They would too. My mother was going to be happy I’d brought someone, anyone along other than Jason, and my dad’s opinion really didn’t matter. I’m sure any woman I brought around he’d think David would have done better. And for once, I didn’t care. Like her or not, she was staying around if I had anything to do with it.
She met my eyes. “It’s important to you that they do, and that’s why I wanted to be perfect. Most days I don’t wear dresses.” I was a bit confused considering the way she’d dressed on our trip. She took a deep breath and then gave me a bashful grin. “I have been dressing up for you. I didn’t want to look like a rag next to the man with the ten-grand watch.”
“Actually, this watch is one of David’s. He gave it to me when he got a new one just before he died. So my expensive watch is a hand-me-down.” We shared a laugh as I shrugged and pulled her in for a quick kiss then I looked into her eyes. “I missed you all morning. I’m not sure what to do with that.”
“I can relate.” She closed her eyes as if savoring the moment. I brushed a loose curl away from her face and wondered how I ever got so lucky. All the money I’d gained, all the opportunity that had fallen into my lap, hadn’t been anything compared to meeting her. The rest seemed like circumstance, but Megan, she was fate.
“So how about we just keep doing it until we figure it out?” I held my breath hoping she’d agree and her smile was all I needed.
Chapter 12
Megan
Ryan seemed to grow tense on the way over. All of the hardness that had been in his expression the day we’d first met was back in a matter of miles. It was the same hard expression I’d noticed him getting when his father was mentioned and I couldn’t help but be worried about him.
It couldn’t be easy having a parent look at you in a bad light, but I was certain there had to be love there somewhere. I hoped that one day the two of them would find resolve and put the past behind them. Life was too short, and one day they’d regret the time they wasted being harsh to one another.
He raked his hand through his hair and checked his watch.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I decided that maybe he needed someone to listen, but instead, he shook his head.
“Is it that obvious?” He chuckled. “It’ll be fine. I mostly just hope he’s in a good mood and not missing my brother. Sometimes when we all get together, he’s reminded of who’s missing. It makes him sad, and he shows sadness by being grumpy.”
“That’s understandable. Loss is hard. Look at how mean I was at first, and that was mostly because of the bitterness I’d let fester over my grandfather’s death. I wanted to blame you even though I knew it wasn’t anyone’s fault. It just happens. Your dad will figure it out. Most likely he’s mad at himself. I know I was. Even though there was no way I had anything to do with my grandfather dying, sometimes I wish I could have saved him somehow. Mourning is a process of acceptance, and we all take different paths to get there. So if you do ever want to talk about it, I’m here.”
“I will keep that in mind, but for now, a kiss will do.” He gave me a wink and our mouths met, soft and tender at first, but by the time we got to their house, we were making out nice and deep. That was the benefit of having a driver, I suppose.
He pulled away and was about to open the door when I pulled his arm. “Wait, you have my lipstick all over your mouth.” I’d used a frosted pale peach that was barely visible against my pale skin, but against his tan complexion, it was gleaming. I took my thumb and wiped it off. “How do I look? Is my face still on straight?”
“You’re perfect.” He took my hand and helped me from the car, and my mouth dropped open at the sight of the huge mansion.
I stopped in my tracks, and he turned around. “Yeah, it’s the house that pollution built. Let’s go see what’s inside.” I chuckled at his joke, but what was going through my mind was exactly how much wealth and riches Ryan had in his life. Yet all he wanted was his father’s acceptance. It was sad, really and it stirred my fire.
He kept me close to his side as we went in and were greeted his mother. One look at me and she was grinning ear to ear.
“Ryan, why didn’t you tell me you were bringing someone.” She pulled me into a hug and then stepped back to offer her hand. “I’m Tilly, Ryan’s mother. It’s so good to meet you.”
She looked to Ryan who quickly responded. “This is Megan Stephens. Megan, this is my mom.” She was a tall, thin woman with dyed black hair and so much chunky gold jewelry it practically hung on her like a Christmas tree, but she had the kindest smile. Her eyes were the same dark color and shape of Ryan’s.
“Come in, come in!” The woman was practically beside herself as she led us through the house which was filled with so many things it seemed much smaller. She took us into a formal dining room that had a small sitting area to the side near a fireplace. Above the mantle was a family portrait, and a smiling, younger Ryan stood beside his brother, David. The two could have been twins they were so much alike, and I wondered if that was part of his father’s grief. One son reminded him too much of the other.
“You have a beautiful home.” I could tell by all of the things that the older woman a special pride about her home. There were lavish bouquets and plants everywhere, and some of them even looked fresh instead of silk. “The flowers are gorgeous.”
She gave Ryan a look and placed her hand on her heart. “Thank you, dear. I was a florist in my younger days, owned my own shop until I married Ryan’s father and had children. It’s still a hobby. I buy some of the flowers I arrange, but I have a nice garden. Perhaps Ryan could take you through it after dinner.” She gave her son a sly smile and a wink.
Ryan’s father showed up a few minutes later, and the introductions were done over. He seemed like a nice enough man, but there was something cunning in his eyes, a certain scrutiny that he didn’t quite hide.
We were called to dinner and took our places at the table. Ryan sat me next to him, and he was beside his father and across from his mother. Tilly was a delight, and she seemed a tad younger than his father.
“So what kind of work do you do, dear? Are you in school?” The question threw me a bit, and I glanced at Ryan who stifled a grin.
“I’ve finished school, but I still do extensive studies in my field. It’s an ongoing part of what I do as an environmentalist.” I waited for some sort of reaction from Tilly, but she seemed pleased by my confession.
But my career path hadn’t escaped Mr. Walker. “Environmentalist?” He glanced at his son who sipped his wine.
“Yes, Dad, Megan is the woman from Easton.” He cut his steak and took a bite.
“You know it was my doing bring you in, my son here didn’t want to upset his team, but we on the board felt it was a smart move.” Ryan shook his head next to me.
“She’s quite aware, Dad.” We exchanged a glance, and then I narrowed my eyes toward his father.
“Yes, and it’s about time you did step up and take responsibility for your company’s environmental issues. How many years did you run the company without an environment advisor?”
Tilly’s laughter faded as she sipped her wine. Then she glanced at Ryan and whispered, “I like her,” across the table.
Mr. Walker’s face had turned red with a scowl, but then he smiled as I met him with a challenging glare. “I like her too. She’s got guts, this one. You should keep her around.”
Ryan leaned in closer toward his father. “As a matter of fact, I’ve asked her to join the team as a lead consultant.”
The old man’s eyes lit with surprise. “I take it things went well on your trip.” He cut a piece of steak and popped it into his mouth.
I didn’t wait for Ryan to answer. “As a matter of fact it did, everything was running smoothly. That environmental team has really done amazing things, and I’m eager to get on board so I can help and learn.” Ryan met my eyes and smiled. I wasn’t about to tell his father anything negative that would reflect on Ryan or worse, try to
take credit. He didn’t need to know our business and Ryan was making great strides and that he’d done all on his own.
“Well, that’s wonderful. I’m proud of you, son.” Ryan’s head turned toward his father's and his jaw dropped. After a moment he caught himself.
“Thanks, Dad. I’m glad it was a worthwhile investment.” He looked at me and gave a little shrug with his brows.
We sat through the whole dinner, laughing and chatting, and in the end, I liked both of his parents, but I could see what he had meant. The only times David was mentioned it was in comparison to Ryan, and I could tell by Tilly’s expressions that she noticed it too.
After, his parents sipped wine on the sofa and Tilly encouraged us to take that walk. Her garden was amazing, and there were flowers in it I’d never seen before. Exotic varieties and common ones, they were all stunning together in one room. The place was magical, and as Ryan kissed me there, beneath the canopy of sweeping vines, I knew I wanted more. I wasn’t just falling for him. I was falling in love.
I thought about the words he’d said, how we’d keep on and see where it went, and when I looked forward, I couldn’t imagine a future without him.
Chapter 13
Ryan
I sat in my office reading my latest message from Megan and sipping coffee. Over the past month she’d not only brought out the best in me, but she’d whipped all my boys into shape, and while hesitant at first, they were all already eating out of the palm of her hand.
One might credit her beauty and charm, but it was her confidence that shined and I was head over heels for her.
I didn’t think I’d ever find someone like her, someone that lifted me up and at the same time put me in check when needed without making me hate her. I’d been set in my ways for so long and hadn’t even realized it until others pointed it out. And in each case it was her.
Jason had even approved and was quite smitten with Jana Jones. I had a feeling he’d like her. The two were set to have their first date in two days.
Gina stuck her head in the door. “Sir, just a warning, your father is on the way up.”
She ducked away as he entered the room behind her and I could hear his chipper tone as he greeted her.
He marched into my office and tossed a paper down in front of me, it landed with a thud. I picked it up wondering what he was so excited about.
“I’m impressed, Ryan. You’ve really taken this company to new heights. You’re moving quickly to be the top ranked enviro-friendly company in the country. Our stocks have done incredibly well too, son. Congratulations.” I’d never seen the old man so happy.
“Thanks, Dad.”
He took a seat in front of me and looked around my office. “You know, I’ve never told you this, but I always had a hard time picturing David heading the company. I spent so much time with him trying to warm him up to the idea, but I can’t help feeling he lacked the confidence to really make this company great the way you have. You’ve done me proud, son.”
I wanted to ask him what he’d done with my father, but instead, I let out a long breath. “I never thought I’d hear you say that. I always thought that you wished it was him running things.”
Dad frowned. “It wasn’t that I wished that, just that I miss my son.”
“I know, Dad, me too. I feel horrible about it and wished I could have done more for him. I’ve felt like I let everyone down that night. I just couldn’t move.”
“You were pinned in the car, Ryan. You couldn’t move, you’re lucky, we’re all lucky that you survived. You don’t know what it’s like getting a call like that and I hope you never do, but, let me tell you, the only thing worse than hearing you’ve lost your son is hearing you’ve lost two. I thank God every day that I didn’t get that call. You’re the only thing that brought your mother and I through it.”
“I’ve always felt so guilty because I caused the accident.” I couldn’t believe he was telling me that. That I’d had it all wrong all along and had let my own guilt cloud my head and eat at me.
“I want you to stop blaming yourself, Ryan. It was an accident, and there wasn’t anything you could have done. You weren’t being careless. You weren’t drinking, you were just a young man carrying your brother home from someplace that he shouldn’t have been and that’s my fault. Your mother had told me to stop enabling his drinking, but I felt like it was the only way to connect with him. I could blame myself, but your brother started drinking in high school, and it only got worse in college. I should have gotten him help, but ultimately, that was on him. He had a choice in the matter.” He stood up and walked around my desk, and I stood to give him a hug.
I felt all the anger and guilt fade at that moment.
“I love you, son. Don’t ever think I’m not proud.” He gave me a pat on the back and then left as I wiped the tear from the corner of my eye.
I pondered the moment as I stared out the window and then I heard the door close behind me. I turned, and Megan was standing across the room looking more beautiful than ever. Maybe it was my mood, but I swear she did.
I met her halfway across the floor and pulled her into my arms, kissing the top of her head. Then I leaned down and captured her mouth. I kissed her hard and deliberate as if everything I wanted to say to her was understood with the simple gesture.
She pulled away breathless. “You’re going to steal my soul with that deep kiss, Mr. Walker.” She’d been calling me that since she’d come to work for me and while at first, I wasn’t sure I liked it, it had proven to be a huge turn on, especially when she said it in front of others.
Only a few knew we were seeing each other because we hadn’t made things official, so it was like our own little secret. But that was about to change.
I pulled her close and walked her to the window so I could see the sunlight on her face and how it sparkled in her eyes like emeralds.
“I have something I’ve wanted to say to you, and this day is so perfect right now I can’t wait.” I stroked her cheek, and she smiled.
I let a moment pass. It wasn’t because I was hesitating, I was simply lost in her. “What? Tell me,” she urged.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too, Ryan.” She seemed to search my eyes. “Why today? Have you been crying?”
I lifted my chin in denial but gave a little shrug. “Well, I wasn’t blubbering like a fool, but I had a tender moment with my father earlier, and we worked things out. It’s been a long time coming is all. And you, I’ve wanted you to know how I feel for weeks. I kept telling myself I wanted it to be perfect when I told you, fancy dinner, candlelight, but the only feast I need is your lips and the only light I need is in your eyes.”
Her mouth found mine kissing me with intent and purpose. “Does this mean we start dating for real now or do we keep it quiet since you’re technically my boss?” There wasn’t any workplace policy against dating, and if there were, Jason would have been reprimanded weekly.
I searched her eyes for signs of uncertainty. “Are you worried about what they’ll think or say?”
She shrugged. “Are you?”
“I say it’s my damned company and they better treat you like a queen if they know what’s good for them.” I belted a laugh when she gave me a look like I might have lost my mind.
“Does this mean you’ll be treating me like a queen too?” There was mischief in her grin and a gleam in her eye, and I pulled her closer.
“I hope I already do.”
Her smile softened. “You know you do. You’ve been a perfect gentleman considering I can be such a brat.”
“So we go public? Damn the repercussions?”
She locked her arms around my waist and leaned into me. “Yes, but I guess now I’ll miss out on all the juicy gossip about you; and all the smack talk.” She lifted her head to meet my eyes. “I guess I should probably stick up for you next time. Since you’re like, my boyfriend and all.” The smile played around the corners of her mouth, and I decided to play along.<
br />
“So what did you hear?”
“Just breakroom talk, you know watercooler type stuff. Who you’ve dated and all the hearts you’ve broken since you were twelve. How in college someone spiked your lube with peppermint oil, and”
“You shouldn’t believe a word Jason says.” She belly laughed as I made a mental note to glue my best friend’s mouth shut.
She sighed. “Don’t be too hard on him, he loves you too. Besides, that’s what best friends are for.”
I rubbed my chin between my forefinger and thumb. “I think I’ll give Jana a call.”
We laughed, and both turned to the window looking out at the sky with its puffy clouds and warm sun. “It is a beautiful day, Ryan. I’m glad you and your father worked things out.”
I released a long held breath and tucked her close to my side. “He told me he was proud of me. That’s the first time he’s ever said that. It took me by surprise.” It had been the one thing I’d waited on my whole life, that and having someone to share it with like Megan.
Epilogue
Megan
I had been determined for weeks that the stress of opening a new facility wasn’t going to get the best of me and so far I was holding my own with the boys on the crew. I’d hand-chosen each one over the past six months ever since Ryan told me about his plans to open the new facility and put me in charge.
He stood in the risers looking down with Jason who had come along for the ride, and the two were whispering about something as they watched.
Over the past eight months of our dating, Ryan’s friend Jason and I had gotten to be friends, and he was still my best source of information when I needed to know anything Ryan. He’d even helped me plan his surprise birthday dinner a month before. He’d hooked up with Jana for a bit, but the two were stuck in a love/hate type of thing that was led by jealousy and sex. Ryan and I didn’t think we’d seen the end of those two.
My One and Only: A Bad Boy Secret Baby Second Chance Romance Page 104
