Forever Yours
Melissa Tereze
First edition November 2019
Published by GPC Publishing
Copyright © 2019 Melissa Tereze
ISBN: 9781707898091
Cover Design: Melissa Tereze
Editor: Charlie Knight (@CKnightWrites)
All rights reserved. This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the express permission of the author.
This is a work of fiction. All characters & happenings in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons (living or dead), locales or events is purely coincidental.
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Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Epilogue
About the Author
1
“Remind me again why I’m wearing this stupid jumper?” Paisley scowled, thankful that her co-workers shielded her body from view. “This is supposed to be a professional drinks event. Not Christmas Eve with the family.” Paisley never came to work wearing jeans and pumps. She certainly never entertained the idea of a Christmas jumper. Yet here she was, wearing all three in one fell swoop.
“Can you relax?” Will, the newest assistant at the firm, laughed. “You’re not usually like this. What’s going on?” He placed his hand on his hip, his six-foot frame towering over her while looking Paisley up and down. The tips of his blonde hair freshly highlighted for this Christmas party alone, Paisley admired the dedication he gave to his appearance. Most days, he had better eyebrows than her.
“Not usually like this?” Paisley quirked an eyebrow, dark-brown curls falling down one side of her face. “I’m not usually like this because I’m not usually dressed like a dick!”
“It’s Christmas. Embrace it.” Will gave Paisley his best jazz hands. She shook her head and walked away. “Oh, come on! Lighten up!” She turned in time to find him pressing the button on his Christmas jumper, Rudolph’s nose flashing.
“Fucking hell,” Paisley muttered, aware that she was around the executive members of Weaver & Associates. It was the annual Christmas party—two weeks early—but the whole Christmas jumper business was a new addition. Someone foolishly brought it up during a team meeting; now it was a part of the festivities around the office. “I’d rather be at home.”
“Paisley!” a familiar voice heckled her from across the room.
She turned to find Victoria Walsh standing in the doorway of the conference room, her very own Christmas jumper adorning her tall, slim figure.
“Yes?” Paisley cleared her throat, fixing her posture and plastering a smile on her face. “Everything okay?”
Victoria Walsh was effectively her boss. Well, Paisley was Victoria’s lacky.
Victoria beckoned her assistant closer, smiling as Paisley rushed across the room. “Are you almost done here?”
“I’ve been done here since the moment I arrived.” Paisley set her egg-nog down on a nearby table. “Did you have something you needed me to take care of?”
“Hmm.” Victoria tapped her chin. “That is a very open question.”
Paisley stepped closer. “We both know you don’t like to beat around the bush…so?”
“So, come with me.” Victoria’s fingers grazed Paisley’s. “You look as though you want to be anywhere but at this party.”
Paisley followed Victoria down the long hallway leading to her office. Victoria’s jeans clung to her perfectly curved ass—six-inch heels giving her that slight professionalism in a room full of Christmas jumpers. This on/off fling had been going on for the last three months, but Paisley wouldn’t accept it for anything more than that. She didn’t have the time or the patience for a relationship. This—whatever it was—it worked.
Suddenly pulled inside the spacious office overlooking the river, her back connected with the door, her Christmas jumper shed and on the floor. “You look so much better out of that.” Victoria smiled into a kiss. “So much better…”
“I won’t lie; you look kinda cute in yours.” Paisley grinned, pushing off the door and guiding Victoria towards her desk. “Maybe you could leave it on.”
“Whatever you need, beautiful.” Victoria’s black hair sat over her right shoulder, her dark eyes trailing every inch of Paisley’s face. “I was hoping you’d spend this weekend with me.” Victoria lifted her hand, caressing Paisley’s cheek. “If you don’t have any plans…”
“I’d love to.”
Paisley knew what this meant. Victoria was stressed with the job and she needed something to take her mind completely off it. This had happened once or twice before, but still…there was no change in their relationship status from those weekends together. Paisley would usually spend the weekend being spoilt by Victoria—endless amounts of sex on the agenda—and then they would return to the office on Monday, Paisley nothing more than Victoria’s assistant. At one time, it wouldn’t have been ideal, but over the years, Paisley had grown accustomed to this kind of behaviour. After all, her last girlfriend left her without so much as a goodbye.
Paisley cleared her mind, aware that Victoria was popping the button on her black skinny jeans.
“God, I didn’t realise how much I needed you…” Her zipper lowered as Victoria’s breath washed over her mouth. “And this weekend…you’re all mine.”
A knock on the door startled Paisley and Victoria, pulling them apart immediately. It wasn’t against any kind of company rule to have a relationship between co-workers, but Paisley knew Victoria preferred to keep things professional. And nothing about this moment was professional.
Paisley shot across the room, gathering her jumper from the floor behind the door. Tugging it over her head, the door opened, and Paisley froze. It may have appeared that she was hiding behind it—she wasn’t—but as heels clicked against the laminated wooden floor and a familiar perfume wafted in, Paisley begged the universe to let her go unnoticed.
She swiftly buttoned her jeans back up, contemplating slipping out of the room.
“Victoria,” a stern, familiar voice spoke.
“Oh, wow.” Victoria cleared her throat, pushing off her desk and extending her hand. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Georgina. It’s wonderful to finally meet you.”
Paisley stared, her gaze burning through the body in front of her. Her entire world melted around her. Georgina Weaver. The woman standing before her wore a deep, red dress that plunged at the back to expose skin down to the base of Georgina’s spine.
“Mm. Nobody expected me.”
Damn right nobody expected her. Paisley’s entire being shuddered.
Victoria glanced at Paisley over Georgina’s shoulder. “This is my assistant, Paisley Healy. We were just going through the end of year reports.”
Georgina turned around, her long blonde hair whipping around her shoulders, deep red lips as kissable as they’d ever been. God, she was my own personal Charlize Theron at one time…
“Paisley, this is Georgina Weaver. I’m sure you’ve heard about her.”
“Hi.” Georgina remained in her place. “Good to see you again.”
“Yeah, hi.” It was all Paisley could offer
Georgina. This moment, it was never supposed to happen. Paisley wasn’t prepared. “Victoria, is there anything else you needed?”
“No, you go on. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Right, yeah.” Paisley moved on shaky legs. “Bye, Georgina.”
Rushing out of Victoria’s office, Paisley made her way straight towards the conference room. The one thing she didn’t need was Chris Rhea’s Driving Home for Christmas playing, but there it was, blaring around the huge space. She caught sight of Will and made a beeline in his direction.
“Your services were required?” Will smirked, winking at Paisley. “Quick…but efficient.”
“Piss off.” Paisley swiped Will’s drink from his hand, knocking it back. “Ew. What’s that?”
“Vodka cranberry,” Will said, tipping his empty glass upside down. “At least, it was.”
“Sorry, I just really needed it.” Paisley sighed, slumping against a nearby wall and bracing her hands on her knees.
“Thirsty work keeping Victoria satisfied?”
“God, I can’t believe she’s here.” Paisley placed her head in her hands, holding back the swell of emotion swirling around in her belly. “She’s actually here…”
“Who?”
“Georgina.” Paisley looked up to find Georgina standing in the doorway. “Oh, fuck,” she muttered. “Seriously? Why now? Why, when it’s supposed to be Christmas!”
“Okay, I’ve no idea what’s going on in that head of yours, but you really need to be more specific, Pais.” Will lowered his voice, stepping closer to his friend and co-worker. “What’s wrong?”
“G-Georgina.” Paisley’s mouth went dry. “She just…she’s here.”
Will looked over his shoulder, frowning. “She’s the chief exec, right? Georgina Weaver?”
“Yes.”
“Then why wouldn’t she be here?” Will asked. “Isn’t it her job to be here?”
“You don’t understand.” Paisley sighed. Will couldn’t understand; he hadn’t been here long enough to notice Georgina’s complete lack of attendance around the firm. “But I have to go. I really have to go.”
“Um, I thought we were getting a cab together when this thing finished?” Will turned his watch towards him. “It’s not even nine yet.”
“I don’t want to be here anymore.”
“You haven’t wanted to be here all night,” Will deadpanned. “You’re usually the life and soul of the party. Come on, let’s get another drink.”
“One. And then I’m leaving.” Paisley pulled her shoulders back, no longer willing to give Georgina headspace. “I’m not staying here with her.”
“You’re staying until you tell me what’s going on,” Will said. “Something tells me you have gossip, and I want all of it.”
Georgina’s eyes scanned her employees, a glass of champagne in her hand as she weaved through the mass of people in the conference room. Paisley Healy leant against the far wall, her stare on Georgina, but Georgina couldn’t meet those deep brown eyes. She hadn’t expected to see her old assistant in Victoria’s office moments ago—regardless of the fact she knew Paisley was now Victoria’s assistant. Georgina knew exactly what was going on in that room when she walked through the door; she wasn’t stupid, but she didn’t want to consider Paisley and Victoria getting hot and bothered. Georgina was here to work, not to keep tabs on other people’s lives.
“Georgie!”
Georgina winced, the sound of her brother’s voice grating on her.
“Sis!” he bellowed. “You didn’t tell me you were coming tonight.”
Georgina turned to face him. “Call me Georgie once more and I’ll have you out of here, Brian.”
“Okay, okay.” Brian held up his hand, evidently tipsy. “Still, why are you here?”
“I’m back.” Georgina pulled her shoulders back. “Why does everyone have appalling jumpers on?”
“One of the assistants suggested it.” Brian glanced down at his own red and white snowflake jumper. “I think it works. Boosts morale, too.”
“It’s hideous,” she scoffed. “And won’t be happening again.”
Brian blew out a deep breath. “Well. It’s good to see you’re still cold and dead inside.”
“I love you, too.” Georgina rolled her eyes, walking away from her brother.
She continued to make her way around the conference room, forcing a smile when it felt appropriate. As she briefly glanced Paisley’s way, a young man grinned, watching Georgina. As much as she appreciated enthusiasm from her staff, Georgina had no time for it tonight. Three years ago, she walked out of this very building and left Liverpool. Three years ago, her world came crashing down. Scotland had been good for her, providing solitude and calm. She knew her arrival would raise eyebrows and questions, but she had no intentions of entertaining the newbies during the Christmas party. Quite frankly, she had no plans to entertain anyone.
“Miss Weaver.”
“You are?” Georgina refrained from taking the hand offered to her, instead sipping from her champagne flute.
Will searched Georgina’s face. “O-oh, hi. Will Black.”
“You’ve been with the company six months.”
“Y-yes.” Will’s eyes lit up. “You know who I am?”
“I know everyone.” Georgina felt Paisley’s eyes on her, almost shattering her control. “You enjoy being here?”
“Oh, absolutely,” Will said. “It’s perfect.”
“Good.” Georgina nodded. “Then you might want to tone down the enthusiasm. I can’t work with it.”
Georgina noted the scoff that fell from Paisley’s mouth. That beautiful mouth. Paisley never liked how harsh Georgina could be at times. Her tone. As she glanced at Paisley, deep, brown eyes glared back at her. Georgina’s heart thrummed harder. Faster. “Paisley.” Georgina trained her eyes on her ex-assistant. “How’s it been around here?”
“Fine.” Paisley downed her drink, tapping Will’s shoulder. “Another?”
“Oh, uh…” Will frowned. “Yes, okay.”
Georgina watched Paisley walk away, pleasantly surprised by how good she looked. In Georgina’s eyes, Paisley had always been beautiful, but it was clear that her old assistant had lost a significant amount of weight. Georgina chose to remain in place, hoping that Paisley would re-join her friend and colleague once she’d refilled their glasses.
Georgina turned her attention back to Will. “Are you and Paisley close?”
“She’s like the sister I never had.” Will smiled. “She’s such a good friend. She means the world to me.”
“Yes,” Georgina said, her eyes once again straying towards Paisley’s body. Every curve. Every dip. “She’s liked a lot around the office.”
“She’s just got that personality.” Will shrugged, his eyes scanning the room.
Georgina remained silent; she had nothing else to say. Paisley Healy was a wonderful person. Georgina had been on the receiving end of that side of her at one time, her cowardice preventing it from still being a possibility three years on. The moment she left Weaver & Associates was the moment her life truly changed. Nothing made sense in the weeks following her decision to hand business over to her brother. Yes, Georgina knew everything that went on here, she still held the majority share, but seeing Paisley every morning—her sweet smile—had ended abruptly. Now, she was faced with her beautiful assistant once again.
“Here.” Paisley handed Will a drink. “I’m leaving in ten minutes.”
“Come on, stay a while longer,” Will begged. “Please?”
Georgina cleared her throat. “Don’t leave because I’m here.” She wasn’t sure why she’d said those words, but she had. Paisley stared, disgust etched on her soft features.
“You being here is none of my concern,” Paisley stated. “You’ll only walk out unexpectedly anyway.”
Georgina knew she deserved that, but she wouldn’t tolerate being spoken to like that in front of her employees. Yes, she’d hurt Paisley—but this discuss
ion should be had in private.
“Can I speak with you a moment?” Georgina backed away from Will. “In my office.”
“Oh, so you’re staying?” Paisley laughed, shaking her head. “For how long? A week? A month? Until someone confesses their love for you, and you fuck off without another word?”
“My office. NOW!”
Georgina closed her eyes momentarily, aware that allowing this to blow up would cause all eyes to land on her. Most of the staff knew that she and Paisley had once been an item, but Georgina’s private life had remained exactly that once she left. None of anybody else’s damn business.
“Sorry.” Paisley sighed. “That was out of line.”
Out of line? Georgina thought. I more than deserved that. Georgina stepped forward, lowering her voice. “I deserved it, but please…I don’t want to do this here.”
Paisley nodded, striding away from Will and leaving her drink on a nearby table. Georgina followed her across the hallway, about to step inside her office for the first time in many years. This room had once been her sanctuary.
“They clean this once a week.”
“I know. I asked them to.” Georgina slid her key into the lock and turned it, automatic lighting brightening the darkened room. “I may have been away, but I know everything that goes on here.”
Georgina felt her pulse beginning to quicken, the walls around her appearing nearer than before. The last time she was in this room, Paisley still loved her. The last time she’d sat behind her desk, life was significantly better. As Georgina glanced around the cold room, memories flooded back. Kissing Paisley, holding her on the couch she was about to take a seat on, lunch filled with laughter and very little work. Georgina took a moment to curb her emotions. Life didn’t make any sense to her now. Three years away had only created an impossible distance between her and Paisley.
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