“Later.” James continued to his car. One more day and he could leave the project that had been started in the capable hands of Wimberley’s construction workers. His heart constricted. Could he leave so soon, leave Maggie so soon? Can I leave her at all? The thought echoed in his head. His business was in California. He couldn’t stay in Texas too long.
He slowed down when he spotted a young girl walking. She looked familiar. When he neared, he put his window down.
“Cassy?”
The girl turned. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying. James immediately stopped. “Hey, can I give you a ride?”
She hesitated as if wondering if she should take him up on his offer. She made her decision and walked to the car. She settled in the front seat and sniffed. “Hi, Mr. Sullivan. Thanks for the lift.”
“No problem. Are you okay?”
She shrugged. “Yeah, I guess.”
“Can I ask why you’ve been crying?”
“It’s no big deal.” She sunk further back in the seat and turned to stare out the window. “Do you like my mom a lot?”
The question caught him off guard. “Sure I do.” As a matter of fact, he more than liked her.
“Enough to take her and me back to California with you? She told me you live in Los Angeles.”
James’ eyebrows shot up. “You want to leave, Texas? What about your friends and your dad?”
Cassy sighed. “I don’t have any friends and my dad has no time for me anymore.”
James was silent for a moment, processing Cassy’s words. “Why don’t you have any friends, Cassy? A pretty nice girl like yourself should have lots of friends.”
“Apparently, I’m some kind of alien because I don’t have a father. Well I do, but everyone makes fun of me because he isn’t around. The older boys all make rude comments about my mom. It’s disgusting. I got into a fight today over it and missed the bus.”
“Making fun of someone because they live with one parent is ridiculous.” He didn’t remember children being so petty when he was in school. Of course, that was eons ago.
Cassy rolled her eyes dramatically. “Welcome to Wimberley.”
You aren’t going to tell my mom about this are, you? Maybe you could talk her into moving to California to live with you. You seem cool. I like you. I would totally live with you.”
James didn’t know how to respond. He didn’t have much experience with children, especially twelve-year-old girls. “Uh, well. I’ll leave it up to you to tell your mom about what’s been happening at school. I suppose-”
Cassy’s cell began to ring. She groaned. “Crap, I forgot to call mom. She’s no doubt freaking out now.” She lifted the phone to her ear. “Hi, mom. I’m fine. I missed the bus.” She rolled her eyes. “Relax mom, don’t like, have a cow.”
James smiled, listening to one side of the conversation.
“I know mom. I’m sorry, I forgot to call.” Cassy glanced at James. “Mr. Sullivan is giving me a ride home. Okay, I’ll see there.” She let out a sigh of annoyance that only teenagers could pull off. “Oh my God, mom just goes postal sometimes.”
“That’s because she loves you.”
“Yeah, I guess. Do you love her?”
James cleared his throat. Cassy was a bold one. “I do, Cassy. I have loved your mom for a long time.”
“Then why did she marry my dad?”
“Because I was an idiot.”
Cassy laughed. “Can I call you James?”
“Sure.”
“You don’t look like an idiot, James.”
His lips stretched into a smile. “Thanks, Cassy.”
*****
James wrapped his arms around Margaret, pulling her closer. “I had a talk with Cassy last night,” she said into the silence of his bedroom. “She told me everything about what’s been going on at school. I had no idea. Now I know why she’s been so sulky and distant lately.”
James stroked her bare back and planted a kiss on her forehead. “I’m glad she finally opened up to you.”
“She also told me that she suggested we move to California with you. “I’m sorry James. You know how kids are.”
He stared up at the ceiling. “Actually, I wouldn’t mind having you and Cassy with me at all.”
She lifted her head to frown at him. “Did someone have a tad too much wine with dinner?”
He growled and rolled over, pinning her beneath him. Margaret let out a surprised shriek. “I am perfectly sober, madam. I am sober enough to take you again,” he grazed her lips with his, “And again.”
“You’re insatiable.”
“Only when it comes to you.”
She pushed at his chest, and he rolled back over, taking her with him. She straddled him, her palms on his chest. His hardening length pushed at her thighs. “I can’t get enough of you either,” she confessed.
Grasping her hips, James lifted over his waiting erection. She slid down slowly, taking him in inch by inch. She threw her head back and began to move against him. He reached up to palm her full breasts, massaging lightly.
“You feel amazing, Maggie.”
“So do you,” she moaned. She picked up the pace, riding toward the orgasm she felt approaching. James sat up so he could swirl his tongue around each breast, sending shockwaves shooting through her, down to her core.
“Oh, James.” She let out a cry as the intense yet sweet sensation rolled through her. As if their bodies were in tune, he shouted his release, holding her tightly. He fell back onto the mattress, and she collapsed on top of him. Their ragged breathing filled the room.
“When are you leaving, James?”
He stiffened. “In two days. I can stay longer… if you want.” I sure as hell want to, he thought.
“You have your business to run. Don’t let me keep you from it.”
“You’re more than worth it, Maggie. I meant what I said. I wouldn’t mind having you and Cassy come with me.”
She pushed herself up and moved away from him. “We can’t make such a huge decision so fast. We’ve only been sleeping together for one week.”
“Is that all it has been to you, just sex?”
“Of course not, but-”
James sat up. “I’m forty-five years old, Maggie. I have lived long enough to know what I want. I don’t need time to think about being with you. But if you do, that’s not a problem. I’ll give you time. But don’t expect me to just let you go like I did nineteen years ago.”
Margaret gaped at him. “I-I don’t know what to say, James. This is all so much and so sudden.”
“You love me, don’t you?”
“You know I do.”
“Then why is it so hard for you to decide what you want when it comes to us?”
She ran agitated fingers through her hair. “It’s not just about me or us. I have a daughter, James. Every decision I make will affect her life.”
He sighed. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” she said softly. Turning to him, she said. “I’d like you to hold me all night, James.”
Without hesitation, he pulled her into his arms.
*****
Rooted to the spot, Margaret stared up at James. His lips were pursed, and tension radiated off of him in waves.
“Don’t you have anything to say, Margaret? I just told you I’m leaving for the airport in three hours.”
“What do you want me to say, James? I could hardly make up my mind in a day.” She folded her arms and shrugged. “We’ll see each other when you come back to visit or maybe I can visit California sometime.”
James hung his head. Disappointment coursed through his bloodstream. He could taste the bitter taste of bile rising in his throat, as he watched the past repeat itself. He asked the woman he loved to go with him, and she refused. Wiping a hand across his face, he said. “Do you think we can make a long distance relationship work? It’s not what I want, but I guess I have no choice. It was selfish of me to expect you would make the de
cision to uproot your life with such little notice.”
She nodded, averting her gaze. “I’m sorry, James.”
“You have nothing to apologize for.” He grasped her chin between his fingers, tilting her face up so he could place a kiss on her lips. “I suppose I will be using my jet more often.” He smiled sadly.
Cassy emerged from upstairs. “Are you leaving already, James?”
“I am kiddo. We’ll talk when I call your mom.”
Her shoulders sagged. “Okay,” she grumbled. She’d had a hope of him rescuing her from her life in the small town.
Swallowing hard, James turned and walked to the door. He told himself that things between him and Margaret weren't over just because he was leaving. At least, this time around, he knew he would be seeing her again. But when? He didn’t want there to be any distance between them. His steps slowed on his way to his car. Maybe he should stay in Wimberley a bit longer and give Margaret more time.
Margaret felt numb. It was happening all over again. She was watching the man she loved walk away. Pain laced her every cell, and she fought back tears.
“I can’t believe you’re letting him go, mom,” Cassy said glaring up at her. “If you guys love each other, I don’t know what the big deal is.”She rolled her eyes. “Adults make everything so complicated. Living in California with James would be the most awesome thing ever.” She sighed and plopped down on the couch.
“You really like James, huh?” Margaret asked.
Snorting, Cassy gave her an annoyed look. “Obviously.”
“And I love him. I can’t let him slip away again.” As she said the words, her feet began to move. She ran through the door and down the stone steps. “James, wait! I-”
She came to a halt, seeing that he was already heading toward her. “Maggie, I’ll stay here with you for as long as you need to make a decision. I can’t leave you again.”
She beamed. “I was just about to tell you that I’ll go with you. Cassy seems to have already made up her mind before the both of us, so I guess everything is a go. I can’t let you leave either, James. I love you, and I’m not ruining our second chance. Not many are lucky enough to get second chances. It may take a few weeks for me to get everything sorted with the house, the shop, and Cassy’s school, but we’ll make it work. If you’re-”
She was cut off when he lifted her into his arms and kissed her excitedly. “We’ll make things work. You’ll be happy, Cassy too, I promise. I’ll give you the world, Maggie.”
“I don’t want the world. All I want is you.”
Epilogue
Margaret watched the man she loved walk away. He turned back to smile at her. “How about one more kiss for the road?”
She smiled and ran down the steps, jumping into his arms to kiss him eagerly.
Cassy let an aggravated growl. “Get a room you two. Didn’t you do enough kissing on your honeymoon?” She scoffed in disgust. “James come on, I’m going to be late for school.”
“Hold your horses, kid, I’m coming.” He smiled down at Margaret. “How do you like California so far?”
“As long as I’m with you it’s perfect; everything is perfect.”
The End
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Billionaire Alpha Romance: The Proposal (Mature Gentlemen Book 2) Page 220