by Jenika Snow
“Did I do something wrong?” he asked, standing and looking concerned.
She shook her head. “No. No.” She closed her eyes and breathed out, trying to calm herself. She’d ruined tonight. “I just have to go.” He didn’t try and stop her as she left his apartment, or got in the elevator.
Once the doors closed and she was alone again she felt like crying. She couldn’t see him again, not just because of him not knowing who she was, but because her feelings for him were becoming consuming. She’d never felt like this before, never even imagined that she could have emotions that were so strong.
But there was something about Colton that made her want more out of life. He infuriated and agitated her. He pissed her off and frustrated her. But at the end of the day he made her happy, had her smiling, and she knew that was dangerous.
He was dangerous for her heart.
6
Three days later
Colton was still thinking about Sugar and when he’d had his mouth on her.
Hell, she was just as sweet as her name implied.
He didn’t know what he’d done wrong. One moment they were talking and he was being honest with her, and the next he was kissing her. She’d reciprocated. He’d felt it as she leaned into him and opened her mouth. But then she’d broken the kiss and hauled ass out of his apartment.
Staring at his dog, he knew he had to take him out for a walk, to have both of them get some fresh air. He needed to clear his head anyway. She hadn’t called, and in fact had been avoiding him since she left.
Sitting on the sofa, he stared at Boscoe, who kept his gaze on the door. In just the short amount of time Boscoe had been with Sugar there had been a huge improvement to his demeanor. The dog seemed more relaxed, content even.
“You’re waiting for her, aren’t you, bud?”
Boscoe moved his head so that his face was on Colton’s knee.
Colton had never been a pet or animal person. He had no time to care for them. His sister had adored them. Loved them.
Putting his hand on Boscoe’s head, he released a breath.
“I shouldn’t have kissed her. If I had controlled myself, you’d still have a friend, buddy, and I’d still see the woman I crave desperately.”
He didn’t understand. None of it made any sense to him. Everything had been going so well for him up until then.
Shaking his head and pushing those thoughts aside, he tried to focus on other things. In a few days he was finally going to have that precious meeting that he’d been working toward.
That alone made him so fucking happy.
It had taken him a couple of months to negotiate that meeting. Just a couple more days and he’d have everything he ever wanted or needed.
Boscoe whined.
“I know, boy. I know. She’s not coming, though, so I guess you and I are going to have to figure this shit out.” He finished off his coffee.
Boscoe didn’t move and he kept on rubbing behind his ears. The action soothed him.
All he could think about was that damn kiss.
“You want to go out for a walk?”
Boscoe lifted his head, doing that cute tilt that made him look so adorable.
“I may have finally figured out what my sister saw in you.” He smiled. Getting to his feet, he grabbed the lead, and Boscoe ran to the door, clearly wanting to go out.
“I can’t promise you that we’ll bump into her but here’s to hoping.” He wanted to apologize for his behavior the other night and maybe even ask her on a date.
With Boscoe on the lead, he made his way toward the elevator. Once inside, he tried to think of what he could say by way of an apology.
Sorry for being a dick.
Did I come on too strong?
I need you in my life.
He looked at his reflection in the mirror hanging in the foyer. “I’m losing my mind.” He burst out laughing. “You hear this, Boscoe? This woman even has me talking to myself.”
Leaving the apartment building, he waved at the security officer at the front desk. With Boscoe by his side, he noticed a couple of people crossed the street to avoid him. See, there was a good reason to have a dog by his side.
Even though he wanted to see Sugar, he had no intention of seeking her out. The last thing he wanted to do was to scare or push her away, and yet he found himself heading toward the dog park.
Making his way inside, he saw plenty of dogs already off their leads. Boscoe sat by his feet, clearly waiting to be let go so he could run out some of his energy. When Boscoe gave his head a little tilt, the leash pulled in Colton’s hand.
“Ah, right, buddy.” He released the lead and stood watching his dog race to join in.
It wasn’t so bad having a dog. Hell, it wasn’t so bad being social either. As he watched Boscoe, a fluffy Pomeranian rushed past him and Colton tensed up. Glancing behind him, he saw Sugar, but her focus wasn’t on him. It was clear she hadn’t even noticed him.
She was laughing at her dog, but he knew the exact moment she spotted Boscoe. Surprise covered her face as she turned her head, seeking him out. And then their gazes clashed.
God, he loved her eyes. They were this warm brown color.
Dropping his gaze down to her lips, he wanted to feel them pressed to his again. She’d been so soft, tasted so good.
“Colton,” she said.
“Sugar.”
She moved to stand beside him.
He wanted to touch her, to pull her against him and have her close.
He didn’t, though. Staring at their dogs, he watched them play together. They knew how to get along. Why couldn’t he say or do something that would help this situation?
“I didn’t expect you to be here,” she said.
“Boscoe needed a walk and this is the only place I know where to go.” Damn it. He didn’t have a fucking clue what to say and so he stood there by her side, wanting to say a whole lot but unable to come up with anything.
7
Several days later
Sugar’s heart was thundering. She felt her pulse beating rapidly beneath her ear, and her hands shook lightly from her nerves. Beads of sweat dotted the valley between her breasts. She was on edge, the day of the meeting finally here. The day she’d confront Colton and he’d find out who she really was.
Sitting behind her desk, she exhaled slowly, thinking back to the last time she’d seen him at the dog park. It had been tense and uncomfortable, where they stood side-by-side but not speaking. Even days later she still felt his kiss, a tingling on her lips that had her breathing increasing.
“It’s time,” Rebecca said, one of the assistants for today’s meeting.
Sugar nodded and stood, smoothing her hands down her pencil skirt, feeling so damn nervous she could’ve thrown up.
Grabbing the files and making her way down the hallway into the meeting room, with each step she took she felt even more lightheaded. She’d seen how this day went in her head a million different times, all ending with Colton being hurt and upset. But maybe things would be different? Maybe he wouldn’t see her as a liar, but as having been too afraid to say anything?
When she entered the meeting room there was already a handful of colleagues standing around. They were talking about the fine details that would be spoken about at today’s merger discussion.
Sugar set her files down and took a seat. As a communication director, everything went through her before it got to Colton‘s company. That’s why there was the massive hold-up: because she’d dragged her feet. Although they probably could’ve just gone ahead and went through without her. But her standing within the company, the fact she’d been there for long enough to have respect and input in most matters, made her an asset.
She’d worked hard to get to this position.
Sugar kept staring at the clock, watching as the seconds ticked by, waiting for Colton and his team to arrive. Finally, she had to stand up and walk over to the floor-to-ceiling windows, staring down at the city below.
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She got lost in the cars moving by, the people walking on the sidewalks. She tried to focus on anything and everything that wasn’t Colton and how she felt, or how today would go.
But it was pointless. He consumed her thoughts.
Sugar didn’t know how long she stood there, but it was when she heard people entering the room that her entire body tensed. Slowly turning around, she stared at the entrance, not seeing Colton yet, but watching as his team stepped in one by one. It was only a matter of time before he walked through, before he spotted her and that shock no doubt would cover his face.
As the seconds moved by, the closer she got to seeing him, the queasier she felt.
And then he stepped in, his focus on the front of the meeting room, his body covered in an expensive suit. He had yet to spot her, but it was clear by his expression that he was ready for this. He was in his zone, every inch the CEO.
His over six foot height and muscular build looked powerful and male, and made every feminine part of her come alive.
And then it was like time stood still as he turned and faced her. Their gazes locked and the air thickened, heated. Although she had no doubt he was probably surprised to see her here, he showed no emotion. His expression was stoic, collected.
He moved toward her, his body big and strong, his movements fluid. He stopped a few feet away, placed his hands in his front pockets, and looked down at her quizzically. Sugar found herself licking her lips, trying to feign control but failing miserably.
“You’re probably wondering why I’m here.”
He didn’t speak for several seconds and she swallowed, her throat feeling so tight and dry.
She licked her lips again and saw the way his gaze lowered to watch the act. She felt heat fill her, a flush no doubt covering her face is it crept up her neck.
“Miss Albright, I think we’re ready to start.”
Neither looked at who spoke, but she watched as one of Colton’s eyebrows lifted, saw the way the corner of his mouth kicked up.
“Miss Albright? The same one who gave me the runaround for the last couple weeks?”
“Yeah, sorry about that.” Neither moved after that, and for long seconds they just stood there staring at each other. It was then she felt people watching her. She looked over to see half of the conference room staring at them curiously. She cleared her throat and straightened, taking on her professional stance. “We should probably get to it then?”
She didn’t wait for him to respond as she started making her way past him. But Colton reached out and took her arm in his hand, his fingers curling gently around her wrist. She looked over her shoulder at him, trying to stay in control, but she felt anything but.
“We will be talking about this after,” he said in a stern, authoritative voice.
“Yeah, I guess that would probably be a good idea.”
He held onto her arm a little longer than was probably necessary, but Sugar couldn’t deny that she liked his touch, craved it even.
She didn’t know what Colton might say once they were alone, but she definitely knew what she wanted to do with him and it was less than professional.
8
For the first five minutes of the meeting, Colton was pissed. This woman had been driving him crazy in and out of work. First at work because she kept avoiding this damn meeting. Then about his dog. He wanted to date her.
He pushed all of those thoughts aside and concentrated on the meeting that was happening right now.
He didn’t have the time to be thinking about the fact she’d known who he was. She had to and yet he hadn’t had the first clue who she was or what she did.
As the meeting continued and she brought them to points of the potential contract that were not workable to her, he admired her skills.
She was a confident woman.
He’d noticed that at the dog run.
She knew what she was doing. Her reputation proceeded her and, considering that he’d been an ass to her that first day, no wonder she’d been hesitant in arranging a meeting with him.
By the end of the meeting, everyone started to leave. He told his colleagues to go on ahead without him. He had a few things to do.
With just him and Sugar in the conference room, he closed the door, giving them the privacy that they both needed.
“I know you’re angry,” she said.
“You knew who I was?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Honestly … I didn’t know what to say. You took me by complete surprise with your presence and I wasn’t sure what to say or how to change what was happening. You weren’t listening to me when I said I wasn’t a dog walker. You clearly believed I was just being difficult. I walk my own dog.”
“Yeah, I fucked up there.”
She smiled. “I have to say that is the first time I’ve heard that kind of language here. It’s new for me.”
“This deal means a lot to me. I wasn’t thinking. You were in control and I guess I don’t know what I was thinking. Clearly, I was hoping that you were the answer to all my prayers. I had this dog that I should have left at a pound. I couldn’t deal with him but I didn’t want to take him to a place that might put him down. He’s not the best dog but he belonged to my sister. I loved her and losing her was hard.”
“I am really sorry about her. I’m also sorry for misleading you. I knew who you were and to be honest, I didn’t know what to do. It’s why I avoided this meeting for so long. That was my mistake.”
He saw she was sincere.
When he walked in she looked like she wanted to run in the opposite direction. He knew all about that feeling.
“How about we have a fresh start?” she asked softly.
“I’ll put the past behind us if you can, Sugar.”
She took a deep breath and he saw she liked the sound of that.
“Okay. That I can do, Colton.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sugar. Now, seeing as our meeting went well and I feel like I can finally think, how would you feel about going on a date with me?”
“A date?”
“Dinner. That’s all I’m asking for.”
“We’re not allowed to … date associates.”
“Technically I’m not an associate. Once this negotiation is through, I won’t have any contact with you, will I?”
“Not unless you have any problems. I tend to delve into the negotiating stage. It sounds complicated but it’s really not. You just need to know how to talk to people.”
“Ouch!” He put a hand over his heart. “You hurt me.”
“I don’t mean like that.”
He got a chuckle though and he’d take it.
“Okay, if I can’t have a date how about we enjoy the pleasure of each other’s company while taking our dogs for a walk? You can teach me all of your neat tricks. Maybe help me handle Boscoe a little better.”
She tilted her head to the side. “I’m a sucker for a canine and I love walking mine. Deal.”
“Time and place?”
“If you and Boscoe are up for it, you can meet me outside of my place.” She opened up her notebook, pulling out a piece of paper and writing on it.
“It’s not that far from where you live. I’m surprised we haven’t bumped into each other.”
He’d have remembered seeing her.
“That’s my address. I’ll meet you on the sidewalk.”
“I look forward to it.” He couldn’t think of a second or third reason to talk to her. “I better be going. It was a pleasure, Sugar.”
“You too, Colton.”
He turned out of the office, making his way out of the building and to his car. Not only did he have the contract he’d been wanting, but also a woman’s address. Resting his head on the steering wheel, he couldn’t believe what a prick he’d been to her. All along she’d known who he was. No wonder she’d made him wait.
He was such a dick to her, jumping to assumptions just because
he wasn’t paying attention.
Back at the office, he finished up his emails, dealt with a couple of clients, and then avoided the celebratory drink at a job well done.
For the first time since he’d been working, he was out of the office by five, at home by six, washed, ready, and with Boscoe on the lead by half past.
Walking the streets with him made him a little nervous. Boscoe was so unpredictable.
Standing outside of her apartment building, he didn’t know if he was to ring the bell or not.
He hoped she wasn’t disappointed by his outfit. He’d completely stripped out of his business clothes and settled on something casual: a pair of jeans and a crisp white shirt. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he marveled at Boscoe, who sat waiting.
Did he know who they were waiting for?
Either that or he’d somehow trained his dog without knowing it.
The moment Sugar appeared, he saw the change in Boscoe. His tail wagged faster and there was an excitement about him. Looking up, he saw why. Sugar hadn’t dressed for business either. In a small summer dress, she looked so fucking beautiful that she made him ache.
Walking their dogs was the last thing on his mind.
9
Sugar was trying to act like she wasn’t freaking out right now, but the truth was she was a nervous wreck. She had Poppy on a leash, the little Pomeranian trailing behind as she made her way toward Colton, the little bell on her collar dinging.
She’d seen him down the street as she looked out her window. Of course she could have waited for him to come up, to see where she actually lived, but she’d been too antsy.
The meeting had gone better than she could have imagined, and it had nothing to do with their companies working on the merger. Although she knew he’d been upset, that anger hadn’t lasted long. Sugar almost felt he should have been more upset because that’s how she was with herself.
She should have told him sooner, and especially not how it had gone down.