Not In My Wildest Dreams (McKenna Series Book 2)

by Jamie Hollins

  “What are you and Quinn doing over at the house?” Sean asked.

  “Quinn wanted to help Aunt Katherine with some of the preparations. I’m just making an appearance before heading back to the pub.”

  “Fuck, I could use a drink right now.”

  “Darcy’s that pissed, huh?”

  “Yeah. She’s pretty pissed. I don’t blame her. Cancelling at the last minute is a pretty dick thing to do. But by the time I’m finished here at the office, there is no way I’d make it down to Ballagh in time for dinner. I wish she was right across town.” He sighed into the phone. “Long-distance relationships fucking suck. I don’t know how you and Quinn have managed for so long.”

  “It’s not ideal, but I love her. It’s the only option right now so we make it work.”

  Sean wasn’t ready to call what he felt for Darcy love. He thought about her all the time, he missed her every day he didn’t get to see her, and he didn’t crave anything or anyone like he craved her.

  But love? He’d never been in love before so how would he know what it felt like?

  “It’s never once crossed your mind that the distance is just too much?” he asked Ewan. “Haven’t you ever thought about telling Quinn to just pack up things in Providence and move to Ballagh?”

  “I’ve thought about how much easier things would be if she were here, sure. But I can’t very well pick up my life and move to Providence right now, so how can I expect her to do the same?”

  Ewan was right, of course. But his and Quinn’s situation was different than Sean and Darcy’s. Quinn was in school and could move back to Ballagh after she was done.

  Darcy and Sean had their respective businesses in Providence and Boston. One of them would be making a major sacrifice to move. And Sean knew that it wasn’t even an option for him.

  “Don’t beat yourself up about this,” Ewan advised. “Darcy will get over it.”

  “I hate disappointing her.”

  “I’m sure you’ll make it up to her.”

  Sean shook his head, watching the shadows of passing feet come from underneath his office door. He’d spent more time in his office these last three weeks than he had in his bedroom at home. He had even bought a mini-fridge to keep next to his desk because he was often there late into the evening, and it was spooky as shit to walk through a deserted dark office to the break room to grab a soda.

  He’d been able to get away to Providence a few weekends ago to see Darcy, but as he reviewed his calendar for the rest of November and the beginning of December, he realized any plans to leave Boston were going to be impossible.

  He thought things with him and Darcy were pretty solid. Yeah, he’d had that momentary freak out after she told him about her childhood, but since then, everything had been great.

  She didn’t even seem fazed by it at all. She was as fiery as ever in bed, and fuck him, he didn’t know where she’d been all his life.

  Well, actually he did know where she’d been all his life. He just wished it hadn’t taken them so long to get together in the biblical sense.

  “Hey, I gotta get back to my meeting,” Sean told Ewan. “Tell Quinn I said happy Thanksgiving.”

  They hung up the phone and he rose from his chair. He glanced at the month of December on his calendar.

  In big red letters, he had written Rolland Construction Christmas Party on the Saturday before Christmas. The company had a huge blowout every year right around Christmastime.

  If they were lucky, and they usually were, they had it at one of their previously completed sites. This year it was at a renovated banquet facility that they’d worked on two summers ago. Michael thought it would be a good idea to invite some of the more recent subcontractors. Therefore, Darcy was invited, which worked out perfectly because Sean really wanted her there.

  His eyes moved a few days further into the month, where he’d penciled in the Annual Ballagh Christmas Eve Bash. Darcy would be there for sure. Hell, the whole town of Ballagh would be at the pub to celebrate Christmas.

  Sean grabbed a pen and circled that date about ten times. He really needed to make it to that one. Although he thought and hoped things were solid between them, Darcy might never forgive him if he stood her up twice.

  Chapter 26

  Darcy’s lungs filled with the cold December air as she stepped out of her car. The first snowfall of the season had come at the beginning of the month, forcing everyone to pull out their winter gear a little earlier than usual.

  Darcy didn’t mind. This was always her favorite time of year.

  The absence of clouds meant they were in for a frigid night. The moon was high, casting its reflection down onto the dark waters of the Charles River. The parking lot and surrounding buildings were located in a picturesque spot, but there was nothing standing in the way of the strong westward breeze.

  The wickedly cold wind took her breath away. She held the high collar of her forest-green pea coat together with one leather-gloved hand, clutching her small purse to her chest as she hurried toward the entryway of the banquet center. She could hear the music from inside before she even reached the portico.

  Sean hadn’t mentioned that Rolland Construction would be hiring a band to play at their Christmas party. Bands were always more fun at events like this. More people would dance with a band playing rather than a DJ.

  A doorman opened the door for Darcy as she ducked inside, feeling a warm blast of heat on her frozen cheeks. As she checked her coat in, another blast of cold air hit her when an older couple came through the door.

  She hurried away from the entryway, stopping at a side table in front of a tall mirror to check her lipstick. The cold had caused her eyes to water, but thank goodness she had on waterproof mascara.

  “There she is.”

  Darcy turned and saw Sean walking toward her from the banquet room entrance. She couldn’t keep the giant smile from spreading across her face.

  He looked amazing in a dark gray suit. The cut was slim-fitting and hugged his long, lean legs and broad shoulders like he was a runway model.

  He’d forgone a tie in an attempt to be casual. Instead he looked off-the-charts sexy with the top button of his pristine white shirt open. Darcy knew that in the last two months he hadn’t been for a haircut, so his golden hair was longer than she’d ever seen it.

  God, he turned her insides to mush. Especially since she hadn’t seen him in over two weeks.

  “Hey,” she replied.

  She stepped toward him and rose on her toes for a kiss. She was surprised that he turned his head and pecked her cheek instead of kissing her lips. When he pulled back, his eyes were smiling. She was about to ask him what was with the formal greeting but he spoke first.

  “Is your dress new?”

  Darcy smoothed her hands over the skirt. “Yeah.”

  Its beautiful purple fabric had caught her eye in the window of a vintage dress shop. It had been an impulse buy for sure, but the Rolland Construction Christmas Party had been approaching, and she’d needed something to wear.

  One look at the plum dress in the fitting room mirror and she’d known she had a winner. The fabric was soft and stretchy, with a shirred waistband, capped sleeves, and a high neck that had a side neck tie. It was perfect for a night of dancing. The four-and-a-half-inch pewter opened-toed heels might not have been the best choice for dancing or keeping her toes warm, but they made her legs look fucking amazing.

  “You look like a sexy little grape in that dress.”

  Darcy smiled. She was sure he’d definitely like the black lingerie she wore underneath her dress as well.

  “You look good enough to eat,” he added in a hushed voice. His eyes burned, and Darcy was suddenly very warm.

  She grinned up at him. “We could ditch this party, and I could show you what I’m wearing underneath my new dress.”

  His posture stiffened and he stared at her lips. “Don’t tempt me.”

  With her stomach fluttering in lust from the deep, grow
ling tone of his voice, she said, “Sorry I’m late. My afternoon client consultation lasted longer than I thought it would. I drove like a madwoman to get here. I didn’t want to miss all the dancing.”

  Sean smiled. “I don’t think the dancing will be over anytime soon. Come on in, let’s get a drink.”

  His hand rested on the small of her back for only a moment as he guided her toward the door. When they walked into the giant banquet room, she smiled with delight. It was full of large tables, a big, open dance space that was mostly occupied, and thousands of glittering white lights.

  “Pretty amazing, huh?” Sean yelled down to her over the music.

  “It’s perfect.”

  And it was. Evergreen garlands wound with red velvet ribbon decorated the walls, doors, and the row of windows overlooking the river. Christmas trees of varying sizes dotted the room, each decorated with white lights, gold tinsel, and strands of shiny red beads.

  The tables were set beautifully with large hurricane candles, red-and-green place settings, and frosted tea lights. The room looked like it was pulled from a Crate & Barrel catalog. It was dazzling.

  For a company full of rough and rugged construction workers, everyone cleaned up pretty well. The room was packed full of men in suits and holiday sweaters and women in lovely evening dresses.

  Rolland Construction had spared no expense for its party, and it had attracted an amazing turnout. Maybe one day her start-up company would grow to the size where holiday parties would be thrown. Darcy hoped they would turn out just like this one.

  Sean nudged her arm and motioned her to follow him toward the bar. They weaved their way through the mass of employees, most everyone greeting Sean warmly along the way.

  It took them nearly ten minutes to travel all of twenty feet. He was the senior-most manager at the party since Michael was out of town, and she didn’t doubt that the warm greetings and handshakes Sean received were sincere.

  Everyone liked Sean. Not just because he was a likable person but because he worked hard, and everyone knew it. Darcy admired that about him.

  She couldn’t say he’d always been that way. Through school, Sean had been the master of doing the minimum to get by. But he’d grown up, and he believed in leading by example, thanks in part to his mentor, Michael.

  When they got to the bar, Darcy slipped her hand through his arm and cozied up beside him. She wasn’t sure if it was the festive atmosphere, but she was feeling nostalgic. They’d come a long way.

  And here they were at Sean’s company party—together.

  Sean smiled down at her before moving his arm free. He put his hand on her shoulder while he tipped the bartender and slid a glass of wine into her empty hand. He guided her off to the side and bent to her ear.

  “Where would you like to sit? You can stash your stuff and go mingle.”

  Darcy looked around at all the tables, not recognizing anyone. “I don’t care where we sit. You pick.”

  Sean hesitated before he said, “Actually, I’m sitting over there by the dessert table with a few other managers and their wives.”

  Darcy frowned. “Is there no room for me?”

  Sean bit his lip and shook his head.

  “So you hadn’t planned on sitting with me?”

  “Of course I want to sit with you. I’d love to spend the entire evening with you alone, but I can’t. This may be a party for most people, but I’m still on the clock, ya know?”

  No, she didn’t know. He was looking at her like he expected her to understand, but she was completely lost.

  “So let me get this straight,” she said. “You not only planned on sticking me at some other table, but you’re saying that you can’t hang out with me at a party full of people I don’t know?”

  “You know people. There are, like, twelve people on the Wellington project that you work with.” He looked around. “There’s Rebecca, our receptionist. You’ve met her before.”

  Darcy nodded slowly. She couldn’t believe it. He’d just taken the fucking cheer out of her festive mood.

  Sean sighed. “Darce, I’m sorry. We should have talked about this before tonight.”

  “Talked about what? The fact that you’d be too busy tonight schmoozing to have any fun with me?”

  “No, the fact that it’s not a good idea that any of my co-workers know that we’re together. Especially the Wellington project team.”

  Darcy stared up at him. It felt as if he’d just smacked her across the face. Her ears rang, and her muscles went rigid.

  To say that she felt a little disappointed was like saying the Pope was a little bit Catholic.

  “You know I’d rather be with you than anyone else here,” he said.

  “Would you?”

  “Yes, of course. But people can’t know we’re together. We don’t allow interoffice relationships between managers and their subordinates.” He rubbed his hand around the back of his neck before bending to whisper, “Fuck, it seems like all I’ve been doing recently is apologizing to you.”

  “Maybe that’s because you’ve been fucking up a lot lately, Sean. And I’m not your subordinate. I’m a subcontractor.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I’m still in charge of the project, and if anyone suspected that we were together, they might think you were given preferential treatment or something.”

  Darcy narrowed her eyes at him. “Let me remind you that you asked me to be on the project. I didn’t beg and plead to be on the team to further my career. I did it because you asked me to.”

  “Yeah, I remember that, but stop acting like you are doing me some favor,” he shot back, his voice getting tight. “This project is furthering your career.”

  Darcy opened her mouth to respond but a male voice interrupted.

  “Hey, you two,” Rhys said, walking up to them with a shit-eating grin on his face. “No fighting at the Christmas party.”

  “We’re not fighting,” Sean replied curtly.

  Rhys laughed. “Whatever you say.”

  She shot a quick glare at Sean before turning back to Rhys. “Hey there. Good to see you,” she said as she gave him a hug.

  One of Rhys’s arms wrapped around her waist and squeezed her tight. He wore a little too much cologne, but he smelled nice. If it were possible, his neck looked even wider in his dress shirt.

  “Darcy, you look lovely as always.” Grinning, he looked over at Sean, his arm still lingering at her waist. “What did Sean do this time?”

  “I wouldn’t know where to start.”

  Sean stared down at her, his face blank. His eyes moved to Rhys, and something not so nice passed through them before he smiled and extended his hand. “Good to see you, Rhys.”

  The two men shook hands, and Darcy took a big swig of her wine. It was bitter and made her nose wrinkle, but she’d suspect that anything she drank at that moment would taste bitter.

  “So, where are you guys sitting?” Rhys asked.

  Sean opened his mouth but Darcy beat him to it. “Sean’s over there. I was just trying to decide where to sit.”

  Rhys raised his brows. “Well, it’s your lucky day. I have an extra seat right next to me with your name on it.”

  He extended his arm to her and she took it. “Lead the way,” she said with her warmest smile.

  Darcy didn’t say anything to Sean as she walked with Rhys across the dance floor to the other side of the room. She didn’t look back or turn her head in Sean’s direction when Rhys pulled out a chair for her at their table. A waitress came over to serve the salad course as soon as they were seated.

  “Thank God,” Rhys said, picking up his knife and fork. “I’m starving.”

  Darcy smiled at him as she pushed a few cherry tomatoes around her salad. She’d lost her appetite.

  “So am I gonna have to twist your arm to get you to dance with me tonight?” Rhys asked.

  She looked up at him as he shoved some spinach into his mouth. He smiled as he chewed, and she noticed the muscles in his thick nec
k shifting with the effort. She hadn’t anticipated dancing with anyone other than her boyfriend tonight, but it was painfully clear that wasn’t happening.

  “Of course I’ll dance with you.”

  He winked at her as he stuffed a slice of cucumber into his mouth.

  Darcy looked at the large Christmas tree that sat three feet from their table. It was funny, but the white glistening lights didn’t seem so bright anymore.

  ###

  Sean felt as if he were being baked alive. At least he thought this seething, all-consuming jealousy must be comparable to that. His extremities were a bit warm, but his insides were boiling. His jaw ached from grinding his teeth together, and he continued to flex his hands so his fingers wouldn’t permanently be clenched into fists.

  He had long since finished dinner. He was nursing his third scotch, partially listening to his colleagues swap stories about their children’s latest exploits. The only other bachelor at their table was Charlie, but his date sat beside him. Too bad Sean didn’t have a date.

  Or rather, too bad the woman who would have been Sean’s date if she hadn’t been invited to the party as a subcontractor wasn’t sitting beside him. Because if she was sitting beside him, his blood wouldn’t be burning through his veins as he watched her dance with Rhys Clarke.

  It’d started off harmless enough. The band had played Van Morrison’s “Brown-Eyed Girl.” Darcy had looked more embarrassed than anything as Rhys waltzed her around like they were at a professional dancing competition.

  He’d twirled her under his arm and dipped her several times throughout the song. He had looked like a big, beefy ass. But somewhere in the middle of the song, Darcy had started smiling and laughing. By the end of the song, everyone else on the dance floor had stopped dancing so they could watch the duo and their God-awful dance moves.

  After one final dip, where Rhys almost dropped Darcy on her ass, they received a standing ovation from some nearby tables and even got a shout-out from the band. He held Darcy’s arm high before sweeping into a bow. Darcy laughed harder, covering her face with her other hand. Her cheeks were a lovely pink, and she absolutely glowed.