Her eyes flew to David’s. She saw his jaw tighten. He took a slow sip of his drink and pursed his lips. His gaze drifted past them.
“I see someone I need to speak with. Excuse me.” And with a nod, he was gone.
After a little small talk, Michael also excused himself.
“How’s your drink?” Bob asked.
Ronnie felt like screaming at Bob to get lost. But, of course, it wasn’t his fault he was by her side, it was hers. What a mess.
~*~*~*~
David was seething, and there was absolutely no rational reason why he should be. The rational part of him argued that Ronnie Dickson and he were not dating. He had not declared his feelings for her, which meant she could date whomever she wanted, up to and including Bob Gershon.
That was the rational part of him.
The irrational part of him wanted to punch Gershon’s lights out for even daring to think he could date Ronnie.
For the sake of his sanity, he had distanced himself from the two of them. Distanced, as in moved to the opposite side of the room. Yet, that had been an exercise in futility because he was so conscious of her she might as well be glued to his side. And even though he was mingling, making small talk, greeting his guests, he honestly had no idea what they were saying or why they kept asking if he had heard or understood. He was distracted big time. Every time he caught a bit of white in his peripheral vision his heart raced. At one point he had resolutely decided to keep his head straight, so sure she was a few feet away only to realize once he turned his head that it was, in fact, another female employee who also happened to be outfitted in white. He had felt like kicking himself for being out of control.
Then the pre-function cocktails were over, and the formal dinner began. When he delivered his welcome remarks, he couldn’t keep his eyes from drifting over to her table. But then his speech faltered, and he forgot what he was going to say because in that instant he saw Ronnie stand abruptly, say angry words to her date, and leave the room. To his angst, Bob Gershon followed her a moment later, and his body language suggested he wasn’t too happy she’d just walked out on him.
David cut his speech short, smiled politely at the audience and said, “So all that’s left for me to do now is to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year. Thank you.”
There was hesitant clapping at first and eventually full clapping.
But David was already halfway out the room.
~*~*~*~
Ronnie found a secluded corner of the reception area to gather her composure following the confrontation with Bob. She had told him off. It had been the final straw when he had proceeded to reach under the table and caress her leg through the dress. It had been all she could do not to throw her drink in his face. In an attempt not to cause a scene, she had shifted her leg and told him to stop.
He had smiled indulgently and said, “Oh come on, you know you like it.”
That was when she had gotten up abruptly, called him a jerk and left the table.
What a creep! She couldn’t believe that she had actually gone out with him. She should have prayed about him, but she hadn’t because he had seemed harmless enough with his good looks, southern charm, and intelligence.
A hand grabbed her arm and whirled her around.
“What do you mean by walking out on me like that? Are you trying to embarrass me?”
For a few moments Ronnie was too stunned to speak, but then she snapped out of it.
“Let go of me!” she said, attempting to shake off his vice-like grip.
She saw his eyes take on the same glint she’d once seen before that day outside David’s office.
“Come on back inside and sit down,” he said tautly, giving her arm a little shake.
Before she could react, she heard a voice say coolly, “If you want to keep that hand I’d suggest you let her go.”
Ronnie’s head swung around.
David stood there, legs slightly apart, one hand in his pocket the other at his side. To the casual bystander, he might look calm, cool and collected but she had seen that exact stance that night at the club before he had pummeled her date. She knew he was dead serious.
Bob apparently assessed the situation correctly. He instantly released her hand.
“David! We were just…”
“Mr. Jones.”
“Excuse me?”
“You will address me as Mr. Jones.”
“Uh…I…we…were just having a little difference of opinion. As couples do from time to time. Nothing to concern yourself with.”
Couples? Was Bob Gershon out of his mind?
Ronnie opened her mouth to protest, but to her relief, David said, “Gershon. Leave. Now.”
She searched David’s face. He hadn’t moved one muscle. Neither had he raised his voice. Yet, the danger in his tone was almost palpable.
She expected Bob to be his usual tenacious self and argue with David. Instead, he shrugged.
“Let’s go, Ronnie.”
Ronnie took a couple steps backward. Was this man insane?
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” she managed to get out around the lump in her throat.
Bob’s mouth tightened. He started to reach for her when David took a step towards him. Bob held up both hands, bowed his head to David and left.
It was now just her and David.
Ronnie wasn’t sure what to say. She bit her lip and swallowed, almost ashamed to look David in the eyes.
“Did he hurt you?” David asked softly.
Ronnie rubbed her arm. It felt slightly sore. She couldn’t see how it looked in the dim light, but she suspected it was probably red.
“I’m fine,” she said, rubbing the area gently.
“Let me see.”
David drew her into the light and surveyed her arm.
“It’s a bit red.” His jaw tightened. “I should have throttled him.”
“I’m glad you didn’t. He’s not worth it.”
“Are you seeing him?” David asked.
“No.”
“Then why did you show up here with him tonight?”
Ronnie didn’t care for David’s tone.
“You can’t tell me who to go out with,” she replied, outraged.
“Oh, yes, of course. Your taste in men is above reproach after all.”
“Wh…what?”
“First the guy in the bar, then Fabrizi, now Gershon. You just seem to attract a particular type.”
She drew in a sharp breath as she felt tears prick her eyes.
“Are you saying this is my fault?”
He shrugged. “He was your date.”
“He was also your campaign manager. So what does that say about you?” she said defiantly.
He had no response to that.
“You are the most infuriating man I’ve ever met. From the moment I met you, you’ve been giving me mixed signals. One minute it seems like you’re interested in me, the next you’re not. Yet, whenever I’m with another man you act like I’ve betrayed you in some way. Exactly what do you want from me David Jones?” she cried in frustration.
“Everything,” he said softly, and the intensity behind his stare made her knees suddenly feel weak.
He reached out and ran his hand down her cheek, his thumb traced her lips.
“I want every inch of you.”
Heat surged through Ronnie’s body.
“David…” she whispered.
“Boss? Oh!”
It was Cheryl Yancey.
David’s hand immediately dropped to his side.
“You left the room in kind of a hurry, and I didn’t see you return. Just wanted to make sure everything was alright.”
Ronnie felt her cheeks burn with shame. Yet, she didn’t know why she should be ashamed. Technically, they hadn’t been doing anything wrong. Ronnie wrapped her arms around herself.
“I’m fine, Cheryl. I’ll be there in a minute.”
“Sure,” Cheryl said and retreated.
“Did he bring you here or did you drive?”
“I came with him.”
“Whenever you’re ready to leave just let me know. I’ll take you home.”
Chapter 20
“I’m sorry about what I said. I was out of place. You did nothing to invite that kind of abuse. I was just upset with Gershon and scared for you. At what could have happened if I hadn’t shown up.”
There was silence in the vehicle for a minute.
Ronnie shifted in her seat.
“Thanks for defending me.”
“Ronnie, we need to talk.”
She quickly looked at him. His face was set, and he didn’t give anything away. It was hard to guess what he wanted to discuss.
Ronnie sighed. “Go ahead.”
He put the indicator on.
“Let’s stop here. I prefer to chat with you over a cup of coffee if you don’t mind. It’s been a long night.”
Ronnie looked up and noticed it was a Mexican Restaurant. She didn’t argue. She could do with something to drink herself.
As they headed into the restaurant, Ronnie drew her coat closer as a blast of cold wind swirled around them.
David appeared to notice the gesture.
“Hey, are you cold? Let me warm you up.”
He reached around her and pulled her into a side hug. It really is chilly tonight.”
As he guided her towards the restaurant, he leaned near her ear and said, “Looks like that pot of coffee will be serving more than one purpose.”
Ronnie nodded. It was impossible to speak with his arm around her and the scent of his spicy cologne. In fact, it was a miracle she could even walk.
As they walked through the entrance Ronnie’s nostrils tingled with the smells of the spicy cuisine.
“Mmm,” she said, wrinkling her nose in delight.
With seeming reluctance, David released her to help her out of her coat.
“Hey. It just occurred to me. I didn’t eat tonight. Did you?”
She shook her head. The incident with Gershon had happened before they had been served their meal and after that, she had shortly told David she was ready to leave. She could only imagine what people thought when the two of them had disappeared well before the evening had come to an end.
Several minutes later, they sat at a corner table. Ronnie held a steaming cup of coffee between her hands and sipped it as they awaited their order.
Her stomach was in knots. There was a question eating at her, and she had to ask it before she lost her mind.
“David, what did you mean when you said what you did tonight?”
“What did I say tonight?” he asked leaning back and watching her with slight amusement in his eyes.
“About wanting every inch of me,” she muttered.
He lifted a brow. “I said that?” he teased.
Far from being amused Ronnie was incensed. This man had spent the last several months tying her emotions in a knot and he could now sit there and act as though nothing had happened? Enough was enough! She placed her mug on the table and took up her clutch bag.
“I need to go.”
“To the bathroom?” he asked with a puzzled expression as he straightened in his seat.
Ronnie met his gaze wearily.
“No. Home.”
“But we just got here.”
“I can’t play this game with you anymore.”
“Game? What are you talking about?”
“Cat and mouse. I quit.”
“You what?!”
“You will receive my formal resignation on Monday. I’m leaving your company, and I’m leaving your life. I’m going back home to New York.”
“Ronnie, you can’t leave. Not now–”
“I know. We’re in the middle of a merger and acquisition. I’ve been telling myself that. That I can’t leave you in the lurch. Even though my heart is aching, I’ve got to do right by you. But the situation is now more than I can bear. I’d be happy to brief someone new. But I can’t stay. I’m sorry.”
She took a deep breath. “Now are you going to drop me home or am I going to call a cab?”
He had his chin in his hand.
“I’m not taking you anywhere. Not until you hear me out. Then I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”
She watched him for a full minute then slowly sank to her seat. Fine. She would hear him out. She owed him at least that much.
He leaned forward and nailed her with his intense whiskey-colored gaze.
“First of all, I’ve never toyed with you, Ronnie.”
He took a deep, stabilizing breath.
“Ever since we sat together on that British Airways flight I’ve been battling my feelings for you. At first, I didn’t trust my feelings. You see, some years ago I got involved in a workplace romance that ended very badly. Soon, though, after you took over from Tracey and we began to spend more and more time together, I realized it was far from the same thing. My feelings for you are unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.”
Ronnie gulped. Not daring to even breathe.
He reached out and took her hands in his.
“And that scared me. Mere attraction I could fight, but I couldn’t shake these feelings for you. Yet, they were in conflict with my penchant for following the rules.”
He smiled wryly and looked off into a corner of the restaurant for a minute.
“Ronnie, I’ve been thinking about you since Thanksgiving weekend. I realized I’d not spent enough time thinking about what God’s will is and living that out. I believe that His will is for us to be together. I want to explore that. If you’re willing, that is.”
“David, I’m very willing,” she breathed out.
He broke out into a relieved smile.
She reached out a hand and touched his cheek.
“I hate to ask but what about your policy about employee dating. Are you going to change it?”
He sobered. “It’s not quite as simple as that.”
She tilted her head to a side. “What do you mean?”
He pursed his lips. “That policy is in place for good reason. As I’m sure you can appreciate these types of relationships can cause complications. Sexual harassment allegations, collusion, blackmail, bribes, you name it.”
“But we aren’t doing that David.”
“That’s us. And for some people it turns out fine, resulting in love and marriage and six kids. The problem is that I don’t want to encourage that type of thing at Jones Law.”
“So what are you going to tell them when they see us dating?”
“I’m not going to tell them anything because they’re not going to see us dating.”
Ronnie pulled her hands from his and sat up abruptly.
“We’re going to keep it a secret?”
“No. I mean yes. At first. I discussed it with Cheryl, and we think it’s best that you resign, but only after the M&A. I need you on that. Then we can date openly.”
He smiled at her.
She did not smile back.
With deliberate movements, Ronnie took up her bag and stood. She contemplated leaving without saying a word, but she hadn’t been raised that way, so she bit her lip and mumbled, “Goodbye.”
Shock covered David’s face, and he instantly stood, upsetting his chair. He caught it and steadied it. His reflexes were good, Ronnie thought idly. Her mind flashed to the basketball game. He’d used a similar phrase on her. She thought back, in fact, to all the months waiting for him to make a move and him not doing that. And now here he was, making a move, but it wasn’t the move she wanted.
So she left. She could hear him calling her name as she left the table and headed towards the entrance, but she didn’t look back.
She went over to the reception area and asked them to call her a cab.
She waited until the receptionist made the call.
“They’ll be here in ten minutes. You can have a seat in
the meantime,” The receptionist said gesturing to a nearby two-seat sofa.
Ronnie glanced at it. She didn’t want to be a sitting duck for David Jones. She needed to get out of there.
“I’ll wait outside,” she muttered.
But the moment she set foot outside the restaurant, David was there, grabbing her arm and spinning her around to face him. Tired of being manhandled, she shoved against his chest. It was of little effect.
“What did I say? Why are you walking out on me?” he asked, desperate.
She slowly shook her head.
“Don’t you realize what you just did? You told me you and Cheryl Yancey had a discussion about us before you even involved me and then you just inform me of your decision like I’m your employee. Which, granted, I am, but this is supposed to concern our relationship.”
She poked him in the chest.
“I’m not a plaything. You are not calling the shots, and I’m not going to get involved with a man who does not respect me enough to treat me like an equal. Got that?”
He appeared stunned for a moment and then in the next instant he pulled her to him covered her mouth with his.
Ronnie tried not to give in. She tried to remember how offensive his words were. How much they had hurt. But her heart and body betrayed her mind, and she melted in his arms.
When they finally broke apart, chests heaving, he looked into her eyes, and she was riveted by the intensity that had made their amber color mocha.
“I love you. Please forgive me. Don’t walk out on me, Ronnie. I can’t live without you.”
Tears immediately welled up in Ronnie’s eyes.
“Oh, David,” she murmured before his mouth captured hers again.
When they surfaced for breath, she placed a hand on his cheek.
“Is this really happening?”
She had to ask because she had waited for this, hoped for it, wished for it, dreamed of it, for so long it was unbelievable that it was actually happening.
“Oh, baby, it is absolutely for real.”
They kissed some more and then she was suddenly conscious of where they were and what they were doing.
“David…we’re standing in front of the restaurant.”
He grinned. “Right now I don’t care.”
A Case For Love (Royals Series Book 3) Page 23