Beauty and the Boss (Modern Fairytales) (12 page)

“Maggie…” he said, his face closed off.

She laughed lightly. “And the worst part is, I can never tell what you’re thinking. You say you need me with one breath, but with the next you act as if you wouldn’t even blink if I left you. I can’t freaking read you.”

For a few seconds, he didn’t move, didn’t acknowledge her words at all. She thought he would leave without answering. But he dropped his shirt and climbed back into the bed. Cupping her face, he smiled at her gently. He didn’t look anything like the beast that had once roamed the halls of the office, looking for prey.

“I can usually read your reactions,” he said, “but I can’t predict them ahead of time. And that’s new for me. So we’re both in uncharted territory, here. And I don’t like to let people in, either. I don’t really know how. No one ever let me in, so I didn’t want to, either.”

She pressed her lips together. “And yet you want me to do it for you?”

“Because I’m doing it for you.” He let out a long breath. “With you, I drop all my acts and pretenses. I’m the real me. The one I’ve become so good at hiding. Gales don’t show emotion. It’s just not done. And once my dad died, I stopped. I’ve been trying to be this person I’m not, but around you—I can be
me
, Maggie. You have no idea how fucking good that feels.” He ran his thumb over her jaw. “But I’m not trying to hurt you, and I don’t want a
weapon
to use against you. If you trust me, and let me in, I swear not to use that against you. That’s the last thing I’d do. I want to make you happy, not sad.”

Her heart lurched, and she swallowed hard, finally locking gazes with him. “Benjamin…”

“Let me try something.” He closed his eyes, and when he looked at her again…she forgot to breathe. What she saw there was honesty, and
happiness
. For the first time, he opened himself up to her. “There. I’m letting you in too, see? So we both have a weapon in our hands, ready to strike or lay down on the floor. What do you say about that?”

Her heart raced. It was time to let go of the past hurts and to trust Benjamin. Time to take a chance again. Wrapping her fingers around his wrists, she nodded once. “Drop it on the floor.”

“Done.” His hold on her tightened. “What about you? Will you stop pushing me away every time I get too close?”

“Yes.” She bit her lip. “I promise.”

Grinning, he wrapped her in his arms and rolled her beneath him. Her heart thudded against her ribs, hard and quick, and he slid his hand under her butt. “I won’t make you sorry. I swear it.”

He kissed her, and she clung to that statement, and to the way he made her feel. For the first time in years she let herself hope that something as impossible as a happy ending between the two of them could happen. And she didn’t let go.

She took a
chance
.

Chapter Thirteen

T
wo days later, the town car pulled up in front of the Richard Rogers Theatre, and Benjamin stole a glance at Maggie. After their talk the other night, they made love again, and he held her till she fell asleep. And amazingly enough, he’d spent the night, too.

And he hadn’t let her go.

The next night, they went to a gala, and she did great. His mother hadn’t been at that one, so for the most part they were able to relax and enjoy one another—she even made a few friends. Elizabeth had been there again, but she hadn’t had a chance to get him alone. She’d simply stared from a distance, her icy blue glare zeroed in on Maggie.

She had barely noticed, though. She’d been too busy dazzling everyone around her…including
him
. The more time Benjamin spent with her, the more sure he became of the decision he’d made when he’d begged—yes, he wasn’t too proud to admit he’d begged—her to let him in. This feeling he had in his gut, the one that wouldn’t go away no matter how hard he tried to shove it down?

He had an inkling what it would turn into given time, if he let it.

It was too soon to be sure, but this feeling was strong, and could really become something huge. Life changing. He should probably be worried about that, or at least a little bit apprehensive about taking something fake and turning it into something real, but he wasn’t.

It felt
right
.

Maggie picked up her purse and held it to her chest. She wore a soft pink dress, and a pair of black heels. Her hair was swept to the side, with loose strands escaping to frame her face. Effortlessly beautiful, as always. “What are we seeing, again? I can’t remember.”

“I forget the name, but it’s a show about choices. It’s off Broadway now, but it’s a special performance for charity.” He opened the door and climbed out into the brisk night. “It’s about a woman and the way two parallel lives play out based on a decision she makes in the beginning of the show.”

She slid her hand into his and let him help her out onto the sidewalk. “Wow, okay.”

“What?”

“Well, it just kind of reminds me of the other night at my place. That was a pretty big choice Friday night, right?” She shot him a nervous smile, as if uncertain of her words. “We both decided to take this thing we have, roll with it, and hope for the best.”

He swallowed hard and squeezed her fingers. “Yeah, we did, didn’t we?”

Something flashed across her expression, and for once he couldn’t read it. “I—”

“Well, look who it is. The happy lovebirds,” his mother said from behind him. “How…
sweet
.”

She obviously found it anything but, though that didn’t take rocket science to figure out. She’d spent all weekend leaving him messages that told him exactly how much she disliked his choice of fiancée.

Oh-the-fuck-well.

Maggie made him happy, and for once that was all he was going to worry about. His mother wanted him to settle down and become serious with someone, so fine. He had. If she didn’t like who he picked, too damn bad.

“Mother.” He turned and embraced her, kissing her temple, like she’d instructed him to do as soon as he was old enough to show “love” properly in public. She patted his back, like always. “How lovely to see you. No one told me you were coming.”

“It was a last minute decision.” She eyed Maggie, and he could practically hear her calculating all her weaknesses, and figuring out where it would be best to strike. It was what she did. Who she was. Who he’d been, too—until Maggie showed him a different way. “Your brother had an extra ticket.”

He threw his arm around Maggie’s shoulder protectively. “Lovely.”

“Yes, that’s how Andrew is.” She finally looked away from Maggie and gave him a hard stare. “Always sharing what he has with those he cares about.”

“Benjamin.” Andrew came up behind her as if on cue. “Good to see you.”

“Hey.” He hugged his brother before stepping back to Maggie’s side. He entwined fingers with her. “We missed you at the gala last night,” Benjamin said.

“Something came up last minute.” He side-eyed their mother, who remained impassively still, then he turned to Maggie. “You must be Ms. Donovan.”

“Maggie.” She offered a hand. “And you must be the brother I’ve heard so much about. You work in the other Gale Incorporated office downtown, right?”

Andrew bowed over her hand. “Indeed.”

“It’s lovely meeting you,” she said, smiling.

“Likewise.” Andrew grinned back. “Let me introduce you to my wife. She’s over there, in black.”

“Of course she is,” Maggie said softly. “I’d love to meet her.”

“I’ll wait here,” Benjamin said, reluctantly letting go of her hand.

Maggie and Andrew wandered off together, and he watched them go. If she showed any signs of needing rescue, he’d be at her side in two seconds flat.

But he had a feeling she’d be fine. His brother wasn’t the enemy.

His mother sighed and shifted on her feet impatiently, reminding him of who was. “I assume you got my messages, Benjamin? All twenty-six of them?”

“I did.” He tugged on his tie. “Sorry, we’ve been busy socializing all weekend, and introducing Maggie to everyone, so I didn’t have a chance to return your calls.”

“How delightful,” she said drily. “I’m sure they all
adore
her.”

“They do,” he said defensively.

“Did you listen to my messages at all?” She switched her purse to her other hand, her motions jerky. “Obviously, you didn’t. After all, she remains at your side, despite my numerous warnings.”

And that was what annoyed her the most. That she couldn’t control him. It wouldn’t work this time, and that
killed
her.

Maggie spoke with Andrew quietly, so Benjamin finally glanced away and gave his mother his full attention. “Oh, I heard every word. You wanted me to settle down. I did. I found a woman who makes me happy, and now you want me to leave her and find someone that doesn’t. Does that sum it up?”

“Happy?” She let out a dainty snort. “What a silly, fleeting concept.”

“I used to think so, too. But then I met her.” Maggie glanced over and gave him a small smile. He smiled back. “And I saw how wrong I was.”

“You’re actually serious,” she said, horror tingeing her voice. “About this…this…
woman
?”

“Dead serious.” He tugged on his jacket sleeves so they hit at the same exact spot on his wrists. “Funny how life works, huh? Right when you decided you’d had enough of me being single, I met her, and fell in love. It all just kind of works out.”

She made a small sound. “She is
not
acceptable. You need to marry someone of good breeding. Someone like Elizabeth. Someone who can bring something to the table besides her skills in the bedroom.”

“Don’t talk about her like that,” he snapped, fighting the urge to tell his mother to piss off—and stay the hell out of his life. He watched Maggie charm his brother and sister-in-law, and forced a calm breath. “I’m not with her because of anything she gives me. I’m with her because she makes me happy. And because I adore her.”

“Even if that’s true, what can she possibly offer you in return?”

“Herself. Just herself.” He uncurled his fists. “Turns out that’s all I need. Now, if you’ll excuse me?”

His mother stepped in front of him, cutting Maggie off from his line of sight. “Don’t be a fool. Settling down with a woman like her is as good as not settling down at all. I didn’t fight as hard as I did, for as long as I did, to keep your inheritance intact, only to watch you squander it away on a gold digger. Pick someone with an appropriate background, or I’ll do everything in my power to unseat you as CEO. And I swear to God, I
will
win
.”

What had happened to her to make her so bitter? So jaded? He’d asked her once, but she had looked down her nose at him, huffed, and said,
life
. “Andrew doesn’t even want my job. He told me so.” He shoved his hands into his pockets and forced a calm expression. “Your threats are empty, Mother. You have no play to make here, so I’m calling your bluff. The truth is, I just don’t believe you anymore.”

“Why do you think Andrew was with me last night, then, if he’s not ‘interested’?” She laughed. “You foolish boy. I had the highest paid members of the board, their wives,
and
your brother over for dinner last night—while you were playing house with that woman.”

His gut clenched tight, making him feel sick to his stomach. “What?”

“The motion has already begun. I’d hoped to knock some sense into you, but if you insist on this foolhardy plan to marry someone without a penny to her name…you’ll be finished. Ruined.” She crossed her arms. “And you’ll have no one to blame but yourself.”

He stepped back, unable to believe she’d actually initiated the no confidence vote against him. Her own
son
. “Why do you hate me so much?”

“I told you I was willing to do what needs to be done to protect the things I care about the most,” she said, ignoring his question. “I refuse to watch you ruin the company to which I dedicated my whole life, because you found a woman who makes you
happy.
”

The things she
cared
about. He, obviously, was not one of them.

“Why is being happy so damn bad? Actually, never mind.” He laughed, an angry, bitter noise. His mother wasn’t just upset with him, or disappointed in him for his failure. No, she
hated
him. Actually
hated
him. “What kind of mother are you?”

She lifted her chin. “The kind who will stop at nothing to win. What kind of son are you? Oh, dear. We already know the answer to that, don’t we? You’re a wastrel and a scoundrel who is too busy to come to his dying father’s bedside.”

That stung like a bitch, and the all too familiar cloak of guilt suffocated him, choking the breath out of his lungs. “Wow. Guess the gloves are off now.”

“They’ve been off,” she admitted, smoothing her short brown hair. “You’ve just never noticed before.”

He took a step closer, anger rising inside of him like an unstoppable tidal wave. “I’ve done nothing but try to make this company my life. To try to make up for not being there. I’ve never wavered from doing my best for the company, and I am one hundred percent committed to the success of my father’s life work, even if I didn’t…” He shook his head slowly. “I was practically a kid when he died. You can’t hold that against me for the rest of my life.”

Maggie wrapped up her talk with Andrew, shook hands with Sarah, and made her way over to him, smiling and waving. He lifted a hand in reply.

“I can, and I will.” His mother noticed and stepped closer, lowering her voice, but not answering his question. “You have until Monday night to lose the girl. If you don’t, I’ll move forward on my motion. Enjoy the show.”

She walked over to Andrew, completely ignored Maggie as she passed, then smiled and hugged her favorite son. Anger, pain, and shock rocked him hard. His mother was always threatening shit, but this was the first time she’d actually gone so far as to get things moving, or actually given him a deadline to do her bidding…or pay the price.

He had to lose Maggie, or risk losing his job.

If she had enough votes—it could happen. He could lose his rightful position as head of Gale Incorporated. And all because…what? He hadn’t picked a socialite to marry. Because he made a mistake years ago, while he’d still been in college?

No
. There had to be more to the story. Some reason that people besides his mother were prepared to kick him out. What was he
missing
?

“Everything okay over here?” Maggie asked, stopping in front of him. She cocked her head. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Not a ghost, exactly.” He said, still staring at his mother. She stared right back at him, looking way too pleased with herself. “It’s nothing.”

Now wasn’t the time to talk to her about this. He needed to think. To figure out his next move. If it came down to his job or her…he’d be forced to make a choice. But first he wanted to understand
why
.

“It obviously isn’t nothing. You’re upset.” Maggie followed his line of sight. “What did she say to you?”

“Just the usual.” He squared his shoulders and got his shit together. He was showing his mother that she’d gotten to him, and he couldn’t afford to do that right now. Holding his hand out for hers, he asked, “Ready to go in?”

“Ah, there it is again,” she said softly, without moving.

“There what is?”

“The beast.” She bit the corner of her lip. “You don’t have to talk to me if you don’t want to, and I won’t pressure you to tell me what she said, but it’s okay to be upset. You can let me see it. Let me in.”

His heart twisted, and he stepped closer to her. Smoothing her hair out of her face, he shook his head. “You said you couldn’t read me.”

“I guess I’m a little better at it.” She rested her hands on his chest and stared up at him, her gray eyes matching the stormy sky above them. “Tell me the truth. Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” He covered her hands with his and squeezed. “I’ll be fine.”

“Still want to go in?”

He glanced over her head. His mother watched them closely, her shrewd stare not wavering in the slightest. She was even better than
he
was at hiding his emotions. If he left now, she’d see that she’d rattled him. He refused to give her that satisfaction.

“Yes. Let’s go see the show. I’ve heard it’s excellent.”

She nodded once, not pressuring for more. As they headed for the doors, she asked, “Want me to go say ‘whore’ to her, so you can watch her faint from the vulgar language from her son’s even more vulgar fiancée?”

He blinked down at her. The mental image of Andrew flailing at his mother’s side, fanning her cheeks like a good little son, and everyone else running around like chickens with their heads chopped off, played out in his mind. “I—” He chuckled and then broke into laughter fully, cutting off midsentence. And there was no stopping it once it started.

When he tried, he only laughed
harder
.