by Kendall Ryan
“Wait.” I hold up my hand. “What exactly did you do?”
“As an attorney, I occasionally do some work helping people to consolidate debt, file for personal bankruptcy, and things of the like. I got everything arranged with a credit counselor on my team to erase those astronomical interest charges and roll everything into one low monthly payment. You’ll be able to pay it off much faster now.”
My face contorts into a horrible grimace. Is he fucking insane? He stole my bills, made a plan against my wishes, and now he expects me to pat him on the back?
“I have no idea how it works where you’re from, but that was a huge invasion of privacy. It was totally inappropriate, unethical, and just . . . not okay.”
He pulls off on an exit and stops at a service station before turning to face me. “I never meant anything by it. Honestly, those are the kinds of things I work on. It was totally normal for me. It didn’t feel invasive, or I wouldn’t have . . .” He shoves his hands into his hair. “Fuck. Are you angry?”
My heart is still pounding, my pulse racing. I’m pissed off. I feel like he bulldozed his way in and took over, like I’m some damsel in distress.
“Just take me home,” I mutter.
After another curse, Sterling hits the gas pedal and speeds off down the road.
The sooner I can be out of the car with his presumptuous ass, the better.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Sterling
What started as a brilliant afternoon turned into utter rubbish. Camryn’s angry at me for stepping in to help with her debt, and here I expected to be praised for being so thoughtful. People normally pay me three hundred dollars an hour to do that.
I spent a sleepless night tossing and turning, rolling it over in my mind, and came up with exactly nothing to solve this mess. Watching her interact with my mum? Camryn fits like the puzzle piece that was missing all along. But now I’ve fucked things up.
Now as I sit in my office, dunking a tea bag into a cup of steaming water, things with Camryn seem as bleak as ever. I’ve got meetings all day and a client dinner this evening I can’t get out of, but tonight I’ll find a way to make Camryn understand. Perhaps it’s time to tell her how I really feel. The truth will set you free.
I press the intercom button on my phone. “Teri, can you come in here?”
My assistant, Teri, steps inside the office, stopping directly before my desk. She’s a straight shooter, and I love that about her. And since she plays for the opposing team, there’s never been any weird advances or complications between us. It’s the perfect relationship.
I remove the tea bag and take a sip of the scalding brew. “Would you mind closing the door?”
Her mouth presses into a line, and she scurries to the door to shut it. “Am I in trouble?”
“Not at all. When have you ever been in trouble?” It’s usually me we’re plotting how to bail out of hot water.
“Good point.” Her smile returns. “So, what’s up?”
“I think I might have fucked up.”
Teri sighs and sinks into the leather armchair across from my desk. “Is it the Levenstein file, because if I have to fix that one more time, so help me God . . .”
I chuckle. “No, it’s not the Levenstein file. It’s Camryn.”
“That woman you’ve been spending all your time with?”
I nod, realizing I haven’t been as private about the whole affair as I thought.
“What did you do, Romeo?”
“I was only trying to help.”
“What did you do?” she says, her voice growing stern.
“I may have taken Camryn’s credit-card statements and consolidated them with some help from Brian in the credit department,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck.
“Shit. That’s a total invasion of privacy, Sterling. You’re right. You did fuck up. Bad.”
“Thanks,” I mutter dryly. “Let’s just say she was less than appreciative.”
“No kidding. You need to ask someone before you do things like that. Why do you think I can help?”
“Because you know women.”
She tips her head, seeming to agree. “Have you tried apologizing?”
I did in the car, didn’t I? But Camryn was so angry, maybe she needed time to cool down. I replay our conversation in my head. There’s a chance that I just asked her why she was mad and told her I was trying to help. Shit, maybe I never said the two little words I should have. I’m sorry.
“You know? That might just work.”
Teri’s brows dart up, and her mouth opens. “Start with that. Let me know how it goes.”
Somehow I know a text message with an apology and a sad-face emoji won’t be enough. This is a conversation that needs to happen in person. Face-to-face.
The rest of the day drags by at a snail’s pace as I tackle one problem after another. When I finally finish up with the client dinner, I’m crushed to see it’s already ten o’clock—too late to show up unannounced at Camryn’s place. She’s probably in bed.
Not that I wouldn’t like to join her, but I know the best thing is to head home and create a game plan for tomorrow.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Camryn
“Let me get this straight,” Anna says with her hands on her hips.
Leaning back in my office chair, I gesture for her to go ahead. The beginning of a headache stirs in my temples and I press my fingertips there, hoping to stave it off, at least for a few more hours until I’m home.
“So you’re mad at Sterling because he ate your pussy and then paid all your bills. Fuck, I’ll marry the asshole tomorrow.”
Oh my God. When she words it like that . . . Pressing the heels of my hands against my eyes, I take a deep breath and end up bursting out in laughter.
“You can’t say things like that, Anna!”
She shrugs. “What? I’m not going to word it all politically correct like you did and say he pleasured me with his mouth. Let’s call a spade a spade. He ate that pussy. Now the question is . . . did he do it well?”
“Like that will forgive everything?”
She rolls her eyes. “Yes, because helping with your bills is such a crime.”
“He was . . .” Crap, I can’t lie to her. “The best I’ve ever had.”
She pumps her fist into the air. “I knew it!”
Straightening my posture, I take a deep breath. “That aside, it was a total invasion of privacy, Anna. I was screwed over by the last guy I was with. David had no boundaries, didn’t understand that dabbling in my personal affairs was a no-no, and now it seems Sterling doesn’t either.”
She scoffs. “This is totally different, Camryn. David was up to no good. You need to look at Sterling’s motivation and intention. His heart was in the right place.”
“Maybe.” I cross my arms over my chest. “This whole thing is just getting really complicated between us, and this is just one more thing. I don’t know how to feel. And to clarify, he didn’t pay my bills, he consolidated them.”
She nods, giving me a sad smile. “I get that. So, what are you going to do?”
“He wants to talk to me tonight.” He texted first thing this morning, and I agreed.
“Are you okay?” Anna asks, her expression changing to one of concern.
The truth is, I’m not. “I don’t know what I’m doing, Anna, and I’m scared.”
She nods. “I know what we need to do . . .”
“What?” I ask.
Her gaze drifts to the floor. “You’re not going to like this, but I think it’s for the best.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Sterling
After a long day at work, it’s already after eight o’clock when I leave the office.
I texted Camryn earlier to be sure she was free for me to stop over tonight. I told her that we needed to talk, and she agreed. Now I’m at the door to her building, waiting to be buzzed in.
Finally, the door clicks, and I pull it open and take the na
rrow staircase to the sixth floor.
When she answers the door, she’s barefoot with a messy bun on top of her head, a woolly cardigan pulled around her shoulders, and a huge glass of red wine in one hand.
“Hi.”
“Can I come in?”
“Sure,” she says, taking a step back.
I can’t help but feel that something between us has changed. She leads me into the living room, but rather than inviting me to join her or asking if I want a glass of wine, she merely stands there with a hand on her hip.
“I, um . . .” I rub the back of my neck and look down at my shoes. “I came here to apologize.” My gaze lifts to meet hers, and what I see staring at me is icy resolve. “I realize that what I did crossed a line. I had no right to step in like that, but I want you to know I was only trying to help.”
She releases a sharp sigh. “I know that. I mean, I was pissed at first, but rationally, I get what you were trying to do.”
“I truly am sorry.” I reach out and touch her shoulder.
“That debt, it’s a source of embarrassment. My ex, he . . . you know what? Never mind, it’s my responsibility now. It is what it is, and you’ve probably saved my ass by doing that.”
I shrug. “It will save you thousands in the long run, but I should have asked first.”
“I forgive you,” she says, and those are the sweetest words I’ve ever heard.
Camryn swirls the wine in her glass, looking down at the wave of red liquid. “I have something I need to tell you too. I’ve moved up the event.”
“Moved it up?”
She nods. “It’s Saturday.”
“As in two days from now?”
“Yes.” The look in her eyes is sad, like she’s made the decision that she can’t keep doing this with me.
“I see.”
I thought I had more time, but it appears it’s all but run out. I wanted to tell her tonight that I wanted to end my search for a wife, wanted to say fuck it—let’s call off the whole thing. I’ll deal with Charles, figure something out for my mum, but what I absolutely can’t do is continue living like this.
But the words lodge in my throat and stay there.
The mood around us changes, grows more urgent, and the gaze she gives me is filled with curiosity and longing.
“We can go over all the details tomorrow after work,” she suggests.
“Okay. Let’s meet for dinner somewhere.”
“Sounds good.”
I feel like an utter fraud because we’re still searching for my wife, while all I want is Camryn. I’m pretty sure this is the one thing not to do—fall for your matchmaker. But it’s entirely too late.
“Tomorrow then.” I lift her hand to my mouth and press a kiss to the back of it. Then I see myself out, my heart in my throat.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Camryn
Blinking into the bathroom mirror at the historic Waldorf Astoria hotel, I heave in a deep cleansing breath.
One more night.
You’ve got this.
It feels impossible, but I have no choice in the matter. I have to survive one more dinner with Sterling, and then if things go according to plan, tomorrow he’ll meet the woman he’s supposed to be with and they’ll begin dating so that he can meet his marriage deadline. And I’ll go back to my lonely existence.
I never would have imagined when I took on this project the depth of feelings I’d develop for the deliciously sexy lawyer Sterling Quinn.
Anna and I went over the plan again today. I’m ready for this. She was right. We had to move it up, force his hand at this, and we each need to move on.
The event is to take place at this very hotel tomorrow morning, in a ballroom on the second floor. I suggested we meet here tonight as a dry run for tomorrow.
I press my lips together, blotting my vibrant berry-colored lipstick, and then head out. As I walk toward the steakhouse located just past the hotel lobby, I smooth my black shift dress over my hips. Fall in New York is my closet’s favorite time. This dress is comfortable with its long sleeves and pockets, while still flattering, and I’ve paired black opaque tights and my tallest black heels. The only color I’m sporting is my lipstick, and the effect is sexy while still being understated.
Once inside the restaurant, I spot Sterling at an out-of-the-way table for two, and start toward him. When he spots me, he rises from the table. His gaze roams up and down my entire body, from my sky-high heels that make my legs look great, to my kissable lips.
Eat your heart out, Mr. Quinn.
We’re here to cover the details for the event tomorrow. Not to stare into each other’s eyes and fantasize over something that will never be.
That’s what my pep talk in the bathroom was all about. No more falling for his swoony charms, sweet smiles, or his positive outlook on life. No more. My goal is to get him married—to someone else—then collect my bonus and move on with my life.
“You look . . . stunning,” he whispers, pulling me in close for a quick peck on my cheek.
“Thank you.”
I take a step back and allow him to pull out my chair. I refuse to comment on how over-the-top sexy he looks. I mean, yes, I’d like to fuck his brains out, but that’s beside the point. Tonight I’m playing the role of professional Camryn. In fact, I keep my eyeballs trained on the floor just so I don’t stare.
We sit down and glance over the menu.
I plan to order the biggest, juiciest steak on the menu and a loaded baked potato, with plenty of red wine to wash it all down. And, fuck it, I’m even getting dessert. That mountainous slice of chocolate cake I saw on the dessert cart when I came in was practically calling my name. After all, there’s no sense in watching my calories now.
Our wine is delivered and we each take a sip. It’s delicious, full-bodied and aromatic with hints of cherry and plum.
Then I pull out my file folder containing the details for tomorrow.
Sterling clears his throat, and I expect him to comment on the fact that I’m all business tonight, but he doesn’t. He simply pushes the flickering candle aside and leans in to look at the itinerary I’ve set out.
“The festivities kick off at ten in the morning with an hour break for lunch at noon, and then we’ll continue right on through until five p.m., unless you find your Cinderella early. In that case, I have no issues with wrapping up sooner.”
He nods once, his gaze downcast onto the paper.
“The hotel will provide security to keep the line manageable, and of course, assist if anyone gets unruly. The women will proceed from their place in line to one of two tables. They’ll meet briefly with either me and Anna, and if we get a sense that she’ll be match for you, Anna and I will ask them to wait in a holding room for their meeting with you to begin.”
“Sounds good,” Sterling says, rubbing the back of his neck.
“I hope there’s not too many surprises. Anna and I already spent the last few weeks prescreening the women. And we’ll arrive early to make sure everything is set up and running smoothly. You’ll have a conference-style room to conduct the one-on-one speed dates in. The setup will be simple—a table and two chairs. I hope that’s okay.”
“Thank you. This is . . . more than I was expecting.”
I nod, accepting his gratitude. “It’s fine. I’m just doing my job.”
His eyes narrow on mine, like there’s something he doesn’t like about me calling him a job.
Silence grows around us, and though I’ve never been at a loss for words around Sterling before, I am now. He’s looking at me like I’m a puzzle he’s trying to solve. The server returns with our food, saving me from the awkward moment of silence that seems to stretch out into forever.
Seared steaks with sautéed mushrooms and goat-cheese crostini. Two fresh glasses of red wine. We managed to order the exact same thing again.
“I feel a little foolish. I’m sorry I was babbling on like that, and now we’re done discussing everything before the ent
rées even arrived.” I look down at my plate, wishing we’d just wrapped this up with an e-mail, wishing I didn’t feel all the conflicted emotions crashing through me.
“Hey.” His voice is soft as he reaches for my hand. “Let’s not put more pressure on ourselves than is already there. In fact, let’s not even think about tomorrow. Please just enjoy this meal with me.”
His voice is so tender; it’s impossible to say no when he pleads with me like that.
I nod. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” I take a huge gulp of air and pick up my fork.
Sterling shakes his head. “What did I tell you about being sorry?”
I smile for the first time tonight. “To knock that shit off.”
His chuckle is warm and silky, and I decide it’s my favorite sound in the whole world. Hearing this man laugh, there’s just something about it.
“Not in so many words, but yes. No apologies tonight. Let’s just enjoy a nice dinner and each other’s company.”
Placing a bite of tender steak into my mouth, I moan. “Dear God . . .”
“Fuck, are you trying to give me an erection in the middle of the restaurant?” he says with a groan.
I swallow, and my jaw drops open. “I didn’t . . . what?”
“That little noise you made. And, of course, when you showed up looking like you do in that dress. A man has his limits, love.”
“I’m sorry.” I wince, realizing I’ve just broken another of his rules.
He shakes his head as his dark eyes smolder on mine. “You’re practically begging for your ass to be spanked tonight.”
A sharp inhale is my only response. I can feel my cheeks turning red, so I focus on my meal, cutting up small bites of steak, chewing and swallowing. But the entire time, I’m hyperaware of Sterling’s sexy presence across from me.
Somehow we make it through the meal, and then Sterling orders us each another wine and requests the dessert menu.