He looked so intimidating standing there, but Maggie beamed at the terrifying man. Technically, she was his employee. But Drako treated her like his sister ever since he’d married Lilly. He treated Molly the same way and the three women loved him all the more for his protectiveness.
As soon as Lilly walked over, Drako took their son out of her arms and cradled the tiny infant against his chest. Maggie swallowed past the lump in her throat, wondering if she’d ever find a man that would be that in love with her.
She glanced at Oliver and was startled to find him staring back at her. And with the same longing in his eyes! Could he…? Was he…?
She banished the thought and looked away. That wasn’t something she’d allow herself to hope for. Oliver was…well, he was temporary. She’d been burned once thinking that a man could love her. Jerry had crushed that hope under his arrogant heel.
Turning, she forced herself to smile as she made her way towards the tables that had been set up to hold the pizza boxes. There were still about six full pizzas left and she grabbed three plates, getting slices for Molly, Oliver, and Lilly.
When she brought them over to her friends, Molly and Oliver took their slices and eagerly bit into the cheesy treat. But Lilly shook her head, sliding her hand down over her plump stomach and hips. “Not for me,” she told Maggie. “I’m still trying to lose this pregnancy weight.”
There was an odd growling sound and Maggie looked up to find that Drako was scowling down at his wife. “Eat the pizza, love,” he told her, a dark, dangerous look in his eyes. “Your figure is mine to watch, and I like it just the way it is.”
A soft look passed between them. It was so intense, so filled with love and wonder that Maggie had to look away. Again, her gaze found Oliver. And yes, he was still watching her. Maggie couldn’t stop the sadness that enveloped her. She loved him so much. But…Maggie wasn’t a loveable person. She was still trying. Still working to make up for her past life so that she could become the kind of woman that a man like Oliver could love.
Soon, she thought. Hopefully, she’d be worthy soon.
Oliver watched Maggie, his stomach aching at the pain he saw in her eyes. Why was she on the verge of tears? Because her friend was obviously madly in love with her husband?
Damn, he wanted to wrap his arms around her and tell her that he loved her that much. That he already was madly in love with her! But something held him back. Something told him that she was still wary. Why, he wasn’t sure. But he’d get to her. He’d convince her that he loved her. Then they could find the same happiness that Lilly and the big guy had.
Speaking of the big guy, he looked vaguely familiar. When he found him across the courtyard, Oliver realized that the other man was watching him as well. Was he trying to place Oliver? Realizing that the other man might recognize him, Oliver moved to the pizza table, chatting with the girls’ parents, putting several people between him and the other man. It wasn’t that Oliver wanted to hide his identity exactly. But he wanted to hide his identity from Maggie. That comment she’d made a long time ago, about wealthy people being assholes, gave him pause.
Besides, he wanted Maggie to love him for himself. Not his bank account. He’d experienced the more mercenary side of “love” with Desiree. She hadn’t cared for him as a person. She’d been more interested in what he could give her financially.
Maggie was the complete opposite. She had no idea that he was wealthy and powerful. It was a heady experience to know that she wanted him because of himself. Maggie wasn’t motivated by money. She was motivated by kindness and generosity of spirit, which was new for him. He wanted something more pure and honest with Maggie.
But, if he wanted something pure and honest, why hadn’t he told her about the development project? Honesty meant that he’d have to tell her who he really was and what he’d originally planned to do with the land and buildings in this area.
Not that he was moving forward with the project. Not anymore. He’d asked his development team to come up with more options, solutions that would help the entire neighborhood and not just the people that would eventually move in to the buildings that his company built. He wanted a more inclusive solution so that everyone profited. He’d lived here long enough to understand the hardships that inner city families struggled with every day. Oliver didn’t want to come in and be yet another problem that pushed them further into jeopardy.
Wading back into the crowd, he watched and learned, listened and absorbed. Maggie considered herself to have been a brat over the years. But he might have hurt far more people than he realized. Thinking that, he made a mental note to go back to other projects, both current and finished, to measure the influence that his developments had on vulnerable communities. And if there was a negative impact, he was going to fix it.
Yes, his company was going to be a much more inclusive development company in the future.
“Why are you hiding over here?” Maggie asked as she sat beside him. He was over by the fire pit, hiding behind the evergreen trees she’d planted to add color to the area during the cold, grey months of winter. They also provided a nice backdrop to the spring and summer flowers, which made the whole area feel lush and inviting.
He took her hand and tugged her closer until their hips touched. “I’m not hiding,” he explained. “Just sitting here, enjoying listening to the others.”
Maggie smiled at him, wondering why she felt such a connection to this man in particular. “I have something to tell you, but I don’t want to scare you away.”
Immediately, she felt him pull away. She mentally kicked herself and wished that she’d kept her mouth shut.
“What’s that?” he asked, standing up and moving to the other side of the fire pit.
Maggie pulled her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, shaking her head. “It’s nothing. Nothing important.”
From the look in his eyes, Oliver didn’t believe her. Smart man!
“Maggie, if there’s something you need to tell me, then just spit it out. I don’t want any secrets from you.”
Maggie sighed. “It wasn’t anything important, Oliver. And I really don’t want to mess up today. It’s been really good between us for a while now. Let’s just…leave it at that, okay?”
He glared at her. “Is that really what you want, Maggie? Are you honestly willing to settle for just okay?”
She cringed at his words as well as his tone, fear making her whole body turn cold. “Don’t, Oliver,” she whispered, her lips numb. “Just…I…”
“Maggie, damn it, you don’t settle for anything less than perfection when it comes to managing these apartments,” he snapped. He gestured around, encompassing the whole area. “Hell, you even manage the residents. They all adore you and you love them right back. You wouldn’t settle for anything less than each and every one of them being deliriously happy, thriving, and loving life.” He breathed in and closed his eyes. “So go ahead. Tell me. Just spit it out and let’s not linger over the trivial stuff.”
That really pissed her off and she uncurled her body and stood up. “Well, first of all, I consider you to be one of my friends as well. And you’re right, I won’t accept anything less than happiness for everyone, including you.”
He opened his eyes and she could feel the anger in their depths. “So, tell me!”
Oliver knew the signs. She was about to break up with him. She’d been avoiding him all afternoon, so here it was.
“Fine! You want to know what I was going to say? Fine! But don’t get mad if you don’t like it.”
“Maggie, just…”
“I like you, Oliver!” she interrupted, clearly steeling herself for…something. “Well, I did a few minutes ago. I was about to tell you how much I enjoyed being with you. That I like you and that you make me feel good! But now…now, I think I’ll just head on home and let you…oomph!”
She couldn’t finish because Oliver pulled her into his arms and kissed her. He didn’t seem to care if anyon
e saw them like this. Oliver couldn’t believe the relief he felt as she wrapped her arms around his neck and did that thing with his hair that he loved so much. It tickled and turned him on at the same time. And she was kissing him back! Damn, he loved it when she made those sexy little sounds when he kissed her!
When he lifted his head to look down at her, Oliver noticed that her lips were soft, full, and swollen. “I thought you were trying to break up with me,” he admitted, his hands moving lower so that he was cupping her butt, gently pulling her closer so that she perfectly cradled his growing erection against her perfect hips.
Maggie blinked and he thought she looked so incredibly sexy like this. Or when she was naked. Or in the shower. Or standing in his doorway. Damn, he wanted to bring her back to his penthouse and make love to her in his huge bed, then cook something extravagant for her in his kitchen. He wanted to pour thousand dollar champagne over her soft curves, then wash her clean with his tongue, driving her just as wild as she did him.
“I wasn’t.” She whimpered when he ground his hips against hers, showing her just how turned on he was. Maggie licked her lips, her fingers teasing the nape of his neck again. “I was afraid to tell you how much you…how much you mean to me. I didn’t want to scare you away.”
He kissed her again, gently this time. “I’m not running away,” he said, pointing out the obvious.
She beamed and Oliver wanted to roar with frustration. Because they were still out in the courtyard and he was so damned turned on, it would be a while before he could calm his body down enough to make it back to his apartment. But once he did, he was going to make love to her and show her just how much he liked her words. He was in love with her and she only liked him, but Oliver considered that progress. Damned fine progress!
Soon, he’d convince her they could make a go of this thing between them! He’d figure out how to turn her “like” into love and he’d make her so damn happy every day for the rest of her life!
Chapter 15
Desiree waited until the ugly blue pickup truck drove away. A pickup truck, she scoffed. Seriously? The always elegant, completely refined and reserved Oliver Fenton driving a pickup truck! Dear heaven, Desiree thought, shuddering with horror. How could he? The man had a beautiful Maserati and a Porsche. And he was driving around in a pathetic, rusty, old pickup. Ugh!
Tapping a finger on the steering wheel, she watched impatiently as the pickup drove down the street. Only when Oliver was well past the first stop light did she pull her beautiful BMW out of the church parking lot. It was the only place on this pathetic road that still had trees.
Driving down the road, she was grateful that it was early morning. She didn’t like being in this part of the city. It was filthy and there were people sleeping in doorways a block away. Desiree knew that it was a community center or something and she made a mental note to send a donation to the charity. It never hurt to have one’s name associated with places like that. Not that she’d ever enter the filthy place! Hell no!
Well, unless a reporter was doing a story about the community center! Desiree snickered, shaking her head at her hypocrisy. She didn’t care one whit. She was a survivor and no one was going to pull her down! She had been raised a winner and damn it, she wanted Oliver! That man was the ultimate prize and would show the world that she’d won!
So, if this little snot of a woman was going to encroach on her man, Desiree considered it her mission to take the bitch down!
Pulling into the apartment complex, Desiree parked her BMW in a space far away from the other beaten up, dubious forms of transportation, looking around as she stepped out to make sure that no one was looking at her precious car.
She blipped the security system on and walked down the pathway between the buildings, determined to figure out where this woman lived and have a little chat with the bitch trying to steal her man.
But when she stepped through to the courtyard, Desiree stopped, stunned by the beauty in front of her. The lush landscaping surrounded a quaint, beautifully built fire pit area, the inviting benches calling to her to take a seat and relax. It was…unexpected, given the harshness of the surrounding area.
Then she looked around a bit more. The interior courtyard of the buildings looked clean and freshly painted. The doors had a new coat of paint on them as well and…actually, the doors looked new! Good grief, she turned and looked back through the two buildings that formed a V and looked out to the parking lot again. Sure enough, the concrete jungle mixed with a tangle of electrical and telephone wires was still there.
But this courtyard…was beautiful! It was literally an oasis of beauty nestled within one of the worst parts of town.
Shaking off her surprise, she turned, her lips pressing into a determined expression once again. Glancing towards the entrance, she spotted the manager’s office. It looked like just another apartment, but the sign on the door announced that it was the manager’s space, so she stomped over to it. A sharp knock on the door didn’t result in anyone appearing in front of her. So she rapped again, harder this time.
“Can I help you?” someone asked from behind her.
Desiree spun around, startled to find her prey standing innocently on the sidewalk, her green eyes sparkling and…well, they were very pretty eyes, she thought. Desiree had only seen this woman from a distance and thought that she’d been…merely average. But up close, the woman really was quite lovely, in a soft, unsophisticated way.
Desiree sniffed. Oliver didn’t need this…woman. He didn’t need “pretty”. He needed gorgeous! And Desiree was that woman! She was the one who could help Oliver’s career. Not this…pipsqueak, upstart, irritatingly nice woman. No, “nice” simply wouldn’t do. Nice people were crushed in this town. The power hungry people who lived and worked in Washington DC scraped “nice” off of their shoe after stomping it into the ground!
Oliver needed someone stronger. More capable of taking on the power-hungry freaks that ruled this town.
“I’m Desiree Milken,” she said, extending her hand. “I’m Oliver Fenton’s fiancée. And you are?” she asked, using that silky tone that she’d perfected over the years.
Obviously, her tone worked if the startled pain in the woman’s eyes was any indication.
Maggie stared up at the tall, elegantly beautiful woman. Her false eyelashes made her eyes look huge and the perfectly applied makeup gave the impression of movie-star glamour. Her hair was thick and lush, cascading over her shoulder in shimmering waves. She wasn’t wearing normal jeans ether. Nope, those were designer jeans that fit her painfully thin body like a glove. Her leather boots had four inch heels and the sweater was obviously cashmere. In other words, this woman came from money!
Maggie recognized the signs of money. She also recognized the signs of a lie. A mere two weeks ago, Jerry had come back into her life and announced that he was Maggie’s fiancé. A complete lie and Oliver had been furious until Maggie had explained.
This woman was obviously trying to do the same thing, but Maggie had grown to understand Oliver better over these past few weeks.
With that realization, Maggie’s pain subsided and she shook her head, crossing her arms over her chest. “No, you’re not,” Maggie replied, tilting her head slightly. The tightening of the woman’s lips confirmed her suspicions. “Oliver is a man of integrity.”
“You don’t think that Oliver and I–”
Maggie lifted a hand, stopping her lies. She was pulling on her past experience as a spoiled brat, which was exactly what this woman seemed to be. Maggie examined this Desiree Milken and wondered if she’d come across this arrogant and demeaning when she’d lived down in Texas. Probably, she sighed, accepting yet another facet of herself that she didn’t like.
Straightening her spine, she lifted her chin. That arrogant, pathetic, spoiled brat was in the past. She was better now. She was a stronger, kinder, more generous person!
“I believe that you and Oliver may have been engaged at some point,” she interrup
ted. The flash in the woman’s eyes conveyed Maggie was right on target. “But you’re not anymore. Which means you’re here to cause problems. Why?”
The woman breathed in slowly, her eyes glaring daggers at Maggie.
“You’re not right for Oliver,” Desiree snapped. “Oliver needs someone by his side who can help him. Someone who can further his career and ensure that he meets the right people.”
Maggie bristled at that assertion. “Since coming here, I’ve helped Oliver,” she stated firmly. “Oliver was down on his luck and sinking fast. I gave him a place to live and…”
The woman’s harsh laughter stopped Maggie’s defense. “You think that Oliver lives here?” she sneered, gesturing to the quaint, but small, apartments. “Oh, honey!” The woman’s condescending tone and shake of her head warned Maggie that she wasn’t going to like what she said next. “You have no idea who Oliver Fenton is, do you?”
“I know Oliver,” Maggie said firmly. “He’s a good man. And he’s strong.”
A snort told Maggie that something was definitely amiss. “Yeah,” she said, nodding her head. “He’s strong. And powerful. But he doesn’t live here,” she continued with another snort. “Oliver Fenton is the CEO of Fenton Companies. He’s the CEO of a freaking empire! Plus, he comes from a wealthy, powerful family!”
Maggie heard the words, but it took her a moment to process them. Oliver was…a CEO? But how could that be? He’d been looking for a place to sleep in an abandoned building! His dirty clothes, the scruff of his beard! She’d seen the signs before. Oliver had been struggling!
“Furthermore, Oliver lives in a beautiful penthouse that looks out over the city, right on the edge of the Potomac River.” The woman looked pointedly around, shaking her head sadly. “No, Oliver might be slumming around here, but that’s only because he has a plan. He’s working an angle and…” she froze and frowned. Obviously, she’d just figured something out and her face paled dramatically beneath the expertly applied makeup.
Whispered Secrets (Rose Garden Apartments Book 2) Page 11
