Billionaires Hook Up - A Standalone Novel (A Billionaire Office Romance Love Story) (Billionaires - Book #8)

by Claire Adams

  “Then I’ll just deny it.”

  “But, they’ll be expecting it. So then, they’ll interview parishioners and other clergy and your name will be dragged through the mud in the process. I don’t want you to have to go through that.”

  “What are your options?”

  “I can take my chances and wait for them to finish the investigation, which will probably go on for months. I can tell the truth, and if I don’t accept retreat and counseling, then I’ll be stripped of my vows. Or, I can bow out before any of this happens.”

  “What do you mean, ‘bow out’?”

  “Tell them that the priesthood isn’t for me, anyways, and that I’d like to save them an investigation and scandal.”

  “So, which do you think is your best option?”

  “I really don’t know,” I told her.

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Daphne

  Jace and I talked for a long time. By the time I left, I’m sure he had no doubts that I didn’t do this maliciously. But, he was still worried about how it would all come out and torn up about what to do about it.

  I hated seeing him that way. I felt helpless and really angry with Bethany for stabbing me in the back. I called her as soon as I got home, but she didn’t answer. I left her a message and just asked her to call me back. I didn’t want to ask her anything in a message. I wanted to hear her voice when she told me that she did this, and why.

  The next morning as I was straightening up after breakfast, she called me back. “Hey, girl! What are you doing?”

  “I’m just straightening up, what about you?”

  “I just came from my work-out. It was a good one today. It kicked my butt, though.”

  “I’ve been thinking about joining a gym. How do you like yours?”

  “It’s okay; there aren’t many in town, but I think this one is the best.”

  I couldn’t do this. I just had to get it over with. “Did you go to the Diocese about Jace after you promised me that you wouldn’t?”

  “What?”

  “Please don’t act innocent here, Bethany. Who did you tell?”

  She was quiet for a long time before she said, “I’m sorry, Daph. I’m so sorry.”

  “Who did you tell? You promised me.”

  “I know! I’m so sorry. I’m just a big gossip. Sometimes I don’t think before I open my mouth.” She sounded like she was on the verge of tears. Good, maybe it will make her think before she opens her mouth next time.

  “Bethany, who did you tell?”

  “This woman at the gym. She and I were talking, and she mentioned him…out of the blue. She said their church had a new priest and I said, ‘Oh, ours, too.’ We figured out we went to the same church. Then it just slipped out.”

  “It slipped? How loose are your lips?”

  “Daphne, I’m so sorry. Please, don’t hate me. I never meant to hurt you…or him, honest.”

  I was furious with her, but at the same time, I could see that as with me telling her and starting this whole thing, she really didn’t have any malicious intent.

  “Daphne, what happened? How did you know I told someone?”

  “Because that someone went to the Diocese and Jace has been stripped of his duties while under investigation.”

  “Oh, shit!”

  “Yeah, you got that right. Poor Jace is a wreck. I’m so scared for him. He’s a good man, he’s just been confused and it wasn’t entirely his fault. I’m scared for him.”

  “Oh, damn! I’m sorry. If there is anything I can do, please let me know. I am so sincerely sorry.”

  I was on the verge of telling her she had done quite enough when I stopped myself. She didn’t mean to hurt me or Jace. Jace and I had to accept the consequences of our actions and it wasn’t Bethany’s fault. “I don’t think there is, but thanks,” was what I ended up saying.

  I could hear the relief in her voice as she said, “Please call me if you hear anything.”

  I didn’t hear from Jace for the next few days. I knew he was struggling and he was probably busy with the investigation, but a text or two would have been nice.

  I felt like I was losing my mind sometimes, and at the same time, I was relieved that I hadn’t heard from the church yet. I didn’t think I could lie when in a room face to face with a bishop and a couple of priests. I would try, for Jace…but I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t do it well.

  Since they hadn't called me, I was beginning to hope they wouldn’t. Maybe they haven’t figured out yet that it was me. I didn’t think Jace would ever tell them. I might know that better if he would talk to me.

  The church, unfortunately, is one of the biggest gossip mills around and I hadn't heard anything there yet. No one seemed to know what was going on. I did hear that it had been announced Jace would be away for a while, but never said why. There was a visiting priest covering for him.

  I didn’t hear any of that first-hand. I got it from my customers who knew I attended their church.

  I hadn’t been to church in a couple of weeks. I wanted to hear that they never found out, or they did, before I showed up with a scarlet letter on my chest. I did not want to find out when people were already whispering and giggling about me as I walk by. It wasn’t that I really cared what they thought about me, but I hated to think about the things they would say about Jace.

  Then there was the simple fact that I missed him so badly that I ached. I was probably just being paranoid, but I was afraid that if people saw us together, I wouldn’t be able to hide how I felt.

  So with all of this playing in the background, I went to work and I went home and I worried myself almost to death.

  I also had to wonder why I couldn’t just stay away from him like this in the first place…then we wouldn’t be in this place. Maybe I hadn’t stayed away because then it was just lust. Lust is hard to ignore…but now I was pretty sure I loved him and staying away was what was in his best interest, and I wanted him to be happy more than anything.

  I was pretty sure I was hopelessly, madly, head-over-heels in love with him and I was also pretty sure that he loved me, too.

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Jace

  I waited nervously in the outer office for Bishop McDougal. I’d beat my brains trying to find the right decision. I kept waiting for a sign, but when I really searched within myself, I found out that I truly believed just meeting Daphne was the sign. I never should have been in that bar and it wasn’t a normal place for her to be, either…but we were both there.

  I put everything together that had happened over the past couple of months and the way I was feeling about my choices and my faith after Grandmother died, and I finally came to the conclusion that there was no right and wrong. God gives us free will and that free will was telling me to follow my heart.

  My heart was across town, with Daphne, and that’s where it wanted to stay.

  “Father Jace? The Bishop will see you now,” his secretary said as she took me into his office. I took a chair opposite his desk and looked at the religious artifacts along the wall behind him. I still got a feeling of peace in my heart when I was in or around a church. I wasn’t as worried anymore that God and I wouldn’t be okay. I felt He’d given me His blessing.

  I took a deep breath and I said, “How are you, sir?”

  The bishop looked at me like he was waiting for me to drop a bomb. He thought I was there to confess. I suppose I could have, but I didn’t see the point. God knew what I had done. His opinion, and mine and Daphne’s, are all that really matter.

  “I’m fine, Father,” he said. “What can I do for you?”

  I knew I was doing the right thing, but from childhood, the leaders of the church had been my male role models. Sitting face to face with him and telling him this was different than practicing it in my head.

  Quickly, before I lost my nerve I said, “I was wondering if I should step down and save the church the annoyance and embarrassment of having me investigated. I know these things can ofte
n take months, if not years, and you won’t be able to put a permanent replacement in place until it’s over. I want to do what’s best for the church. I also think that at this point in my life, it would be best for me.”

  He raised a bushy gray eyebrow. “You’re willing to just give up your calling that easily?”

  I sighed, “May I speak frankly with you, Bishop?”

  “Please do.”

  “For some time now, since the death of my grandmother, I’ve had serious struggles with my faith. At least, I thought it was my faith.

  “But, with much soul searching and praying I think the conclusion that I’ve come to is that it’s not my faith I’m struggling with. It’s my choice to become a priest. I was a confused kid when I decided to do this. It was what my Grandmother hoped for me, as well. I wanted to please her and I felt safe here. I thought that was enough to justify taking the vows.

  “I think, though, that I finally realized that I don’t have to be a priest to be a good Catholic, and I think that’s where I became a little lost and confused. I thought this was what I needed to do in order to have a relationship with God, but I don’t believe that’s true any longer.

  “So, since I have these issues with the investigation and all, and I’ve already been considering leaving…maybe now would be the best time to go and just make a clean break. It would probably save us all a lot of embarrassment and trouble.”

  He nodded slowly. “I hear what you’re saying. There’s no sin in deciding this isn’t for you and walking away…as long as you’re okay with God. I will offer you counseling, Father Jace, and I will encourage you to examine yourself more deeply than you ever have before. This is not a big step; this is a huge, life-altering step.”

  “I do realize that, sir. I have dug down deeper than I ever have, and I do believe this is the right thing…the only thing for me to do.”

  “Okay, I will begin the process with the Diocese and we will call you for your exit conference when everything is ready. I’m sorry to see you go, Father, but we all have to do what’s right for us, as well as the church.

  “I appreciate your honesty with me about this and I do appreciate you doing this now before we went through the effort and expense of a lengthy investigation.”

  I thanked him and shook his hand. He gave me a blessing before I left. As I walked through the church on my way out, something about it felt different. I still felt at peace, but there was another, lighter feeling there, too. I didn’t really understand what it was until I got home. I looked around my place and thought about what I was going to do with the rest of my life.

  In that moment, I realized that having that freedom of choice also gave me a feeling of relief. I knew the first thing I wanted to do was go get the woman I loved. I love Daphne, and as long as she and I are together, I have faith that the rest of it will fall into place. My faith is restored in God, and in life…all thanks to her.

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Daphne

  An entire week went by without a word from Jace. Every time I was anywhere near his side of town, I thought seriously about stopping by and confronting him.

  I was a nervous wreck and had so many questions. Why was he shutting me out? Did our time together mean so little that he could just walk away that easily without a word? Did he just need time? I wasn’t sure. I had no idea what to do.

  So, I did nothing. I went to work every day and went through the motions of my life. Bethany and I didn’t really talk anymore. I’d forgiven her, but I couldn’t forget. Her betrayal hurt me deeply, mostly because it had hurt Jace.

  I knew that I couldn’t live like that forever. Carla was the only person I had to talk to and that was only on the phone. She was as supportive as she could be, but the second I hung up with her, I was reminded once more of how alone I really was. I’d never been so confused or felt so empty in my life…and considering my life, that was saying a lot.

  I was working double shifts to keep busy, but was dead on my feet. I finally kept my day off. I had to get some rest; I was running on nerves and lots of caffeine.

  Speaking of which, I had just gotten out of the shower and finished my coffee and was thinking about what I needed to get done when there was a knock on the door. I went over and looked out the hole.

  Jace’s beautiful face was there and he was smiling. He looked…radiantly happy. I pulled it open, and I had to remember to breathe.

  “Hi…” I had barely got the word out before he pulled me into his arms and kissed me.

  At first, I was so overwhelmingly happy to know he still wanted me that I responded. I reveled in the feel of his hands on my body, his lips on mine, and his tongue in my mouth. God, I loved kissing him. It took me several seconds to get a reign on rational thought and my anxiety returned.

  What is he doing? People will see us! He’s under investigation! I felt panic well up in my chest. They could be watching us right now. I pulled my lips away and grabbed his arm. I pulled him inside the apartment and slammed the door behind him. I know I was looking at him like he was crazy; I thought he’d lost his mind.

  But, he was still smiling. “Are you insane?” I finally said when I caught my breath and found my voice.

  He laughed and I thought, Maybe he’s drunk. “No,” he said, “I’m not insane. At least, not much. I have good news, though.”

  My fear was replaced by hope instantly. “Oh my God! Is the investigation over? Were you cleared?” I knew it was too soon, but he was all over me on my doorstep. I couldn’t think of any other reason he’d be so excited.

  “Have a seat,” he said, calmly.

  “But…” I couldn’t wait to hear his news. Why didn’t he just tell me?

  He laughed again. “Daphne, sit down, please.”

  I sat. I wasn’t happy about it. I wanted to know what was going on. Right then. I wanted instant gratification so that we could kiss more.

  “Let me get through this before you say anything, okay?” I nodded. It was going to be hard, but for him, I would do it. He said, “I’m not a priest any longer.”

  My stomach fell as I suddenly thought maybe he was let go, kicked out, ostracized…all because of me. There was a part of me that guiltily celebrated, too. Now we can be together! That’s what the public kiss was about. I kept my mouth shut though, although it was hard as hell.

  “I’ve been soul-searching since the night I met you, trying to figure out why I would do what you and I were doing without regard to the fact that I’d taken a vow of celibacy and promised my life to the church. I came to some big conclusions about that.

  “Once I did that, I went to the Diocese and I told them that I would step down so they didn’t have to have this big investigation. I also told them that this wasn’t a snap decision. I’ve put a lot of thought into it. I’ve agonized over it and I’ve prayed over it.

  “This is what I kept coming back to: being a priest was not my calling. Being a Catholic is completely separate from that and I can still have a relationship with God.”

  He paused to take a breath and I opened my mouth. He smiled and held up a finger. I stayed silent as he reached and took my face in his hands.

  Leaning in close, he said, “I realized that this was the only decision that would allow me to be happy. I realized that since that first night, I had already chosen you. It’s the right choice, as long as you choose me, too?”

  I decided that I didn’t need to speak. I let my lips meet his and we kissed, passionately, speaking without any words; we were talking to each other through our hearts and our souls.

  A sense of peace washed over me and although I knew Jace and I would have a lot to figure out, and our lives would never be perfect, we could be happy, as long as we were together.

  He kissed the corner of my mouth and then up along the side of my face to my ear. He pressed his lips into me and said, “You take my breath away, Daphne.”

  I couldn’t speak. No man had ever told me that. I kissed him again, this time with even m
ore passionately. When he pulled back he let those sexy, intense eyes roam across my body. “Take off your clothes,” he said as he stood up off the couch. “Take them off.” He pulled off his shirt.

  The sight of his naked chest got me busy. I pulled off my shirt and as I was tossing it aside I felt him drop to his knees in front of me and pull at the waistband of the shorts and panties I was wearing. He pulled them down to my feet and I lifted my feet so he could pull them all the way off.

  Then, I felt the warmth of his hands around my calves. He ran them up my body, pushing me back into the couch as he did. He was suddenly straddling me, looming over me. I could feel his hard erection pushing against his jeans and into the top of my mound. Looking up at him like that was so arousing.

  He flexed into me and I shuddered as I felt the fool force of his arousal. He bent down and nipped at the lobe of my ear. God, he’s so sexy and he smells so good. The whole picture had the effect of gasoline being poured on the fire he had constantly smoldering in the pit of my belly.

  He pressed his lips into me again, and I felt his warm breath and the vibrations of his voice as he said, “Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?”

  “Yes, but not today,” I breathed out with a grin.

  I felt him smile. “You are so beautiful,” he whispered into me before letting his mouth travel from there down the side of my face to my throat.

  He left a trail of kisses across my neck, leaving goosebumps in their wake. Then, he kissed and licked his way down my chest, between my already aching breasts.

  I arched up into him. I wanted him to suck on my nipples, but he moved on right past them, stopping at the top of my hip. I shuddered and with his mouth still pressed into me he said, “Do you like that, baby?”

  “Mm hmm…” I was incapable of rational speech, but I knew this was different than before. Jace was making love to me. All the other times had been satisfying a driving need. Today, we were free to make love like any other couple. I was going to love this.