by Mandy Morgan
“Anything for you, sweetie,” Justine said with the warm smile I loved. “I’m going to head back to work. Keep me posted, okay?”
I returned Justine’s smile as best I could. “You know I will. I’m pretty sure I’ll be hearing back soon, so you won’t have to stay in suspense for too long.”
Justine gave me a hug and left. I sat on the couch, looking at my laptop and waiting for the response I was sure was on its way from Eric.
More than an hour passed and I still hadn’t heard back from him. That didn’t help the knot in my stomach or the angry thoughts pounding through my head.
This is what happens when you let your guard down and start actually caring for someone!
Suddenly, I was struck by the realization that I did care, whether I was afraid of getting hurt or not. And I knew I had to do something.
I couldn’t just sit here and wait. I was invested in Eric and his company, no matter how much I wanted to deny it and walk away from the whole mess.
I decided to go into the office and give him a chance to make things right. To explain himself and what his intentions were for the Kettle Auto Group. And for me.
Feeling better than I had since I woke up, I hurried into the bathroom to shower. As much as I wanted to leave right that instant, I knew I should put my best foot forward, so I spent the next forty-five minutes getting freshened up.
Let’s see him deny his feelings now, I thought with satisfaction as I checked myself out in the mirror before heading out to my car.
I was feeling more confident now that my hair was styled, my makeup was done, and I’d put on a pair of jeans and a nice top that hugged my figure in all the right places.
My heart didn’t start pounding until I pulled into the parking garage at the office. I was about to put it all on the line and reveal more of myself than I ever had to any man.
As I rode the elevator up to the top floor, I squared my shoulders and lifted my head, hoping I wouldn’t make a damn fool of myself in the process of opening my heart.
Eric was in with a group of men when I walked through the door. I knew I shouldn’t interrupt but I wanted to at least make my presence known, so I stood where I knew Eric could see me.
His eyes drifted up and snared mine. For a moment, I thought he would smile, but then he turned his attention back to the men gathered around him. My heart sank at being ignored, but I was here and I wasn’t leaving.
I made my way over to my desk and sat down facing the glass walls of Eric’s office. There was no chance he was getting out of here without talking to me first.
It was strange just sitting at my desk and not working, but I passed the time by going over what I wanted to say to Eric in my mind.
Just when I was starting to think he was never going to end his meeting, I saw the men march out and looked into Eric’s office to find him sitting at his desk and staring at me.
His gaze never wavered as I stood up and made my way toward him. I can’t tell if I’m more nervous or excited as I go in and take a seat in the chair across from Eric.
Neither of us say anything for several seconds, and I’m suddenly at a loss for what to say, even though that’s all I’ve thought about since I left the house.
I realize he’s waiting for me to speak, so I take a deep breath and leap. “I thought I’d hear from you about my resignation.”
Eric shrugs his shoulders, sending a shot of desire through me as I watch his muscles bulge. “You’ve made your choice. What’s more to say?”
It’s then that I realize what I’d really wanted from the start. I wanted him to fight for me. To tell me I shouldn’t leave. That he couldn’t run the company without me. That he couldn’t live without me.
My chin began to tremble as it became clear that wasn’t going to happen. He was exactly what I’d thought he was – a grease monkey turned playboy that was only after another notch in his bedpost.
I shoot out of my chair before the tears I feel coming can spill down my cheeks and make me feel like and even bigger idiot than I already did.
“You’re right. In fact, I’m just here to tell you face-to-face that I’ve decided staying on any longer would be pointless. I’ll have Justine from Accounting clear out my desk before she leaves today. Goodbye and good luck, Mr. Castle.”
I ignore the look of surprise in his eyes and race out of the office and out of the building. I feel like I might be sick to my stomach. What a fool I was, thinking he was different than other men!
At least now you know. And you’ve saved yourself the embarrassment and pain of spending any more time on caring about that jerk and what he thinks…
Chapter Thirteen
Eric
It’s been three days since Megan stormed out of my office with tears in her eyes. Each one has been harder than the last and looking at her empty desk is painful.
At first, I’d thought having her out of my life would make things less complicated. That I’d be saving myself from suffering again because of a woman.
But all I’ve done is managed to make things even more of a mess. Oh, and of course, make myself look and feel like a massive asshole.
I’d told myself I’d done the right thing. I’d even been able to keep the company from going under and was actually putting some effort into running it.
But that desk. That empty desk of hers. It haunted me, whether I was at work or at home. I couldn’t stop looking at it and picturing her sitting there, all sass and curves.
Then there was the memories of our night together at the Stratford. How she’d opened up like a hothouse flower under my touch. How being inside of her had felt like coming home after a long, exhausting journey.
It took me those three days to realize that I was a complete idiot. I’d let my painful past keep me from my first real chance at happiness. Don Kettle would kick me square in the ass if he was here, and I knew it.
I had no idea why I’d chosen fear over a smart, sexy woman. But I did know that I had to do something to fix it, before it was too late and I lost Megan to someone else.
I couldn’t wait any longer to act. I finished up my last meeting of the day, signing where Leland told me to sign, putting the final touches on the paperwork that would keep the Kettle Auto Group safe from the international sharks that had wanted to devour it.
And then I got into my car and headed for Megan’s place. I didn’t know what her reaction would be to seeing me.
All I knew was I had to do anything and everything it took to win her back and make her mine. Or live to regret it.
I pulled into her driveway, hurried up the sidewalk, and pounded on her door. My heart was beating a mile a minute and I found myself praying for the first time in a long time…that I wasn’t too late and the damage wasn’t too great to repair.
Megan opened the door, and I took in her puffy eyes, messy hair, and ratty pajamas. Seeing her like this, so raw and real, made me want her even more, and I knew that I was about to do the right thing.
“Please, don’t say anything,” I said and watched as the look in her eyes went from surprise to suspicion. “Not until I say what I came here to say. Please?”
Megan had one eyebrow arched and held onto her doubtful look, but she opened the door wider and waved me into the living room. I took that as a good sign and followed her to sit down on the couch.
“I’m not here to make any excuses,” I said after taking a deep breath and looking Megan straight in the eyes. “I’m here to tell you that I’ve been a damn fool.”
I gauged her reaction, and when I saw she’d lost that suspicious look, I leaned forward and took her hand in mine.
“I never should have doubted my feelings for you, Megan. Or let myself worry more about the past than the future. Can you forgive me for behaving like such an asshole?”
Megan was looking down at our interlinked fingers and I didn’t know if she would respond or not, so I went on.
“I was hurt bad before, Megan, but I know that’s not your
fault. And I’ll do anything it takes to make this work.”
She looked up at that and I saw the first glimmer of hope on her face. I plunged on, wanting her to know how serious I was.
“Hell, if you want me to sell the business, after all, if you think that’s best, I’ll do it. Just say the word.”
A single tear rolled down Megan’s cheek. “The very last thing I want is for you to sell. In fact, you’ve already given me what I wanted, just by showing up here and letting me see who you really are.”
It felt like an enormous weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Without another word, I pulled her into my arms and kissed her like my life depended on it.
Megan responded with a need that mirrored my own and we clung to each other like we were drowning. I crushed her soft body against mine and felt my own tears coming.
“I love you. And I’m never letting you go,” I whispered into her ear. “Now, which way is the bedroom?”
Megan laughed and kissed me. “It’s right through that doorway over there, Mr. Castle. Should I assist in showing you the way?”
I growled playfully and nipped at her neck. “No, I think I can handle that on my own, Miss Barnes.”
And then I lifted her up in one smooth motion and carried her in to show her how much I’d missed having her in my office and my arms.
Epilogue
Megan
Stars were just beginning to sparkle in the darkening summer sky as I took a deep breath, readjusted my bouquet and started down the aisle.
A warm breeze that smelled of magnolias caressed my veil-covered cheeks as I locked my eyes on Eric. He’d never looked more handsome than he did in that moment, standing by the minister and waiting for me to take his arm.
Just before I reached my groom, I spotted Justine in the crowd and we shared a private, knowing smile. Sometimes, you’re wrong about things, and love really can be like it is in the fairytales.
I managed to make it all the way down the aisle without tripping on the train of my gown, the way I’d feared I would, and I flash Eric a triumphant grin as I take my place next to him in front of the minister.
It took me awhile to figure out that by Eric’s side was where I belonged. Hell, it took us both awhile to figure that out. But now we were here, together and in front of God and everyone, promising ourselves to each other forever.
It had been six months since Eric pounded on my door and professed his true feelings. We’d talked long into that night and told each other everything about our painful histories with the opposite sex.
I’d grown more and more in love with Eric every single day, and when I’d come to him two months ago to tell him I was pregnant with his child, I did so with a confident smile on my face.
Eric hadn’t let me down by seeming disappointed. He’d whooped in excitement, grabbed me up in his arms, and spun me around as I laughed with delight.
“It’s time to make it official, Miss Barnes! Get out your notebook and let’s plan us a wedding.”
And that was just what we’d done. It took some doing, but we got it all together in enough time so I wasn’t showing too much under my beautiful dress.
I’d come full circle on my thoughts about love, my future in the business world, and what kind of man Eric Castle really was.
Not only did I get the promotion I was after and then some, I’d been able to put aside my bitterness at how my mother had been treated by men all those years ago and open my heart.
And here I was, the Vice President of the Kettle Auto Group, and about to marry the man who stood up and fought for me. For us.
I scolded myself silently not to cry and ruin my makeup as I looped my arm through Eric’s and pressed myself against his warm, strong, and blissfully familiar body.
Just as I turned my face to the minister and waited for the ceremony to begin, I thought about how much things had changed since Mr. Kettle passed away.
I think he’d be pleased to see Eric and I standing there together, and how far the both of us had come, not to mention how his company had been saved and was now bigger and better than ever.
It just goes to show you, I thought as the minister began to speak, not every takeover is a bad thing…whether it’s in the boardroom or the bedroom.
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About the Author
Mandy Morgan is a professional phone sex operator and writer of steamy romances for women.
When she's not reading or writing about sexy Alpha males, she's probably on the phone or at the beach.
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