After a minute, I felt him chuckle. "Damn, woman. I'll never be able to focus on work again since you just made one of my fantasies come true."
I managed to find the energy to lift my head up, so I could look at him. "You've had office sex fantasies?"
"Ever since you first came to my office, I have."
I couldn't hold back my surprise. "With me?"
He smirked. "Well, I like Ellie, but no, she's never inspired that image for me."
I wrinkled my nose and smacked him lightly on the chest. "I'd imagine a lot of guys imagine having sex in their office at some point."
"Probably. But none of the women who've ever crossed my threshold have compelled such a desire to make use of that couch than you."
"I'm sure there've been several who were willing. Carissa among them."
His sigh made me think my comment must have frustrated him. "Why did you come here tonight?"
I was puzzled by his comment and worried that it wasn't a denial. "I was worried you would skip dinner again."
"Is that the only reason?"
"What else would there be?"
"Do you trust me, Grace?"
Now his thought process made sense. "Yes, I do, but knowing you've never had a long-term girlfriend leaves me wondering when my replacement will come along."
He flinched, and I knew I'd hurt him. "There's no one but you, Grace." His tone was intense despite the quiet way he spoke. "You can bring me all the food you want, but it's you that gives me strength."
My smile was shaky. "I think that's the sweetest thing anyone has ever told me. And you said you weren't charming."
His hand swatted my butt. "I said I wasn't a prince, not that I couldn't be charming. After all, it was my charm that got you to finally have dinner with me."
"I think that was actually my mother's work, but we won't argue the details," I said dryly. "We're here now, and that's what matters."
He kissed me lingeringly. "Now, where's the rest of my dinner? I need my nourishment if I'm going to keep my promise of what I've got planned for you once I get you home."
Funny how I found a renewed sense of energy with his words. We redressed and finished the sandwiches and the soup that was surprisingly still warm. As I sat at a chair at the table where Jax and his team had been meeting earlier, I took the time to look at some of the drawings of buildings that had been propped up against the back of the table.
"What are those?"
"They're potential designs for some of the buildings I'm developing downtown."
"Clarissa's work?"
He eyed me warily. "Much of it. She's good at what she does."
"She is." I eyed the pictures again, trying to find flaws, but finding none. I recognized one of the buildings already finished. I was hit by a surge of pride in Jax's vision, even if it took Clarissa to help him make it come to life. "I remember what this building looked like before you took it over. It's amazing what you've done." I quirked an eye up at him. "You've a keen eye for potential."
He smiled and shrugged as if it was no big deal, but if I wasn't mistaken, his cheeks took on a pinkish hue. Another picture caught my eye. "What's this one? Something about it looks familiar, but I can't quite place it."
"It was the topic of the discussion when you got here. It's the old printing press building. I plan to turn it into a parking garage. The city needs it desperately, especially if it wants to draw new businesses downtown successfully. I need it to make my new office spaces more marketable, or I run the risk of having premium office spaces with no room for parking. I thought I had a deal with the City Manager, but now he's hedging on me. It could end up being a poor investment if I can't get it."
I had to swallow my heart back into place. Now I knew why it looked familiar. It was the same building that the new Kidz Korner had hoped to purchase. Of all the buildings, it had the most checks in the 'pro' column. It had large open spaces that could be converted to gym floors and dance classes, it was on the bus route, and it already had an elevator. Best of all, it was cheap because it wasn't designed for offices so anyone else wanting the space would have more major renovations to make it ready for all of the office equipment and internet needs they would require.
Now, two causes I believed in wanted the same space. Both had valid reasons and legitimate needs for it. Both seeking to learn about the other. I sat down, shaken by the realization that I was the key to what each wanted. How could I choose? My loyalty was to Jax, but I'd also invested so much of myself and my time into trying to gain the building for the kids I'd come to care about so much.
"Grace, everything okay?"
No, I'm not. I know who your roadblock to getting what you want is. "I'm fine. I just spaced out for a few minutes." I faked a grin at him trying to relieve his concerned expression. "I think you wore me out. Maybe we should head home soon if you're ready."
"Sit. I'll clean up. Maybe you should ride back with me. I can have someone bring your car to you in the morning."
"No, that's okay. I'll be fine." And I need the time by myself to decide what to do. I can't tell either one without betraying the other. They could each use the information to fight against the other.
Jax finished cleaning up our dinner, then followed me back to my apartment. Concerned that I was still too quiet, he ran a warm shower insisting that it would help me relax. Long minutes later I returned to my bedroom to find the sheets turned down and a mug of warm milk and honey. While I drank, he brushed my hair, murmuring once again that I worked too hard and I should hire someone. Whether it was the homemade sleep remedy, the soothing brush strokes, or the slow, gentle way he made love to me, I fell asleep in his arms, only to dream of buildings crumbling on top of everything I held dear.
34
Grace
"Something on your mind tonight?" I stood behind Jax, burrowing my thumbs deep into his muscles. It had been a week since I'd discovered Jax's plan to buy the Press Building. How ironic that the building had sat there for almost over a decade unused and unwanted, only to be coveted by more than one buyer at the same time.
I'd wished for a new solution for either party, but neither had backed down, neither knowing the other person who wanted it. I'm not sure what his actual intentions were, but Alan Phelps had really made a muck of my life, as well as Jax's and Gene's.
Jax rolled his head and sat back from his desk. "Just work." He swiveled his chair so that he could face me. He clasped the back of my thighs and pulled me closer and leaned his head against my stomach. "I'm sorry. I know I promised not to bring work home, but I have a meeting at the City Council the day after tomorrow. I need to review what my staff put together for me. A lot of things hinge on it. If this deal falls through, so do a lot of other things. If I knew what or who I was going up against, I'd feel a lot better."
My fingers stilled for a minute as a wave of guilt passed through me. I hadn't known how to handle this. But I knew I hated when other people interfered in my business, much less my life. I'd racked my brains for a different solution, but so far hadn't come up with one. It was the cowardly way out, but I'd decided until I could think of something else, I wouldn't say anything to either Jax nor Gene, letting the chips fall where they would as if I'd never discovered the link.
I threaded my fingers through his hair. "I'm sure it will all work out. You can be very convincing, you know. After all, you managed to convince me to go out with you." I winked at him.
He grinned back. "My greatest accomplishment. And the most meaningful. I've never known someone like you, Grace. Never had someone in my corner."
Ouch! Doubt filled my mind. Surely, if I confided in him, together, we could find a solution. I couldn't let him down. Gene would just have to understand.
His hands moved up the back of my thighs under my skirt to squeeze my ass.
"Jax, there's something I need to—"
I stopped when his phone rang. I saw the regret in his eyes when he looked to see who it was. "I'm sorry, but it might
be important."
I smiled and stepped back, nodding that I understood. To give him some privacy, I decided to go to my bedroom and put away some laundry that I'd folded before Jax came over. I smiled as I worked, enjoying hearing the rumble of his voice in the distance. I smoothed a wrinkle in a shirt that belonged to Jax before I put it in a drawer I'd cleaned out for him. He'd started leaving a few articles of clothing and some shaving supplies, so he had something to change into if he came over straight from work.
I knew this was a new step for him. It was the start of a future together. That meant he should be my priority; his needs should be my needs. As hard as it might be, I needed to tell him what I knew about the building. It wouldn't really be interfering since I wouldn't be manipulating the decisions. He'd still have to justify why he should be the one to purchase it.
Finally feeling at peace, I headed out to tell him but was halted when my cell phone rang. I was excited to see it was Nina, Micah's mom. I'd given a lot of thought to Jax's suggestion about hiring an assistant. I studied my finances to see if I could support the addition. Jade double checked my figures and confirmed that I easily could, and with a few adjustments she suggested, I decided to take the plunge.
I'd been impressed with Nina when she volunteered at the shelter, easily seeing the big picture and breaking it up into manageable tasks and delegating them with authority. She'd been thrilled when I suggested it to her, but she wanted to take a few days to think about it rather than jump in, which impressed me further to know she wasn't impulsive.
"I hope you have good news for me," I said, answering the phone with a laugh. We chatted a few minutes, and by the time I hung up, I was beaming.
As I entered the living room, I was glad to see Jax was off the phone. "Hey, guess what? I've got good news!" As I rounded the end of the couch, I noticed Jax's head was bowed as he leaned his arms on his knees. "Is everything okay?"
"That was John, my lawyer who’s working to secure a contract for me."
"Oh. Did something happen?"
"Tell me you didn't know."
The sinking feeling I'd had earlier returned. "Know what?" I hedged.
"Tell me you didn't know that Gene Carlin was the man who is trying to bid on the building I want."
"Jax, I..."
When he looked at me, I wished he hadn't. His eyes glittered with hurt and anger. His mouth was pulled tight, and the space between his eyes was red and wrinkled. "How long?" He stood and faced me. "How long have you known?"
"Jax." I took a step in his direction and reached out my hand, but he held himself away. I shook my head. "I just figured it out last week when we were at your office, and I asked about the drawing."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
I nearly broke at the sound of betrayal in his voice. "I didn't know what to do." I waved my hands helplessly.
"Well, I do! You're supposed to tell me, the man you're supposed to care about when it's something that was so important to me."
"I do care, Jax. I love you! But I also care about Gene and the teen center. I thought it was easier to stay out of your business, the same way I asked you to stay out of mine."
He grabbed up his papers and started stuffing them into his briefcase. "Did you tell Gene?"
I frantically shook my head, 'no,' but he grabbed his jacket off the back of the couch. "Are you leaving? Can't we talk about this?"
"Talk? Now you want to talk? The time for that was last week when you figured it out." He used his fingers to make quotation marks. "My God, Grace! Do you see how stupid this makes me look? I contributed to my own competition to bid against me at the fucking charity dinner!"
Tears streamed down my cheeks. "I'm sorry. So, so sorry. What can I do?"
He strode to the door. "Nothing. I thought you were different. I thought you'd always have my back, Grace. I guess Laurel isn't the only actress in your family." He opened the door and slammed it behind him. Seconds later, I heard the engine of his car roar and tires peal down the street.
I sank to my knees, sobbing.
All this time I'd worried he'd be the one to let me down, to back out on me. Instead, I was the one who hurt him. I was the one who dropped the ball. And I didn't think there was any glove big enough to save this.
35
Jax
I was running late. In a stroke of irony, there was a traffic hurdle downtown close to City Hall thanks to two cars fighting for the same parking place on the street refused to yield to each other. By the time I was able to maneuver around the standoff, I had less than ten minutes to park and run to the meeting chamber. I blew out a long breath and straightened my tie as I slid into the seat next to John. I gave a cursory glance at Gene who was seated across the aisle. His expression tensed as he saw me. Rather than the proud bearing I remembered from my youth, he looked tired, and his eyes looked troubled and sad as he sat by himself.
I didn't like the way his demeanor unwittingly tugged on my emotions, which were raw enough after learning about Grace's betrayal two days ago. Sympathy had no place in business; it allowed for vulnerability, and I hadn’t built my business by being weak.
Look where yielding to emotions had gotten me with Grace—one big heartache. Knowing she was hurting didn’t make me feel any better. Grace had texted me multiple times. I read her apologies and her pleas to talk. Even Jade texted me, reminding me of how she’d remove my balls in a very creative and painful way if I continued to hurt her friend.
What they were both forgetting is that I was hurting. I wanted to talk to Grace, but I wasn’t ready, yet. I wasn’t sure what to say that wouldn’t make things worse. So here I was, alone once again, ready to run roughshod over Gene and gain the building I needed. I knew, however, that even if I had a victory here today, I’d still feel empty.
John slid a file in front of me, thankfully bringing my attention back to the present. "Glad you made it. We're first on the agenda."
"Good. I want to get this over with."
If John was surprised by my terse words, he didn't let on. He continued to review his notes, then sat straight in his chair with his hands linked together on the table in front of him as other members of the council filed in. His confidence only emphasized Gene's lesser prepared state.
Given the important community decisions that took place in this room, it was pretty underwhelming. The most remarkable thing about it was its round shape. Pictures of the city as it evolved over the century decorated the wall behind the chairs where the council members sat in an arch at the front of the room. I spied the City Manager, Alan Phelps, enter from a door to the left of the seats. He unbuttoned his jacket and took his seat in the middle of the row.
I respected Alan, at least up until this issue came up. It felt as if he had grown to enjoy a role in power playing; like he took some strange pleasure in forcing my hand. As the city had grown and developed, so had his role in the city government. And while he wasn't doing anything technically illegal, he was a little bit too smug about reminding me who had more power here.
Fine. I'd let him have his little power play. This was a closed meeting, so he wasn't impressing anyone. In fact, the room was oddly quiet from other times I'd been here. It was the reason I could hear the door behind me open and click shut. Immediately, I sensed Grace's presence. I hadn't seen her since I left her apartment. She'd sent me multiple texts and left several voice mails, but I hadn't read or listened to any of them. Not just out of anger, but I knew hearing her voice would be too painful. It would make me want to break down and run to her. I'd promised myself that never again would I allow a woman—anyone for that matter—to make me weak again. I'd slipped with Grace. I'd thought she was different. But once again, I was proved right—women were nefarious creatures.
I could feel her eyes on me as she took a seat next to Gene, but I kept mine straight ahead, swallowing down my disappointment and hurt. One last small part of me had hoped she sit behind me, one last effort to believe she'd take my side. But it seemed
she'd made her choice—and I wasn't it.
Sheila Brooks, the President of the City Council, called the meeting to order. "We're here tonight to determine the best use of the building that has become known as 'The Press Building.' Prior to several days ago, the Council was unaware of any solid interest in this structure, and now it seems we have two potential candidates, only recently brought forth by our City Manager." She shot a pointed look at Alan, who frowned and kept his attention aimed at the water glass in front of him. "Regardless, each interested party has a unique suggestion and approach as to how to utilize it. Each is a worthy solution. The question we must concern ourselves with is which will best benefit the city of Passion.
"Tonight's special meeting was called so we could hear each side present their reasoning. And while we know you'd like a hurried decision, that, gentlemen, is not likely to come tonight. With all this out of the way, who'd like to present first?"
John immediately shot to his feet, straightening his suit coat as he did. Sheila nodded at him. John smoothly presented our idea to turn the building into a parking garage, while listing all the reasons our growing city needed one, as well as why repurposing the building made the most sense and would save the city and taxpayers money in the end. He described the two options we'd come up with involving the purchase and subsequent split of profits incurred from parking fees. I was amazed. What took us weeks of figuring, he'd summarized in five minutes. He handed each member of the council a folder that I knew contained more details, but he wasn't overwhelming them from the get-go.
Sheila leaned into the small microphone in front of her. "Thank you." She looked at her peers. "Any questions?" There were none. "Then Dr. Carlin, you have the floor."
Steeling myself, I took my first solid look in their direction. Gene glanced at Grace, who squeezed his hand and nodded. As he stood, Grace glanced at me. I was caught off guard with how miserable and small she looked, nothing like the vibrant, confident woman I'd met. I fisted my fingers and hardened my resolve by reminding myself of why we were on two different sides of the aisle. Her face silently pleaded with me to understand, to forgive. A piece of me, a very large piece, wanted to run to her and cradle her in my arms and comfort her; to assure her everything would be all right. Instead, I managed to keep my expression neutral and turned to face the front of the room, but not before I saw her eyes glisten with tears.
Against the Rules Page 27
