“Look, Megan. I really think you should give this some thought before you rush to a decision. What I’m offering you is an excellent opportunity to advance yourself in this business and to further your career substantially. I get that you may have some doubts about moving so far from your home and I totally understand. But before you turn this offer down, you should think about the whole picture. The ability to raise your child comfortably in a city that is exciting and economically sound. Columbus is a nice place, but let’s face it: it’s not in the same league as Chicago. There is so much to do there and so much room for growth. I really think you would love it, if you just gave it a chance.”
“Gary, I don’t doubt that Chicago’s a great city and that this is a very generous offer. But I don’t feel comfortable with the thought of just suddenly packing up and relocating to a place so far away. I own a house here—I’d have to put it up for sale in a buyer’s market and have to deal with all of that. I just don’t have the will to do it. There’s just been too much that has happened.”
“But think of the good this would do you, Megan. Relocating may be just the thing you need to move on with your life. Getting away from the tragedy you have endured would be a positive move. A chance to see some light at the end of the tunnel.”
At first, Megan vehemently resented what he was implying. She had absolutely no desire to forsake Daniel and the life they once had together. She would cherish that until her last dying breath. However, Gary’s words made her think about something she really hadn’t given much thought to before. That in order to move forward, she may very well have to do something dramatic like this in order to escape the sorrow that she knew would always be tugging at her heart, weighing her down.
She felt like a zombie most of the time, simply going through the motions of existing while waiting for her daughter to be born. She needed to seriously consider the future and the facts. The most glaring reality was that she needed to make more money; otherwise she would not be able to afford paying the mortgage and raising a child on her own. Her child deserved a comfortable life and everything she could give her. Struggling from paycheck to paycheck, getting buried in bills was no way to begin her new role as a mother.
“Okay, I guess I’ll give it some thought before ruling it out. When you first told me about a possible promotion, it didn’t even cross my mind that it could involve having to travel. I should have known better, I guess. Anyway, this has thrown me completely off guard. So I’ll toss it around and give it some serious thought. How soon do you have to have an answer?”
“No hurry. There is still quite a bit of work that needs to be done before the new office will be ready to open its doors. It’s just that it would be nice if you could be in on this from the ground up, so to speak, so you won’t have to take this on after everything has been put into place. I want you to see this as your office; something that you have had a hand in creating.”
“I have to admit that it sounds exciting when you put it that way. But even if I were to accept this offer, there is so much that needs to be done. Not only dealing with getting my house on the market but finding an apartment up there as well. I can only imagine how hard it must be to find a place in Chicago.”
Gary smiled broadly. “That, my dear, is something you won’t have to worry about. The boss has agreed to put you up in one of the several properties we own until you can get on your feet. In fact, the one he has waiting for you is absolutely awesome! Not far from the Loop with a great view of Lake Michigan. It’s an eighteenth floor condo that you have to see to believe!”
As much as she didn’t want to admit it, Megan was in fact getting excited. Maybe this wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all.
“You know, I’ve only been in Chicago once—back when I was in the fifth grade. Dad went there on a business trip and decided to take Mom and I along. It seemed so big, yet the people were very friendly. That was my impression of the place.”
“And it’s even bigger and friendlier now. Say, I’ve got an idea! Why don’t you come up and check the place out? I can show you where the new office will be and take you on a grand tour of the city. Show you where you’d be living, too. What do you say?”
“Really? That sounds like a great idea!” Megan said, without thinking. As soon as the words were out, she realized what she had just consented to.
Why had she done that?
Gary was obviously thrilled. “Excellent! When would you like to do it?”
“I don’t know, Gary. It sounds like a nice idea but I’m going to have to think about it. I’m sorry, but I spoke before thinking.”
“No, I think you spoke from your heart—without analyzing it like you tend to do. For once, Megan, why don’t you try to let yourself go a little? Don’t worry so much about everything and try something new and different for a change? I know we don’t know each other very well, but I know you enough to see that you are much too hard on yourself. Isn’t it time to give yourself some slack? Get back into the swing of things?”
His enthusiasm was infectious. “You suddenly remind me of my best friend, Stephanie, who’s forever telling me the same thing. Am I that easy to read?”
“No, not at all. Quite the contrary, in fact. But it doesn’t take a shrink to see that you need to lighten up—I can tell you that much. I don’t want to pressure you, however. I have also learned that you need your space and don’t like to feel like you’re being coerced into anything. I respect that. Just promise me that yous’ll give it some thought and let me know what you finally decide. Fair enough?”
“Okay. And thanks, Gary, for being so patient with me. I’m still having a rough time dealing with all that’s happened and sometimes it just overwhelms me to the point of distraction. There are so many things on my plate right now and moving forward, or moving in any direction, seems impossible. I guess it’s just going to take a while before I finally start feeling like I’m beginning to heal.”
“I understand. Take all the time you need. The offer will still be there.”
The waiter came over to their table. As she looked over the menu, Megan was feeling better than she had in quite a while. In fact, she was elated. Maybe starting a new life in a new town was a good idea after all. Staying here trying to deal with the constant reminders of her life with Daniel would no doubt be depressing. Could she ever be happy being here constantly pining for her dead husband? And their once wonderful life together?
Not likely.
Her little daughter deserved more.
Like a ray of sunshine, the prospect of moving to Chicago and beginning life anew there brightened her mood and filled her with optimism for a change. As she contemplated her dinner choice, Megan had a big smile on her face.
Chapter 19
-Then-
Gary Jamison was grinning to himself as he pulled into his parking space. This little jaunt to Ohio had gone even better than suspected, confirming once again that he was still da man!
Megan Kendall would soon be putty in his hand, he thought. In fact, the whole situation sort of reminded him of his recent success with the Briggs deal—the way he had made mincemeat of that little prick Joel Cornish, who had at one time thought he was such hot shit. Somebody had to cut the dude down to size, and who better than himself?
That deal had netted Manco Corp millions in new revenue. That made Gary Jamison the hot shit, not you, asshole!
But the monetary aspect was just the icing on the cake. In the process of making Cornish the beat-down loser that he was, something far greater had been achieved. The deal had further established Gary Jamison as a true force to be reckoned with in the business world. He had proven once again that he was the one in control—the one man you don’t dare try to jerk around. Because if you do, you’re gonna get screwed to the wall.
Winning Megan Kendall was going to be a lot like icing the Briggs deal. In his signature methodical way, he had managed to turn a sad, grieving, lovely widow into a giddy chick who all of a sudden can hardl
y wait to take Chicago by storm! A new city, a new job and a new lease on life: that’s what Gary Jamison had just served up to the gorgeous creature on a silver platter. Absolute mastery.
He recalled the way she had gone from being opposed to the very notion of taking a job in the windy city to practically drooling over the prospect. His way with words, his way of dangling the bone in front of her had been true art. Who could resist?
He threw the BMW into park and shut off the engine. Grabbing his briefcase, he got out and walked briskly toward the lobby entrance.
What Megan didn’t realize was that he already knew she would take the bait. It was just a matter of time. By granting her all the time she needed, she would eventually feel foolish not to accept the dream job he had offered her. She may even start feeling paranoid that the offer would disappear if she sat on it too long. This would of course only hasten the process.
He wondered how he had acquired such a great ability to read people. To be able to predict their actions long before even they had a clue. It wasn’t from his father, that was for sure. The old fart had all but lost any smarts he’d ever had in his old age. He was like an old tree stump, rotting away until it finally turns into dust.
His mother, on the other hand, simply got better with age. Like a rare old wine. She was the one with the brains; the one who had passed the good genes on to him. He hoped he could be as with it as his mother was when he got to be her age; not like the old man, who seemed perfectly content to let the world eat him alive.
The elevator door opened and he stepped inside, pressed the button for the twenty-sixth floor. He stood and watched the numbers light up on the way up—a habit he had acquired since moving into the high-rise condo four years ago.
Once inside, he made a beeline for the kitchen, got a glass from the cupboard, added ice, and filled it with straight whiskey. He took a long drink, felt the warmth of the liquor in his gut, topped the glass off again, and left the kitchen.
Pausing for a moment to gaze out at the lights of the city through one of the huge plate glass windows, he proceeded upstairs and walked directly down the hall to the last door on the right.
He called this room the Workroom. It was where he always went whenever he felt the need to get his thoughts together, his priorities straight. He was a very cautious sort, but the technological world had made practically everybody impatient and impulsive. He refused to be drawn into the same trap, for doing so showed a sign of weakness that could lead to one losing his ability to control. He would never let that happen.
Jamison went inside and turned on the lights. The room was good-sized and taken up by a three-piece leather sectional sofa, a long coffee table and a six-foot flat screen television mounted on the wall. In every corner of the room were built-in speakers, part of an expensive surround sound audio system he’d had installed the year before. Adorning the walls were several photographs mounted in thin black metal frames of all sizes, carefully spaced out and illuminated by a number of spotlights strategically suspended from the ceiling.
Gary walked over and stood before one of the larger framed photos. This was his favorite shot by far. It captured her beauty in a natural way: no makeup, disheveled hair, and those enchanting brown eyes gazing ever so imploringly. She was fully clothed in an old sweatshirt and sweatpants that concealed the rest of her, which only added to the provocative effect of the shot. It made no difference what was underneath her clothes; her lovely face made it inconsequential.
Megan Kendall was a goddess.
He sipped at his whiskey and moved on to the next photo. Megan was taking a swig of water, her lips pressed sensuously against the rim of the glass. Even in this simple, everyday act, she looked ravishing. He tried to imagine those parted lips pressed gently against his own, their sweetness and softness arousing his senses to heights he’d never known.
He continued studying the photos, moving casually, pausing longer at some than others. By the time he had made his way around the perimeter of the room, he was intoxicated with anticipation and excitement.
Megan Kendall would soon be his.
He thought back to the last time he had been obsessed with such a beautiful woman. It wasn’t that long ago, really. But that obsession had been nothing like this. Of all the women he had ever pursued, Megan Kendall was by far the most alluring and most difficult to manage. Megan had the unique ability to make him feel weak and powerful at the same time. Weak because of the spell she had cast over him, yet powerful because he knew how to get past his weakness and prevail over her ultimately.
The hunt, the shoot, the kill.
He drained his drink and went down to the kitchen to pour another one. On his way back upstairs, his cellphone vibrated. It was Jennifer Stowell again. He debated whether or not to take the call. He didn’t feel like speaking to her now, but at the same time figured, why not? He pressed the answer button.
“Jennifer,” he greeted. “What’s up?”
“I’ll cut to the chase, Gary. I’m lonely and horny as hell. How would you like some company tonight?”
What he loved so much about the redheaded beauty was her directness. The girl never minced words and always knew how to come to the point.
“Hmm, I don’t know, Jennifer. I’m pretty whipped. I just got back from a business trip and was actually thinking about turning in early.”
“I’ve got something to take care of your fatigue. It’s white and powdery and comes complete with a hot body,” she teased.
He considered the offer. The prospect of doing a couple of lines of coke and bedding down with Jennifer Stowell was not easy to pass up. Especially in his present state of mind. If he could forsake his obsession with Megan for an entire night in the midst of being this close to victory, he would feel invincible!
“You had to go and put it that way, didn’t you?”
“I know what makes you tick, sweetie,” she purred. “So what do you say? I can be there in half an hour.”
“Okay, you’ve broken me down. But do me a favor and pick up a bottle of wine of your choice, okay? I’m all out and I know you’re going to want some.”
“No problem. See you soon!”
He disconnected, took a strong belt of whiskey and proceeded to the Workroom. He plopped down on the sofa, reached for the remote, and turned everything on. The DVD he wanted was already mounted. He hit the play button.
A moment later, the image of Megan Kendall appeared on the screen. She was in bed with her husband, wearing her short, skimpy T-shirt. Jamison stared in fascination as she brought her arms up over her head, removed the shirt and sat fully nude for a moment in the weak glow of the lamp light. When she turned to embrace her husband, Gary imagined himself in his place. He was the one now feeling her warm, firm breasts pressed hard against his chest, her sweet lips kissing him passionately. As he reached over and turned off the lamp, he felt her climb on top of him and hold him tightly for dear life, as though their world would never end.
He was suddenly able to see himself in the eerie green glow that now appeared on the screen. He was in two places at once: sitting there watching himself with Megan Kendall from afar and simultaneously feeling her warm body in his arms under the covers. She slowly reached down and took him in her hand, caressing him in her own special way. He could feel himself breathing hard, so hard that he feared he might lose control.
As their lovemaking continued, Gary was in a state of utter euphoria. He had won the prize and she was with him at last. All of the planning, all of the necessary steps that had needed to be taken, all of the waiting he had patiently endured had finally resulted in the ultimate consummation. Megan was all his now, for as long as he wanted.
He was da man!
Moments later, feeling wasted and satisfied, Gary turned off all of the devices and left the room. He noted the time as he poured himself another drink, realizing that Jennifer would be there any minute. Aware of what the remainder of the night held in store, he took his drink into the living ro
om and plopped down on the sofa.
Jennifer Stowell was one of several women he kept on a string. She was gorgeous to a fault, but he had at one point begun to tire of her incessant begging for a serious relationship with him. So he had laid it all out on the line to Ms. Stowell. He told her point-blank that he had no desire to date her exclusively, per se, and if that was what she wanted, then they should quit seeing each other at once. He was not the marrying kind, he told her, and wouldn’t be for a very long time to come. If ever. He enjoyed his freedom and only wanted a good time when he went out with a woman. Period. No strings, no commitment.
At first, Jennifer had gotten pathetically dramatic and started to cry. This only pissed him off and she knew it. So she dried up quickly and told him that she wasn’t looking for a husband, either. She wanted to have fun, too, but she didn’t like the idea of sharing him with other women. He promptly put that into perspective and informed her that this wasn’t going to happen either. He loved women and the more he went out with, the merrier. Take it or leave it.
As odd as it seemed at the time, she suddenly did a one-eighty. She got excited by all of his bravado, and without another word they had started to get it on. Their sex had never been better and she had even said so when it was over. It was at that moment he suddenly realized just how powerful his control over women truly was. There was Jennifer, lying there buck naked and spent, who only moments ago had all but demanded that he be a one-woman man.
Was that control, or what?
This had all occurred a couple of years ago. Since then, he and Jennifer had gotten together on numerous occasions—every time for drugs and sex. She was a serious cokehead and if he really gave two shits about her, he would suggest that she go into rehab. But what the hell, the drugs made her even wilder in bed and as long as she was the one that brought the goods, who was he to turn it down? He wasn’t that crazy about drugs, but made an exception when it was part of a package deal, as it was with Jennifer. When he was high on coke, he felt vulnerable, however—as if he could lose control at any moment. He didn’t like that feeling, even when he was enjoying himself. There was just too much at stake.
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