he’d have a hell of a time letting her go. Because she put love into everything she did, and he was craving another taste.
They sat at the table and she spoke of her childhood.
Between bites, he asked questions, loving every flavor that crossed his palate. She spoke freely with an animation that captivated him. The food disappeared, time flew, the sun settled out of sight, but he couldn’t get enough of her words. He wanted to know everything about her. Every moment, everything that made her into the amazing woman before him.
And he shared with her. She listened, fascinated at his words.
The night faded into early morning, and they continued talking, though they moved to the couch. The necklace sparkled at her throat, and the dress was as out of place as his suit. But he didn’t care. It was perfect.
She was perfect.
He’d happily spend forever just listening to her, learning about her, talking to her. Because she was so much more than he dreamed. Not just because of her life’s story, but because she was quick to smile, because she spoke with an honest intensity, and because when he kissed her, she didn’t melt; she kissed him back.
Perfect.
THE END
Billionaire’s Fate
GLORIA
I hated waiting outside of interviews; I hated waiting outside of closed doors in general. I reminded myself to use my smile. I had worked at a diner in Cincinnati growing up and knew how to turn on the charm at the drop of a hat.
I’ve got this. It’s already in the bag.
I pressed down on my leg to stop it from shaking. I already worked for the charity department at Eco-Farming Enterprises in New York City but was seeking a promotion. The charity department hosted an annual fundraising dinner at a high-end dining hall in Manhattan to support children in Africa. I had been the Assistant Coordinator for two years. With only two weeks until this year’s annual event, Luise, the Head Coordinator, fell sick and I wanted his position.
I could hear Darek, a bald-headed, nerdy-type from Public Relations, laughing as he interviewed someone inside the room. What are they, old college roommates? They’d been in there for almost a half hour already. I was ideal to head the charity because I was half Irish-American and half Ghanaian; the country in Africa where the charity focused its support. My mixed ethnicity used to make me feel different, but now I appreciate the blue eyes and full bosom I got from my mom and the light skin complexion I got from my dad. Ultimately, my mom taught me to be strong and just be myself; a regular, small-town girl.
Getting this promotion was important for me. A year ago, my fiancé left me a month before our wedding because his ex-girlfriend “was actually his true love.” With the help of my favorite Joni Mitchell songs from her “Blue” album, I got over it. I’ve focused on my career and paying off my school loans ever since. But now I was 26 years-old and my position and salary had become stagnant.
I heard Darek give a high five to the interviewee. What is going on? There was no explanation for an interview going this long. I took a deep breath and wondered why the hot, 32-year-old billionaire and CEO of the company, Aiden Ford, didn’t attend these interviews. The charity was supposedly an important part of his company. He was a mysterious man who shut himself off from the company but ran it like a well-oiled machine. Most of what I knew about him was from the tabloids; he liked to date a lot of models.
I heard some chairs pull out and the door knob turn. I stood up as Darek walked out, shaking hands with the interviewee. “Great, Jake. I’ll email you in the next few hours so you can get started.” Jake walked off, smiling. “Thanks for the position. I’m looking forward to it!”
I approached Darek, concerned. “Excuse me, Darek. Are we still doing my interview?”
He glanced at his clipboard, crossing out some names. “I’m sorry, Gloria. The position has already been filled.”
I interrupted him. “Yes, I can see that. But I didn’t get a chance to even interview.”
He lowered his clipboard. “Jake is the most qualified candidate and we have to move fast; the event is the week after next.”
“I’m also very qualified—” He walked away before I could even finish my sentence.
But I wasn’t ready to give up. I followed him into the HR department, where he handed Jake’s resume to one of our three bitter assistants. They were all hipsters, plucked from Brooklyn, who sat at their computers, frowning all day. None of us complained, though, because they created a successful social media campaign.
I leaned over to Stephanie, our charity event manager. She gave me a sympathetic look. “I just heard the news. Don’t take it personally…” Chuck, the building’s maintenance manager, glanced up while watering the plants. “Sorry, Gloria.” He whispered something to the plants then continued watering them. Normally, I would tease Chuck for talking to the plants but I wasn’t in the mood.
“I looked through the records. Darek has only hired men for the past six years, never once a woman.” Stephanie lowered her voice. “Five years ago, his wife left him for another man. He’s been a prick ever since, and totally incapable of working with women. I only talk with him via email, even if he’s in the same room as me.”
My mom taught me to be strong; I wasn’t giving up without an interview. “Where is Mr. Ford’s office?” Stephanie and Chuck both looked up at me in disbelief.
“Really?”Stephanie raised one eyebrow, her body language giving me a hint that this might not be the smartest idea.
“Yes.”
“On the top floor.”
“At your own risk,” Chuck added as I passed by him.
I stormed into the elevator and pressed the button for the 50th floor. The elevator ascended, revealing a magnificent view of Wall Street. I suddenly got nervous. Mr. Ford had a reputation for being very intimidating and demanding. This could easily backfire and lose me my job. Finally, the doors opened, putting me in direct eye line with his secretary; Mr. Ford had the only office on the top floor. Everything and everyone had to go through her. I knew that if I didn’t take the risk, nothing in my life would change. And my school loans would take twenty years to pay off. I took a deep breath and passed through the doors just before they closed.
I knew his secretary would never let me in so I walked directly passed her and into Mr. Ford’s office. She almost knocked her computer over, trying to stop me. “Excuse me, Miss! You can’t go in there.” I shut the door and put my back to it, preventing her from entering.
Mr. Ford remained seated in his chair, looking across the room at me with a surprising calmness. His light hazel eyes penetrated me intensely from across the room. His command of himself was palpable and his sexual prowess took the air out of the room. My heart was pacing as Mr. Ford’s phone started ringing; it was obviously his secretary. He didn’t say a word, but his body language said everything; My time is valuable. What do you want? Every detail of his appearance was beautiful and meticulous, creating an overall impression of wealth and vitality. His silky brown hair was slicked back, giving a full view of his gorgeous mid-western face and angular jaw. His custom fitted suit, outlined the physique of a professional athlete. Aiden Ford was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. I stood there speechless like a tee
nager suddenly alone in a room with her favorite pop star. He rattled his fingers on his mahogany desk.
AIDEN
Some cute employee barged into my office like a fugitive. She was either in trouble or felt very strongly about a company issue. Either way, I owned a multi-billion dollar company and only focused on big picture issues. I hired managers to deal with small fish like this.
“I give you credit for getting past Nancy. You have 30 seconds. Tell me what you want.”
She cleared her throat, making her voluptuous breasts raise up and down. “Hi, Mr. Ford…My name is Gloria Haggerty and I am the outreach coordinator for your charity for Africa, and… Darek hired some guy named Jake, who I think was his college roommate, and never even gave me the chance to interview.”
Taming The Billionaire Page 36
