“Good.” He gave me a quick kiss. “Now get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us when we return to San Diego.”
“Will you stay here?” It was so weird to need him next to me. I’d always been an independent woman. Even when I dated men, I didn’t feel I needed a man for comfort or security. But now, I needed Noah. Maybe it was just to prove that this was real and not a dream. Or that he’d forgiven me. Whatever it was, I hoped he’d hold me until I fell asleep.
“Yes.” He kissed my forehead and then pulled blankets over us, settling in to sleep as we flew east through the night.
The flight took forever, but on the way back, spending most of it in Noah’s arms, it came to an end too soon. I was terrified that the dream was over. Now back to San Diego and our old lives, would he forget that he’d asked if I’d go with him?
Noah was up before me and working. I joined him, and we were all focused on saving Strong Incorporated, as we should. But I desperately needed reassurance, which was unsettling. There was a time that sort of thing would piss me off. But now, this felt too important to worry about my feminist sensibilities.
We landed and I’d already arranged a car to take us immediately to the office. While we rode in the backseat, I checked my messages.
“Oh God,” I said as I saw the caller ID.
“What?” Noah asked next to me.
“It’s Marcus.” I poked the play button on my voicemail.
I assume that since you checked out of the hotel with Noah right after your return to the hotel, that you’re no longer feeling ill. I did enjoy our time together. I’m sorry that my takeover is likely causing you problems. I do look forward to our paths crossing again.
“What does he mean by that?” Noah asked.
“I have no idea,” I said, but his words sent a shiver through me. Maybe he was dangerous after all.
We arrived at the office and went immediately to the conference room, where Margaret, Noah’s brothers, and their wives were waiting.
“You must be exhausted,” Kellie said, motioning to the middle of the large table. “I’ve got coffee, bagels and fruit here if you’re hungry.”
“We’ve got work to do,” Noah said, holding a seat out for me to sit. “Marcus seems to think he’s being successful at taking over the company. Tell me that’s not the case.”
“I wish I could be there when he learns that we own his company,” Ryan said.
“That fucker deserves to go down,” Hunter said. He gave his grandmother a sheepish look. “Sorry Gran.”
Her lips twitched upward. “I happen to agree with you.”
“What’s even better is that we’re getting a great deal. It’s cheaper than buying our stock back. And he’s about out of capital. He won’t be able to stop us unless he sells his Strong interest. He’s fucked either way,” Carter said.
Noah smiled, but when he turned to me that smile faltered slightly, and my heart stuttered in my chest. “Whatever happens, it won’t be enough.”
“Why is that?” Margaret asked.
Noah returned his attention to his family. “He tried to take something that can’t be replaced.”
Everyone frowned, including me, as I didn’t know what he meant.
The family finished working out their plans and then adjourned. Noah went to Margaret’s office with her, and I went to my desk. I wondered if this would be the last time that I’d see him in there.
“Hey, how about some coffee and a chat?” Kellie said. Next to her Natalie and Jess nodded. I’d told Kellie and Nat about my sleeping with Noah, and now that Jess was family, I had no doubt that she knew as well.
My instinct was to keep my business to myself, but then I realized they could be a support. Plus, Kellie knew Noah as well as I did, so maybe she’d have some advice.
I joined them in the break room.
“You must be jet lagged,” Jess said, pressing a hand on her belly. I realized that she was starting to show.
“I am. How’s Tanner?” I asked. The kid was hilarious. If I ever had kids, I wanted one like him.
She smiled sweetly. “He’s doing well. He’s excited about the baby. He’s more excited about going camping on the beach with Carter though. That boy lives and breathes by Carter.” Her smile was a little bittersweet. I supposed it was because she hadn’t told Carter the truth about Tanner sooner, and the guilt of that still lingered. It was a reminder of how important being honest was. Not just in facts, but feelings too. Maybe it was time I was more truthful with Noah. I’d shared some, but not all. He didn’t know that I was in love with him.
“You can learn about us later. We want the scoop on you,” Natalie said, handing me a cup of coffee and sitting next to me.
Across from me, Kellie gave Jess some tea and sat next to her with her own tea. “We don’t want to pry—”
“Yes, we do,” Natalie said. “But it’s for a good cause. We want to be here for you.”
“I’m not sure what to tell you. It’s all a bit jumbled,” I admitted.
“Did you and Noah work things out? Come to some sort of understanding?” Jess asked.
“I hope you don’t mind, we told Jess,” Kellie said.
I smiled at Jess. “No, it’s fine. And yes and no and yes.”
They all looked at me confused.
“We came to an understanding that we’d avoid each other but then we couldn’t. He said he didn’t want to deny himself anymore.”
“Aw, that’s sweet. And about damn time,” Natalie said.
“And then I ruined it.” Tears formed in my eyes as my guilt and shame enveloped me again.
“You?” Natalie’s voice sounded surprised.
I nodded. “Marcus Chen, the man trying to take over the company, he told me things that I believed or at least considered.”
“What things?” Kellie asked.
I swallowed because it was too horrible to admit. “He said Noah was behind the takeover.”
“What? Why would you believe that?” Kellie’s eyes narrowed and I couldn’t blame her.
“I was reading things wrong. He kept telling me to stay away from Marcus and he had a secret meeting with him like he didn’t want me to know what he was doing. He’d found the source of the hack, but not the malware that allowed for it when he’s good enough on computers to ferret that all out. Just stuff like that.” I covered my face. “It’s stupid now but at the time…”
Natalie put her hand on mine. “Love makes us stupid.”
“Did you tell Margaret you suspected him?” Kellie asked.
“I can’t imagine that she wouldn’t have fired you,” Natalie said.
“I mentioned what Marcus told me. He’d said Noah had solicited him for help. She didn’t buy it for a moment.” If only I’d had that sort of unwavering belief in him sooner, I’d be in a better place now.
“Why were you with Marcus Chen?” Jess asked.
“We all suspected him, and he was interested in me, so I thought I’d go spy. He offered me a job.”
Kellie still looked displeased. “He offered you a job and then told you it was Noah who was involved?”
I nodded. “I know it’s ridiculous…I can’t explain…”
“I already did. Love makes us stupid.”
“Are you in love?” Jess asked.
I nodded. “I didn’t know it. Not even when things were going well. It really dawned on me after I’d hurt him. Or maybe I did, and I was afraid.”
“See, we do stupid things. But Noah is an easy-going guy. Those types are often forgiving,” Natalie said, and I appreciated how hard she was trying to explain away my behavior and give me hope.
“How did he respond?” Jess asked.
“He was hurt, but then Margaret called, and we were on our way here. I apologized and tried to explain, but…how can I take it back, you know? Yet something I said must have landed because eventually he came to me.”
“By that do you mean you made up?” Jess asked.
I shrugged. “I’m not sure. We
talked a little and had sex, but I’m not sure where we stand now that we’re back here.”
“You’ve made up,” Natalie said with authority.
“How do you know?” Kellie asked.
“Because in some ways Noah is like Hunter, and if Hunter talked and had sex with me, we’d be made up. Your uncertainty is probably more from guilt.”
“That does make sense,” Jess agreed.
“What are you going to do now?” Kellie asked.
“I don’t know what to do, except my job.”
The door to the break room opened and Noah walked in. All the longing filled my chest until I couldn’t breathe as I watched him. He looked tired, but like he had in Hong Kong, he had an air of authority.
“Hello ladies,” he said, giving his signature smile. It almost reached his eyes.
“Noah our hero,” Natalie said, standing and giving him a hug. “If Gran ever picks a CEO, I’m voting for you.”
He looked at her in shock.
“You’ve earned it, don’t you think, ladies?” Natalie looked at the rest of us.
The group nodded, even Kellie, whose husband Ryan would be the most likely pick for CEO.
I couldn’t quite read Noah’s expression, but it was almost as if Natalie had given him a gift or maybe a puzzle piece filling an empty spot.
“I was hoping to borrow Andi,” he said.
“You can have her, can’t he?” Natalie said to me.
I stood and put my coffee in the sink. “What do you need?” I asked, certain his request was job related.
“I need to show you something.”
Natalie snorted. “I bet you do.”
He frowned.
I hurried him out of the staff lounge and toward my desk.
“This way,” he said, redirecting me to the elevator. “We have strict orders to go home and get some rest.”
“Oh. I am tired, which is weird since I slept most of the flight.”
We took the elevator down to the garage. He walked me over to a corner where a motorcycle was parked. He handed me a helmet.
My heart sped up in my chest as hope and relief filled it. “What’s this?”
“I had someone drive this over for us. It’s time we had that second ride; don’t you think?”
I wiped a tear of joy away. God, I was sappy.
“But first, don’t you think you should kiss me?” he said.
I flung my arms around him, fusing my lips to his. I kissed him with everything I had, hoping that we were on the path to something great.
25
Noah
After the family meeting, I wanted to leave and take Andi with me as it seemed like we had things to talk about. But Gran asked that I speak with her in her office. I wondered if she noticed a difference between me and Andi. I tried to play it cool in there and not give away the change in our relationship. I didn’t want them thinking my feelings for Andi, and in particular my jealous hate of Chen, was clouding my judgement.
“I know you’re tired and need some rest from your trip, but I wanted to speak with you alone,” Gran said as I took a seat on the couch in her office.
I nodded. “I’m here to finish this.”
“It seems you have,” she said, sitting in a chair across from the couch. “You’ve fulfilled your agreement. Now I’m fulfilling mine. I won’t ask you to do anymore here.”
I swallowed the unwelcome feeling of disappointment. It was odd because this was exactly what I’d wanted.
“My work isn’t done,” I said.
She arched a brow. “You found the hacker. Your brothers will take care of the rest.”
Thinking fast, I said, “But I haven’t found the breach that let him in. It’s possible that it happened here. We need to get that solved and the system cleaned up to be sure it's secure.”
She studied me for a moment. “You don’t think the current IT department can do that?”
I shrugged. “You asked me to do a job. Until that bit is done, the job isn’t finished.”
She smiled, and it almost looked smug or triumphant. She hid it by standing and going to her minifridge for water. I declined her offer of a bottle.
“I know Andi well enough to suspect she shared her concerns about you to you,” she said, pouring the water in a glass.
The pain of that stabbed again. “She did.”
“Did she tell you that she called me about it?”
“Yes.” I decided not to mention that because Andi hadn’t been fired and I thought Gran might have agreed with her assessment.
“You’re not curious about what I said?”
I shrugged. “She and I are still here so I guess all is okay.”
My grandmother frowned. “Do you think I considered that you’d betrayed me.”
I looked down and only then realized my mistake. When I looked up, I saw pain in my grandmother’s eyes.
“You thought I did. That hurts me.”
“I’m sorry, I just—”
“You don’t hurt me, Noah. The situation does. The idea that you felt like I didn’t believe in you. I do, you know.”
“I know.”
“I don’t think you do. Your father was pleased when I told him I’d made the agreement to stop asking you to work for the company. He said you needed to go make your way. Prove to yourself all that you’re capable of.”
My father could have been a shrink with how well he seemed to read people.
“Is he right?”
I shrugged. “I’ve been handed everything all my life. People don’t take me seriously when they don’t think I earned it.”
“You don’t think I take you seriously?”
“Not you.”
“Your brothers?”
I didn’t respond.
“Andi?”
I scoffed. “She thinks I’m a spoiled brat.”
“She’s right about being spoiled. All of you are spoiled. But you’re good men. Smart. Loyal. And if you think I’d hand my company over to you boys simply because you’re my grandsons, you’re underestimating the importance this company has to me.”
“I hadn’t thought about it like that.”
“Just as I hadn’t considered that you felt the need to earn your way.”
For a moment we just sat with our new understanding.
“You and Andi need a day to adjust to the time change and recover from the flight—”
“I need to work on the—”
“I’ll have IT get started on it. Your brothers are dealing with Mr. Chen. I think it can wait until tomorrow, don’t you?”
“Yes. Okay.”
“Would you mind taking Andi home?”
I looked at my grandmother wondering if she suspected anything. I couldn’t read her. “Yes. Of course.”
When I left her office, I called to have one of my motorcycle’s brought over and then went to check on how my brothers were doing with the takeover of Chen’s company.
“Why are you still here?” Hunter said when I joined him and my brothers.
“If I wasn’t, you’d call me a slacker,” I said, coming to look at Carter’s computer to read the financial details.
“Well, yeah,” Hunter said. “But we’d say it with love.”
I shook my head at him.
“You did good work, here Noah. I know you’ve made a deal with Gran, but if there’s a chance you’ll stick around, I know we’d all like that,” Ryan said.
“Thanks.” I hadn’t changed my plans, and yet, a part of me wasn’t feeling as gung-ho about them now. Instead of dwelling on that, I went to find Andi to take her home.
I had a profound sense of déjà vu along with the knowledge that I needed to do this ride differently. If Andi and I were going to attempt this, we both had baggage we needed to deal with. Me? I had to accept that my grandmother might not approve or that I might fuck up and cause strain in her and Andi’s relationship. Plus, I had to let go of the hurt and anger that Andi thought I was capable of betraying my f
amily. I knew she felt bad about that, but it still stung. Even so, my yearning for her outweighed the hurt, but it didn’t alleviate the fear that she’d do something like that again.
On Andi’s side, she’d need to learn to trust me too. It seemed to me that we both were coming into this with some serious deficits, so I had to hope that her interest in seeing where things went with us was as big as mine otherwise this would crash and burn pretty quickly.
I pushed my worry again and focused on the fact that Andi’s arms were around me as I drove through town and out along the coast. At one point, when I picked up speed, she laughed and the sound of it was like music.
Finally, I turned back inland and headed to her house. I parked in her little drive and helped her down.
She took the helmet off, handing it to me tentatively. “Thank you for the ride, Noah.”
I frowned. “Aren’t you going to invite me in for lunch.”
“I don’t have any food, but you can come in.”
“Thank goodness I thought ahead,” I said as the pizza delivery guy pulled up in front of the house. “Right on time too.”
“You ordered pizza?”
“Don’t you like pizza?” I pulled my wallet from my pocket and paid the young man. I took the pizza and walked back to Andi.
“I do like pizza.”
“As it turns out I have a pizza. I’ll share if you want.” I wished she’d stop worrying so much about the past and go back to being the Andi I knew…and loved.
She smiled. “You’re too kind.” She led the way to her house. It was a nice little bungalow. Neat and tidy, like Andi.
Once inside she opened windows to let in fresh air since we’d been gone.
“It’s small but mine.”
“It’s nice. And a smart investment,” I said putting the pizza on the little table in the kitchen.
“You said I was boring for buying this,” she reminded me. She got plates and napkins, setting them on the table with the pizza.
“I said you were boring for not traveling,” I clarified.
“Hmm. I don’t have anything to drink but tap water,” she said, getting some glasses.
“Water is fine.”
We sat and started to eat, our conversation faltering at that point. I gave her an abridged overview of the discussion I had with my grandmother and updated her on the progress my brothers were making.
Hate to Love You Strong Brothers #4) Page 15