He glanced to the kitchen where he could hear Tia’s music coming from when Michelle spoke again.
“I don’t know, Brent; it’s hard coordinating everything with you out of the office. I’ll make a few calls and see if I can find out anything. In the meantime, you need to put someone else in charge until we figure out what to do next.”
Brent nodded. “And we need to get a press release ready.”
“Before you do that, you need to decide if you’re going to press charges,” Michelle said.
“No,” Brent said firmly and shook his head. “If we press charges, the press will be all over us for mismanagement. We’ll handle this discreetly. The press statement is just going to say that Shep Fuller was ready for a new challenge and that we wished him well.”
“All right, I’ll start drafting that. When will you be back in the office?” Michelle’s voice was terse. Brent knew he was asking a lot of her to manage everything without him, but he wasn’t ready to leave yet.
“I don’t know,” Brent said noncommittally.
“Brent, what the hell is going on? You’ve never stayed away from the office and now suddenly you’re taking a week off without notice and claiming personal issues. Have you grown a second head or something?”
Brent laughed. “No, but it’s complicated.”
“Brent, the only thing that can be complicated is a girl.” Michelle laughed.
At Brent’s silence she continued. “It is a girl … oh my. Brent, you naughty boy. Why didn’t you just say so?”
“Say what?” Brent asked confused.
“That you’re in love.”
“What?” Brent asked surprised. “Who said anything about love?”
“Brent, please. Any man who has been married to his work his whole life who suddenly stays home for a week … it must be love.”
“Bye, Michelle,” Brent said a little more harshly than he had intended.
Michelle couldn’t be right. He was just having fun with Tia; this had nothing to do with love.
Brent dragged hand through his rough blond hair, wondering if it was possible, when the phone rang again.
“We found him,” Michelle said as soon as Brent answered the phone.
“Son of a bitch. Where?”
“He just arrived at the office. I don’t think he knows we’re onto him,” Michelle whispered into the phone.
“Perfect. Set up a video conference with him. I’ll be ready in ten minutes.”
“What do I tell him?” Michelle asked, confused.
“Tell him I’ve got big news,” Brent said with a smug grin. Shep just had no idea what the big news would be. That entitled asshole would think it was a raise or a promotion.
“Okay, I’ll set it up. Make sure you answer you answer the call, Brent; I’m not going to end up looking like a fool.”
Never before had Michelle preached to Brent about answering his phone. He’d always answered his phone, until now. Suddenly it wasn’t against his ear most of the day and Brent didn’t even feel guilty about it. His staff all received above average remuneration. The least they could do was to step up to the plate when he decided to take a little time for himself.
“I’ll answer the goddamn call,” Brent said before hanging up. It irked him that Michelle was talking to him in that manner, but he knew where she was coming from. She had never had to remind Brent about meetings or scheduled calls. Over the past few days she had had to remind him about everything.
His mind was filled with everything but business. His mind was filled with a dark-haired gypsy with amber eyes. With dreams of a future, dreams of spending his life with her.
But was this what it would be like? Tia coming before his business? Tia interfering with everything he had built up until now?
Brent wouldn’t allow anyone to get in the way of what he had built. He had worked too hard, too long, to have the reputation he did. He needed to find a balance, and Tia would need to understand it.
Once their honeymoon period of reconnecting was over, Tia would need to understand Brent had priorities that came before her.
“Are you done yet?” Tia poked her head around the door, her smile wide and her eyes bright.
Instinctively Brent got up and moved towards her, pulling her into his arms. Her soft curves felt smooth and enticing under his touch. “Not yet,” Brent said with a kiss.
Tia pouted and sighed. “The pizzas are almost ready to be baked.”
Brent stepped back and shook his head. “Dammit, Tia, don’t look at me like I kicked you. I have a job to do, a business to run. I can’t spend all day satisfying you. I had a life before last week, one that came with responsibilities.”
Tia stepped back as if he slapped her. “I didn’t mean—I’m sorry,” she said, shaking her head.
“You don’t even know what I do, or who I am, do you?” Brent asked with narrowed eyes.
Tia slowly shook her head. “No.”
“I own one of the largest companies in New York. We buy failing businesses and give them a makeover before selling them. I’m working on three deals at the moment. I’ve already missed three meetings because I didn’t want to leave you.”
Tia’s eyes narrowed. “Well then let me just get out of your way. I’m sorry I’ve caused you such distraction.”
Tia turned to leave and Brent caught her arm.
With what had he done, he couldn’t blame Tia for his behavior. “Tia, I’m sorry. Please don’t go. Please just wait until I’m done.”
“Until it’s convenient for you to see me?” Tia said roughly. “So I’m supposed to sit around like a doll and wait until you’re ready to play with me?”
“It’s not like that. Shit, I’m screwing this up.” Brent dragged hand through his hair and the phone started ringing. “Tia, please. I really need to get that. But if the past few days have meant anything to you, please stay so that we can talk.”
“I don’t know,” Tia said uncertainly.
“Please stay,” Brent said, moving towards his desk.
Tia nodded before she left the room.
Brent answered the video conference call with Shep and took his time laying out exactly why he was insisting on Shep’s immediate resignation. Shep was shocked, humiliated, and furious, but he knew that if he didn’t adhere to Brent’s conditions he would end up jail.
By the time the call was finished, Michelle phoned him, congratulating him on his actions. Brent waited for the feeling of achievement to come. But it didn’t. He felt awful for being rude to Tia. He had been unnecessarily rude, and he had made it clear to her she wasn’t important to him.
Brent was sure she was; he knew she meant more to him than any other woman he had known before her.
He needed to figure out where this was going, what they expected from each other, and if they functioned if they weren’t holed up in his penthouse.
Brent wasn’t ready to step out yet. He wanted the time with her to last a little bit longer. Long enough for him to decide how he felt about Tia.
He stood up and went in search of Tia. He passed the kitchen and noticed the pizza bases lying on the counter, the various different containers with toppings all still scattered over the kitchen.
Seeing the amount of effort she had put in, Brent felt like a complete asshole for the way he’d acted. He shook his head and continued to search for her. His heart clenched like a fist when he couldn’t find her anywhere in the apartment.
Had she left him without saying goodbye?
The bitter taste of loss flooded his mouth; he couldn’t lose her. Not so soon after finding her again. He still didn’t know where she lived or where she worked. If she had left without saying goodbye, Brent had a feeling he would never see her again.
His breath swooshed out as he stepped onto the terrace. Tia was lying on a sun lounger reading a book. As if sensing him, she glanced his way.
Brent felt guilty as hell for putting that look in her eyes. “Tia—I’m sorry.”
14
Tia watched Brent and tried her best to summon all the anger she had felt a few hours ago. And yet she couldn’t seem to find it anywhere. She hadn’t asked to come into his life again, but the days they had spent together had been magical. More magical than Tia could have ever imagined. Brent had been everything she had dreamed him to be, until he had unleashed his temper on her earlier today.
She had been prepared to leave. After getting her clothes from Lara, Tia had been set on leaving without saying goodbye. But she couldn’t.
Because deep down she knew Brent was right. He had other priorities than Tia, and she couldn’t expect him to drop everything just because she had made pizzas. She hadn’t known about his business or the three deals he was working on. Once she had sat down and calmly thought about the situation from his point of view, Tia appreciated the time they’d had even more.
He had set it all aside, his business, his priorities, everything, to spend time with her. Surely that meant he felt something for her?
They had moved past the excitement of just sex. There was something else brewing between them, and Tia had spent the afternoon investigating it.
The book was in her lap, and she stared at the pages as her mind sorted through the jumble of emotions that had taken hold of her heart.
Tia had never felt this way about a man before; she had never thought of a future with one. She had always been intent on making a life on her own, proving to herself that she could. But now that she had gotten to know Brent, a life on her own seemed bleak.
Just before she had heard him step outside, Tia had realized she was falling in love with Brent. Faster and harder than she had ever imagined falling.
The dark anger vanished as the light of love took hold of her heart. She knew he had priorities, a business to run, but if somewhere there was a place for her in his life, Tia was going to grab it with both hands.
“Don’t be,” Tia whispered as Brent moved closer. “You were right. We’ve been hiding away from the world, and that doesn’t mean the world doesn’t exist. You have responsibilities, even if you’ve been ignoring them. I understand.”
Brent sighed and sat down on the edge of the lounger. “I don’t know what this is; I’ve never felt this way about a woman before. But I do know I’m not ready for it to be over.” Tia’s heart flipped at his words. She wouldn’t declare her feelings to him yet; he had to come to a conclusion about his feelings for her on his own. But his words gave her hope.
“Do you feel like making pizzas?” Tia said as she got up.
“I’d love to make pizzas, if you’ve forgiven me for my behavior.” Tia could see the guilt in his eyes and decided to make him work for his forgiveness a little.
“I’ve forgiven you, but you have some making up to do,” she said with a teasing glint in her eye before she ran to the kitchen.
She heard Brent’s footsteps as he chased after her. She bounced around the counter, leaning against it waiting for him to join her. He didn’t disappoint.
Brent grabbed her and pulled her in for a mind-blowing kiss. Now that she had accepted her feelings for Brent, she poured more of herself into the kiss.
She opened her heart to bask in the touch of a man she loved. They finally pulled apart, breathless. “So, pizza?” Brent asked with a smile.
“Pizza,” Tia agreed. She turned to the various bases she had already prepared. “First we coat the base with the tomato sauce.
Brent turned to the pantry and Tia burst out laughing. “You are not putting bottled tomato sauce on my homemade bases.”
“You made tomato sauce?” Brent asked, surprised.
Tia smiled and turned to the pot on the stove. She dipped in a spoon and held it to Brent to taste. He licked off the spoon and moaned.
“Tia, I think I should get down on one knee right now.”
Tia’s heart did a little flip, even though she knew he was joking. She allowed herself to imagine he meant it for a moment and considered what her answer would be.
Yes!
Without a doubt. Not because he was rich or because he had a penthouse, but because he was the man she’d missed for two years. The man who could heat her blood with a single look, or touch her tenderly even if the need was driving him crazy. Because he could make her laugh with quirky comments and because he told horrendously bad jokes.
Tia smiled and swallowed the emotion that had started to clog her throat. “I’m glad you like it.”
“I like you.” Brent smiled and moved towards her.
Tia laughed. “I really think these bases shouldn’t wait any longer.”
Brent laughed. “You’re right. So tomato sauce, and then?”
“Then you top it with whatever you want.” Tia waved a hand over the array of toppings that had already been chopped and diced.
“Can I put you on one? You’re my favorite …” Brent’s voice was low and Tia knew if she responded they would end up on the kitchen counter.
“Then it’s best you save me for dessert.”
Brent laughed. “Touché.”
Tia sauced the bases and started sprinkling garlic on. Brent grabbed a handful of toppings and started tossing them onto the bases, drawing a giggle from Tia.
“What am I doing it wrong?” Brent asked, turning around with a boyish smile.
“If you just toss it on, all the flavor is in one spot. You need to spread it out a little.”
“Oh, so this is like making love to you?” Brent asked as he started distributing the toppings evenly. “I can’t focus on one spot; I need to spread out the loving?”
Tia blushed and nodded as she started spreading over the cheese. “Exactly.”
“I think I need to test the theory,” Brent said, moving closer.
Tia’s phone buzzed on the counter and she knew it was her mother. “No, now we need to test these pizzas.” She slid the first one into the oven.
“Your phone is going crazy,” Brent said as soon as Tia closed the oven.
Tia shrugged. “It’s just my mom.”
“You can get it. Really, I won’t mind.” Brent took out two wineglasses and poured them some white wine he had chilled in the wine cooler.
“Honestly, I don’t want to talk to her now. I have a feeling she’s just going to ask when I’m sending her money again.”
“I don’t understand,” Brent said with a furrowed brow.
Tia wanted to tell him how her mother had come to rely on the money she sent her every week, but she didn’t want to taint their playful pizza-making with her family problems. She didn’t want to taint it with the fact that her mother had never believed in her and yet Tia was always good enough if she wanted money.
Tia shrugged for Brent’s benefit. “I’ll tell you about it another time.” She picked up her phone and noticed three missed calls. She briskly texted her mother that she was at work and switched off her phone.
She turned to Brent with a broad smile. “The first pizza is ready.”
Tia pulled it out of the oven with a flourish and placed it on the waiting cooling tray.
“Tia, that smells amazing.”
Tia laughed. “I know. I’m not being vain, but I make a damn good pizza.”
She proceeded to slide the next pizza into the oven before she started clearing the counter. She was glad she had made Lara’s pizzas in time for her to take home. She hoped Lara and her husband enjoyed them.
Once the second pizza was finished and Brent poured their second glass of wine, Tia turned to Brent.
“Where do you want to eat, here or outside on the terrace?”
Brent looked at her with dark blue eyes. She had seen that look before. Her body reacted and heat pooled between her thighs. Her nipples hardened as his gaze slowly traveled over her body.
“I think I’d like to have my dessert first,” Brent closed the small distance between them. Tia gasped as his strong hands closed around her hips and he put her on the counter.
“Brent…” Tia giggled. “The pizzas ar
e going to grow cold.”
“I’m more worried about what’s hot right now.” He pressed the heel of his hand against the mound between her legs and Tia gasped.
Before she could protest, Brent started undoing her jeans. She lifted her hips off the counter as Brent slid her jeans and underwear off. Her ass was hot against the cool surface of the counter.
Brent lowered his head between her thighs and smiled up at her.
Tia smiled as her tummy flipped excitedly. He separated her folds with his fingers, slowly. Tia gasped as his head lowered.
At the first touch of his tongue against her clit, Tia didn’t even worry about the pizzas anymore. She had a different type of hunger that needed to be soothed first. Grabbing the edges of the counter, Tia hung on as Brent feasted on her pussy.
15
Friday. A week since he had bumped Tia with his car. A week since he had hidden away from the world in their little lust bubble.
Brent got dressed after sharing a leisurely shower with Tia and hoped he would be able to sort out the Shep Williston problem for good this morning.
Shep had accepted his conditions of resignation over the video conference call and yet Michelle had reported he had showed up at work the following morning as if nothing had happened.
The money Shep had promised to pay back still hadn’t been returned, and he was still flinging his weight around like he was in charge.
Brent was doing his best to try and delegate the problem from his penthouse office, but he had a feeling he would need to go into the office sooner or later to put Shep in his place.
The other things that was bothering him was Tia; something was wrong, but Brent wasn’t sure what it was. He had a feeling it had something to do with the fact that her phone was switched off, and she kept glancing at it dubiously. Brent hadn’t asked her what was wrong, too afraid she was going to say it was time for her to go home.
As he stepped into his office, Lara called him. Brent found her in the foyer. “Tucker is downstairs. Can he come up?”
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