This was her company, after all, and if she wasn’t willing to take care of the employees and the property, who else would? Thankfully no one was hurt there, either, although three theaters full of people had taken shelter in the bathrooms and hallways of the building. Just imagining someone injured or killed while visiting one of their facilities made her feel ill. Going to a movie was supposed to be enjoyable. Safe.
As Emily walked down the stairs her doorbell rang, sending her stomach into knots. She rushed down the last step and over to the door so she could peek out the peephole.
Her heart stopped. All she could see was the top of a camo hat looking down at the ground, but she knew instantly who it was. She took a deep breath, blew it out, and then opened the door.
The first thought that entered her mind was that he looked so handsome in his uniform. The beige camo shirt was untucked, his name—MILLER—printed on the left side, and U.S. ARMY on the right. His pants were tucked into tall boots that were caked with dirt.
“Reeve,” she whispered. He inhaled deeply, his eyes scanning her entire body, and she realized she stood in only a robe. Crossing her arms over her chest, she tried to offer him a polite smile. “You’re here.”
He nodded. “I’m here.”
Stepping back, out of the doorway, she put her arm out. “Come in.”
He hesitated, glancing down at his boots.
“I don’t care about your boots. Come in.”
Ignoring her, he reached down and began to unlace them. She watched patiently as he tugged at the laces and yanked them off, depositing them on the front step to the side of the door. As soon as he was inside she shut the door and then walked around to face him. His eyes were touching on everything, and Emily looked around to try and see her home from his perspective.
Compared with his, yes, it was . . . nicer. Bigger. And it definitely had more stuff. But never had she been uncomfortable in Reeve’s home. It was his, therefore she’d loved it.
Emily’s entryway had a large staircase leading to the second floor, a bureau off to the side covered with mail, keys, and her dressier purse. Her running shoes had been tossed next to that.
She wondered if it bothered him that she was a little messy, but she dare not ask. “Why don’t we go into the living room?”
He followed her down a short hall, and Emily sat down on one of the two couches that faced each other. On the far wall was a fireplace flanked by built in bookcases. It was stuffed to the brim with her favorite business books, some classic literature, old yearbooks, picture frames. Instead of sitting with her, Reeve walked slowly around the room, looking at everything. She watched quietly as he picked up a photo of her and her mother at her college graduation. Then one of her and Amanda on their senior trip to Galveston. They’d stayed in her grandfather’s vacation home . . . which now belonged to Emily.
Growing irritated after a while, Emily fluffed the pillows beside her. “Are you going to talk to me, or just take inventory of my belongings?”
Still facing away from her, his body froze, and she instantly regretted her choice of words. She should have just kept her mouth shut. He’d come to her, after all, something she wasn’t sure would even happen. She knew about his childhood. How he felt about owning too many belongings, and now she feared he’d been telling the truth the other night when he’d announced he’d had nothing left. She could not have said anything more callous. “I’m sorry. That was insensitive. But I wish you’d sit down.”
Turning around, Reeve walked over, sitting on the couch across from her. He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his eyes piercing hers. “How rich are you, Emily?”
Her eyes went side. “Is that why you’re here? To ask me that question.”
“Honestly, I’m still trying to figure out why I’m here. If I should have come sooner. If I should not have come at all. I’m so confused right now. I’m mad as hell at you, Em. But it . . .” He looked down at the floor, his hands twisting together.
“But what?” she asked softly.
After a moment of silence, he looked up into her eyes. “It’s killing me to be without you.”
Her breath caught, and she could feel the weight of tears on the back of her eyelids. “I was going to tell you. That night.”
He shook his head and looked away. “Why didn’t you tell me right from the start?”
“I was afraid. It’s been my experience that being honest about my work, my life . . . doesn’t usually work for men.”
He seemed to be thinking that through, taking a deep breath as he stared at her. His jaw twitched as if he was moving it back and forth. “I still want you to answer my question.”
It took her a minute but she remembered. “How rich I am?”
He nodded.
“Well, what exactly do you mean? I own a company, that doesn’t mean its worth is sitting in my bank account.”
He glared at her. “I’m not an idiot, Em. What’s the company worth? What are you worth?”
She leaned back on the couch and stared out the window as she did some figuring. How much information did he need right now? What was really riding on the answer to this question? Was it any of his business, really?
The answer was clear immediately. She wanted this man in her life. Not for a night or two nights. Not for any limited amount of time. As long as he wanted her, she wanted him. For as long as she could. Forever. And she wanted everything about her to be his business. Looking back at him, she cleared her throat.
“I will be as honest with you as possible. No secrets.” Clearing her throat, she went on. “I own this house which I paid for outright after selling my grandfather’s estate for two point five million dollars. Obviously, I made a nice profit because this home was nowhere near that. I own a beach vacation home in Galveston that I rarely use, but it’s there. I have one car that was paid for in cash. The company itself pays me a salary of about eight hundred thousand a year, most of which is invested and I own a good chunk of stock shares. I currently employ approximately ten thousand people across the country. Our operating income for the previous year was about three hundred and sixty million dollars. However, our current assets are around three billion.”
Reeve just stared at her, unmoving.
“Oh, and I also have a private jet. That’s what I was flying on when I texted you Friday.”
She watched him breathe in and out, his head slowly beginning to nod repetitively, a subconscious movement. There was no telling what he was thinking, or what he would say.
“So tell me, had I unloaded even a fraction of that information on you at any point in the last few weeks, would we still be seeing each other?”
He sighed. “I honestly don’t know.”
There were both silent for a few more moments, Reeve staring down at the floor. Unable to take it anymore, she stood up, walked around the coffee table between them, and used her hand to shove at his shoulder.
His body moved easily, falling back against the sofa cushion. He looked up at her, his lips still in a tight line. Without asking for his permission, Emily parted the bottom of her robe, straddled his waist, and lowered her body onto his.
Instantly his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against him, his face pressed into the hollow of her throat. Emily sighed with relief and laid her cheek on the top of his hat.
“Please forgive me. Not for being wealthy, but for keeping that from you,” she whispered.
“I do, Whip. Do you forgive me?”
“For acting like a self-important man? Considering I’m sitting in your lap with no panties on, I’m guessing things are looking good for you.”
He choked out a laugh and then got quiet. His head tilted back and he looked at her. There were faint lines and dark circles under his eyes. Emily reached up and stroked his stubbled cheek.
“What are you thinking?” she asked quietly.
“I’m just trying to figure out what you could possibly want or need from me.”
; His words gutted her, and she placed a palm on each of his cheeks so he couldn’t turn away from her again. “You. You are what I want. I know I’ve kept things from you, but I’ve known who you are this entire time and you’re what I want. You are who I’ve fallen for.”
He shook his head. “I can’t figure out how to accept that the woman I’m in love with doesn’t need me. Right now I have nothing, Emily. Not a home. Not a car. Nothing but a bike, some clothes, and a snotty little cat.”
She ran a hand down his face, curious if he’d noticed his emotional slip and loving that it had happened. Hearing him saying the L word only served to solidify her own feelings. “You’re so not getting this, Reeve. What I need from you has nothing to do with money. You’re the first man who has wanted me for me. You’re the first man who has made me feel truly desirable and wanted. I’ve spent my life achieving things for myself. Winning awards, acing tests, making deals. Working my ass off, and I’m proud of those accomplishments. But Emily the woman has been lonely. Fearful of men’s intentions and judgment. Until you. You made me feel whole.”
“That’s exactly how you’ve made me feel,” he said. “You’re the only person who knows all of me, Emily. Yeah, there’s more stupid shit to learn. Things I probably wish you wouldn’t, like that I snore when I’m sick and I get moody during Chiefs games. But there’s no one else I want to know all about me except you. No more secrets, Em. So if you have some, you better spill right now.”
She grinned slowly. “I left the dick headband in your bathroom on purpose.”
Reeve huffed out a laugh and then leaned in to kiss her lips. She stopped him with a finger on his mouth. “One more secret to tell.”
His brow furrowed. “What?”
“I love you, too.”
Reeve swallowed hard, and then his mouth crushed onto hers. The moment they made contact his touch became frantic. His hands went to her robe, loosening the belt and pulling it open. He stared at her body for one hot second before latching his mouth onto her nipple, sucking and laving at her.
Emily ripped his cap off and tossed it onto the cushion next to them before running her hands into his hair. Pulling her against his mouth, Reeve continued to suck and lick at her breasts, and she responded by grinding her naked body back and forth on him.
Reeve wasted little time before snaking his hand between them, unzipping his pants, and then pulling his erection out of his underwear.
“We’re safe,” she said quickly, and without hesitation she sank herself down onto him, loving the satiny, warm feel of their bare flesh meeting for the first time.
“Oh shit, Whip. Don’t . . . move . . .”
She remained still, looking down at him while he got used to the feel of her. Leaning down, she whispered in his ear, “Can’t you feel how much I need you?”
His response was a long, low moan. Hands settling on her hips, he slowly began to rock her back and forth on him. Emily let him set the rhythm, take the lead, and it wasn’t long before they were coming apart together, their fingers locked, and their lips fused.
They wrapped their arms around each other and sat in silence a long time, just holding on. Feeling each other breathing. When both of their bodies had settled down, Reeve angled her back so he could look at her.
“I was wrong when I said this wasn’t meant to be.”
“Yes you were.”
“You know, I kind of understand. Had you not found out about my mom, I don’t know how long I would have kept it hidden from you. Not because I wanted to lie to you, but out of fear. And shame.”
She nodded. “I know. Remember, that’s why I told you I was glad it happened. We have to trust each other if this is going to work.”
“I want it to work.”
“I want it, too.” She laid her head on his shoulder and just soaked him in.
* * *
When Reeve finally spoke again his voice was low and, thankfully, teasing. “I’m your landscaper, Whip. And you’re rich as hell. What the fuck do I do with that?”
Laughing, she sat up and looked down at him. “I guess you keep mowing my lawn and I keep paying you.”
Letting his head fall back onto the couch, he let out a low growl. “Damn it, woman.”
“I’ve actually got a lot of work for you to do. My pool is full of furniture and my backyard is trashed. Oh, and all of your beautiful work at the office is destroyed so please get on that right away.”
Raising an eyebrow, he glared at her. “Now, see here, young lady. You might be paying me, but you’re not the boss.”
“Uh-huh, we’ll see about that.” She leaned down and cut off his protest with a kiss.
Epilogue
A month later . . .
Reeve pulled his new truck into Emily’s driveway. Living with Brad for the past month had been okay, but he was beyond ready to get the hell out of there. Considering they also worked together, they’d each had about as much bonding time as they could take.
He was still a little freaked out about moving in with Em, but he was also excited. He’d spent a lot of time over here the past month and he was already getting used to her leaving shit lying around all the time. On the flip side, she was getting used to him constantly following her around and picking things up.
Even he had to admit that they complemented each other pretty well. Who’d have thought?
Getting out of the truck, Reeve headed for the tailgate and pulled the giant gift he had for her from the back. He couldn’t wait for her to get home and see it. She’d been working long hours, and this weekend they were heading out on her plane—he still wasn’t used to that thought—and spending the weekend at her beach house.
It hadn’t taken him too long to see that there were a few upsides to dating a millionaire. She hated when he called her that, but if her two-thousand-dollar shoes fit, she better damn well wear them and be proud of it.
Reeve carefully maneuvered Emily’s gift into the backyard and placed it in the exact spot he’d planned. Stepping back, he admired the work. Jase—who was pretty good with his hands and wood—had helped Reeve with it.
He went inside and took a quick shower in her bathroom before dressing. He’d slowly started keeping more and more clothing in her house. She’d cleared space in her closet and drawers in her dresser although he kept trying to remind her that his possessions were extremely limited. The problem was she kept showing up with clothing she’d bought for him. And while he didn’t mind the things she chose—he liked them, in fact—it was strange to have someone buying him everyday items like shirts and pants. Girlfriendly. Almost wifely. The thought actually made him smile.
Although since today was his official move-in day, he’d brought the handful of things that mattered, one of which he placed on the bathroom counter. Sure enough, while cleaning up the rubble of his home, he’d located his one and only sentimental possession. He’d let her find that surprise on her own.
* * *
Emily was happy to finally leave the office even though she was an hour later than she’d told Reeve. Her long hours seemed to suit him fine since he worked so hard himself, but this weekend they had plans, and she could not wait. The plan was to meet Dave at the airport at seven. She hated asking him to fly at such odd hours, but he’d been more than happy for her when she’d explained why. Dave would love Reeve. She just knew it.
Today was also Reeve’s official move-in day. Something she’d been bugging him to do for the past two weeks. It hadn’t taken her long to know that she wanted him to live with her. It only made sense: He didn’t have a home anymore. It was currently being rebuilt from insurance money, but she knew he could sell it and make a good profit so why not just be together? Sure they hadn’t been dating long, but everything just felt right.
Pulling into the driveway, she smiled when he met her outside barely holding back his grin.
“You look like you’re up to something,” she said as she walked up to the front door.
He grabbed her laptop b
ag from her hands and led her inside. “I’m always up to something.”
She pretended to be annoyed when he slapped her butt. He was constantly touching her and she loved it. While she poured her coffee, cooked, brushed her teeth, in the car. They couldn’t seem to get enough of each other.
“Are you packed and ready to go?” she asked him.
“Of course.”
“Why are you leading me outside? We need to hurry.” He didn’t let go of her hand, just opened the back door that led to the pool and backyard. In the past couple of weeks, he’d worked his ass off to clean up for her, even cleaning and prepping the pool for the summer. She was excited for them to be able to use it soon.
“We have plenty of time,” he said. “I just need to show you something.”
Walking out to the patio, Emily looked around. And gasped. In the corner of her yard, right in the center of all of the beautiful new rosebushes Reeve had planted, was a lovely arbor made of delicate twisty branches. Something about it made her heart clench in familiarity.
“Reeve . . .”
He wrapped his arms around her waist, his face nuzzling into her temple. “It’s your willow, babe.”
Tears blurred her vision as she stepped forward. When she reached the arbor, she lifted her hand out and touched it. It was so expertly crafted. “Did you make this?”
He shrugged. “I’ll admit, I had some help. But . . . yeah.”
“It’s so beautiful! I’d wondered about the tree, but just assumed someone had already hauled it away to the trash.”
“Me. I went and hauled it away that same night, but not to the trash. Brad helped me. We loaded it on the flatbed and took it to his backyard.”
All I Ask Page 23
