by Nana Malone
I smiled at the board members. "So, if you have questions, let me answer them."
I didn't know how I did it. Question after question about any delays, why we would have delays, what we were trying to accomplish, and why I had reservations. I answered them with efficiency and a clarity I didn’t feel. I had no choice. I had my one big directive; make sure this damn merger went through. And these people were dicking with me. I answered their questions, listened to their concerns, gave them examples, and let them know why I was waiting.
One of them leaned forward. "You've never given a moment of care about this company or the business we do. Why should we believe that you care now?'
I leaned forward with my elbows on the desk, my hands clasped. "I'm not asking you to believe what I say. Of course not. That would be ridiculous. I'm sure there are lots of things over the years that have given you pause or concern. But what I'm asking you to pay attention to are my recent actions. What have I been willing to do so far? In the last month or so, what have my actions said? I know you're all eager for this merger. I know how important it is for this company, and I will deliver. But what I want to make sure you know is that I care enough about our company and the Arlington name to not do a bullshit job. If there are discrepancies, I want them addressed before the deal goes through. If there are questions, I want them answered. If there is anything that isn't right, I’m willing to walk away. And you all should know that by now. It is my job to take care of your money. Take care of your investment."
I talked fast. I worked the magic. The former me came out, the former me who had looked forward to running my own company, and I loved every fucking minute of it.
I wasn't even Derrick at that moment. I was me. Theo. Theo owned Arlington Tech, and Theo knew how to run it. Theo knew what was best for its people, and I loved every second of it. When I was done, the board members were on board with my direction, which was to find out what the hell was going on with Inline Tech, who was hiding money, and what the discrepancies were before moving forward.
The deal was worth a lot of money to both parties. But I wasn't going to shove through this bad deal just because Derrick Arlington had told me to. He fucked up enough to leave all of this behind for me to deal with. So that might have been his move, but I had a different one.
Zia…
I found Theo on the rooftop balcony. He’d stormed out of the conference room and hadn’t waited for me. There was no point arguing that fact now. Besides, he’d been clearly upset.
The balcony had been made with the designated green spaces in the city in mind, overlooking the expanse of the island. It was filled with lush bougainvillea, and birds of paradise, lemongrass to keep the mosquitos away, and, of course, the ever-present hibiscus. It was an island oasis.
One tier below us a party was happening for one of the companies. We could see them clearly, but they couldn’t see us.
“You want to tell me what just happened down there?”
He loosened his tie and pulled it off as he leaned on the balcony. “That,” he paused to toss the tie in a waste basket, “was a failed coup.”
I frowned. “Your father? But won’t they only look worse if they don't include you in this deal. You are the CEO.”
“That was my father posturing. He was trying to rattle me. He can’t stand being a relic.”
“You think he’s capable of going through with it?” Why did I care? He wasn’t mine. Wasn’t going to be mine.
He shrugged. “Maybe, but now I’m untouchable. The board will have to see he’s actively sabotaging me.”
“At least you have what you want.”
His gaze snapped up to mine. “No. I don’t.”
Liquid heat pooled in my core. No. I wasn’t going down this road again. “Don’t, Theo, this morning you said—”
“I know what the fuck I said. And I was an idiot. I was trying to hold on to something. Something that isn’t mine to hold onto.”
“I don’t understand.”
He shook his head. “No, of course you don’t. Look, Sebastian spoke to me and warned me off.”
“He what? You what? Of all the stupid—”
He shook his head. “That’s not why I backed off. But he had a point.”
I pointed my finger at him. “You gave me something and then you ripped it away. Do you know how that feels?”
“I do. But I didn’t back off because of the king. I backed off because of me. You deserve someone better than Derrick Arlington. Sebastian was right. There are things I can’t tell you. You want an open book. You want someone who can give you guarantees. I can’t. I’m not who you think I am.”
I frowned. “I remember once you said maybe I didn’t see myself clearly enough. Maybe you don’t see yourself clearly enough. I watched you march into that conference room an hour ago hell bent on making things right, not just for the board but for the investors. You didn't know me from a hill of beans, but you’ve bent over backward to help me, my sister, that kid, Peter. You helped him, a total stranger.” I dragged in a deep breath. “My whole life, I’ve been around people who gave lip service, saying that sounds best. But when you need them, they’re not there. I now know what it feels like to have someone show up for me.”
“Zia—” He shook his head. “I have things you—”
I didn’t let him finish. “I don’t care. I know who you are. I’ve seen it. That’s more important than what you can’t tell me. Maybe one day you can. I would rather have someone real who turns up. That kind of loyalty. To be secure in the knowledge that there is someone I can count on. That’s more important to me than anything.”
“I’m afraid I won’t be able to let you go when you change your mind.”
“Good luck getting rid of me.”
He was on me in three strides.
His lips were a brand. I could feel the need coming off of him in waves.
He lifted me and placed me on the corner balcony and stepped between my legs. "God, you are so unbelievably sexy. I need you.”
His kiss was hard and a little rough. With his big hands, he scooped me up by my ass and tucked me right up against his erection. "See how much I’ve missed you?” he mumbled against my lips. “Three days was too long.”
I gasped as his thumbs traced circles over my nipples. "God, Theo."
"Mm, baby?" He traced a pattern of kisses from my ear to my clavicle. "I like it when you say my name. Can you do it again?" He rolled my nipple with his thumb and forefinger through the thin fabric of my top.
"Jesus.” I let my head fall back.
“I’m not quite the second coming, but I’ll do my best."
"Theo, I—"
With one hand, he held my ass in place as he rocked against me. "I know what you want."
"Theo, there are people having a party down there."
Through gritted teeth, he touched his forehead to mine. "I know."
My skin was hot, and the light breeze from the ocean did nothing to help cool me off. My breasts swelled as I drew in a shuddering breath. My whole body coiled tight in anticipation of his hands on me.
But we couldn’t do this here—in public.
My rational brain shouted all the reasons we couldn’t.
But when Theo circled my nipple once more with the pad of his thumb, I forgot all those reasons.
I slid my arms over his broad shoulders and dug my fingers into the muscled flesh.
He bunched up the fabric of my skirt so it was just above my knees, then he met my gaze. "I’ll give you what you want." Theo kissed me again, this time taking his time and pulling a response from me. His hands continued on their path until he reached my panty line. “Sweet fuck."
“Theo, hurry."
“Don’t want to hurry.” He slid a finger inside my center, and we both moaned.
“Theo, please. Someone's going to see us."
He nipped my neck, then soothed the spot with a light flick of his tongue. "Right now, I don't really care."
He
slid another finger inside me, and I let my head hang back as I moaned. He knew exactly how to touch me to get me to melt. And I was addicted to him. His smell, the way he moved. What he could do to my body.
As his fingers retreated, I gasped. "Wait, more." I could almost hear the smug, satisfied, smile in his voice.
But he complied. “See, I know what you like.” His thumb circled my clit, and my breath hitched.
"Jesus."
He brought me to the brink with his deft fingers. Sliding into me, stimulating me just so, then pulling back as I teetered on the edge. He dragged down one shoulder of my blouse along with the strap of my bra. With his thumb, he circled my nipple, causing it to form into a tight little bud. I felt every movement and every caress in my core, and I wanted to scream with frustration when he wouldn’t pick up the pace. "Theo."
Removing his expert thumb, he braced my upper body with his hands and tipped me back, replacing his thumb with his mouth. He suckled and tugged and nipped once, which was enough to send me so close to the edge that he stopped teasing me. " I don’t want you to come yet. Wait for me, sweetheart."
I squirmed in his arms. "Theo, I don’t want to wait."
"Now look who's impatient."
He held me still as he removed his fingers. Briefly kissing a path down my sternum, he lifted the fabric of my dress out of the way.
Oh, no, he wasn't. Not here, not… Oh, God.
The moment his lips touched my pussy, I trembled. Unlike last time, he paid very little attention to my clit, only pausing long enough to trace a circle around my most sensitive spot, then move back to his slow licking. I had no other choice but to hold on for the ride.
And I did. I threaded my fingers through his hair and held on tight.
"Shit, Zia..."
All it took was one slow lick, and I knew what was next. I started to shake in his hands. Hot, electric currents started in my spine and poured through my body. The orgasm tore through me with no mercy.
Theo shifted up my body, and I bit my lip. I knew what was coming—what I wanted. He grabbed a condom from his wallet and made quick work of it. When he was sheathed, he met my gaze. “You’re incredible.” When he drove in, I groaned and tossed my head back.
The full length of him was almost too much to take. He held me still and panted, his harsh breath tickling my ear as he whispered, “God. I could stay inside you forever. I need you to do me a favor and be quiet, okay? I think I might die if we get interrupted."
I smoothed my hands down the back of his shirt and smacked him on the ass. He rewarded me with a grunt and drove home again.
"Theo, hurry."
He grabbed my hips with both hands and held me tight as he drove into me again and again, each stroke tickling my g-spot. “You’re so goddamn sexy, Zia. I want to bend you over this balcony and slip into you from behind. Maybe play with your ass a little. Tell me Zia, would you like that?”
“Oh God, Theo, yes.”
“God, you make me so damn crazy. I can’t let you go.”
I had officially lost my damn mind. But God, it felt so good. I became so lost in the sensations of Theo driving into me and tugging on my nipple that I didn't care who heard us.
Theo chose that moment to clamp a hand on the back of my neck and angle my head back to kiss me and muffle my cries.
He knew my body so well. The tingles in the base of my spine had triggered a chain reaction in my body. My toes had started to curl, and my breasts ached, and my pussy felt like it was riding a wave of heat and fire.
“Theo." His name was a breath on my tongue as I came apart in his arms.
“God yes, Zia.” He drove in once more before clamping his teeth on my shoulder and cursing.
He held me tight as his body jerked, then he sagged against me, exhausted. “Damn it, Zia, you're going to kill me."
Twenty-Five
Zia…
I was fooling myself. I was in way over my head with Theo. After what we’d done on that balcony, I knew there was no protecting myself from feelings. I’d told myself one thing and completely done another.
I hadn’t meant to break my no-more-sleeping-with-Theo rule. I really didn’t. After all it was a direct order from the king.
Also none of his business.
But I was too far gone now. I didn’t just want him.
That itch I had to make everything safe and perfect? I couldn’t do that here. Nothing about him was safe or perfect and I wanted him anyway.
It doesn't matter who he is. All you have to do is keep someone from killing him.
This was true, but I wanted this job to be so much more than that. I could stop someone from killing him. I just thought he'd be different. I felt it in my bones he was the kind of man that I could trust.
Then why the niggling doubts?
He was the first man who would talk to me, wanted to be right by me, wanted to take care of me. Not that I need anyone to take care of me, because God knew, I could take care of myself. I'd been doing it for so long I didn't know how to accept help most times.
I’d left him in bed, and I needed to soothe my restless sleep with something sugary. I went straight into the kitchen. I opened the freezer and found pints of every flavor of ice cream imaginable. Jesus Christ, I didn't ever see him eating ice cream, so whose was it?
I took a pint and after three tries finally found the spoons. I also grabbed graham crackers. I scooped out some rocky road, crumbled Graham crackers on the top, and then sat down.
"Oh, goodness, I am so glad to see someone eating."
I jumped. "Oh my God, Elena." I twirled around, my mouth full of ice cream. "I hope this is okay."
She waved me off. "Of course, it's okay. I bought all that extra ice cream hoping you and I could have some girl chat."
I laughed. "Well, if you want girl chat, you just have to say the word. I happen to have time to talk to you."
She nodded. "I figured at some point my boy was going to do something stupid and then you'd need me."
I shrugged. "Well, you know better than anyone that of course, he’s going to do something stupid."
Elena laughed and made her own bowl of vanilla ice cream and candy canes.
"Candy canes? Really?"
She shrugged. "I wish I could explain it. I really love it, the combination. It's delicious."
We ate in companionable silence for a moment, but then I finally had to ask, "What was he like as a kid? Was he always so secretive?"
Elena laughed. "Derrick was spoiled from the moment his father showed up with him."
I frowned. "Where was Mrs. Arlington?"
She huffed. "If you ask me, it’s not the way things are done, but Mrs. Arlington, God bless her soul, was at a private retreat. She'd gone there to give birth. Rumors floated around that she was having a difficult time with her pregnancy and the new baby and needed some R&R. They struggled to have a child of their own for so long, and finally, the pressure got to be way too much for her, you know? Just too much on her mind, so she'd gone away to get herself well while pregnant with Derrick."
I frowned. "Was that her choice?"
Elena's brows furrowed, and she watched me closely. "That is an interesting question, young lady."
"Is it?"
"I mean, Timothy Arlington certainly had enough money to put her anywhere he wanted."
"Who cared about a woman’s choice back then, right?"
Elena shrugged. "You know, honestly, I don't know. But when she came back, she swore up and down that it had been the best place for her and the months away had served her well. Those months away had given her the space and love to get well so she could love her beautiful baby boy, which was all she wanted."
“Well, at least she got well. Postpartum depression can really rock a new family to its core.”
“I just wished I’d been able to be there for her when she was pregnant, but Mr. Arlington insisted that he had staff to do that. And then Mr. Arlington brought home that little baby boy. God, his hea
d was so full of thick, dark curls. That boy had so much hair. But he was miserable. Oh, so miserable."
"Being separated from his mom?"
She shook her head. "Nah. Even when Mrs. Arlington came home, he never took to his mother, you know? Whenever she'd hold him, he would cry. When she tried to feed him, he would cry. When she tried to put him down, he would cry. He was only ever reasonable for me."
"I see. Well, I'm glad he has somebody he's close to that he can talk to."
She shook her head. "Oh no. I'm just a surrogate for his mother and the one he gets to use as a punching bag when he's mad at his father."
"It must have been so hard for her."
Elena shrugged. "It was. That poor baby was struggling too. He was so small. At first, you know, he wouldn't eat. He wouldn't sleep."
"I never imagined he had it so hard."
Elena nodded, taking another bite of her ice cream and chewing on peppermint. "Yeah, he did. But he also had it way too easy in a lot of ways. His father overindulged and under-parented."
"Well, that I can see. The man is clearly spoiled rotten."
"Oh, he was.”
“What happened to Mrs. Arlington?”
“Car accident when Derrick was seven.”
Jesus. “That poor kid.”
“As a child he was dragged along on business trip after business trip, mostly with me following behind trying to keep him entertained. The only time I saw him actually happy was one time when we were in New York. The whole time he was holding Mr. Arlington's hand. There were lots of business meetings, of course, so I had to take Derrick to the park and show him all the sights. He was a baby, of course, he doesn't remember that now."
"Mrs. Arlington stayed behind?"
Elena nodded. "Yeah, she didn't want to go. As a matter of fact, that's when her depression really took hold and she never believed she was free of it."
"That's so sad."
"It is, but the point is Derrick can be tricky. But lately, I don't know. He's been like that sweet boy that I showed around New York all that time ago."
