The Executive's Decision ~The Sweetened Version~ (The Keller Family Series)

by Marie, Bernadette

  “Is that why he retired?”

  “Yep. Couldn’t stand the thought of me finding him dead behind his desk. Really I just wanted his office, so I fired him.”

  Regan laughed. “Ah, motivation,” she said as Hilary returned with their beers and cornbread.

  “Here’s to our continued success.” Zach raised his glass toward Regan.

  “To continued success with contracts signed and overnighted like they should be.” She lifted her glass to his.

  Regan sipped hers immediately and let the cold taste of wheat and barley sooth her. She was relaxing around Zach again, and it felt good, but she remained cautious. It felt like their first date on the picnic blanket with hot dogs. No… She stopped herself. That wasn’t a date. That was deception.

  No… It was wonderful, and there was no reason to remember it any other way, even if her mystery man had ended up being her boss. He’d apologized for the “misunderstanding.”

  “You know, if you spoke, we could have a conversation instead of you having one in your head.”

  Regan looked up from her beer and noticed he was watching her. “I’m sorry. I guess I have a lot on my mind.”

  But she made an effort, and their conversation was casual as Hilary brought out two enormous slabs of ribs, corn, coleslaw, and biscuits. The scent of barbeque sauce filled her nose, and her mouth began to water.

  “I can’t eat all this.” Regan laughed when she saw the platter.

  “Good, I’ll take it back with me. It’ll keep me company all night.”

  “What are you working on?” She took her first bite into the ribs and moaned. “Oh, wow. I’ve lived in Tennessee all my life. I thought I was an expert on barbeque, but this is…”

  “The best barbeque you’ve ever eaten?”

  “Yes.” She wiped her mouth. “Sorry. Again, what are you working on?” She washed down the bite of succulent meat with her beer and focused back on Zach.

  “Just some redesigning of the condos downtown. John had some inspections that were calling for change. But I can’t afford delays, so I’m pulling an all-nighter to get them done.”

  Her mind instantly went back to when she’d picked up after him on his last night in his office. She wondered what kind of form he’d be in the next day. There was a tingle of excitement brewing in her belly when she thought of it.

  “Why don’t you send the changes to the architecture department?” She took another bite.

  “Because I designed this building. I should make the changes.”

  “You’re amazing. Simply amazing.”

  “Thank you. My parents would appreciate the compliment. They like to tell me often how much they spent on my education, so it should be worth it.”

  “I hear that same argument from my father about my education and that of my brothers.”

  “Yeah, they decide to put me in private school all my life and then send me to Ivy League universities, and I’m indebted.” He shook his head. “Parents. What can you say?”

  “Your mother is quit a character.” Regan bit into her corn, trying not to shoot juice at him.

  “Character,” he said with a rise of his brows. “Yeah, I suppose you could call her that.”

  “Sorry. That sounded disrespectful.”

  “Not at all. Trust me. You pegged her.”

  “It was a slow day. I only heard from her two times today.”

  “One dessert, one lunch, next you’ll be having a girls’ weekend in Atlantic City.”

  “We talked about it, but our schedules are full.” She laughed and sipped her beer. “I may need a few extended lunch hours though. She did mention a day at the spa.”

  “She would. She must be taking to you very well.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.” But she had to wonder if it was safe to spend so much time with his mother. Where did she draw the line? She wouldn’t date him, but she would spend time with his mother. It wasn’t logical. It too was going to have to end.

  As they stepped off the elevator into Zach’s office, Regan held in her sigh. She’d thoroughly enjoyed their evening together, though she hadn’t planned to. Zachary Benson was charming, and that was too bad. He just might have been a wonderful lover, but she’d never let herself find out.

  “Well, back to work,” he huffed.

  “Why don’t I make you some coffee before I go?” she offered and headed to the coffee maker.

  Zach turned on the stereo and skimmed through the radio channels and stopped on Patsy Cline. “I guess this is our song.”

  “What?” She turned from the bar and looked at him.

  “It was playing at the restaurant when we got there.” He turned it up a bit and walked across the office, taking her hand in his and pulling her to him. He slid his arm around her waist, and after a moment of hesitation, she rested her hand in his and the other on his shoulder. He spun her in circles around the office. “Light on your feet.”

  “Ballet.”

  “Ballroom,” he offered with a wince. “Forced to do it. I swear I hated it.” He laughed.

  The dance died down, and their movements were slower as their bodies crept closer. His hand slid from hers and down her arm until it captured her waist. Zach looked into her eyes, and she looked back at him without breaking free from his arms.

  Regan would never be sure when his lips touched hers or when their mouths crushed against one another’s. Desire blossomed, he consumed her, and she let him. His lips were strong. The sense that told her to hold him tighter won over the one that tried to force him from her arms. Her hands left his shoulders and her fingers laced in his hair. His scent washed over her, and all she wanted to feel was his body pressed against hers.

  The music had changed, but she couldn’t hear anything except the blood rushing in her head. God, she’d done it. She’d fallen into his arms, right where she’d longed to be. His mouth was covering hers. Their hearts were pounding against each other’s, and his hands were wandering over her back. Regan’s head spun with delight—and danger.

  Her common sense broke through, and she pushed back from him. Breathlessly she raced for the door.

  Chapter Five

  R

  egan could hear her niece and nephews playing out back when she arrived home and walked up the front steps. But even their laughter didn’t make her feel any better about what she’d done. She slammed the front door behind her, ran up the stairs to her bedroom, and slammed that door as well. She fell onto the bed and sobbed. How could she have been so stupid to have kissed her boss, again?

  The tap on the door wasn’t unexpected. “Go away!” she shouted.

  Carlos took it as his invitation to enter. She heard him sigh.

  “I said go away!”

  He let out a grunt that told her he wasn’t going anywhere. “So what happened to you?”

  “As if you’d care.” She snapped up her head and reached for the box of tissues on her nightstand.

  He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the doorjamb. “You’re right. I don’t, but Clara is here, and she doesn’t want to see Aunt Regan all crybaby.”

  “You’re an jerk. All men are jerks.” She sat up and rubbed the tears from her cheeks.

  “Yes, we have a club. Curtis and I are the founders, and I’m guessing your boss is a member.”

  “Oh, you’re quick.” She almost smiled.

  “So what’s the story? Did he make you write out a report in longhand? Let me guess, you had to sharpen sixty pencils? Or—wait, did he…”

  “If you say beat erasers together, I’m throwing you out the window,” she said, shaking her head and finally mustering a smile. “You are a teacher down to the core, aren’t you?” She laughed as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

  Carlos sat down next to her on the bed. “Reg, tell me what’s up.”

  “I kissed him.” Her voice dropped, and heat filled her cheeks. “I shouldn’t have, but I did.”

  “And how was it?” He rested his hand on her
back.

  “Wonderful.” She looked up at him.

  “Good. It sucks to waste kisses on bad ones.”

  “Carlos, I can’t do this again. I can’t fall in love with the man I work for.”

  “Why? Because Alexander Hamilton was such a great guy?” His sarcastic tone made her straighten her spine. “He used you, Regan. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “I should have known. How do you work so closely with someone, love him so much, and not know he’s cut you out of his life?”

  “Because he didn’t want you to know.”

  “God, I was carrying his baby, Carlos. You’d think he could have let me in on it then.” The tears were streaming down her cheeks faster.

  “Don’t beat yourself up for that. You did the right thing. You’re an amazing woman, Regan.” He gathered her in his arms and let her cry it out. “I don’t know anything about Zachary Benson, but I don’t think he’s in the same class of men as Alexander Hamilton. Not many men are.”

  “Daddy,” a small voice spoke from the door. Regan turned her head to see Clara, her expressive eyes dark with concern. “Is Aunt Regan okay?”

  “She’s fine. We’ll be down in a few minutes, okay?”

  She nodded. “Can I call Mommy?”

  “Why?”

  “I can’t remember the website with the games she lets me play.”

  “Yes, honey that’s fine. Tell her I say hello.” He was soft with her, and Regan admired him.

  Regan turned her head when she heard Clara walk away. She kissed her brother on the cheek. “You’re a wonderful father.”

  “They don’t deserve to have me hate their mother.”

  “You don’t hate her,” she reminded him. “It’s amazing how you still care for her and take care of her.”

  “Lots of history there.” He kissed the top of her head and stood up. “I saved you some dinner.”

  “I should have called. I’m sorry. I ate with Zach.”

  “Well, at least he fed you.” He winked. “Don’t dwell on the past. If you’re attracted to this guy, and it sounds like he’s attracted to you, maybe you should feel this out. Give it a chance.”

  “I don’t want to get hurt.”

  “It seems like you’re hurting right now—and the kiss was good.” He smiled and left her alone.

  Zach sat on the couch in his office and flipped through the channels on the television. Images passed by him, but he saw nothing. When his cell phone rang, he grabbed for it. There was no need to look at the ID. He knew it was his mother.

  “Hello, Mother. How are you this evening?” he answered, still flipping through the channels.

  “You’re at your office, aren’t you? Haven’t I told you that's not a safe place for you to be? You’re going to have a heart attack like your father,” she scolded.

  “I’m fine. I had to do some redesigns.” He realized he hadn’t been able to concentrate enough on them since Regan stormed out of the office.

  “Don’t let me find out you slept on that couch. I don’t want you staying there when you have a perfectly good place to live.”

  He’d already decided he was staying the night. With all the amenities and the amount of work he had to do, it didn’t make sense to go home.

  “Okay, Mom. You won’t find out,” he said, still unable to lie to his mother.

  “Uh-huh, the reason I’m calling is that I’m having a little get-together on Saturday, and I want you there.”

  “Mom, you had a little get-together last week. What’s the occasion?” He was praying it wasn’t another attempt to fix him up with socialites he just didn’t care about.

  “I want you to bring Regan out here.”

  He sighed and turned off the television. “Then call and invite her to lunch. You know you can find her in the office after eight.”

  “Don’t get sassy with me, young man. You heard me. I want you to bring Regan on Saturday.”

  “So I’m supposed to ask her to lunch?”

  “You’re such a smart boy. I like her, Zachary. She’s a wonderful girl. Did you know her mother used to own a bakery? That’s why she’s such a genius with desserts.”

  “Yes, I knew that.”

  “We talked a lot at our lunch date last week.”

  “I’m sure you did.” He’d forgotten about their luncheon. Regan hadn’t mentioned it again.

  “I don’t like your tone. What’s wrong with you?”

  “Let’s just say Regan and I aren’t seeing eye to eye right now.” But they had been. She’d been as involved in that kiss as he had.

  “Then pull it together. Eleven sharp, and I won’t accept any excuses from either of you.”

  “Fine, Mother. I’ll tell her.”

  “You’d better. You’re not too old for me to turn over my knee,” she said, and he couldn’t help but laugh. She’d been threatening him with that since he was six, and she’d never done it.

  “Okay. I love you. Tell Dad hello.”

  “I will. He’s out swimming. I’d better go down to the kitchen before he eats something he’s not supposed to. I love you, Zachary. I’ll see you on Saturday.”

  Zach shook his head as he turned off his phone. The women in his life exhausted him.

  When Regan sat at her desk the next morning, her heart was already pounding. She’d thought all night about what to tell Zach when she saw him. There were apologies and groveling. There were accusations and anger. She wasn’t sure which road to take. Maybe if she acted as though she’d forgotten all about it, he would too.

  The intercom on her phone lit up. “Can I see you, please?” His voice was serious and dull.

  She gathered her notepad, pen, and courage, then walked into his office.

  He looked particularly stern this morning in his black suit and black tie, and he offered no eye contact when she walked into the office and sat down in front of his desk. “I need to leave for Kansas City by four this afternoon. Make that happen.” She started to jot down the notes on her pad, irritated by his unpleasantness. “The plans are done and down in printing. Pick them up for me and see that they are couriered. They need to be to John this morning. Don’t worry about making coffee, I’ve already had two pots, and I’m meeting with Simone Pierpont for breakfast.”

  The name had stuck in her head when she took the message her first day. Her heart flipped in her chest, and she tightened her jaw, but she kept her eyes down and her pen moving.

  “Last, my mother wants you at her house at eleven on Saturday morning for lunch. Be on time,” he instructed when she lifted her eyes and found his coldly focused on her. “That’s all for today. I’ll be back in a few hours.” He dismissed her, and she left the office.

  Well, she thought, she could see where things stood. Fine, she’d make his arrangements. She’d take the plans to John, and she’d be at his mother’s house, not because he told her to be there, but because she enjoyed the woman’s company.

  Darn him!

  She threw the pen down on the desk and headed to find the plans that needed to go to John Forrester.

  Zach sat in the lobby of the Nashville Hilton Hotel and waited for Simone to come down. She was already fifteen minutes late. He figured he only had another ten to wait.

  When she descended the stairs, he stood to greet her. She was lovely in her flowing dress, more suitable for an evening, but on the oil heiress, it seemed appropriate. Her long black hair, tied in a tail at the base of her neck, and her milky white skin shimmered like the diamonds that adorned her ears and wrist.

  “Mon ami!” She took his extended hands in hers and kissed both of his cheeks and then his lips. “I have missed you so.”

  He smiled and took her hand. “Simone, as lovely as always.”

  “Of course.” She took his arm and he led her to the restaurant.

  They sat at a table secluded from the other diners but next to a picture window that allowed them to watch the people of Nashville pass by.

  Zach watched the wai
ter set down mimosas and then leave the table. “So how is Monsieur Pierpont?”

  “Oh, he is well, thank you.” She sipped her mimosa. “He is in Greece this week on the yacht.”

  “That sounds nice.” It had been a long time since he and Simone sailed on her father’s yacht. Perhaps if he landed the build in Los Angeles, that would be something he could do as a reward. He and Monsieur Pierpont had always gotten along well. The oil baron had often told him he was the son he wished he’d had, though Zach had never shared that information with Simone. He knew it was because she’d been such a handful, and her father had wished to have a son as diligent and hard working as Zach.

  “He has taken a new wife, and the trip was her gift.”

  “And how do you really feel about her?” He smiled, knowing his friend so well.

  “Do you need to ask?” She looked around. “She is a horrible woman.” Her French accent dripped with detestation. “That’s why I’m here. I’d rather be stateside than in the ocean with that… that… woman!”

  Zach laughed. This would be her fourth stepmother, if he’d counted correctly, but then again he hadn’t been in the loop like he once had. He was sure there would be more in time.

  “You and your mother are well?”

  “Yes. We have a new chateau outside Paris. It is wonderful.” She reached across the table for his hand. “You will come stay, oui?”

  “That would be nice,” he said, retrieving his hand from hers.

  “What is this? You have a new woman in your life.” Her eyes were wide, and her painted red lips curled into a tight smile.

  He tugged at the napkin in his lap and then smoothed it back out. “Mademoiselle, what makes you say that?”

  “I make you uncomfortable, and I never make you uncomfortable unless you love someone else.” She swirled the mimosa in her glass like a fine wine. “Please tell me, or I’ll be forced to call Madame Benson.” She smiled from behind her glass.