by Ali Parker
“I can make the adjustments now if you just tell me what you want,” she offered.
“No, I’ve got it. You have a big event coming up.” He brushed his fingers by his mouth before pinning her with his stare. “What’s really going on? You didn’t need to come all the way up here for this.”
She shrugged, not sure what to say. Kendal was her professor and boss for the next year. They weren’t friends. Damon held that spot with him, and yet she knew she could talk and he would listen.
Closing her eyes, she let her head fall back and let out a long, shaky sigh. “I’m sorry. I should go. I just haven’t made many friends over the last few years for fear of someone realizing what a fake I was. My two best friends are lost to me right now, both trying to heal, and the one person I want to talk to can’t communicate worth shit. I just needed to get away from everyone.”
“I get it.” Kendal’s voice was soft and kind.
Bethany opened her eyes and turned to smile at him, her tears tucked away for the moment. “He told me that he loved me last night. He told the whole family that we’re together and if they didn’t like it, they could bite his ass.”
“He told his dad to bite his ass?” Kendal lifted his fist to his mouth and let out a short laugh.
She smiled, unable to help herself. “Not exactly, but you get the point.”
“Then why is there hurt sitting all over you? You look like you haven’t slept in a week. Isn’t this what you wanted from him?”
“Yeah. He’s not going to be able to go on the trip and…” She sucked in a deep breath, the water works turning on. She didn’t know Kendal well enough to cry in front of him. Why was she even there?
“He can’t help that, Bethany. He’s fully invested in that firm. It means the world to him, not for his own success, but because his dad’s retirement is in it.”
“No, it’s not that. He called this morning and didn’t even say two words to me. He told Kent that he couldn’t go. I swear, he has no sensitivity about how I might receive him barking at me like I’m his fucking secretary.” She rolled her shoulders and stood. “I need to go. I’m being stupid and showing my age.”
Kendal remained seated, but chuckled again. “It’s okay to be your age. We’re all insecure, no matter how old we are. Go by the office and see him. Stop letting your mind tell you things aren’t good. They are. Go prove it to yourself. He’s probably beyond tense. Offer to grab him a coffee and say, ‘I love you’ in a small way.”
“Yeah. You’re right.” Bethany bent over and picked up her purse, grateful for the handsome man in front of her. He might be close to Damon, but she could see the two of them becoming good friends over the next year as well.
“I’m usually right. I’m a guy.”
She rolled her eyes and pulled her purse onto her shoulder. “Just one more thing.”
“Shoot.”
“You told me that Damon had yet to have a serious relationship because he wouldn’t allow it, but I’ve seen a really pretty blond moving around in the background of our lives for the last few weeks. Am I just making a mountain out of a molehill or is something going on that I should dig into?”
“He’s a one woman man as best I know. He’s not interested in cheating or lies. His past will show you that quickly if you dig a little.” Kendal lifted his hands and stretched. “I’m thinking that’s probably Christa. They dated in high school and college off and on. She’s a rich bitch and an old family friend. They tried to get serious in college, but he just couldn’t seem to truly get into her. I’m glad, to be honest. Bitch was controlling.”
“She’s still around after seven years of you guys being out of college.”
“Six years. Don’t age me please. I’m doing that well enough on my own.”
Bethany forced a smile, this new information not leaving her feeling much better than she had on the way to the school. The blond had been at the restaurant when Kent and Damon had taken her to lunch, and coming out of his office not too long ago with her hair a mess. Was she the one below his desk the day she caught him acting rather nefarious?
Sickness rolled over her as the voice of reason sparked up.
He told you that it wasn’t what it seemed. He’s not done anything to show you distrust.
“Don’t make too much of it. She’s interested in him. He’s interested in you. You’ve broken the cycle of the two of them getting back together over and over again.” Kendal stood and smiled as Bethany turned and walked to the door. “Have fun on your trip and stop worrying. I’ll see you when you get back. Give him space… he’s worth it.”
This had to get easier. Wondering if things were going to fall through the floor before they really began was going to get old fast. Much like him not taking her feelings into consideration when he was at the office.
He might be worth her efforts, but was she worth his?
CHAPTER THREE
Bethany took the long way to the office, working hard to talk herself into actually stopping by. Damon would be in a horrible mood because of the situation with Zarpeth. Did she really want to set herself up to be his punching bag?
Maybe Kendal was right. She should give him the benefit of the doubt and simply stop by with an ‘I love you’ of sorts.
She made a quick turn off the freeway and pulled into the local coffee shop, ordering herself something sweet and picking up Damon’s favorite drink. Pulling back out onto the road, she steeled herself, locking her emotions down. She was disappointed about him not being able to come. That’s really what it boiled down to. She could sling anger and accusation at him for not speaking to her earlier, or she could give him the coffee, kiss his cheek and go home to pack.
Matt would be in Jamaica with her. There was tons of fun to be had with just the two of them together. She smiled at the thought and turned on the radio in the car, finding something upbeat and losing herself in it.
By the time she reached the office, she had completely reset her mood. She parked and took a long drink of her frozen coffee before checking her teeth and smoothing her hair. He would most likely make a comment about her jeans and t-shirt, but she would turn it into humor if she had to.
“No hurt feelings and no overreacting.” She looked at herself in the rear-view mirror before getting out and walking languidly to the front door. A familiar voice caught her attention as she reached for the door handle.
“I thought you were on vacation?” Ben walked up next to her, reaching out and opening the door for her.
“I am, starting tomorrow. I was actually going to work today, but my mother has wedding jitters and turned it into ‘clean out the old house’ day.” She smirked and glanced toward Ben, trying to get a read on him as to whether he was judging her grungy look.
“Well, I’m glad you stopped by. I wanted to tell you that we have a new audit I want to pull you onto with me when you get back.” He smiled, the expression reaching his eyes. If he thought she looked bad, she couldn’t tell. She let the thought fade, writing it off as another useless insecurity.
“That sounds great. Is it here in Dallas?”
“It’s actually back in Seattle. You can stay here most of the week, but we’ll take you up there a few times. It’s a four-week audit. Damon’s fighting with them today unfortunately, or at least their Florida branch. I swear no one has standards anymore.” Ben scoffed.
“I’m headed up to see him. I should have brought you a coffee too. You want me to go grab you guys something?” Bethany moved into the elevator when it opened.
“No, but thanks. I just had a late lunch with the interns. Everyone is doing great, so no need for a pick me up just yet.” He pressed the button for his floor and glanced over his shoulder at her. “You going to the top?”
“I guess you could say that.” They laughed together at the double entendre.
The door opened and he got off, pausing and turning around. “Have a great time on your trip. Relax and find your center.”
“I plan on try
ing.” She smiled as the door closed. That’s exactly what she needed to do. If she could locate her center, it would help squash some of the raging insecurities of who she would have to be to keep a guy like Damon. Maybe it had nothing to do with working to keep him, but simply being herself and letting him be him.
She moved out of the elevator as the door opened.
Linda looked up from her desk and smiled. “Hey Bethany. We didn’t expect you today.”
“Yeah, I just wanted to stop by and spread a little cheer to the boss-man. I hear he’s having quite a day.”
“You could say that. He’s morphed into a large grizzly bear, so enter at your own risk.” She smiled and nodded toward the door. “He’s on the phone, but I’m sure he won’t mind you slipping in. Just be quiet if you can.”
“Of course.” Bethany turned the knob carefully before slipping into the small crack she created. She closed the door and met eyes with Damon as he glanced up.
He lifted his hand to warn her not to speak, his gaze almost aggressive.
She nodded and moved to sit in one of the chairs surrounding the small table in the middle of his large office. His blue slacks fit him perfectly, his white shirt only helping to accent the darkness of his tan. How badly she wanted to be the one to button up his shirt in the morning and kiss him before he left for the day.
And she would be.
Their next steps were going to be to get to know each other better, get through their parents’ wedding and then she was going to push him to move in together. They were better for each other the more time they spent in the presence of the other. She would love to move into his house, but needed him to be the one that suggested it.
“I know that, Patrick. Here’s the end result of this conversation. You pull your staff together and reiterate once more that the corporate office of McKenzie and Bryant has standards. If your staff isn’t willing to sign off on those rules and regulations and abide by them, then we have no use for their talents.”
He paused and ran his fingers through his dark hair. Bethany set his coffee on the table next to her as her eyes moved across him. The swell of his pectoral muscles pushed at his shirt as he twisted a certain way. Just knowing what lay underneath all his clothing left her blood warming. Now wasn’t the time for a sexual intervention, but it sure sounded good.
“I’m coming to Florida in two weeks and when I get there… this shit better be cleared up. You’re on your last warning. Tell me you understand clearly the objectives of the tasks I’ve given you and that you will be getting them done.”
He moved out from behind his desk and walked toward the window. Reaching up, he pressed his hand to the glass and seemed to be looking out at the city. She couldn’t help but stare at the soft curve of his rear, her heart pounding a little harder in her chest as her desire spiked.
“Good. Don’t fuck this up. I’m out of patience with you.”
Damon pulled the phone from his ear and hit a button before turning and walking toward her. He let out a long sigh and stopped in front of her.
Bethany stood up and slid her hands up his chest, pulling him down for a long kiss.
He mumbled ‘yes’ before sliding his arms around her.
She flattened herself against the front of him, loving every hard plane of him that pressed against her softness. She ran her fingers through his hair, scratching softly as he slid his tongue deep into her mouth. Pressing her teeth against his offering, she shifted her hips, rubbing herself against him.
He broke the kiss, closing his eyes and pressing his forehead to hers. “How did you know that I needed that?”
“I didn’t. I simply needed it.” She smiled as he opened his eyes, the dark orbs seeing far into the center of her soul.
“Such a greedy little thing, aren’t you?” He nipped at her mouth before pulling back. Walking back to his desk, he tugged at his erection and growled at her.
“Only for certain things.” She walked to his desk and extended the coffee toward him. “You missed out on your brother and father renewing their man-cards this morning.”
Damon let out a short laugh, his mood seeming to have shifted. “That so? Tell me about it. I could use a break from this shit.”
He plopped down in his chair and took the coffee from her, taking a deep drink of it and shaking his head in approval.
Bethany sat down in one of the empty chairs beside her and leaned back, crossing her legs and tilting her head slightly. He watched her like a hawk, his eyes moving down the length of her. She stifled a shiver.
“Mom gave away her washer and dryer set and Matt and Kent loaded it for the older man who got it. I swear, I expected one of them to throw their back out.” She shook her head as a smile lifted her lips.
“Dad lifted a washer?” Damon set the coffee down and licked at his lips.
“Yeah, but he wasn’t touting it like Matt.”
“True Matthew fashion… to sing of his own greatness.” Damon tapped his fingers on the desk in front of him. “How are you? You feeling okay after our conversation last night?”
The moments in the pool the night before were like a dream come true. Damon admitting his love for her and asking her to dive headlong into the future with him. Incredible, yet so damn terrifying.
“I’m working through it. I feel beyond blessed, but you know how us youngins can be. I’m already questioning why me.” She glanced down at her hands, hating the topic at hand.
“Because you’re everything I want in my life.” He reached across the desk and tugged at a long strand of her hair that had fallen loose.
“Greedy little thing, aren’t you?” Bethany looked up and smirked.
He laughed and leaned his head back, closing his eyes. “I’m sorry about this morning. I was so fucking furious over not getting to leave with you guys that I just wanted to break some shit. I should have told you instead of telling dad.”
“It’s fine. I understand.” She stood up and walked around the desk toward him.
He reached up and brushed his fingers down her arm before tugging her down into his lap. Bethany turned and sat down, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“It’s not fine. I’ll work on it.” He pulled her down for another long kiss, his fingers snaking up into her hair and holding the back of her head tightly.
She relaxed into the kiss, suddenly wanting so much more. She made love to his mouth for a few minutes until his arousal pressed against her uncomfortably.
“When are you coming home tonight?” She kissed him briefly again.
“I’ll be at dad’s a little late, but I should make it by seven. Be there.”
“I will. Let’s have dinner with them and then we’ll sneak off to your place. That sound good?”
“I wish baby. I need to eat and then make my way back up here.” He ran his fingers along her face softly. “I’ll be there for the wedding and we can spend the night together afterward.”
“Okay.” Bethany tried to hide the disappointment that spread through her. Not being close to Damon was going to suck royally. She had laid her hopes on one more night. She needed it.
“Come here. Kiss me again and then get your sexy ass out of here. You’ve made the day a million times better.” He pulled her down and took his time licking and kissing at her mouth.
Bethany melted against him, her fingers brushing by his cock as he groaned. She would have pushed the moment if his phone hadn’t interrupted them.
He moved back and checked it, growling softly.
“I need to get that.” He pushed at her butt to move her off of him.
She stood and wiped at her mouth before walking to get her purse. She turned to tell him that she loved him, but he was already on the phone, his head down and pencil scribbling furiously.
“Love you,” she whispered under her breath as she walked to the door, no return gesture given to her.
CHAPTER FOUR
Bethany walked into Kent’s large home as the smell of apple and cinnamon hi
t her in the face. She breathed in deeply and made a detour to the kitchen. Martha, their chef, was whistling a tune and taking pies out of the oven.
“It smells divine in here.” Bethany moved around the portly woman and closed the oven for her.
“Apple and peach pies were the first things my momma taught me how to make. I’ve been baking them from scratch since I was a little girl.” Martha smiled and pulled her mittens from her hands. “What’s wrong? The frown on your face is not the normal reaction to the smell of this goodness, you silly girl.”
Bethany chuckled and moved toward the large counter that ran the length of the kitchen. Several pies baked to perfection sat proudly. She breathed in deeply, trying to decide what her response should be.
“I’m just sad that Damon is going to have to miss the vacation part of this trip. He’ll be there for the wedding, but I was looking forward to spending some time with him.” She shrugged.
“That’s completely natural. I would be disappointed too. His daddy is for sure.” Martha picked up a rag and started to wipe off the counters. “I have chicken laid out for the big family dinner tonight. You want Mexican or Italian style?”
Matt walked in and smiled. “Italian all the way. That means more bread, right?”
“Tortillas are bread, boy.” Martha wound up her hand towel and popped him.
His yelp caused Bethany to smile despite herself.
“Italian it is, unless the lady wants something else.” Martha glanced back to Bethany. Matt gave her a look that said to agree with Italian or he would put a hurting on her. She laughed and nodded, her stepbrother quick to break her sour mood.
“I’m good with anything edible. I need to pack actually, so I’ll get that done, unless you need my help in here?” She walked toward Martha, reaching out and rubbing the older woman’s shoulder. She was so good to the Bryant’s and had pulled Bethany in quickly to be part of the family.
