Business or Pleasure?: He's Too Hard To Resist!

by Raquel Belle

  Evie gaped at the man, who looked and sounded like the father that had disappeared when she was eight. “You called me, ‘Evie,’” she whispered.

  “What?” Garrison’s gray brows came together.

  She swallowed the lump in her throat. “You haven’t called me ‘Evie’ since mom died.”

  The only sound in the room was a constant beeping from a monitor as daughter and father stared at each other. Garrison pulled up a chair and sat with a sigh. “Your mother first started calling you that. She said Evelyn sounded too old for a little girl, and I always thought, of course it sounds ‘too old.’ It was my grandmother’s name.” He seemed so mentally far away, Evie remained silent and left him alone with whatever memory he was lost in. “I almost killed you tonight,” he finally stated.

  It was so low, Evie nearly missed it. She blinked. “What? No, don’t say that. It was a mistake.”

  “I should have remembered. Jared was right, I should have remembered what my own daughter is deathly allergic to. I promised her I would take care of you, and look at what happened.”

  “What are you talking about, dad?”

  “I promised your mother on her deathbed that I would take care of you.”

  Pushing her hair out of her face, Evie sat back, not sure what to say. He’d never mentioned anything about mom since she died. “You did. I never wanted for anything. I got the best education, the best opportunities.” Swallowing, she decided to let it all out. “You gave me everything that I would have given up for an ounce of affection from you. But, I guess you had your reasons for pulling away.”

  A humorless laugh erupted. “You’re as sharp-tongued as your mother, you know … She always brought me down a notch when my head got too big.”

  Evie didn’t know whether to be uncomfortable with the sudden change in Garrison or happy. “What happened, Dad? Why have you pushed me away all these years? Am I going to have to almost die again to get another conversation like this with you?”

  Stunned, he sat back and averted his gaze. She assumed he wouldn’t respond when he remained silent for so long. “You were a reminder that she was gone,” he admitted quietly. “I couldn’t look at you and not see her. Then, you were so far gone, that I didn’t know how to make things right. Maybe almost losing you jolted me to my senses.”

  Evie’s lips parted as much as they could in their state. A breakthrough. A revelation. What just happened? “I wish you’d told me all of this years ago. I lost her too. Perhaps, I would have understood. I spent years thinking you hated me because you wanted a boy.”

  Garrison’s eyes widened. “That has got to be the most absurd thing that you’ve ever uttered. You were very much wanted, Evie. I’m so sorry ...”

  Garrison wrapped a hand around the bed rail, and Evie rested her hand atop his. “We’ll be okay if you can promise you’ll let me in from now on.”

  He nodded. “I promise.” A silent understanding passed between them, and just like that, the conversation ended. Garrison cleared his throat. “You and Jared ... How long has that been going on under my nose?”

  She snatched her hand away. “What? I … I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Garrison snorted. “You know, Evie, you would be a terrible defense lawyer. You’re a terrible liar.”

  “Hey!” Hell, who was she kidding? He was right. That’s why she’d gone corporate. “How did you know?”

  “I found it suspect when he encouraged me to invite you over for dinner. I ignored it, but then I saw the look on his face when you had your allergic reaction. That look of terror, as if his world was on the verge of ending, was all too familiar. It was the same look I had when I brought your mother to the hospital for the last time. That man was ready to murder me for what happened to you, and we’ve been friends for years. Clearly, he has feelings for you. How long has he been lying to my face? I should kill him.”

  “Dad, no. It’s not ... We met before he knew who I was, and before I knew he was a client of your firm.” She eye him cautiously. “Am I fired?”

  Garrison cocked a brow. “I almost killed you, and you think I’d fire you right after?”

  “I wish you’d stop saying that. You did not ‘almost kill me.’”

  Garrison shook his head. “Well, I’m going to feel terrible for a long time. I don’t like the idea of fraternizing with a client, but you two seemed to have been doing just fine. I haven’t seen where your work has been affected. Just keep things quiet, for now, at the office.”

  Evie felt like a load had been lifted. “Of course, Dad. Thank you.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Jared

  Jared arrived in time to hear Evie thanking her father. For what, he had no idea. After a cup of coffee, which he hadn’t finished because he’d been so eager to get back to Evie, he’d mellowed out a bit. He no longer wanted to strangle Garrison, so Karen had cleared him to go back to Evie’s room. He made a mental note to let Evie know that her best friend was a keeper. Plus, she’d saved Evie’s life. He’d love Karen forever. Hopefully, he remained in Evie’s life long enough to get to know the woman more. If Evie told him to go to hell after tonight, he wouldn’t blame her.

  She spotted him at the door, and Garrison followed her gaze. The older man got up and patted Evie’s hand—less awkwardly than their previous interactions. A good sign. He’d been afraid to leave Evie alone with Garrison, wary that her father would upset her in some way. Garrison brushed passed him. “We have a lot to discuss, son. You have some explaining to do.”

  Jared rubbed the back of his neck and nodded. Garrison knew. He knew that Jared had put his no-good hands on his daughter, and he probably wanted to castrate him. “We’ll get our chance to talk later, Garrison.”

  Evie covered her face and moaned when Garrison was gone. “He figured it out, and I had to come clean.”

  Claiming the chair Garrison vacated, Jared shrugged. “You think I’m worried? At first, I felt bad for keeping it from him, but after a while, I stopped caring because it was about you and me, and no one else. I kept us under wraps for you, because you were afraid of what Garrison might do.”

  “It must be nice, not caring what others think.”

  “I do care what one particular person thinks.” His eyes met hers. “About me. How much do you hate me?”

  “I don’t hate you.”

  “I inserted myself into your and your father’s relationship. I tried to make you jealous like some idiotic pre-teen.”

  “About that. Come closer, so I can wrap my hands around your pretty neck.”

  Jared barked out a laugh. “A threat, thank god ... You’re going to be just fine. I don’t think I’ve ever been as terrified in my entire life as I was tonight, Evie. I thought I might lose you.”

  “I thought I lost you too, and it nearly drove me insane. When you refused to speak to me or see me, I was angry, hurt, and more than a little crazy.” She sighed. We might as well hash things out now. I’m not going anywhere for the next few hours.” She held up her arms, occupied with needles and tubes. “It’s hard for me to run out on you this time.”

  His lips twitched. “That’s comforting. First, let me reiterate, I had nothing going on with any other woman but you for quite a while now. I know you think I’m a scoundrel, but … I’m a very honest one.”

  “Jared, stop. You don’t have to keep explaining yourself.” She paused. “Wait, is Chelsea at my father’s house still?”

  “I got her home. I can just imagine how pissed she was when the Uber arrived instead of me.”

  “You wronged that woman, Jared.”

  His derisive snort echoed in the room. Oh, please … Chelsea is more upset that she won’t get her greedy little hands on my black card ever again, than she is about losing me. I guarantee that. That’s what most women I’ve let loose are upset about. So, don’t go worrying about any of them.”

  “How come you’ve never brought me expensive gifts or handed me your black card?”

 
His brows lifted. “Are you kidding? You would use the very same card to slit my throat and tell me you’re not some ‘kept mistress.’ I’ve never seen you shop if it wasn’t necessary, and I’ve never heard you gush about designer labels. I once heard you turn down a shopping trip with Karen to review one of your accounts.” He gazed at her as if she were some unknown creature.

  Evie’s shoulders shook, as she tried to contain her laughter. “First of all … I would not have slit your throat. Too messy. I would have probably kneed you in your man parts, though.”

  He winced. “Why do I find your capacity for violence so attractive?”

  “Because you’re crazy.”

  “Maybe. And I have brought you ridiculously expensive gifts, you know. They’re all still hidden in my closet. The first one I brought, I didn’t give it to you because I knew you wouldn’t have accepted it. I could hear your voice in my head every time I thought it was the right time to give it to you, telling me it’s too soon to accept anything so expensive. Yet, I kept buying you things in secret like a fool, hoping to one day muster the courage to give them to you.” He wiped a hand over his face. “I obviously need a mental assessment.”

  Evie tilted her head and studied him intently for so long, that he started to squirm. “You know, Jared, you claimed to not know me well, but I think you do. You know me better than any man ever has, and I never said a word to you. All you did was pay attention. You really do love me don’t you?”

  Blinking, he sat up straighter. “How did you …?”

  “I heard you earlier. Maybe you thought I was dead, I don’t know, but I heard your voice very clearly. You said you ‘love me.’” Patches of pink highlighted her cheeks. “Unless, I was dreaming, and I’m totally making a fool of myself right now. I hope not because I’m in love with you, Jared. That’s why I panicked that night and stormed out. It was all too intense for me, and instead of facing my feelings for you, I took the coward’s way out. I was afraid to love you because I felt like I was moving too fast with you. It hasn’t even been a year since my engagement with my ex was broken off, and there I was, falling head over heels for you when you hadn’t even dated a woman for more than a week before me. I was terrified, Jared. I’m not anymore. You’re nothing like him, and I’m sorry I ever put in the same category. What I feel for you is on an entirely higher scale of intensity compared to what I ever felt for him.”

  Jared was speechless. He had, indeed, told her that he loved her. He didn’t think there was a chance that she’d heard him, though. He was relieved she had because it would have probably taken him another few weeks to build up the courage to utter the words again. Now, that he was sure how she felt, and that she wouldn’t pull another disappearing act, he was much more confident about saying the words out loud.

  “Say something, Jared,” she said.

  With a grin, he stood up and joined her on the bed forcing her to scoot over. “Well, now that the cat’s out of the bag, it looks like you’re my date to my brother’s wedding.”

  He received an elbow in his ribs. “Is that all you have to say?”

  Chuckling, he took her hand in his. “I wasn’t expecting to fall in love when we agreed to continue having steamy sex, Evie. It was the furthest thing from my mind, but it happened, and I’m not mad at it. I’m immensely relieved that you already feel the same way about me as I do about you because I’m not good at grand romantic gestures and winning hearts.”

  She laid her head on his shoulder. “But you do it so effortlessly, Jared. You won my heart.”

  “That’s because you’re just as crazy as I am.” He caught her elbow before it connected with his ribs again. “Let’s keep the rough play for the bedroom, woman.”

  “Call me ‘woman’ again, and you’ll be the one strapped to these hospital monitors.”

  His laugh vibrated in his chest and erupted. “I hope to God you keep those threats coming for a long time. I find them so hot.” Her melodious giggles mingled with his deep chuckle. Lying in a hospital bed with Evie, made him happy. He’d never felt such a level of contentment in his life. Glancing down at her, though, he frowned. “We should be kissing, but where the hell do I kiss you?”

  She grimaced. “I can’t believe I got a declaration of love from you, and I look like this.”

  He took in her still-swollen eyes and cheeks with a smirk. “Relax, you’re totally pulling off the puffy look. Not many can do it, babe.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You’re just buttering me up to get into my panties later.”

  “I hope to God it’s working.”

  “It’s working.”

  With a grin, he placed a kiss on her forehead.

  Epilogue

  He was in the middle of a conversation, but he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. She stood at the bar, sipping from a glass while surveying the crowded room with a small smile. She turned, made eye contact with him, and her smile brightened. His heart jolted and flipped. Just her smile alone did that to him. He was most definitely a goner. As if some magnetic force was in play, he found himself moving toward her.

  “I’ll talk to you later, Liam. Congratulations again, you crazy bastard.”

  Liam slapped Jared on the shoulder. “Thanks man. I have a feeling you’re next.”

  Jared scoffed, as he moved off, but his brother’s words didn’t repulse him at all. In fact, he took them into deep consideration. Making his way to Evie, he took a glimpse into his future and decided that he needed her in it. So, maybe he would take the insane plunge and get married one day.

  “Hey, gorgeous. What’s a woman like you doing standing here by yourself?”

  She turned to him. “My boyfriend ditched me. I’m in for a wild one-night stand if you are, handsome stranger. I’ll rock your world.”

  Jared rubbed his chin, giving her a slow appraisal from head to toe. “I don’t doubt that you can, but I don’t do one-night stands. I need more than one night. I might want forever. Are you that woman who will give me forever? ”

  Evie shot back the rest of her drink and placed her glass down. “I might be.”

  “Is that why you threw the bouquet away like a hot potato when you caught it?” he asked. teasingly, and her face flushed.

  “You’ll never let me live that down, will you? I panicked, and it was a very natural reaction.” She glanced at the woman across the room who held the bouquet and pouted. “I feel like I want it back now.”

  “Well, you’ll have to pry it out of Judy’s cold, dead hands.” His eyes landed on Katherine’s cousin, a short, slender brunette, who blew him a kiss, making him shiver with disgust.

  “No way am I challenging your stalker for a bouquet.”

  “You don’t need it. Dance with me, Evie.” He led her to the dance floor and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. Her body molded to his, and her head rested on his shoulder. It amazed him how perfectly she fitted against, how perfect she was for him. He became more convinced each day that she was made just for him. “All this slow dancing is turning me on,” he whispered.

  Evie snickered and lifted her head. “You have a hard time keeping it in your pants.”

  “Only when it comes to you.”

  Mischief lit her eyes. “I spotted a broom closet on our way in. What do you say?”

  He threw his head back and laughed. “You do not want to get down and dirty in a closet ...?”

  “I’ve never had a wedding hook up before. Let’s do it.”

  His laughter ended abruptly. Her expression was serious, and her eyes were alive with lust.

  Jared gulped, feeling his own arousal mounting. “Oh, shit, you’re serious. Have I told you how much I adore you?”

  “Tell me again me in that broom closet. We’ll play it cool. I’ll leave now, and you can meet me out there in a few.”

  She pulled away from him, and he watched her saunter off, the sway of her hips hypnotizing. He had to be the luckiest man alive. There was no mistaking it now. She really was made for h
im. Shoving his hands into his pockets, Jared rocked back on his heels and grinned broadly before taking off after the woman of his dreams.

  The End…or is it?

  Want to find out what happens to Jared and Evie?

  Click here to read “The Proposal: A Business or Pleasure Novella” - FREE

  The Proposal: A Business or Pleasure Novella

  Now, it's obvious at the end of "Business or Pleasure" that Jared and Evie are headed for their happily ever after.

  But, I was sitting down with my publishers over a cup of tea and we began chatting about how exactly that would go down. After all, Jared and Evie aren't your typical couple.

  Anyway, we started talking about what would happen when Jared eventually proposed to Evie, and we loved the story so much, that we decided I'd write it and give it to my readers to enjoy, just as a little thank you for being a Raquel reader. It's not part of the main story, but it's something that you're definitely going to have a good time with!

  I certainly had a great time writing it, because this really doesn't play out the way you think it will!

  So, just click on the link below and grab your copy of "The Proposal: A Business or Pleasure Novella"

  Click here to read “The Proposal: A Business or Pleasure Novella” - FREE

  I hope you like it!

  Love,

  Raquel.

  P.S. For those of you paying attention, you might spot a small cameo from Damian Coldwell, he’s a character from my next book, “A Ruthless Lust” – you can read more about that one on the next page!

  An excerpt from “A Ruthless Lust”

  Damian

  Damian’s head snapped back and the sound of a palm striking him across the face echoed. “Son of a bitch,” he muttered, rubbing his burning jaw. He fixed the irate, naked woman in front of him with an annoyed stare. Since when did asking someone to vacate the premises warrant a slap in the face?