by Naima Simone
Jerking his chin up, he pinned Grayson with one last glare then spun around and marched back to the elevator. Grayson didn’t move as he disappeared behind the doors. Didn’t move as the minutes ticked by and the teen’s adamant and proud words echoed in his head.
She’s the best thing that ever happened to you. If you’re too stupid to hold on to her, then that’s your bad. Not hers.
How long he stood there, he didn’t know. He couldn’t move as the truth bombarded him, pummeling him and rendering him frozen.
Frozen except for the rapid beat of his heart.
Images of the past few weeks passed before him at light speed, and he locked his knees against the dizzy sensation that almost pushed him to his knees.
From the moment they met in that hallway, locked for the night in the blackout, she’d seen him—really seen him—like no one else. Not even his family. She’d challenged him, gone toe to toe with him, shielded him, teased him, encouraged him...loved him.
Gray, I’m proud to know you... I’m proud of you. If no one else tells you, I will.
In this pretentious world of yours where conformity is mistaken for perfection, you are utterly perfect.
I’ve never met a man like you, Grayson Chandler. You’ve made me believe in love again.
Oh God. What had he done?
What in the hell had he done?
He loved Nadia.
It’d been there all along, but he’d been so busy guarding his heart that he hadn’t recognized it. When the truth was, she’d captured his heart the night of the blackout. The night she’d called him a protector and offered herself to him, trusting him.
She’d called him noble, and then he’d been too much of a coward to strip away his fear and tell her she didn’t have to ask for his heart. She already had it.
But he still wasn’t worthy of it. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t move hell, heaven and earth to earn her heart, her belief that he would protect it, cherish it.
Where once he’d been afraid to risk his pride and heart, that fear no longer trapped him.
For Nadia, he would risk it all.
Sixteen
Grayson entered his parents’ home, a sense of urgency tingling under his skin. Weeks ago, he would’ve been riddled with guilt, his shoulders weighed down by the heaviness of disappointment or even failure. But now, as he strode to the informal living room where his family often gathered, only determination and impatience flowed through him. This was a task he needed to get over with so he could move on to the more important business ahead of him: Nadia.
The scene that awaited him was one he’d pictured in his mind. His father seated in his armchair near the fireplace, a book opened in his hands, flames dancing behind the iron screen. His mother, a planner splayed wide on her lap, settled on the love seat. And his sister sitting on the opposite end of the small couch, her laptop perched on her thighs. Yes, the scene was expected—and a little sad. They all sat in the same room as a family, but no one interacted, no one laughed or even lovingly argued. If he just replaced his father and mother with him and Adalyn, this would be their future.
And he wanted none of it.
His father glanced up from his book, noting Grayson in the living room entrance. “Grayson,” he said, a faint frown creasing his forehead. “This is a surprise. What brings you by?”
His mother and sister looked up from their work, and Melanie stood, setting the laptop on the coffee table. She came over and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Good to see you, little brother.”
He smiled, squeezing her shoulders. “Thanks. I came by to talk with all of you for a moment.” Not willing to beat around the bush, he leaped in. “It’s about assuming the CEO position of Chandler International.”
At the announcement, he’d won his parents’ complete attention. A hint of satisfaction gleamed in his father’s eyes and slightly curved his mouth. His mother nodded, as if his decision to helm the family company had been a foregone conclusion.
“I’m not returning to be CEO or take over when you retire, Dad.”
A deafening silence filled the room, and his father blinked, staring at him. Seconds later, red mottled his father’s face, and he pushed to his feet, his eyes narrowing on Grayson. His mother also rose, her hand pressed to her chest. Beside him, Melanie touched his elbow, and that small show of support beat back the force of their disappointment and anger.
“I know this isn’t what you wanted to hear, but it’s my final decision. I know the history and importance of Chandler International, and I respect it. And you may not see it this way, but I’m honoring that history by creating my own legacy with my company. The same hard work, spirit and determination that went into creating and building Chandler is going into KayCee Corp. It’s mine. It’s something I can leave my children along with Chandler International. This is my path, and I won’t abandon it out of guilt or a misplaced sense of loyalty.”
“This is unacceptable, Grayson,” his father snapped. “Completely unacceptable. And I won’t hear of it.”
“You’re going to have to, Dad,” he murmured. “And it might be unacceptable to you, but you must accept it. I’m not Jason,” he added quietly. “Heading Chandler was his dream, not mine. And I won’t be—I can’t be—a substitute for him.”
His mother’s gasp echoed in the quiet.
“That’s not what we were trying to do,” she objected, voice hoarse. “We just needed to impress on you the importance of this family’s tradition. It’s our strength, our power.”
“No,” Grayson contradicted, shaking his head. “The people in this room are the strength and power of Chandler. All of us. Dad—” he turned his attention back to his father “—you’ve been so focused on me taking over the company that you overlooked the one Chandler who has worked hard by your side for years. Who knows the company just as well as Jason, and most importantly, wants to be there. Who enjoys being there, but hasn’t received any recognition.” He glanced down at Melanie, and his sister’s eyes widened as his meaning sank in. “Yes.” He nodded. “Melanie deserves to helm Chandler International, not me. And if you don’t announce her as the incoming CEO to the board, then I promise you I will do everything in my power to persuade her to leave Chandler and come over to KayCee Corp.”
His father sputtered in outrage, but Grayson wasn’t finished. He pinned his mother with a steady gaze.
“And Mother, I love you. I freely admit, I haven’t confronted you about quitting all the matchmaking attempts because I didn’t want to hurt your feelings or cause you more pain. But, no more. Not with Adalyn or any other woman. It ends here. I’m in love with Nadia Jordan. She is everything to me, and I won’t stand for any more disrespect thrown her way by you, Father or Adalyn. You need to accept this decision and her. Because if you don’t—if you do anything more to hurt or malign her—then you’ll lose a son. Like I said, I love you, but when it comes to Nadia, there isn’t any divided loyalty. She’s my first and only choice.”
“She’s a lovely, good woman, and I’m happy for you, Gray,” Melanie said, taking his hand and squeezing it. “We’ll welcome her, won’t we?” she said, studying their parents.
Neither his mother nor father answered, but the disappointment, the shame he’d anticipated, didn’t appear.
“Well, it seems you’ve made your decisions, and we have to live with them,” his mother said, ice dripping from the words.
“You do,” he agreed. Kissing his sister’s temple, he nodded at his parents. “One day, I hope you’ll understand my choices. In the meantime, I need to go win back the woman I love.”
Seventeen
Nadia stared at the numbered buttons in the elevator as they lit then dimmed as floor after floor slid by. Finally, they arrived on the fifteenth floor, and she stepped free of the elevator. She’d been on this level only a couple of times. And both had been in her early days at KayCee
Corp. But what could Human Resources possibly want to see her about now as it’d been almost two weeks since she’d quit and walked out?
Nerves plagued her belly, and she surreptitiously glanced around. As if Grayson would appear around every corner or stride out of a closed office door. Which was ridiculous. The president of the company did not just hang around the HR floor. Still... She’d gone nine days without seeing him, hearing his voice, inhaling his sandalwood and mint scent. In time, she hoped to stop dreaming about him, waking up hurting in her heart and body over the loss of him.
But today was not that day. And glimpsing him, even from far away, might break her into too many pieces to recover.
No, distance was her friend now. Distance and denial.
Not that she regretted her decision to end their “relationship.” She didn’t. Yes, every breath seemed edged in an ache, but for once, she’d chosen herself. She’d placed her well-being, her heart, her worth first. She deserved to be valued. To be loved.
And she refused to settle.
Inhaling a deep breath, she approached the executive assistant’s desk for Marsha Fowler, the head of Human Resources. Another mystery. Why the head of HR would ask her to come in and talk. How many employees who quit without notice were invited back? Not that Nadia intended on working for KayCee Corp again. The company was phenomenal, but she just...couldn’t.
“Hello,” she greeted the young blonde on the other side of the desk. “Nadia Jordan. I have a nine o’clock appointment with Ms. Fowler.”
“Yes.” The assistant smiled and rose from her chair. She rounded the desk and gestured for Nadia to follow her. “They’re waiting for you, Ms. Jordan.”
They? Unease twisted and knotted her stomach as she trailed the other woman down a hall. Who...? She didn’t have long to wait to find out the answer. The assistant knocked on a closed door, then opened it.
“Ms. Jordan is here.” Smiling at Nadia, the blonde stepped aside so she could enter.
“Thank you,” Nadia murmured and moved into the large office. And drew to an abrupt halt. Shock. Confusion. Anger. And God, so much love, slammed into her with the force of a flying hammer.
Marsha Fowler sat behind a wide desk. Melanie Chandler sat in one of the chairs in front of it. And Grayson stood next to the other.
Though it pained her to look at him, to soak in the beauty of his chiseled face, lovely eyes and firm, sensual mouth, she couldn’t tear her gaze away. She was a starving woman plopped down at a table overflowing with the most succulent food and drink.
Leave. Self-preservation kicked in moments too late, and just as the words “setup” whispered through her head, Ms. Fowler waved her inside. “Ms. Jordan, please come in. And thank you for coming by on such short notice.”
“Hello, Nadia,” Melanie greeted with a warm smile. “I can imagine you have a ton of questions. I promise we won’t hold you up long.”
“Hello, Nadia.”
That deep voice of velvet night wrapped around her name had her nearly closing her eyes to luxuriate in it. But she forced herself to meet his gaze and nod.
“Grayson.”
His blue and green eyes burned into hers, and in them she saw her broken hopes and foolish dreams. Unable to bear them, she glanced away and silently ordered herself to focus on the two women in the room. That had to be the game plan if she intended to make it through this meeting and leave unscathed.
“Please have a seat.” Ms. Fowler waved to the empty chair. Nadia obeyed, sinking down into the seat. “Well, Ms. Jordan, I know you left the employ of KayCee Corp almost two weeks ago, but I also understand the circumstances were...unusual.” She cleared her throat, briefly glancing at Grayson. “Mr. and Ms. Chandler asked that I call you in so they can present you with a counteroffer.”
“I appreciate this, Ms. Fowler. But I’m afraid my mind is made up—” Nadia said, preparing to stand once more, when Melanie laid a hand over hers.
“You’re under no obligation to accept, but please, just hear me out,” Melanie requested. Nadia hesitated, but nodded. “It’s come to my attention that you have an interest in nursing.”
Nadia jerked her head toward Grayson, who hadn’t uttered a word after greeting her. His steady contemplation of her didn’t waver, didn’t flicker to his sister or the HR director. Heat flooded her face, and she couldn’t determine whether it was anger or embarrassment. Both. Definitely both. And the fault rested firmly on the wide shoulders of the man several feet away from her.
“Yes, Gray shared that info with me,” Melanie continued, drawing Nadia’s attention back to her. “In the spirit of transparency, he’s also told me why you were working here instead of pursuing a degree in your preferred field. Several nonemergency urgent care chains fall under the Chandler International conglomerate. I would like to offer you a position at one of the centers as a receptionist while you enroll in a nursing program. Chandler will cover the expenses for those classes, of course. That way, you’re pursuing your degree while actively working in the field and gaining experience.”
Stunned, Nadia stared at Grayson’s sister. Shock barreled through her, and she couldn’t speak. Could barely comprehend what she’d said. Going to school? An entry job in her chosen field? Paid tuition?
What the hell was happening here?
Bewildered, she once more disobeyed her own instructions and yanked her attention from Melanie to Grayson.
“Marsha, Melanie,” Grayson finally spoke. “Could we borrow the office for a few minutes?”
Both women stood, and in moments, only Nadia and Grayson remained. Seconds ago, the office had been large, but now, with only him there, it seemed to shrink, his presence filling it to overflowing. Unable to remain sitting, Nadia rose. But the sense of vulnerability didn’t dissipate. Suddenly, she felt naked, bared to him. And she hated it. Resented the effect he still had on her.
Feared that it, too, would never disappear.
“Why?” she asked, her voice stronger than the whirlwind of emotions whipping inside her. “I know you’re behind this. What is this supposed to prove?”
“What is it supposed to prove?” he repeated, shoving his hands in his pockets and cocking his head to the side. “Nothing. No, I take that back,” he added. “It’s supposed to prove to you that you’re not only worthy of good opportunities but deserving of them. That you shouldn’t always have to be the provider, protector and sacrificial lamb. Someone should do the same for you. Cover you. Shield you. Give everything to you. This isn’t a handout, Nadia. Because there’s no one in this world who has earned those things more than you.”
She choked back an inconvenient sob, refusing to shed one more tear over this man. At least not in front of him.
“That sounds pretty. But we’re over, remember? I don’t need those sentiments. Especially since no one’s here to witness them.”
His eyes briefly closed, and if her own hurt wasn’t coloring her judgment, she might believe pain spasmed across his face. “You want to lash out at me? Fine. I can take it. You’re more than justified. Not only was I an ass for rejecting the most beautiful gift you could ever offer me, but I was a willfully blind ass. Which makes my crime worse.” He blew out a breath, then his mouth firmed into a straight, grim line. “You told me that as long as I’m holding on to the past, I’ll never be completely free. At the time, I didn’t want to hear that. Didn’t believe it. But you were right. I might have been over Adalyn, but I hadn’t let go of the anger, the pain, the fear. I was in a prison of my own making. And rather than escape it, I just locked more chains on the bars. Keeping myself in...and you out.”
He took a step toward her, removing his hands from his pockets. He raised them, bowing his head, as if studying the palms. But, moments later, he dropped his arms to his sides. Then he lifted his head, and... God. Her breath stuttered in her lungs, and her heart slammed against her chest, as if trying to bre
ak free and fling itself at his feet.
Gone was the inscrutable, aloof mask. Gone was the shuttered gaze that hid his thoughts and emotions. Gone was the charming, affable smile that had been his playboy persona.
Loneliness. Pain. And love. They all creased the bold lines of his face. There for her to see, his shield completely torn down. For her.
Tears stung her eyes, clogged her throat. She balled her fingers into fists and held them over her chest, caught between wanting to—needing to—protect herself and reaching out to him.
“Nadia, you told me that you couldn’t offer me your heart because I couldn’t care for it or protect it. And again, you were right. Then. But now...” He moved forward, those big hands palm up again in supplication. “Now, I can. I will. I don’t have the right to ask you to trust me with the most precious gift you have, but I am. I’m begging you to believe in me one last time, and give me your heart, your dreams, your future. I’ll guard it with my life, keep it from harm. I love you, baby. With you here—” he pressed a fist to his chest “—I don’t have room for fear or bitterness. If given the choice between living in the past or walking toward a future with you, there isn’t a choice. It will always be you, first and only. Please, Nadia.” His voice roughened, and he stretched a hand toward her, his fingers stopping just shy of her chin and jaw. “I don’t want to be in prison any longer.”
On a gasp and cry that erupted from her, she took the last couple of steps that brought her into contact with his hand. She clasped his with both of hers and turned her face into it, pressing her lips to the palm. And because she was touching him again after being starved of him for nearly two weeks, she kissed him again. Then cupped his hand over her cheek.
“My love—my heart—is yours,” she breathed against his skin. “It always has been. And there’s no one else I’d rather have keeping it safe.”