The Fox and the Heir [Bachelor For Sale Book 2]
Page 8
"You're mad at me for lying about being sick,” he said.
"That's part of it,” she said. “But there's a lot more to it. I made some mistakes that I can't get past."
"You fell in love with Davey.” It wasn't a question.
Jayne bit back tears. “All I can say...” She stopped, taking a deep breath in an effort to steady her nerves. “It's best for everyone if I leave. I'm happy for you that David has agreed to take over Strand Enterprises. You have your wish."
Jacob put his cigar in the ashtray and peered at her. “I have you to thank for making it happen."
Jaynie shook her head. “No,” she said, “David loves you. He always has. It was just a matter of time before he came back to you."
Jacob picked up the letter she'd placed on his desk and crumbled it in one hand. “I will not accept your resignation, Jaynie,” he said. He threw it over his shoulder. “I need you."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Strand,” she said. “I cannot stay.” She turned and ran out of the office.
Jayne grabbed her purse and ran down the hall. She breathed a sigh of relief when she found the elevator empty. The moment the door closed, the gateway let loose and released her tears. She dabbed her eyes in an effort to look somewhat normal as she stepped off the elevator. Just as the doors opened, she blew her nose.
"Ms. Foxton. Such a pleasure to see you again."
Jayne blinked and looked up. Her fingers stilled with the tissue still over her nose. There was no mistaking that voice. It was Stu.
"Do you have a cold?” he asked, his heavy brows lowered in concern.
"No,” Jayne replied, tucking the tissue into her purse. “I'm just fine."
Stu grinned. “That's good news,” he said as he reached forward, grabbed her elbow and propelled her out of the elevator. “Mr. Strand will be delighted to know you're well."
Jayne wrenched her elbow free and glared at Stu. “I don't know why you're here but I'm not about to fall for you leading me to the limousine again."
Stu chuckled softly as he clamped his hand on her elbow again. This time it was a vise-like grip. “Mr. Strand would like to see you,” he said as he propelled her toward the door. “I'm sure you don't want to disappoint him."
"As a matter of fact, I do,” Jayne said through gritted teeth. “And unless you want to make a scene, you'll release me this instant."
Stu's soft grey eyes washed over her. “I'm just doing my job,” he said.
"Let her go, Stu.” There was no mistaking the gravelly voice. David.
Stu released her elbow and nodded to his boss. “I'll be in the limo."
As people milled around them, Jaynie looked at David. “What do you want?"
David smiled sadly. “Nothing,” he said. “But there's something you need to know."
Jaynie lifted her chin. “What's that?"
"I love you,” he said simply. “I don't know if we have a future together but I'm willing to try if you are."
Jaynie's heart lurched as she stared at David.
He continued, “I admit that I used you in the beginning. You were so damn sweet, I couldn't resist. But as the days went on, my need for you grew into something I can't define. All I know is that I want you at my side. I want you in my bed. I want to share my life with you."
David reached into his pocket and pulled out a cell phone. “I'm going to become Jacob's partner in Strand Enterprises and will, one day, take over his legacy. I want you there with me every step of the way."
Jayne stared at him. Her mind whirled. She was completely dumbfounded.
He stepped forward and pressed the cell phone into her hand. “I won't pressure you to give me an answer right now,” he said. “But when you're ready, just hit the redial button on this phone. Stu will come to pick you up right away and bring you to me."
Jayne watched in stunned silence as David turned and walked out the doors. She peered down at the cell phone in her hand.
Before she'd met David Strand her life had been uncomplicated and that's how she liked it. But it wasn't until after he'd come into her life that she'd known what excitement was. She had a choice to make.
Her heart sang with sheer joy as she pressed the redial button.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Peggy Hunter lives in Midwestern Ontario, Canada, with her husband, son and several whacky pets. Peggy loves to write and feels blessed to be an author with Whiskey Creek Torrid.
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