“I understand.” He took his credit card from his wallet and held it out with two fingers. “Charge what she reserved to this.”
The woman accepted his card. “There are shoes and the veil and—”
He waved her off. “I don’t care. Charge whatever Jenny raked up.”
She bowed her head and disappeared with his card.
He glanced back at Allison to find her eyes on him.
“Come along,” the seamstress said. “Let’s get this off you.”
“Of course,” she said.
He stepped forward, offering his hand as she prepared to step off the pedestal.
Her fingers curled around his, a familiar feeling, yet wholly different when she made eye contact and stepped down in her rustling dress.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
“Not a problem.”
He watched her walk back to her changing room, shaking out his hand. Within minutes she’d be back to being the Allison he knew. A wedding dress changed nothing.
Except he looked back at the dais she’d departed, remembering the picture of her smiling in white satin.
Chapter Sixteen
The coffee shop bustled around her.
Allison stared down at her drink, knowing she should be leaving. She needed to get back to King Enterprises before Darian noticed she was gone. Every minute counted.
And yet here she sat, her mind in chaos.
Fifteen minutes ago she’d left her interview and walked into the first coffee shop she’d seen. Ordering her drink, she’d picked a table nestled in one corner, as private as one could get in such a place.
There she’d sat as her coffee cooled, trying to decide what to do next.
Because as of a few minutes ago she officially had a job offer that would take her away from Darian.
She closed her eyes. The interview hadn’t just gone well, it had been perfect. She’d clicked with her would-be boss, and the more she’d learned about the work the organization did, the more excited she became. She’d be a part of something that mattered.
Her new boss had been so impressed with her background she’d offered her the job on the spot. Apparently she’d been the last interviewee, and to hear her interviewer describe it, she was light years better than the other candidates.
There was still the contract to hammer out, of course, but if she wanted the gig, it was hers.
She had the rest of the week to make her decision.
Which meant no more dancing around the issue. She had to tell Darian. Now.
Her fingers tightened on her cup. It was a great opportunity for her. She should be excited, but instead, fear clawed at her. Everything was about to change.
What if she stayed where she was until the end of her contract? Sure, she’d be saying good-bye to the non-profit, but maybe with time Darian would realize just how much he needed her.
A derisive snort escaped her. She was not that woman. The one who hung around hoping her man would magically change, even though all evidence pointed to the contrary. There was no proof working for him longer would have any impact on their relationship. Six months from now she’d be in the same spot, only she wouldn’t have the perfect job to jump to.
It was a gamble either way. She’d be giving up the safety of King Enterprises and striking out into uncharted territory. Who knew what this new job would bring?
One thing was certain, though. No matter what she chose, she’d lose Darian. Either they’d grow apart and he’d move on if she stayed or he’d dump her the second he learned she was leaving. No decision she could make led to a happily ever after with him.
Even if that was the one thing she wished for most.
“Damn dress,” she muttered to her coffee. It had screwed with her head. She wasn’t ready to get married, but standing in that gown, staring at Darian…
It had made her crave a fantasy she knew would never come true.
Pushing her coffee away, she rose to her feet. One thing was certain. Hiding out here wasn’t doing her any good. Time to plan out the next stage of her life.
…
“You’ve been so busy these last few days I’ve barely seen you at work.”
Darian kicked back in his chair as he held the phone to his ear.
“I’ve just been tying up some loose ends with the wedding,” Allison replied.
“Anything I should worry about?”
There was a pause before she said, “I’ve got it all covered.”
He frowned at the stilted nature of her voice. It had been that way for a few days now.
Had he done something wrong? The possibility gnawed at him.
“Don’t push yourself too hard,” he said. “I’ve got plans for you that require all your energy.”
“Does that mean you’re coming over tonight?”
He checked at the clock on his desktop. “Do you mind if it’s late? I’m still at the office.”
“I’ll leave the door unlocked,” she replied. “Come over whenever you can.”
It was a habit she’d fallen into this past week, leaving the door unlocked for him. Since the night he’d picked her up at the bar, they never slept alone. Given he was a man who rarely allowed his partners to stay the night, he’d assumed the addition of a body in his bed would have annoyed the hell out of him.
Instead, he slept like a baby. There was just something about holding Allison in his arms that soothed him. Last night he’d gotten home so late he’d just crawled into bed and pulled her close. He’d been asleep by the time his head hit the pillow.
It’d been the first time they’d spent the night together but not had sex. And he’d liked it. Something about it had been more…intimate. Like it was an action they could repeat for the rest of their lives.
Danger, danger, his brain warned. That was not a sentiment that worked well with “temporary.”
“I’ll be there,” he said into the phone. “I wish I was there now.”
“I’ll stay late tomorrow and help you out,” she offered. “Then we can leave together.”
“You wouldn’t mind?”
“What’s one more late night?”
He smiled at her dedication. “I promise things will get better once the wedding is over. Maybe we could take a weekend trip somewhere to relax.”
Again there was a telling pause. “A trip?”
“Something simple,” he said. “You can pick. There must be a spa or a B&B you’d like to try.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
A frown tightened his forehead. The words were happy, but her tone sounded resigned. What was he missing?
“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine,” she assured him. “My mom called earlier, so maybe that what’s affecting me.”
“All good at home?”
“Yeah, my youngest sister just got engaged. My life is like a non-stop wedding commercial.”
“Congratulations,” he said.
“She’s thrilled. They’re planning a spring wedding.”
“You can take all the vacation time you want,” he offered.
“Thanks.”
Another pause entered the conversation. What was it? Was it really just a family phone call? Maybe she was upset her sister was engaged when they were keeping things casual. If that was the problem, he didn’t know how to help her. Hearing from her family must have reminded her of the road not traveled. Was she regretting the choices that had brought them together?
“My mother was pestering me about my relationship status, so I might be a bit testy.”
“Did you mention me?” he asked.
She laughed. “Do you really think I’d tell my extremely conservative mother about our relationship? How would that go, exactly? ‘No worries, Mom, I’m just engaging in some hot casual sex with a billionaire playboy. See you at Christmas.’”
“Probably not the best idea.”
“No, I’ll be keeping you to myself.”
A pain shot
through him. Because she was treating him as her dirty little secret? He should be thrilled, not insulted.
“Yes, sounds like a plan,” he forced himself to say. “I’ll finish up as fast as I can, and you can vent in person.”
“Nah, I’ll be fine. Just making a sandwich. Want me to leave you one on the counter?”
He smiled at her thoughtfulness. “Please. I haven’t eaten yet.”
“Okay, will do. Don’t work too hard. I’m missing you over here.”
“I’ll be there soon. Promise.” He disconnected, tossing his phone onto his desk. If only he could say to hell with his work and rush over to Allison’s place. He could help her take her mind off her family.
He’d never resented that his job demanded long hours of him. Not until now, when he finally had somewhere he’d rather be.
Maybe I should review my business model, he mused. Would it kill me to cut back a little?
Everyone needed a life outside the office. Not that he’d ever felt that drive before, but there was a first time for everything.
He sighed, tipping his face up toward the ceiling. Allison was changing him. As much as he hated to admit it, he didn’t think what they had was as temporary as he’d wanted it to be.
Dragging a hand down his face, he focused back on his work. Those were dangerous thoughts better left for after the wedding. Then they’d have time to figure out just what their relationship was evolving into.
Right now, however, he needed to keep his eye on the target. The wedding was just over a week away. What could possibly go wrong?
Chapter Seventeen
“I appreciate you staying late,” he said again.
Allison smiled up at him. “Two heads are better than one. I don’t mind helping out.” She stretched her arms over her head. “But I do think I’ll make a vending machine run. If I have to examine any more of these prospective deals, I need a sugar infusion.”
“Hitting up the good one in the lobby?”
“Absolutely.” She rose to her feet.
“Let me guess, salt and vinegar chips.”
She leaned down to give him a quick kiss. “You know me so well.”
He smiled at that. “Can you grab me a—”
“Kit Kat. I’ve got you covered, lover.” Grabbing her purse, she strode from the office.
Darian leaned back against the couch, following her lead and taking a break. Not for the first time he was struck by how comfortable it was to work with her. Be with her. They really were the perfect team in so many ways.
Glancing at the paper strewn coffee table, he sighed. There was probably another hour or two of work ahead of him. Maybe they should have skipped the vending machine and gone straight for ordering in.
The buzzing of his cell interrupted his musings.
“King, here,” he said, putting the phone to his ear.
“I’m so glad I caught you. This is Sam Lewis from Sahra. Sorry for the late call.”
He pushed forward, glancing at his watch. “Not at all. I’m still at the office. What can I do for you, Sam?”
“We’re having some trouble with our endive deliveries. I’m worried they wouldn’t be up to our standards for the wedding.”
He frowned. “So what are the options?”
“I’d like to ask if we could substitute another appetizer. Our chef makes incredible French onion soup.”
Pushing to his feet, he paced away from the couch. “You’re sure the salad is impossible?”
Sam made a distressed sound. “Trust me, we at Sahra want things to run as smoothly as possible. I truly believe this is the best course of action. I’d be happy to give you a discount for the inconvenience.”
“All right,” he said, running a hand down his face. “If there are no other alternatives, then let’s go with that.”
“I’ll send you an updated invoice at once.”
“Please.”
“Thank you for understanding. Again, my apologies.”
“Just send me the information,” he said before hanging up.
In the grand scheme of things, he supposed a soup instead of salad wasn’t that big a change. He’d email Jenny to make sure she approved.
But he should compare the new quote to the old one.
Glancing at his desk, he tried to remember the last time he’d seen it. Allison had shown it to him before they’d done naughty things on his desk. Had she taken it with her when she’d left?
With a shrug, he headed for her office. How hard could it be to find?
Going to her desk, he started rifling through the files on top of it.
“The wedding binder,” he breathed. That’s where it would be. A quick scan showed it wasn’t worked into the work binders on her shelves. He moved back to the desk then grabbed the top drawer and pulled it open.
Nothing but pens and some paper. He was about to close it when his name caught his attention.
Dear Mr. King.
It was addressed to him? Grabbing the sheet of paper, he straightened.
It is with a heavy heart…
His fingers tightened on the fragile parchment as he read further. It was impossible to stop. Line after line seared into his mind. This was a resignation letter.
Ali was leaving him.
The past few weeks shifted into clearer focus. Her hesitation talking about the future. Those brief flashes of guilt in her eyes. He studied the date of the letter. This had been written before they even started sleeping together.
Was that why she’d done it? Because she’d be gone soon?
A pit opened in his chest. In the course of five minutes he’d gone from being utterly sure of what the next days held to feeling…
Empty. Hollow.
His feet carried him back to his own office without any conscious volition on his part. The letter hung by his side, crumpled in numb fingers.
She hadn’t given him her resignation. Maybe she was still weighing her options.
But she’d written it. Whether she’d delivered it or not, these were her true feelings.
She wanted out. Wanted to be away from him.
He looked around his office with unseeing eyes. Someone else would be working by his side. Someone else huddled over his coffee table at ungodly hours.
Logic told him the city was full of people willing to replace Allison. But the idea seemed laughable.
There was no replacing her.
The pit pulsed, sending pain swirling through him. Assistants left. They advanced their careers, climbed different ladders. He knew it was the way of the world. Turnover had never caused him to lose sleep.
Allison leaving was different.
He reached out, leaning against the glass window. Though he knew he was far too high to hear any street traffic, he could have sworn the sound of sirens filled his ears. Darian shook his head. This wasn’t the same. This was professional, not personal. Losing her shouldn’t crack open the seal he kept on the old despair that had festered for so many years.
“Everything okay?”
The sound of her voice was usually a soothing balm on his emotions. This time, however, it burned like acid.
Her reflection moved into view as she stood beyond his left shoulder.
“I got the goods,” she said cheerfully. “Plus a bag of M&Ms we can split later if we need a chocolate boost.”
She’d been doing this for weeks, he realized. Smiling at him, working beside him as if nothing was wrong. And through it all she’d been intending to leave. She’d known. Before she kissed him in his kitchen she’d known they had a time limit.
And she hadn’t let him in on the secret.
Anger surged through his veins, banishing the crushing emptiness in his heart. He was the CEO of a powerful company. His rivals dreaded his arrival in the boardroom. He brokered deals that made billions for his shareholders. Who was she to think she could keep this kind of secret from him?
“Darian?” A hand touched his shoulder. “Is something wrong with the deal?”
Shrugging it off, he rounded on her. “I think we have something more pressing to discuss.”
He lifted the damning letter and watched as the confusion in her eyes was replaced with horror.
He knew the smile that shaped his lips was cold but couldn’t summon the will to care. “You have some explaining to do, Ms. Reed.”
…
He was holding her letter.
“How?” The word left her in a whisper. She’d been afraid of him finding out her plans, but she’d never thought it would end like this.
She should have told him when she had the chance.
“Sam called about some menu changes. I wanted to check them against the initial quote.”
“So you went into my desk?”
“My desk,” he said. “Everything in this goddamn building is mine.”
She flinched at the cold expression on his face. “I didn’t intend for you to find out like this.”
“Is this true?” he demanded, waving the letter. “Or have you reconsidered?”
She knew an out when she heard one. It would be so easy to cave in the face of his anger. What was a few months, after all? She could finish her contract. If she did, they could tear up that letter and go back to where they’d been ten minutes ago. She could help him finish the work on his coffee desk.
She could go home with him tonight.
“It’s true.” The words burned her throat, but she forced them out. She couldn’t move backward, not when she’d finally started taking steps toward the life she wanted.
“You’ve got six months left on your contract.”
“I want out of them.”
“I’m reasonably sure you have no grounds to ask that.”
“Come on,” she said, taking a step forward. “Would you really force me to be here when I clearly don’t want to be?”
Those were definitely the wrong words. His eyes went from icy to arctic.
“I didn’t mean that the way it sounded,” she said.
“Oh no?” He balled her letter up in his hands and tossed it across the room. “Because it sounded like you couldn’t wait to get away from me.”
“From the job,” she said. “Not you.”
“It’s one and the same.”
Right Billionaire, Wrong Wedding (Sexy Billionaires) Page 17
