Amy's Wish (Wish Series Book 1)

by Kay Harris

  She paused, perhaps to give him the chance to argue the point. But he didn’t. Instead he nodded.

  Looking a little surprised, but pushing through it, Amy continued. “You didn’t fight for me. You let that evil witch you were once married to sabotage us without putting up a fight.”

  She’d stopped and he knew it was time to come to his own defense. But he didn’t. “You’re right.”

  Her face went from anger to hurt in a matter of seconds and it made him want to pull her into his arms. But he stayed planted where he was for the moment.

  “Because? What? You do actually want Kim back, as she once implied?” She emphasized the nickname he, and only he, used for his ex-wife. Carlos didn’t believe for a moment that Amy actually thought that. It was her next words that rang of honesty and hurt. “Or is it just because you don’t love me enough?”

  Carlos took one long, shuddering breath. “No. That’s not it.” He gave his voice as much finality as he possibly could. “I love you more than you can know.”

  “Then why?” She pleaded with him to give her the comfort she needed.

  “I want to give you everything I can. I want to make you happy. I want your life to be perfect. Even at the expense of my own. And I can’t seem to fathom that I could make you happier than the perfect job could.” With the truth laid out before them, he let out a deep sigh and waited.

  Amy’s brow puckered up. Her eyes watered. Her mouth turned down in a deep frown. “No job could make me happier than you,” she murmured, as if this should have been the most obvious thing in the world. “That’s not how it works, Carlos. I don’t have to choose my career or you. It’s just not…” A soft sob escaped her.

  “You’re right. It was…I was looking at it wrong.” Carlos pulled his hands out of his pockets and took a tentative step toward her.

  Amy held her hands up and it stopped him in his tracks. “Wait. I screwed up, too. We should talk about that.”

  Even as she spoke, her eyes roamed his chest, which happened to be bare because he’d spilled beer all over himself a few moments before Amy came in the door and was on his way to the shower. Turns out it was a happy coincidence. The heat in her gaze could not be mistaken.

  Carlos took a step closer. She didn’t back up and she didn’t try to stop him. He reached out one hand and put it on the back of her neck, beneath her cascading hair. He rubbed gently with his thumb at the base of her skull. She let out a soft little moan.

  “Why don’t we talk about what you did wrong later?” he suggested.

  “No. See there’s so much more,” she said. But her resolve was weakening. He could see it in the flash of her blue eyes as they roamed his face, pausing at his mouth.

  Carlos leaned in and pressed his lips to the spot just beneath her ear. “I didn’t ask you what you wanted to do about all this shit with the job. I didn’t take your plans into consideration,” he said on a whisper. “I am so sorry. I won’t ever let it happen again.”

  She nodded. “And I didn’t tell you my plans.”

  She was breathless. And while Carlos was curious about what she meant by that last statement, he had more pressing needs at the moment. “Let’s discuss it later.” His other hand wrapped itself around her waist.

  Amy leaned her head over so he could have full access to her neck. Carlos took advantage and began to suck on it gently, moving down and back up again in a hypnotic motion.

  “I need you to give me ten thousand dollars,” Amy breathed.

  Whatever shock might normally have accompanied a statement like that was lost in Carlos’ lust. He registered it, but chose not to have a reaction. Instead, he reached his hand down to unzip her adorable little skirt. It flittered down her legs and landed in a circle at her feet. Carlos’ hand then wound its way around her perfect ass, squeezing at the silk panties gently.

  “Okay. You can have it.”

  Amy pulled back to look at him. “I can have it? Ten thousand dollars? Really?” She paused. “You have that?”

  Carlos pulled her face back to his and said against her lips. “I have it and it’s yours. I’ll transfer it to you in the morning.” Then he kissed her.

  Amy’s kiss only remained hesitant for a split second. Then she sank into him. She was boneless, so he lifted her up, swinging her legs into his arms. As he carried her to the bedroom, Amy began peppering his neck with soft kisses.

  “Don’t you want to know what the money is for?” she asked.

  She obviously didn’t understand how much more whatever she wanted mattered to him than a few thousand dollars. And she may not understand how deeply he trusted her. She was a smart, intelligent woman. Whatever she wanted to do with ten thousand dollars was well within her capabilities. She also didn’t understand how easily he could put off any and all activities that didn’t involve Amy naked on their bed.

  Carlos laid her down and crawled over her. “Don’t care right now, baby.” He pulled off her silk panties. “It’s not that I don’t care in general. If it’s important to you, it’s important to me,” he amended. “I just don’t care right now.”

  He took a moment to admire her smooth legs, running his palms up from her knees to where her thighs met. She let out a little moan as his thumb parted her and played a little, moving gently from side to side.

  Amy’s hips bucked off the bed and she said his name, slowly, like it was pulled from her. Unable to resist tasting her any longer, Carlos leaned forward and reached out to her with his tongue.

  As soon as he made contact she cried out again. The sounds she made flowed through him, spurring him on. He moved toward her orgasm as if it were his greatest goal in life. And at that moment, it was.

  When she’d climaxed with a loud keening, he crawled up to take her mouth with his. Amy kissed him back harshly. She gripped the back of his head, weaving her fingers into his hair. The sting on his scalp was perfect ecstasy.

  Carlos rolled onto his back, wanting Amy’s fire to consume him. She sat up on his waist, yanking off her shirt and bra so she was gloriously naked.

  “Off,” she said impatiently, pulling at his zipper.

  Carlos helped her rid him of his pants and boxers. Then, a glint of intensity burning in her eyes, Amy climbed on him again and lowered herself down, sheathing him in everything he ever needed.

  “Baby,” he whispered, barely able to breath through the pleasure. “I will never let you go again.”

  Amy pulled her body up, leaving him momentarily bereft. “You’re goddamn right you won’t.” Then she pushed back down, giving him heaven once more.

  Chapter 22

  “I’m not going to work today.” Amy glanced at Carlos’ perfect physique in the bathroom mirror.

  He stood there in nothing but a towel, shaving his strong chin when she said it, and he paused. “Why not?”

  “I took the day off. I have something to do. Something that involves…that ten thousand dollars.” She cast her eyes down, still unable to say that without some measure of embarrassment.

  Unfazed, he went back to shaving. “I already had it transferred to your account. When you were in the shower.”

  After making love, they’d talked for hours, getting just a bit of sleep before starting their morning routine. And he hadn’t once asked her what the money was for.

  Amy swallowed her shock and spoke casually. “I was hoping you’d meet me somewhere after work.”

  “You got it. I’ll make sure I leave on time. In fact, I was thinking I’d leave early today. Right after we have that meeting about the VP of compliance job.” He looked at her through the mirror.

  But neither of them addressed that elephant in the room. Instead, Amy went back to the topic at hand. “So I’ll text you the address where I want you to meet me. That’s okay?”

  Carlos put down his razor and wiped the remaining bits of shaving cream off his face. Then he leaned over and kissed her quickly. “Of course, baby.”

  ****

  Carlos fiddled with the pen
in his hand. It was the first time since he’d come to work at E.E.R. that he was actually nervous. He glanced at each of the faces around the table. Everett sat at the head, Carlos opposite him at the other head, with the other VPs around the sides. Kimberly sat directly to Carlos’ left, a smug look of arrogant satisfaction on her face. Every eye in the room was on Carlos.

  “You wanted to say something before we get started.” Everett gave him a friendly smile.

  Carlos’ eyes dipped to the stack of resumes that sat in front of Everett on the table, like a ticking bomb. Amy’s was in there somewhere. And that was the rub. “I am going to recuse myself from this discussion of who should take over as the new VP of compliance.” People shifted around the table. His official recusal was obviously unexpected. Everett, of course, showed no shock. “One of the top candidates for the job is Amy Trinkus. Amy and I are in a relationship.”

  Everyone knew this already so he didn’t expect a reaction. But he got one, from Kimberly. The choking sound coming from her direction had him glancing her way. Her jaw had dropped, her eyes wide. He was calling her bluff and she knew it.

  With a slight smirk Carlos returned his attention to Everett. “As such, I need to recuse myself, as I am obviously biased. I do, however, want to say that Amy should be judged only by her ability to do the job not on any sort of rumors or innuendo made by others about her motives.”

  He gave a hardened glare to each person at the table, ending with Kimberly. Her mouth was now closed, her eyes narrowed.

  “Thanks, Carlos,” Everett said evenly. “And I’d like to reiterate that sentiment. Anyone who says anything about any of these candidates that is not directly relevant to their qualifications for the job will be dismissed by me.” He shot a hard look right at Kimberly.

  Carlos nodded at his friend and stood.

  “Hold up, Carlos.” Everett held up his hand. “I think you should stay, even though you aren’t going to vote on the final decision.”

  “You’re the boss.” Carlos sat back down in the leather chair.

  Carlos quickly peeked over at his ex-wife just long enough to revel in the anger about to explode from her. Everett shuffled through the papers in front of him. He’d had an outside HR consultant order the resumes based on qualifications. And since the position was only open internally, there were only about a dozen papers there.

  Everett went through the pile three times before looking up. “It’s not here.”

  Carlos met his gaze. “What?”

  “Amy’s resume. It’s not here.” Everett pulled out his phone and flicked through it for a moment. Then he pressed the speaker button and everyone in the room could hear the ringing on the other end.

  “Sarah Smith,” a clear voice answered.

  “Sarah, Everett Evans here.”

  “Everett. What can I do for you?”

  “I’m here with my execs and we’re looking through the resumes you ordered for our VP of compliance position.”

  “Yes?”

  “We seem to be missing one.”

  “I did pull out five resumes for lack of qualification,” she said neatly.

  There was no way Amy’s resume could have gotten pulled. Carlos pierced Everett with his gaze. Everett just shrugged.

  “Can you tell me if Amy Trinkus’ resume was one that got pulled?” Everett asked.

  There was a pause. Then Sarah spoke again. “Amy Trinkus didn’t apply.”

  ****

  Amy could only describe the look on Carlos’ face as bewilderment. He walked with great purpose toward her, his brow furrowed, his eyes bright with curiosity. She pushed herself off the door of her car where she’d been leaning while waiting for him.

  Amy greeted him with a quick kiss then grabbed his hand and immediately hauled him toward the front door. Carlos didn’t resist. And when they emerged into the building he looked around with wonder.

  “The adventure center,” he said. “I love this place. Are we going to go rock climbing again?”

  Amy remembered the time he’d brought her here and smiled. “We can. In fact, we can do whatever we want. Because we own this place.” Carlos’ head snapped to the side. His eyes were saucers as he gazed at her. And suddenly Amy felt nervous. “I know we should have discussed this…I…this was my screw up. This is my dream. Not a job at E.E.R. But this.”

  She spread her hand out to showcase the activity around them: a set of co-workers from a law firm at the rock wall, a group of college students from a leadership group on the rope obstacle, and a staff member handing out T-shirts to a group of very sweaty women who’d just emerged from the back door.

  “You want to own a business together?”

  She nodded.

  “And this is it?”

  She nodded again. “Are you mad?”

  Carlos smiled. “Hell no. This is amazing.” He looked around again, squeezing her hand as he did. Then he turned back to her. “Am I like a silent partner or something?”

  Amy shook her head. “No way. You’re a full partner. At least, if you want to be. Greg and Sandy are waiting for us to sign the final paperwork.”

  Carlos’ grin was massive. He leaned toward her, his eyes sparkling. “I am so in.”

  SEPTEMBER

  Epilogue

  Carlos skirted around the far end of the building, avoiding the table where the four women sat. Staying well out of sight of the birthday girls, Carlos made his way to a booth hidden in the shadows. He slid inside and smiled nervously at the person already waiting there for him.

  “You’re on time,” he said to his friend.

  “And you’re late.” Everett looked pointedly at the large time display on his phone.

  “I had to pick something up.”

  Everett grinned. “I know. You ready for this?”

  “Of course I am.” It was the truth. But despite how solid he was on this decision, it didn’t mean his heart wasn’t about to hammer all the way out of his chest.

  “You say it like it’s not a surprise. C-man, believe me when I say this. It’s a surprise. I mean, it didn’t work out for you so hot the first time.”

  Heat rose in his cheeks. He hadn’t realized he would be embarrassed. First, it wasn’t like him. Second, there was nothing about this that was embarrassing, unless of course she said no.

  “This is so different,” Carlos told his friend.

  “Yeah. It is,” Everett agreed quietly.

  Carlos knew they weren’t talking about the same thing anymore. “The real surprise is you. Here. Tonight. What’s up with that?”

  Everett shrugged. “I guess I’m just full of surprises.”

  Laughter floated through the bar and wafted over to their table. Carlos leaned to the side so he could see across the room. The women were in full celebration mode now. They’d blown out the candles on their birthday cupcakes and were clinking glasses in a noisy toast.

  “I think it’s time.” Carlos slid out of the booth.

  Everett downed the rest of the drink that had been sitting in front of him and slid out as well. “After you,” he said, his voice a little shaky.

  Carlos strolled, full of confidence, swagger, and sheer joy, across the room. He made a beeline for the love of his life. Amy looked up as he approached and her eyes went wide, her mouth forming an O.

  “What are you doing here?” She stumbled off the barstool and launched herself into his arms.

  “Hey, baby,” he said, pulling her close.

  Amy’s eyes flashed across him, as if to ensure herself he was all right and hadn’t shown up here because he’d been involved in a surprise lion attack or something. Then she looked behind him at Everett who stood like a good wingman at his shoulder. “What’s going on?”

  “Happy birthday,” he told her for the third time that day.

  She smiled. “Thanks, sweetheart.”

  “I didn’t mean to interrupt the birthday bash.” He turned to the other three women, all of whom were in on his surprise. They smiled at him sw
eetly. His gaze flicked back to Amy. “But I need to ask you something.”

  Amy’s whole body stiffened in his arms. “Ask me?”

  For a split second he doubted himself. Maybe she’d actually say no. But he pushed through. Letting go of her, Carlos knelt down onto the rough, peanut-strewn floor and took her hands in his.

  “Oh wow,” Amy breathed.

  A few tiny squeals were emitted from her friends nearby. Everett’s heavy, nervous breaths echoed behind Carlos. He ignored it all and looked right into Amy’s face.

  “Baby. Can you help me?”

  “Help you?” she asked, breathless.

  “Yes. Help me. Help me by being my partner in everyway, everyday for the rest of our lives. Help me be as happy as any man can possibly be. Help me. Because I need you, Amy. I need you to be my wife.”

  Amy stared into his eyes, her gaze intense and sure. She looked determined. She looked certain. She looked incredibly happy. “Absolutely, I will.”

  Carlos stood and kissed her with abandon, pouring all of his emotions into that kiss. Then he turned around, his arms still firmly around Amy and looked at his best friend. “Your turn, Everett.”

  Everett looked down at his feet and bit his bottom lip. He shoved one hand deep into his pocket and let out a soft groan. Amy buried her face in Carlos’ neck and giggled. Everett might be about to pass out on the floor in front him, but Carlos felt full, happy, and alive.

  THE END

  Thank you for reading “Amy’s Wish.” If you liked it, please consider leaving a review. Authors depend on reviews to help others find our books. There will be three more books in this series. Keep your eyes open for “Maya’s Wish” next.

  A word about the author…

  Kay Harris has had a diverse career with jobs ranging from college professor to park ranger. Now she adds author to her repertoire. Kay writes romance novels that contain a little bit of sweet, a dash of sexy, a touch of heartbreak, and a whole lot of fun!