The Executive's Decision ~The Sweetened Version~ (The Keller Family Series)

by Marie, Bernadette

  “I think you definitely should quit your job when you and Zachary are married. There are many fine things for a woman who is married to wealthy man to enjoy.”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of quitting.” Regan’s eyes were wide. “I love my job.”

  “Well, that itself I do not understand. How could anyone love working?” Simone laughed. “Well, when I am in the country you will take a holiday and spend it with me doing wonderful things like this.”

  “That is assuming I marry Zach

  She bit down on her lip. “There is the matter that I turned down his proposal last night.”

  “Stupide! Zachary had a temper tantrum, and I’m still angry that he woke me at four in the morning.” She set her glass down on the table and switched feet for the manicurist to massage the other.

  Regan shifted in her chair uncomfortably. “He called you?”

  “Of course he called me. He calls me for everything!” She raised her shoulders and let them drop. “He’s not used to people telling him no or making him wait. When you did not accept his proposal, his feelings were hurt.” Simone turned her head toward Regan and locked her eyes on hers. “Tell me you do not plan to tell him no. You do plan to marry him, don’t you?”

  Regan looked away as she felt the piercing in her chest of sadness and regret. “I plan on him walking away.”

  Zach had gotten close to other women, and he believed Simone had chased them off on purpose. But her motives were different now. He knew she had finally come to grips with the fact that he didn’t love her. If anything, she was the sister he’d never had. Even better, she lived in France and only visited a few times a year.

  The thought amused him as he rolled up the blueprints for the L.A. project and secured them in their tube. He laid it on his desk and opened the drawer.

  The blue box from Tiffany’s sat there with its glistening silver bow. It would be his secret that Simone had helped him pick out the ring. However, it would ensure Regan would love it. He envisioned giving it to her in L.A. A nice dinner, champagne, and a moonlight stroll along the beach. He’d move her with his romantic plans. He’d get down on one knee and promise to her that he’d love her forever. No matter what or who had come before him.

  Chapter Thirteen

  R

  egan hurried to pack the last items in her suitcase while Carlos waited at her bedroom door. He’d offered to drive her to the office, and he’d more than once told her he was sincerely regretting it.

  She’d made a list of everything she’d need for the trip and the meeting, but she’d left it at the office and was racking her brain trying to remember what was on it.

  Carlos checked his watch, leaned against the doorjamb with his arms crossed over his chest, then checked his watch again. “This is not the first business trip you’ve been on with the man. Why are you taking so long?”

  “This one is very important. It’s the biggest build he’s ever taken on. He sold it, he designed it, and he’s in charge of seeing it through. I want to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.” She flew through the room gathering the last of her toiletries.

  “God, you’re going to walk into that boardroom and fall through the door, aren’t you? Flat on your face.” He had a crooked little smile that made him adorable, and she worried he was dooming her success.

  “You’re a jerk.” She threw a shoe at him only to have him catch it before it hit him.

  “You’ll be fine.” He handed the shoe back to her and turned her from her suitcase. “I don’t think you could ever disappoint the man. He loves you too much.”

  “I love him too, and that’s why I’m so nervous for him.”

  “Love, it sucks doesn’t it?”

  “Yes, in the most wonderful way.” She touched her brother’s face. Then she turned back to the suitcase and pushed in the contents until she could zip it shut. When it was zipped, Carlos pulled it from the bed.

  “God, did you forget anything?”

  “You’re a big, strong man. You can handle it.” She passed by him, headed toward the stairs, and led the way down. “So what are your plans this weekend?”

  “Christian’s birthday.”

  “Oh, Carlos. I forgot. I’ve never missed his birthday.”

  “Curse you.” He laughed as he dropped the suitcase at the foot of the stairs. “He’ll get over it. Besides, I recall you missed a few when you were in Hawaii.” He raised his eyebrows.

  “Yes, I did. I am very sorry about that.”

  “You couldn’t help it.” He rested a hand on her arm. “There was no coming home.”

  “It was a year ago.” She looked down at the floor, feeling ashamed. “I called in sick on Tuesday,” she admitted, and her voice shook. “Audrey brought me soup, and Zach left work early to sit with me.” She wiped a stray tear that ran down her face. “I didn’t even have the courage to tell him why I’d stayed home.”

  “You deserve to mourn.” His touch comforted her and his voice was soothing.

  Regan shook her head and pursed her lips. “It’s been a year. I shouldn’t be mourning. Everyone was better off.”

  “Are you sure?” he asked, and Regan shot him a look. “Don’t be mad. I was just asking.”

  Regan ground her teeth. “Look at me and Arianna and yourself. You tell me how things would have been for us had Mom and Dad not happened into our lives. I did the right thing. I will never regret that. I gave a woman like Mama a gift. I only regret loving the man and believing him.”

  “And now you hold that against Zach?”

  She wanted to swing at him with her fists. She wanted to beat him to the ground for making her think about it. If he wanted to make her feel bad, he was doing it. If it was his intention to make her second-guess everything she did, it was working. But in all their life, Carlos had never meant her harm. He’d always had her back, and that would never change. She fought back tears and nodded. “What will he think of me?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. Give him a chance and find out. Just remember, after you tell him, give him some time to process it.” He kissed his sister’s cheek. “I bet you’ll be surprised.”

  To be surprised was exactly what she didn’t want.

  Zach enjoyed watching Regan enjoy the perks of first class. She sipped her champagne from her plastic cup and stretched her legs out far in front of her. For that reason alone he promised himself she’d never have to fly coach again.

  The trip was going to be the most successful one of his life. It would make up for the weeks he’d spent since his father had died, reevaluating everything he’d ever done. This time, he’d not only come home with signed contracts, finally, for a building he had so much pride in, but he’d have the woman he loved—and they’d be engaged.

  Warmth filtered through his core, and he relaxed into his seat as Regan rested her head against his shoulder.

  He could feel the box in his pocket, which held the ring he’d give her. The look in her eyes when she saw the sparkling diamond would be priceless. It would always be his secret, though, that Simone had been the one to pick out that ring. He’d had another in mind, but she wouldn’t hear of it. Simone knew beauty, and she’d been quite frank in letting him know the ring he’d picked wasn’t as brilliant as the woman who was going to wear it.

  It pleased him that the women who’d meant the most in his life adored the one he loved. Love—he’d never considered it before, and now he’d never want to live without it.

  He’d given great consideration to the wedding and the honeymoon. Of course he would let her plan every moment of it—after all, that was what most women dreamed of—but he had ideas. He’d like her to become his wife in the rose garden at his parent’s home, and perhaps a honeymoon on the yacht owned by Simone's father. Simone’s father had always been fond of him. Though he didn’t know if he’d allow him to honeymoon on the yacht if he wasn’t marrying his daughter. It was worth asking.

  Regan cuddled closer to him, wrapping her arms around his ar
m. “You haven’t said a word since we took off. What are you thinking?”

  “Nothing.” He kissed the top of her head. “How long has it been since you’ve been to L.A.?”

  He felt her stiffen against him, but he didn’t react. She didn’t answer right away, but she relaxed against him again. “I left there five years ago.”

  “Do you miss it?” He ran his thumb over her knuckles.

  “No.” Her answer was definite. “It was where I landed after college, but I have no sentimental attachment to it.”

  “What about Hawaii? Do you miss it?”

  She shook her head defiantly. “No.”

  Zach squeezed her hand tight. “I didn’t mean to bring up anything bad. I’m sorry.”

  “No, it’s okay.”

  “I’ll make it up to you. I promise.” He brushed her lips gently with his, and she closed her eyes and let out a low hum.

  “You promise? That sounds like you have a plan.” She slowly opened her eyes.

  “Regan, you’ll spoil my surprises if you talk about it further.”

  She sat up in her seat as the captain announced their descent. “I hope you didn’t go out of your way.”

  “Oh, you have no idea.” Zach rested his head against the back of his seat and closed his eyes. The moonlit walk on the beach, the ring on her finger, the lifetime ahead of them couldn’t come soon enough. “You’ll hate me for them. But—”

  “You’re a pain.”

  “So you’ve said.” He smiled, his eyes still closed.

  Zach kept Regan wrapped in his arms as the elevator carried them to their floor in the hotel. He’d had their luggage sent up when they checked in, and then they’d had dinner with John. He’d spoiled Regan with champagne and dessert. Now it was time to spoil her for the rest of her life.

  Zach pushed open the door to their hotel suite, and Regan walked in, still talking about how wonderful dinner had been, but then she stopped and gasped. Dozens of roses adorned the room, and their scent filled the air.

  “Oh, Zach.” She lifted her hand to her mouth.

  “Do you like it?” He rested his hands on her shoulders and kissed the back of her neck. The floral scent of her perfume intoxicated him and the softness of her skin enticed him, but he had to pace himself. Every moment of their time in L.A. had to be perfectly executed.

  “Zachary Benson, this is amazing.” She turned into his arms.

  He held her tight to him enjoying how she felt in his arms. “Tell me you love me.”

  Her eyes fluttered up to look into his. “I love you.”

  “I want to always please you, Regan. I love you.”

  Zach slept for the first time in weeks. When he woke and the sun peeked through the curtains, he sighed. Regan lay beside him.

  He touched her shoulder and ran his fingers slowly down her arm as he kissed the back of her neck. She stirred, rolling slowly toward him. He pushed back her hair and gazed at her.

  “God, you’re beautiful in the morning,” he said.

  “You look like you finally slept.” She looked up at him, her eyes still hazy.

  “Finally.” He kissed her gently. “I’m going to take a shower and then order us up some breakfast.” When she lazily closed her eyes and nodded.

  When Regan emerged from the bedroom dressed in a new black suit and black sling-back pumps, she was ready for the meeting. She took in the view of the room and laughed aloud. She wasn’t sure what Zach had been thinking when he ordered breakfast.

  There were plates of eggs and pastries. There were bowls of fruit and cereal. A pot of coffee and two different juices sat in the middle of the table.

  Zach looked up from a piece of toast that he was picking apart. “I’m nervous.” He wore a custom-made dress shirt with his initials embroidered on the cuff in a deep blue, which made him look even more sophisticated.

  Regan kissed him gently on the lips and brushed a crumb from his tie. “Zachary Benson, how many times have you gone to the table and signed contracts?” She tried to keep her calm for him, but inside her stomach fluttered like a jar full of butterflies fighting for their freedom.

  “I know. It’s this investor. He’s…well, he’s a piece of work. “I just don’t like the way he conducts business and the condescending way he treats his trophy wife.” He picked up his coffee and sipped. “If you don’t walk out of the room and quit today, I’ll be surprised.”

  “Why would I do that?”

  He set down his mug and pushed it back and forth across the table in front of him. “Because if you stay on as my assistant, you’ll have to become very involved with this man and his associates.”

  “I’ll be fine and so will you.”

  “When this meeting’s over, you and I are taking a long walk on the beach.”

  “Now that sounds like a great idea.” Regan helped herself to a few bites of food from each plate. She too wasn’t very hungry. Seeing Zach’s reaction to meeting with the man made her nervous too. But she knew he’d be fine. He always was. Though he was worried, Zachary Benson was an exceptional businessman with an eye for detail and the skill to close any deal. Besides, she and John would be by his side. Nothing could go wrong.

  The clock had ticked toward nine o’clock when there was a knock at the door. Regan stood from the table and answered it. John stood before her, smiling broadly.“Let’s make this happen!” He’d dressed casually for Tyler’s funeral; a dress shirt and a tie. But today he wore a suit with a jacket and a full Windsor knot in his tie. It was painfully obviously it wasn’t his preferred choice of clothing. She smiled as she watched him adjust his tie.

  Regan grabbed her purse and bag full of notebooks and contracts. John started for the elevator, and Zach held the door until she had walked through. There were nervous smiles between them.

  When the elevator door opened, Regan took one step inside, then she realized what she’d forgotten and her stomach dropped.

  “I forgot the portfolio with the contracts.” She slipped her hand into the closing gap of the door. “I’ll get them and meet you downstairs in the business office.” She stepped out and smiled encouragingly at Zach as the door shut, closing her off from him.

  Regan gathered the portfolio and one more sip of coffee before racing out the door. She pressed the button for the elevator and stepped in when it arrived.

  She hoisted up her bag and the portfolio as the door opened. As she walked from the elevator and into the corridor, a man and a woman exited the other elevator. With her arms full and her bag slipping from her shoulder, Regan lost her balance. She bumped into the couple and dropped the bag and portfolio, scattering papers everywhere. Carlos’s joke of walking through the door and falling on her face ran through her head. Silently she cursed him as she began picking up papers.

  “I’m sorry,” Regan said as the woman scurried to help her.

  The man only stood looking down at them. “You are clumsy. Come on, Charity, we’re late,” he scolded as the woman rose.

  Regan kept her head low. The voice. She knew that voice.

  The butterflies that filled her stomach finally broke free from the jar, and now she could feel the shards of glass as they stabbed her from deep inside her. She cautiously looked up to see Alexander Hamilton and his trophy bride stride away. Her heart began to pound uncomfortably in her chest as she sat back on her heels. Instantly her palms grew damp and tears stung her eyes. Every fear she’d ever had surfaced, and her breath caught when she tried to form a plan that would get her out of the hotel.

  Regan gathered the papers and ran toward the office. She burst through the door, causing John and Zach to jump from their chairs. She dropped the papers onto the table. Her breath was short and sweat beaded on the back of her neck.

  Zach reached for her. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”

  Regan’s entire body shook, and her heart was pounding so hard in her chest it was painful. Zach’s eyes scanned her but she couldn’t answer. She tried to suck in a breath and calm herself
. She just had to get out of the room as calmly as she could, and it would all be okay. Alexander Hamilton didn’t have control over her—not anymore.

  “Is this your assistant?” Alexander asked from across the room, tapping his pen on the table. “She’s a wreck. I don’t think we can…” When Regan lifted her head, he stopped. “Oh, God, Regan?”

  Regan didn’t move and made sure to keep her eyes from looking right at him. She couldn’t. Every muscle in her body had frozen.

  “Regan?” Alexander’s voice softened malevolently as he walked toward her.

  She shifted her eyes to Zach, and he met her stare with confusion. She couldn’t do this. “Zach, I have to go.” Regan dropped her bags and the portfolio and swung her purse over her shoulder as she ran for the door.

  Zach let the papers and the portfolio Regan had dropped fall to the floor. His investor had scared the life out of Regan and was chasing her out the door, and Zack intended to put an end to whatever had frightened the woman he loved.

  By the time Zach made it into the hallway, Hamilton had grabbed her by the arm. “Regan, don’t run from me.”

  “Alexander, leave me alone.” Her words were short and sharp, but muffled under a blanket of fear that Zach didn’t understand.

  “You’re alive.” He yanked her toward him. “You’re alive.”

  “Yes, I’m alive. No thanks to you!” Regan’s face had flushed red with anger.

  Zach sprinted toward them with a need to pull her from the grasp of the lunatic that was holding her so tightly she couldn’t move. “Regan, what’s going on?”

  Alexander Hamilton didn’t release his stare or his hand from Regan. “Mr. Benson, this has nothing to do with you. Please dismiss yourself.”

  “It most certainly does.” Zach took another step, but Regan pulled herself up straight and glared at Hamilton.

  She pulled against him. “Let me go. You have no right to hold me like this.”

  “Where do you get off being alive?” he growled. “Your brother told me you died. You and that baby!” His words were bitter and hateful.