by Beth Michele
“At least you’re honest,” I retort. “It’s a strong trait.”
“Speaking of which, are you okay with me having a few of the guys from my old job over on Friday night?”
“Elaborate on ‘a few’, please,” I respond dryly, coming around to settle in on the sofa.
“Three.” He holds up two fingers. “Scout’s honor.”
“You were never a Cub Scout.”
“Irrelevant. Defense moves to throw out comment.”
“What?” My laugh is part air, and, at the moment, I’m grateful for his humor. I really need it. “You’ve been watching way too much television.”
“My point is,” he says, blazing past my statement. “It’s only three guys, that’s it, and since I live here now, I figured it would be okay.”
I sip from my glass, the juice only worsening my nausea. “It’s fine, Chaz. I’m just giving you a hard time.”
“Excellent. So how’s Lily?” he asks, and my expression must be answer enough. “Fuck, what happened?” He leans an arm against the back of the sofa. “I thought things were going well.”
“They were, but…” I pause, chewing on my next words before deciding whether or not to set them free. “I’m pretty sure it’s over.”
“Shit, bro. I’m sorry. You want to talk about it?”
“Not really.” I push forward and set my glass on the table, rubbing at my chest to soothe the nagging ache. “Do you remember Alec Jackson?” I ask, and apparently I do want to talk about it—to Chaz of all people.
“That douchecanoe from Columbia. Of course I do. What about him?”
“Lily works for him.” The words burn on my tongue, extinguishing my hope for a different life.
“Oh man, my condolences to her.” He takes one look at my face then closes his laptop. “Wait a minute, is that why—”
“We’re in the same business, so he gave her an ultimatum. Either her job or me.”
“What the fuck?”
For once, I agree with my brother.
“That’s fucking bullshit,” he says, spitting out the words. “So how did she respond?”
I drag a hand through my hair. “I have no idea. She doesn’t know that I found out, and I haven’t heard from her.”
“What are you going to do?”
“What am I going to do?” It seems to be a popular question. A bitter sound rises up my throat. “I’m going to let her go. The choice isn’t mine to make.”
Chaz moves his laptop to the sofa and stands, glaring down at me. “Who are you and what have you done with my brother? Since when have you ever gone down without a fight? You want my advice?” He balls his hand into a fist. “Go down there and confront him, then kick his arrogant ass.” The hardness rimming his eyes softens. “Fight for her, man, especially if you love her.” Then he bends to grab his computer. “And on that final note of brotherly wisdom, I’m gonna hop in the shower—my shower,” he clarifies, trying but failing to get a laugh out of me. When the joke doesn’t work, he frowns, and I don’t miss the sympathy on his face as he walks away.
Not a minute goes by when I hear his voice again. “Remember when you were fourteen and I forced you to watch Rocky III with me?” I smile a little though he can’t see it. “Remember the theme song I sang and played air drums to until you couldn’t take it anymore? Eye of the tiger, man. Eye of the tiger.”
There’s no time like the present.
That said, five AM is a little too present for me. But I was showered at three, dressed by three thirty, purchased a grande coffee at four, and now here I am. Exhausted from lack of sleep but ready to fight my battle.
The office is quiet, save for a few early birds. Alec is here, as he is every day at this time. His light is on at the end of the short hallway, taunting me. The walk to my demise is not long.
I finish off my coffee, a few big gulps for extra courage, then toss the cup into the recycling. My pulse is a heavy throb as I take sluggish steps, prolonging the inevitable. But there isn’t any way around this situation. Alec has made up his mind, and so have I.
In front of his glass door, I flex my fingers and suck in a big breath. On the exhale, I pat my skirt free of nonexistent wrinkles. Then I lift my hand, rapping three times until I hear a distracted “Come in” before letting myself into his office.
His tight expression gives way to arrogance, as if he thinks I’m here to grovel. “Ah, Lily, bright and early, I see. Couldn’t wait for our conversation.” He nods toward the chair across from his desk. “Sit down. I’m just finishing something up.”
I cross my arms over my chest while I wait, my gaze bouncing around the room, unable to focus. I’m tempted to blurt out what I have to say, but I want to do this right. Regardless of everything, I’m a professional and don’t want to burn any bridges.
It takes him so long, though, I decide to plead my case one final time. Maybe I can make him see the light.
“Okay. Let’s talk,” Alec says after what seems like forever and a day. He sits back on his throne, fingers steepled under his chin. “I assume you’ve come to give me the good news.”
“Good news?”
“Yes, that you’ve made the smart decision, broken things off with Jace Harlow, and can now fully focus on your job here. This job,” he continues before I have a chance to speak, “it can catapult you to great things, not to mention my recommendation, which goes a long way in this industry.”
Catapult me? The only place I want to be catapulted to is my own gallery.
With that last thought top of mind, I square my shoulders, my posture exuding the confidence I’m trying hard to sustain. Here goes nothing. “You know, Alec, I’ve worked hard for you since the first day I started. I’m a dedicated professional, and I maintain confidentiality. I would never reveal any proprietary information that could jeopardize this company. I happen to think very highly of it, and you.”
He rolls his chair back and pushes himself out of it. His footsteps close in on me until he plants himself directly across from my seat. His hands come together in a slow, exaggerated clap. “One last hurrah. Brava, Lily. An Oscar-worthy performance, dare I say. Nicely done,” he mocks, and his sarcasm makes my blood boil. There’s a long pause before his bitterness dissolves into something else, something slimy and underhanded. He scrubs at his chin with a meaty hand, his mind at work. Then his gaze takes inventory of my body from head to toe, like a snake ready to strike. My spine straightens and I want to crawl out of my skin.
He taps the pad of his finger against his mouth. “Perhaps there’s another way to work this out, after all.”
“Another way?” I swallow, sliding to the edge of my seat and two seconds from bolting out the door.
His beady eyes lower to my breasts then up. “Maybe we can work out a deal. I’ll bend if you will.”
My mouth all but drops to the floor. “Just what exactly are you implying?”
“You’re a smart woman, Lily.” He sneers, and it borders on vile. “Figure it out.”
Something clicks into place, and now I understand why Jace didn’t like the idea of me working for Alec. He was only looking out for me, because Jace knows the type of man Alec is.
My muscles are so tight they could snap, but I find a way to rise up, nearly knocking the chair over in the process. There are so many things I want to say here, but it’s not worth it. He’s not worth it.
I stand toe to toe with Alec, wanting him to know he hasn’t broken me. “You’ll have my official resignation in writing before the end of the day.” Then I turn on my heel, steam coming out of my ears and needing to get the hell out of here. I’m about to make a hasty exit but pause at the door. It suddenly occurs to me that I no longer have a job, which means I have nothing to lose.
Might as well go out with a bang, right?
It takes a minute to clear the anger from my expression before I turn around, heading straight for Alec. Though I’m disgusted, I try my best to mask it. I get as close as I can without touching hi
m and force my lips up. “Did you want me to do something to your dick, Alec? Is that what you want?”
A slow, maniacal grin spreads across his evil mouth. “I knew you’d come to your senses.”
“You’re right. I have.”
Those are the last words he hears before I lift my knee and shove it directly into his balls. A loud oof leaves his mouth and he cups a hand against his groin, collapsing to the floor. Any trace of smugness from a moment ago is gone.
Nothing like a swift kick in the balls to bring him to his senses.
Eat your heart out, Tommy Maloney.
While he’s on the ground, cursing, I leer down at him. “What do you think, Alec? Was it as good for you as it was for me?”
I hear the sudden click of the door handle, and a voice that doesn’t belong to Alec answers, “I don’t know about him, but it was incredibly satisfying for me.”
Lily spins around, eyes wide. I didn’t realize how much I needed to see her—how much I missed her—until she’s standing in front of me.
“Jace, what are you—”
I reach for her, slipping an arm around her waist. “Are you all right? Did he hurt you?”
She embraces me only briefly before she pushes back. “I’m fine. What are you doing here?” She’s not smiling, but she doesn’t appear upset either. A good sign, I think. “Jace?”
“I found out about Alec threatening you and came here to confront him.”
I don’t get a chance to elaborate because her eyes narrow and she digs a fist into her hip as if she’s figured something out. “Did you think you were going to save the day? Because I can take care of myself.”
I glance down at a groaning Alec then look back up at her. My lip curls. “Clearly.” Then I address the piece of garbage on the ground. “Nice to see you again, Jackson, and looking so well, I might add.”
Lily snorts, but I’m not quite finished.
“You had a valuable employee in Lily and you fucked it up. Do you honestly think we’d waste our valuable time together talking about your sorry ass?”
“Fuck you, Harlow,” he mumbles, trying to pick himself up off the floor. I have a feeling he might be out of commission for a while. What a shame.
Lily spares him one more disdainful look before she brings her eyes up to mine. “What do you think? Want to get out of here?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
“Sorry ass—that was a nice touch,” Lily whispers as we leave a very pissed off, very sore Alec behind and exit his office. In the hallway, she throws her arms around me and holds on tight, heart beating like a drum against my chest. I haven’t held her in days, and I’m not going to waste another minute. My arms encircle her waist and we stay entwined until she lets go. Her breaths are heavy puffs of air. “I can’t believe I just did that.”
I grin. “Oh, I can.” But then my satisfaction fades. “Lily, did he…?”
She shakes her head. “No, he didn’t. And I’m fine,” she adds, reading the concern in my expression. “What you said in there…is that really why you came here?”
“You first. You were here rather early.”
Chin up, she says, “I came here to quit my job.”
Relief tears through my chest. “And I came here to fight for you and then come find you. I thought you’d chosen your job over me.”
Her mouth folds into a frown. “What made you come to that conclusion?”
“Well, for one, I haven’t heard from you much in the last few days.”
She looks down before meeting my gaze. “I’m sorry about that. I needed some time to think.”
I reach out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “About what?”
“About what one wears in Paris in July.”
My heart pumps fast and fierce against my ribs. “Good answer. You’re forgiven.” I hesitate, studying her face and trying to decipher my thoughts. “You know I never liked you working for Alec, so I can’t say I’m unhappy with the outcome. You finally saw he isn’t a good man, and I want you to tell me exactly what happened when you’re ready, but I hate that all this transpired because of me. I know you loved your job.”
“You’re right, I did.” She pauses, eyes bright with unshed tears. “But I love you more.”
I’m sure I misheard her, though my heart didn’t judging by the way it beats right out of my chest.
“You love me.”
A single tear rolls down her cheek. “I do.”
“Say it again.”
Her lips curl in a sweet, sweet smile. I feel like I’ve been waiting my whole damn life to see it. I need that smile. I need this woman.
“I love you, Jace Harlow.”
A joy I’ve never felt before explodes inside my chest. I reach for her, my hands caressing her jaw, gaze roaming every inch of her face, holding my little ball of life.
“It took you long enough,” I say, and she laughs adoringly as I bring her close. I’m not sure I knew my heart’s true purpose until now. It beats for this woman, and this woman only. “I love you, Lily Conrad.”
She beams, and it’s my own personal ray of sunshine. “I’m happy to know we’re on the same page, Mr. Harlow.”
“As am I.” I press my mouth to hers, because she’s irresistible—and she’s mine. “I only have a few hours before my flight. What do you say we blow this joint?”
Her light laugh fills the air. God, I missed that melody. “Blow this joint—that sounds like a Chaz-ism. I think your brother might be rubbing off on you.”
“You might be right.”
That sexy brow lifts high. “I’m always right.”
I chuckle. “Let’s not get carried away. You do like Mounds, after all.”
“Oh!” She backs away to rummage through her purse while I push the button to call the elevator. “I almost forgot. I got you these yesterday, in case you get hungry on the plane.” She pulls out two Almond Joy candy bars and I’m speechless. “I had to go to three different places to find them.”
This woman—she blows me away.
I show her just how much by cupping her chin and joining our lips until both of us are smiling. “Thank you, sweetheart.” The doors open and we step inside. When we’re finally alone, I corner her against the wall. “So what do you say, Miss Conrad? Now will you come work for me?”
Lily laughs. It’s loud and beautiful, and I freaking love this woman. Then she turns that smile and those green eyes on me, puckers the lips I want to kiss for the rest of my life, and utters one word: “No.”
One Year Later
Beams of sunlight slice through pink ombre curtains, alerting me that a new day is beginning. My eyes are already open, though, staring at the handsome man beside me, wondering how I got here. How this is my life now. And how I love this life, this man so much.
In the past year, I’ve discovered how different I can be when my heart is open and trusting. Worry never seems to find me now, and a lightness fills my entire being. I believe that’s the power of a deep, honest love, and I’ve never been more grateful.
I watch slow, even breaths leave Jace’s chest, the soft fringe of dark lashes resting quietly against his cheeks. His lips are smoothed and relaxed, the worries of running a billion-dollar company at bay.
My eyes slide from his face and move down. The sheet covers the lower half of his torso, the upper half available for my viewing pleasure, and make no mistake about it—I’m viewing. Ropes of firm muscle and a tapered waist disappear behind threaded percale but leave nothing to the imagination.
“Taking advantage of my slumberous state?” Jace’s sleep-rumbled voice catches me by surprise, and I throw him an innocent glance.
“Yes, I am. It’s hard not to.”
“You’ve got the hard part right,” he says, rolling closer until his hard part is touching my hip. He leans down, kissing me sweetly. “Happy Birthday, sweetheart.”
“Twenty-eight years young,” I say with a cheery smile, because I’m one of those people who ca
n’t get enough of her birthday and wants the whole world to know.
Another kiss. “And my whole day is devoted to you.”
Devoted—I’ve never met a more devoted man than Jace Harlow. To me, to his family, to the things he’s passionate about. He inspires me to do better, to be better, and I’d like to think I do the same for him.
“But first, Brooklyn, right?” I ask, puckering up for one more birthday kiss.
He leans up on his elbow, propping his fist under his chin. “Yup.”
“I’m excited. Is Ron’s wife going to be there?”
“I think so, yes, and I told him you were a brownstone enthusiast so you could give him pointers and maybe provide some insight on how they could design it.” He lowers his lips to my forehead. “I also thought we could stop by and see Mona while we’re there.”
“I’d love that.” I stroke my fingers gently across his collarbone. “I still can’t get over the expression on her face when I gave her the unicorn painting last week.”
Jace plays with the ends of my hair. “She looked thirty years younger.”
“Yeah.” I look up at him. “And what are you so happy about?” I ask, though I already know. I’ve had a perma-smile on my face for the last year and some odd days.
“Let’s see…where should I start?” His smile widens. “I’m waking up next to the woman I love. I’m on my second real vacation from work, and, while I’m not there often these days”—he winks—“my penthouse walls are no longer white.”
“Whoever your design consultant is, she’s brilliant.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more.” His eyes glow a bright blue. “She’s smart, funny, caring, insanely beautiful—the full package, really.”
Warmth spreads from my chest to my cheeks. “But the real question is, how are her blowjobs?”
A surprised chuckle slips from his mouth. “I have no complaints.”
“Coming from a man of so many words, I would have expected something more.” My brow lifts high. “Maybe she’s not doing it right.”
“What are you suggesting, Miss Conrad?” His cock twitches against my skin, making its own suggestions. I’m open to all of them.