by Brooke Page
When I was done on my treadmill, I wandered to the floor mat and did some abdominal and balance exercises. I got what was coming to me when I looked up from a plank, seeing Tyler smirking at me in the mirror. I quickly put my head back down, blushing. A small part of me knew I deserved it for staring at him the whole time I was on my treadmill.
“I have to leave for Cleveland after our meeting tomorrow morning,” Tyler said as we drove back to his condo from the gym. I felt silly for driving since he lived so close, but the snow was coming down in big clumps.
“For how long?” I asked, trying not to sound disappointed. If we were going to be together, I needed to get used to him going out of town.
“Two nights. Do you have plans for New Year’s?” he asked.
I shook my head no. I rarely did anything for New Years. I usually stayed home with my family, watching the ball drop on TV and crashing right after.
“Can I surprise you with something?” he asked with excitement in his eyes. He was biting his lip, constantly moving his head from me to the road.
“Sure,” I said shyly, enjoying watching his anticipation for my answer.
He nodded his head, a full-on smile spread across his face.
“You are just full of surprises,” I said as we entered the parking ramp. He leaned over and tapped the side of my nose with his finger with that damn grin on his face.
“Yes, and don’t try to con any out of me. My lips are sealed,” he teased.
His smile was contagious as we got out of the Lexus. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me to his side as we took the elevator up to his condo.
“Why don’t you order something for dinner? I’m going to go make a few calls.” He kissed me on the cheek while taking off his jacket. I nodded my head as he ran up the spiral staircase.
I took off my shoes and jacket, thankful I had thrown on a hoodie. I didn’t want to bother Tyler while he was on the phone by going upstairs and putting something warmer on.
I searched through his drawer of takeout orders, not feeling as guilty for ordering out since I had such a good workout. Watching Tyler made me work harder; I had to control my hormones by exerting myself with exercise in order to not jump him while he was on the rowing machine.
Finally choosing to order from The Woods, I went in search for my phone and placed our order. Tyler ate anything, including crazy healthy food. He made me feel not as weird for ordering consciously when he would do the same thing from time to time.
I hung up the phone and went to sit by the fireplace. I was still cold from sweating and traveling from the building to the car. I leaned back in the sofa and closed my eyes, enjoying the warmth of the fire while letting my mind wander.
I had visited Heather in the hospital this morning. She was anxiously waiting to be discharged. Josie was there, too. She wasn’t so sure about Emmett, but she would eventually warm up to him. She was frightened and got uncomfortable whenever he would cry, which was typical for any two-and-half year-old. Ray and Heather were very good about giving Josie attention in the hospital as well as Emmett. I hoped I would be as good of a mom as Heather.
Time flew by as I dozed, and the sound of the intercom buzzer awoke me. I went over to buzz up the deliver guy. Hah! For the first time in a while I would be able to beat Tyler and pay for our meal. It was very nice of him to always pay, but he didn’t have to. I was perfectly capable for covering our meals every now and then.
I jolted up the stairs to find my wallet, wanting to get it before the delivery guy reached the door.
“RJ better not be doing the wrong kind of business with Chino,” Tyler said into the phone, staring at his computer on his desk in the drafting area.
I paused at the top of the stairs the second I heard the name Chino.
“Warehouses, really? Nathan you know what he is going to put in there,” Tyler stressed more sternly. He stood up from the chair, crossing his arms while still looking at the computer screen.
“Then he better not brand them with our name. I don’t want to get caught up in Chino’s shady business like--”
Tyler paused when he turned and saw me. He stood tall, staring at me, his eyes hooded. He gulped. “Hold on, Nathan.” He moved the phone from his face.
“I’m sorry, I just… I have to get money for dinner,” I said in a rush, feeling stupid for standing there like an idiot. Hopefully he didn’t think I was intentionally not moving so I would catch his attention and he’d keep talking.
Because that was what you were really doing.
I started to walk towards the bedroom, but Tyler side stepped and cut me off, digging into his pocket for his money clip. He took out a 50 dollar bill.
“Will this be enough?” he asked quickly, wanting to dismiss me so he could continue on with his conversation without me being in earshot.
I nodded my head while putting on the best smile I could. Whatever he was talking about he didn’t want me to hear, and whatever it was bothered him.
He put on a matching smile as I took the money from him then I awkwardly went back down the stairs. Tyler moved into his bedroom, probably so the sound wouldn’t carry downstairs. I hadn’t heard anything from earlier in his conversation besides mumbles.
I answered the door to the inpatient delivery kid. He practically threw the food at me and sighed when telling me the amount I owed him. It was his lucky day, considering he would be getting a very large tip because I was so out of it from what Tyler was saying on the phone.
They kid stared at the 50 dollar bill then his grumpy face turned happy, wishing me a good evening and thanking me for the tip. I just nodded and closed the door.
I slowly prepared the food on plates at the breakfast bar, willing myself to not go back upstairs. But I couldn’t help it. Tyler was talking about Lee Chino, and lately everyone seemed to be talking about him. Who was this guy, and why did he give everyone a weird vibe?
I tiptoed up the stairs, my heart pounding. I was intending to tell Tyler dinner was ready, but I stopped just as I got to the top of the loft. I was able to hear him talking again.
“You don’t think I haven’t thought about that? Don’t you think out of all of us, I am the one who least wants to mess with Stine? I’m in love with his daughter for fuck's sake… Nathan, we can’t. I know it’s a lot of money…” I heard Tyler sigh. “RJ said he wouldn’t… I know that’s shocking. I’m not sure Mitch will tell us if something funny is happening on the job site… Yeah I know he is hardly ever there anyway… Look Nathan I have to go.”
That was my cue. I walked up the last few steps a little noisier, not wanting him to think I was standing and listening like I was earlier.
“Dinner is all set up,” I whispered with a smile.
Tyler nodded then told Nathan goodbye.
“What did you order?” he asked as though he wasn’t just in a heated conversation with his brother.
“I ordered a couple of salads from The Woods. And I got you a piece of cake too. I know how you have a sweet tooth,” I teased while we walked down the staircase.
He playfully smacked my behind once we got to the bottom of the stairs causing me to yelp. I turned to him as his mischievous grin was spread across his face. I hadn’t been caught; he didn’t realize I was listening to his conversation.
“I meant to tell you how much I enjoyed your little shorts at the gym today,” he flirted as we sat down at the kitchen island.
I smirked at him, “Oh, were they the appropriate length?”
His lips twitched as though he were holding in his amusement. “No, not at all. Which is why I liked them. Did I want to rip off a few muscle heads? Yes. But as you say, I got over it.”
I gave him a shy smile as I started to fork my salad.
“Sucks this weekend is almost over,” I pouted after taking my first bite. It was delicious. They had the best house dressing.
He gave me a knowing smile. “I know. I have a feeling this coming weekend is going to be even better.”<
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“Of course it’s easy for you to say that when you hold all of the surprises,” I grumbled.
He still had his famous smirk plastered to his face.
“It’s my turn for surprises,” he teased.
“What surprise did I give you recently? And Christmas presents don’t count,” I said pointing a finger at him.
“I’m counting the present you gave me in Chicago as a surprise. One of the best surprises ever,” he whispered.
I looked at him while chewing, almost choking on my food because of the smoldering look he gave me.
From playful to lustful in 30 seconds.
That sounds like a bad porno.
I internally rolled my head at my subconscious. It never knew when to shut up.
“Maybe if you tell me one of your surprises, like what the meeting is about tomorrow, I will re-gift the present,” I whispered, attempting to meet his seductive gaze.
He leaned his head slightly back, his eyelids heavy with a mischievous contemplated look on his face.
“As tempting as that sounds, I think I will pass,” he said cautiously, trying to hide his playfulness.
I pouted, and he laughed.
“This weekend would be a great time for that replay with what I have planned. But this time, we will finish.”
I gulped at his stare. My, how he manages to get to me with just one look, so sexy and sultry. He could drop the panties off of a straight man if he wanted.
I shook my head and kept eating. My mind quickly derailed from sex with Tyler to his phone conversation.
Whatever Lee was up to wasn’t anything good, and it sounded like he already had someone in too deep with whatever he was into. Tyler mentioned a lot of money, and I didn’t trust RJ to risk doing something extremely stupid to make more money. From the sounds of it Nathan was on the fence and close to siding with RJ. I secretly hoped the little bit I heard of the conversation was really nothing and that Tyler was on the good side of whatever Lee Chino was attempting.
Chapter 17
Tyler and I drove to work together in the Lexus for the first time. I fidgeted with my black shift dress and jacket the entire ride there. Why was I nervous? I wanted this. I wanted to drive to work together and have him kiss me goodbye on my floor once we were off the elevator.
“You look lovely today,” Tyler complimented, putting his hand on my knee, rubbing the thick stocking.
“Thank you,” I said quietly while staring out the window.
“Nervous?” he asked amused.
I shot him a look.
He laughed. “Becs, we are still going to be professional. No mauling each other.”
I let a small laugh out. I was being stupid. This was what I wanted.
“I can’t promise to not sneak a kiss here and there. Make sure you are in your office at 1:00pm today,” he said, rubbing his thumb along the inside of my knee. “I want a kiss goodbye before I head out of town.”
I nodded my head yes, remembering he would be gone for the next few days, and I would be sleeping alone in my bed. It was very depressing. I guess it was okay timing because my period was due today anyway.
I was halfway sad to see there were only a few cars in the basement ramp. No one would see us walking in together. We had to arrive earlier because Tyler had to meet with Nathan about whatever their surprise meeting was about. I really thought I would be able to get it out of Tyler last night, but he even turned down a blowjob. I was shocked.
Once we made it to my floor, Tyler kissed me on the cheek goodbye and continued on to Nathan’s office. It felt good to have a proper goodbye.
~
Everyone on our floor was chatty about their Christmas holiday weekend until it was time to head to the large conference room for the meeting. Will apologized to everyone about how it was so sudden and informed us of who would be attending, which to my surprise was only Will, Corey, and three other junior architects including myself. I felt guilty considering I was still so new and attending big and important meetings. Soon my coworkers would know that I was dating Tyler and would probably piece together the only reason I was picked for these big projects was because of him. The thought unsettled me, but it was something I was used to. My entire life I worked hard for most things because that is how my parents raised me, but people still looked at me as though everything was handed to me on a silver platter, which just wasn’t always the case.
“This is supposed to be some huge announcement,” Will said, barely containing his excitement. For once, Corey looked nervous. Normally he was the one who was excited while Will worried.
We all took a seat. Being the first ones there, we sat near the front. Eventually more and more employees showed. When the marketing group came in, I smiled knowing Jamie would soon be a part of their team. I missed her terribly. I needed to give her a call and fill her in on all the drama that went down over Christmas, and of course all the other gushy things that happened between Tyler and me. I’m sure she would roll her eyes at me when I started to talk about how we exchanged I love you’s. Jamie wasn’t a big romantic, but she would listen and be supportive. The day a guy makes her weak will be a real shocker.
Eventually the interior department arrived. Sawla was all kinds of perky in a bright pink dress. Clayton was as stylish as ever in dark suit pants with a pastel purple dress shirt and silver patterned tie.
Sawla looked me up and down as she passed to sit in the row behind us. I gave her a sweet smile when she looked at me, and she returned one back, clearly fake. I didn’t care. She could be as snotty as she wanted. I didn’t have to put up with her.
Lastly, Nathan came flying in with Jessica, Cooper close on their tail. RJ and three of his supermodel assistants found a place at the front of the conference room, and finally my dapper Ty was following behind with relaxed ease. He wore his charcoal suit with a light blue dress shirt and the gray tie I picked out for him to wear this morning. It was hard not to stare at him. His face was serious and hard like usual. But once he found his seat he searched the room then found me. His hard exterior faded as his body relaxed, giving me a soft smile then looked to Cooper who was asking him something.
“All right people! Let’s get this show on the road!” Nathan clapped.
RJ quickly moved so he was front and center next to Nathan. “First of all, I hope that everyone enjoyed their holiday and spent it amongst family and friends. That being said, I am going to get right to the point. We have signed with a new very large and financially profitable account which might lead for further expansion into a new city. This would be an amazing opportunity for further advancement in Conklin’s Architecture, Construction, and Design.”
“I would like to be the first to announce proudly that we have gained the Enterprise Yachts account and will be having a team sent to Miami to complete their new facilities!” RJ announced with excitement and a gleam in his eyes.
The entire room started clapping in excitement. How cool! I knew Tyler and Nathan would gain that account!
“I would like to announce the new project manager and assistant. These people will stay in Miami for five weeks, working hard alongside whichever one of us happens to be in town at the time and will meet Edna Enterprise’s every demand. I would like to congratulate Corey Sharp on being the project manager!” RJ cheered, clapping and pointing to Corey, waving to him to come forward.
Corey had a huge smile on his face as he walked down to shake RJ’s hand, our employees clapping for him. Will looked proud, and I was ecstatic for Corey’s advancement in the company. This must have been what he was nervous about, anxiously waiting to find out if he got the job. He must have been filled in on the account earlier and told his name was up for contemplation on the position.
“Corey’s assistant on the project will be the lovely Miss Rebecca Stine!”
What?
My face went beet red as I peeked around at all of the smiling faces clapping excitedly for me. I bit my lip as Will urged me to stand up and go sta
nd by RJ. How could I be picked for this job? I had only been with the company for a few months. I glanced at Tyler who had a sly smile on his face, but his eyes were soft and loving as he watched me.
Did he have something to do with this? I’m sure some of the junior architects will be livid when they find out I received this promotion. I already felt judging eyes from the few that attended the meeting.
Why didn’t they approach me and ask if I wanted to take this job before hand? How could they know if I would want to leave Grand Rapids for five weeks? Maybe I had other obligations? I kept a smile on my face, not wanting RJ or anyone else to see the unease I had over this supposed glorious news.
“Congratulations, Becca. You did a wonderful job on the mock-up prints. You have earned this.” RJ held my hand as he shook it, pulling me in a little too close for comfort.
Tyler was quickly on his feet walking over to me, his Conklin grin sneaking up on his expression.
I felt his hand on my lower back and stiffened. He had never touched me at work, and now was not the time to start. It would just drive the point home more that I had an in with the owners and didn’t necessarily deserve this advancement within the company.
He snaked his arm so it was around my waist, pulling me from RJ and to his side, giving RJ a hard look, probably for touching me too closely. According to Tyler, any form of contact with another person was too close.
“Congratulations Miss Stine,” he whispered near my ear.
His breath gave me tingles as it spread across my cheek.
I continued to stand still, very aware of my surroundings and Tyler’s arm that unhooked from my waist, but his hand remained on my back. He held it there until RJ finished his spiel and announced who else from each department would be chosen to specialize in the Enterprise Yachts project.