by Jenni James
Eliza frowned. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“I know. What did he say?”
“Everything.”
“Like?”
“That I looked bad in certain outfits, and my hair was awful, and I needed makeup, and I wasn’t saying the right things to the wealthy people he knew.” She yawned again. “His whole goal was to become rich and live this snobbish lifestyle and be everything that made me lose me. Nothing was good enough, and nothing would ever be.”
“So he basically said everything I said to you those first few months of working for me.”
“Yep. You were a jerk.”
His hands moved down to her shoulders. “So you were in love with a man who told you that you weren’t good enough or pretty enough, and spent his whole time freaking out over what others thought of him and you.”
“Yeah.”
“And it slowly began to eat you alive until you lost sight of you. And then you eventually had to leave or you’d cease to exist.”
How had he pieced that all together? Her fuzzy mind became a bit more awake. “You’ve been there?”
“Oh, yeah.”
“Who?”
“My dad. Old girlfriends I’ve had. But mostly my dad.”
She wrapped an arm around one of his legs that were straddling her as she sat on the floor in front of him. “Oh, Will, I’m so sorry.”
His fingers pulled back. “I’m sorry I acted like him when we met.”
She took a deep breath and turned around. “Me too.”
He stared at her for some time. Those dark chocolate eyes looked so stricken and lost. As if he couldn’t believe he’d mirrored what she was afraid of most in men. “So this is why you turned me down, isn’t it?”
Her chest tightened. “Yes.”
“After all you’d been through, the last thing you needed was another man who wanted his own personal Barbie doll.”
The reality of his words hit home harder than she thought they would. “Please, let’s talk about this later.” She didn’t know how much longer she’d be able to hold on.
“Eliza, you only came to help me. From the moment you stepped into that office, your goal was to make me a better man, a better CEO, and give my company astronomical growth and sales. That was your objective. You are a healer—an angel who can guide and uplift and give back only good.”
Her breathing became more shallow, yet she couldn’t look away from him. Finally, someone understood. Someone saw beneath her strong exterior.
“And I . . . I was a spoiled, selfish brat who’d gone too long doing things my own way. I didn’t want to hear what you had to say. I was afraid you were right. So instead, I mocked you and belittled you, and attempted to drag you down. But you didn’t falter. You gained my admiration and respect and eventually love because you knew I needed you. You saw potential and you stuck it out, despite the pain I caused. You have more integrity than anything I’ve ever known in my life.”
He blinked and looked away, his hand rubbing above his eyes. “Of course you turned me down. It was the smart thing to do. Even a few days ago, I didn’t fully understand who I was proposing to.” Pulling out his phone, he continued, “If it’s after midnight, it’s been one week since that night. There’s so much I wouldn’t have understood if you’d said yes.”
“Will, don’t… It’s okay.”
He shook his head. “No, let me say this. I should at least own this much. I loved you, yes. But I loved you because of all you did for me.” His shoulders shook, and he inhaled a shaky breath. “Don’t you see? Even after all I put you through earlier, even after the junk you’ve found out about me, you are still here. Why? Because I needed you. Because you are still the good, incredible woman you are. I’m afraid I would’ve always taken advantage of that.”
And there lay the mockery of her life. “You are wrong, Will. You wouldn’t always have taken advantage of me. I never fully understood you either. And if I’d said yes, it would’ve been for the wealth, the advantages you could’ve given me. The power—the exact things I say I despise most. I couldn’t marry you. I can’t ever marry you because then I’ll become the person Collin wanted me to be.”
“The rich powerful person you’ve always secretly wished you could be?”
“Yes.” One small tear released. “The one person I’m afraid of most.”
“You, snobbish and critical and selfish?”
“Yes.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE:
“I can’t become her, Will. I can’t. Then this angel you’ve fallen for won’t exist anymore.”
He shook his head, but he was wise enough not to disagree with Eliza. He could see that she was completely wiped out, and too hard on herself to believe in a happier world at the moment. “Okay. Let’s get you to bed.” He grinned slightly at her confusion. “I meant let’s get you to your hotel room, where you can sleep.”
“I will punch you if I need to.” She closed her eyes.
“And she’s back.” He stood up and held his hand out for her. “It’s time we end this heaviness for right now anyway.”
She groaned. “Why do all the worst subjects come up late at night?”
“Probably because we’re not coherent enough to avoid them.”
“I hate it when you’re right.”
He tugged on her hand and pulled her to her feet. Then, because everything about her was too adorable not to, he wrapped her up in his arms and gave her a bear hug—just placed that ornery head against his chest and allowed her world to center a bit.
He felt her arms wrap around his waist as she snuggled in closer. She smelled so good. He held her like that for a few minutes, just rocking gently back and forth until eventually, she completely melted. Then he knew he’d better get her to her room before she fell asleep on her feet.
In an odd moment of chivalry, he swooped her up in his arms, cradling her like he would a child, and began to walk out the door.
“Will, put me down. I can walk.” Eliza yawned and rested her head on his shoulder.
He pushed the button of the elevator and walked in. “I swear, you’d protest food after being stranded on a deserted island.”
“But I can walk.”
“Uh-huh. I’ll bet. Now be quiet and let someone think of you for a change.” Tapping her floor number, he leaned back against the wall and waited.
“You’re so bossy.” She held on to his shirt and tucked her head against his neck.
Her warmth breath splayed just under his ear, wreaking all sorts of havoc. “Well, I am your boss. I think I’m allowed to be.”
She chuckled softly, creating those sensations again, and he nearly dropped her as the doors opened.
“You’re not the boss of me.”
“Okay, princess. I’m going to need you to be quiet now.” If not, he wasn’t sure he’d make it to the door.
“I’m not a princess.”
“Right now you are.”
“Nope.” She yawned. “That would make you a prince, and you’re no prince.”
He grinned. “Touché.” Even half asleep, she never let up. Where had she been his whole life? And how had he seen only see half of her awesomeness? He let loose a long breath. There needed to be a plan. Something to completely derail where they were headed now.
He had to think of a way to get her to see how good she really was, so she knew without a doubt that she wouldn’t change once they were together.
His breath caught in his throat at the thought. Was he really hoping to have a second chance with her? To actually prove that they were meant to be together? How much of his pride was he willing to risk for this? Looking down her unguarded profile, he smiled slightly. All of it.
As he approached her door, he knocked. She wriggled in his arms. “Let me open it with the key in my purse.”
“Uh, I don’t think I brought it. Sorry.”
“Will…”
“Yes?”
Just then, the door opened. “Oh, my goo
dness! What happened? Is she okay?” Melissa asked as she clutched her dressing gown and moved back to let Will carry her daughter in.
Eliza groaned and dropped her head onto his shoulder. “I’m fine, Mom.”
“She’s just sleepy.” He winked at Melissa as he walked past.
Melissa giggled. “I’ll let you help her to her room.”
“I don’t need help. Put me down—I’ll be fine.” Eliza moved, but he held on.
Melissa tsked. “No, she’s not fine. She looks like a mess. Go ahead, Will, and do what you need to do.”
“Mom! You’re a turncoat.”
He chuckled and walked into the bedroom. “Hey, be nice. You should listen to your mom.”
“It’s true. You should!” Melissa hollered back at them.
“You’re going to have fun answering all the questions she’ll have for you.” He smirked.
“Nice. Something else I have to thank you for. Now, why can’t I stop yawning?” she asked over yet another yawn.
“Probably because you’re as exhausted as I say you are—you’re just too stubborn to admit it.”
“Said the king of stubborn,” she mumbled into his shoulder. “So, are you going to put me down?”
“Debating it. Not sure yet.” Truth was, it was absolutely wonderful to have her so close.
“Urgh. Why are you such a brat?”
“What?” He pretended to be shocked. “Are you really calling me a brat? Now if I was a brat, I’d do something like this.” Without hesitating, he tossed her onto the bed.
“Oomph!” She gasped.
“There. You oughta be awake now.” He swooped down, kissed her on her gaping mouth, and then walked out. “Night, darling. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Just as he shut the door, he heard a thump on the other side. “Hey! Was that your shoe?” he asked through the wood.
“Of course, you monster.”
“Monster?” He opened the door and then quickly shut it again to let the other shoe hit. As soon as he heard the resounding bump, he whisked it open and pounced on the bed. “I’ll show you monster. Now you’re really gonna get it.”
Eliza shrieked like a banshee, but he held her down on her back. “Did you honestly try to hit me in the head with your high-heeled shoe? And you have the audacity to call me a brat?”
“You deserved it!” She attempted to push at him and giggled. “You’d better let me go or I’m going to scream the place down.”
“As soon as you open your mouth, I’ll kiss you. So I’d rethink that if I were you.”
The little beast opened her mouth and breathed as if to yell, and he captured it, kissing her. She pretended to protest as he gently released her arms, but they wound around him.
Melissa called from the doorway. “Just holler if you need me.”
“Did you hear that?” he whispered against Eliza’s mouth.
Melissa called out again. “That was for you, Will. You let me know if you need help.”
They both chuckled just before he kissed her again.
After a few moments, she said, “Will?”
“Hmm?” He seriously would never get enough of these sweet lips.
“You need to stop.”
“And why’s that?” he murmured.
“Because I’m beginning to fall in love with you.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR:
Will pulled back, his eyes searching Eliza’s for a good full minute. She held her breath and silently chastised herself. Why would she say that to him? Why? She wasn’t even sure where that had come from. Finally, he spoke.
“Okay. I’ll stop and leave you alone. You need to catch up on your sleep anyway.”
What? Mortification burned through her as she sat up and stammered. “I . . . uh . . . okay. Thanks for dinner.”
“No problem.” It was as if he was a different person altogether. “Thanks for talking to my sister.” He kissed her cheek. “Well, I’m going to head out now. Hope you sleep well.” And then he was gone.
She clutched the blanket to her chest as her heart dropped. Sure, she blurted out something she shouldn’t have, but...? All at once, Eliza felt like crying. Everything around her seemed lonely and small. Her hands began to shake. Slipping under the covers, she curled herself into a ball and closed her eyes. Exhaustion crept its way into every inch of her. Why else would she feel the need to cry?
The next morning, Eliza slowly blinked awake. She could hear her mom humming some old song about going to the chapel and getting married. As soon as it registered what the melody was, she groaned and rolled over. Placing a pillow over her head, she lay there and debated the best course of action.
Today was Saturday. No, wait. They came to Vegas a day early. Today was only Friday, wasn’t it? Her mind roamed over all that had happened the past twenty-four hours, and she became tired again just thinking of it. What time was it, anyway? She glanced around for her phone—no phone. Then she began to look for her purse. Were they in the front room? “Mom, what time is it?” she asked as loud as she could without yelling.
“What’d you need, sweetie?” Her mom came into the room. “Good morning, slugabed. So glad to see you’re finally awake.”
“What time is it?” she asked again, deciding it was best to address one issue at a time.
“Nearly one. Why?”
Eliza jolted up. “Are you kidding me? One p.m.? Holy . . . Mom! Why’d you let me sleep that late? Where’s my phone?”
Her mom blinked. “Excuse me, but you clearly needed sleep.”
“Not like twelve hours, though.” She couldn’t even remember the last time she’d gotten more than six hours of sleep. She glanced around the room again. Served her right for not having an alarm set on her phone. “I’ve practically wasted half the day. Good grief. So, do you know where my phone is?”
“Yes. Will called and said your purse and phone are still up in his suite.”
She winced and flopped back on the bed. “Are you kidding me? I really don’t want to see him today.”
“All right. Enough with the drama.” The bed bounced a bit as her mom got on it. “How dare you make that face when you were grinning just fine over the boy last night?”
“I don’t want him to get the wrong idea.”
“The wrong idea about what?” She tossed a pillow at Eliza. “Good grief. You’re gonna run that man ragged if you pull this with him today.”
“Pull what with him?”
She gestured toward her. “This. Exactly this.”
“Which is?”
“You playing the victim. Enough. Get up and put a smile on your face, and you’d better tell that boy you love him and stop this foolishness.”
She gasped. “Mom, for once and for all, I do not love Will Darcy.”
“Liar.” She scooted over a bit. “I shouldn’t even be sitting here for fear your pants will catch on fire.”
Eliza rolled her eyes and tried not to laugh. “I’m not in love with him.”
“Bull. You’ve been in love with him for months. Now stop it.”
“Stop being in love with him? Gladly. There. Done.”
“You know what I mean.”
“No, Mom. I don’t.” She sighed. “Please, explain, because obviously my words don’t mean anything to you.” She was embarrassed. She was frustrated. And she was ornery. This probably wasn’t the best time to have this chat.
Her mom shook her head. “None at all. In fact, I don’t even trust what comes out of your mouth anymore if this is what you’re gonna wake up saying after allowing that man to kiss you senseless last night.”’
Her heart skipped a beat. “You saw that?”
Mom gave her the look. “Seriously? Were you even rational after his first kiss?”
She sighed. “Yes. I remember almost everything.” She got quieter and plucked at the bedspread. “Even when I told him to stop kissing me because I was beginning to fall in love with him.”
“Ah-ha!” Mom beamed. “I knew it. Oh
, I’m so proud of you right now!”
Her stomach clenched. “Yeah, but I also remember that Will actually stopped kissing me after that and then he left.” She tried to put her mouth into a smile, but it resisted.
“Hey, what’s this?” Mom wrapped an arm around her. “Do you honestly think that man wanted to walk away from you?”
“What else am I to think?” She sighed. “I told him I was starting to fall in love with him, and he hightailed it out of here just as fast as he could.”
“Elizabeth, he loves you. I know he does. I see it in every look he gives you.”
She shook her head. “Not enough.”
“Well, then, you should be pleased with yourself, and happy.”
“What?” Eliza looked up. “What do you mean?”
Her mom shrugged. “It was this side of a week ago you were telling me how you couldn’t stand him and you’d never like him. Well, there you go. Now you don’t have to.”
Scrunching over, Eliza put her head in her hands. “Is this some sort of reverse psychology thing? Because it isn’t working.”
“I’m just helping you see the bright side. Now all your dreams can come true.”
“Look, I know what you’re doing, and it’s not going to work.” Eliza fluffed a pillow behind her head and plopped down. “It doesn’t even matter anyway because I still can’t forgive him for what he did to Jane.”
Mom sat up straight. “What did he do to Jane?”
“Oh, shoot. You didn’t know about that, did you?” She sighed. “Nothing. Don’t worry about it. It doesn’t matter.”
“Elizabeth Bennet, if you think for one minute that I’m going to let you simply brush this off, you’re out of your mind. Now. I love Mr. Darcy. I think he’s an amazing man. However, if he’s done anything to hurt one of my girls, there is nothing that replaces that. Nothing. Now out with it. I want to know what happened.”
“Mom, you don’t.”
“Now.”
“Fine.” Eliza got off the bed and stood up. “You know how Jane and Charles Bingley were dating?”
“The vice president of Revolutionary Innovations? Will’s friend?”