***
I DIDN’T SLEEP
at all last night. After deciding I’d contact Bryer on Friday, I’m having second thoughts now that it’s here.
When I enter the office I see Clayton.
“What, no clients banging down your door for your expertise?” He smiles as he sits in front of his computer.
“No, I have a two hour break in between clients, smart ass.” I’m not really in the mood for a war of wits today.
“You’ve really been a dick lately.” He grins but never takes his eyes off the screen. “I see Bryer’s still on for your noon appointment tomorrow.”
“I know. I thought she might cancel, but she hasn’t.” Yet another reason why I need to speak to her today.
“You mean she didn’t swoon at your feet when you got out your magic ‘get me laid’ guitar?”
“Clayton! Jesus, why do I tell you anything? No, it didn’t fucking work.” I sigh. “Being without her has ripped me apart, and the fact she won’t talk to me is killing me.”
“Just show up, dinner, wine in hand, and ask to speak with her.”
Like it will be that easy.
“Bryer’s different. She respects herself too much to let some lame explanation make it all better.”
“Tell her how you feel. It’s like the wind. You can’t see it but you can feel it.”
“What the hell was that?”
“I have my moments,” he brags.
Not that I’m taking Claytons advice exactly, but I’m going after what I want. Bryer needs to know that I’ll fight for her.
I dial her number, praying she answers, and she does.
“Don’t hang up,” I say.
“Okay.”
“I’m coming over, Bryer”
“That’s bold, Nathan.”
“That would be me, and I’m coming over tonight.” My voice grows louder and I mean business. “Clearly you disagree with me. If I increase my volume, will that change your mind?”
“Nathan I—”
“No, Bryer. Tonight is happening.
Silence, then I hear a small sigh of agreement.
Better.
“Well hell. Fine.” She surrenders.
“I’ll be there in thirty.” I hang up before she can change her mind.
While climbing the stairs to her apartment, I lose some of my mojo as several scenarios play out in my mind. But I shake it off. I knock, hard and loud.
The door opens, but she doesn’t speak.
“It’s time.” I step inside. Her eyes scan my body, which I take as a good sign. “Tonight, we talk.”
She looks stunning in tight jeans and a cream colored blouse. Was she going somewhere? That thought takes the wind out of me.
I turn to her and take both of her hands in mine.
“Couch?” My tone softens.
I guide her to her corner, where I know she feels safe, and I sit next to her. I’m trying to appear calm, but I’m seriously stressing out.
“Bryer, I know I’ve jeopardized everything.” My eyes plead with her to hear me out. “But this situation is not black and white.”
She nods, but tears cloud her eyes. The last thing I want to do is to keep hurting her. I take her hands in mine again and she doesn’t resist.
“You’ve changed the way I feel about relationships. I need what only you can provide. Please hear me out. What you saw was not what it looked like.”
Her expression remains blank, so I keep talking.
“I was playing a dangerous game of manipulation with a viper. One I wish you hadn’t witnessed. Camilla perceived my apology as a green light. But I stopped it fast. I told her the truth. That I only consented to train her to impress my father.
“I tried to be sympathetic. but I was clear I always have these types of relationships with women. Brief and no commitment. I told her that upfront, but she fell into her distorted version of the truth. She only saw what she wanted to see. Then you walked in.”
I hope Bryer understands what I’m trying to say.
“Instantly, my priority changed to you as I watched you run.” I attempt to put the right words together. “I knew this was dangerous. But I thought I could make her go away without there being a war, and also without disappointing my father.”
“Did you?” Bryer asks.
“Definitely not one of my better calls. I did finish the talk with her. I told her I was seeing someone special and I wouldn’t do anything to risk it. She didn’t take it well. I also told her if she brought our fathers into this again, there would be blood. I gave her the option to train with Clayton, or leave. She chose Clayton. I truly hope this is the end of her.”
I realize Bryer’s eyes have never left me.
“My turn, I guess?” she whispers shyly.
“Yes, please.”
She clears her throat. “This was wrong on so many levels. When I walked into the room, I was frozen. What I saw, the body language between the two of you, I felt betrayed.”
“Bryer—”
“Please don’t. Just don’t.” Her voice holds pain, not anger. “What I saw and heard was extremely upsetting, and every part of me wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt, but your actions spoke louder than words.”
She pauses to wipe a tear from her eye. It takes everything inside of me to hold back and not cradle her in my arms.
“Remember, we once discussed my past relationships. You know I had one that ended over infidelity. He broke my heart, destroyed my trust, and damaged my self-esteem. I know seeing you with Camilla triggered those old feelings. I didn’t want to hear your explanation because the pain was too familiar. I needed time to sort it out on my own.”
“I’m sorry. I fucked up. I’ve been waiting for you for so long without even knowing it. I want you back. I want a second chance to fix this in any way possible. Just tell me what I can do?”
“Nathan, I’ve never stopped wanting you. I just don’t know if I can trust you.” The look on her face scares me.
“Do I hear a but coming?” My head hangs down and I think the worst.
“Not a ‘but’ exactly. I need patience. Time to rebuild my faith in us, in you. Let us grow and learn how to take care of our needs and insecurities together.”
My gaze lifts to meet hers. I’m hoping that I understand her correctly, because it sounds like I just got my second chance. “Baby, nothing made any sense when you were gone. I was in hell without you. I’m so very sorry.”
“Hold me, Nathan.” she says, overcome with emotion.
“That can definitely be arranged.” I take her in my arms and hold on tight.
“You look like shit,’ she whispers, snuggled against me.
“I’ll have you know this is the best I’ve looked in days.”
I tilt her face up and our lips almost touch while I breathe her in. “Jesus, Bryer.” Our lips gently brush together and a small moan escapes her. “You’re so beautiful.”
“The sex whisperer,” she says. “You are charming.”
“I’m charming?’
“You ooze charm, Nathan.”
I’m such a fucking bastard, because passion stirs in every part of my body, and now I’m only thinking of one thing. I want her under me. And my heart starts to beat a little faster.
I have to stop, because I won’t make love to her tonight. It’s time to nurture the woman I hurt. So I pull back. “Only with you.” I take a deep breath “Can I stay?”
“Yes, for a while.”
I’ll take it.
It feels like I’m home, healed, and freed all at once. “I have an idea. You can watch any chick flick you like. Just let me hold you. I’ll be watching you the entire time anyway.” I smile at the thought of having her in my arms again.
She chooses
The Lucky One
with Zach Efron, who I know she thinks is pretty hot. But that doesn’t concern me.
“You feel so right in my arms,” I say. Life’s moving in the right direction again. The world has been lifted off my shoulders. I can’t wait to get back to the place we were before, but I know I have to take it slow. The credits are rolling but I’m still staring at her.
“Did you like the movie?” She smiles.
“Yes, Zach is one of my favorite actors,” I tease.
She rolls her eyes.
“Happily ever after,” I say. “It’s getting late. I better go, babe. I want to thank you for tonight, for allowing me to explain and being so open to our future. You do know I see a future with you, don’t you?” I place one finger under her chin and lift it so our eyes meet.
“Yes, I want that too Nathan. I do.” But I can feel she’s unsure. “Oh, and about training, let’s just schedule it as we go.”
“Anything, you want.”
“Walk me to the door, please?” I ask as I pull her from the couch. I take her into an embrace and she holds me tight. Softly, I kiss her. “Goodnight. I’ll see you soon.”
How in the hell did I get so lucky?
“Night, Nathan,” she whispers softly.
***
MONDAY COMES FAST
and I’m completely unprepared, but this is something I have to do. I arrive at the high rise in the city. A modern, chrome building. Reading the register reveals M & M Global Research is on the 20
th
floor. So I take the elevator up to my uncle’s company.
It’s a few minutes before nine in the morning, but a receptionist is there to greet me.
“Hi, I’m Nathan James. Here to see Mackenzie James.”.
She checks her calendar and stands. “Follow me.”
In awe of the place, I head through a maze of offices. It’s sleek and modern, with windows everywhere. This screams money, which is somewhat surprising, considering Uncle Max’s style.
Finally we reach the boardroom, where my uncle is pouring himself a cup of coffee. “Nathan, you’re early. I like that. Everyone should be here soon. Coffee?”
“Yes, please.”
“Don’t look so nervous, pal. You’re their new boss. They’re the ones who should be worried, not you.”
The door opens and suit after suit steps in. “Mac, how are you?” A very distinguished man walks over and shakes hands with my uncle.
“As well as can be expected, John. I’d like you to meet Nathan James”.
I turn and extend my hand and his firm grip tells me he’s been doing this a long time.
“Why don’t we take a seat? Everyone will be here soon.”
Soon after, several more people walk in. They all take a seat and Uncle Mac takes control of the boardroom.
“Gentleman, first let me conference in our satellite offices.” Mac taps buttons on a black intercom in the middle of the table. “Is everyone here? Noah Connors, Cash Harrison, and Joseph Young, the legal team,” he confirms. He looks at me, “We have offices around the country, but you’ll only be handling the corporate office here.” He directs his focus to the rest of the room.
“It’s my honor to introduce Nathan James to you. He’ll be the new CEO, although he’ll be counting on your guidance to assist him.”
I feel a certain amount of respect from the group of men, but certainly not a welcoming vibe. I understand their thinking. Who is this inexperienced stranger stepping in as the new CEO? I’m hoping I can ease their fears. So I stand and pat Uncle Mac on the back.
“Gentleman, this position is a huge shock to me. I’m sure it is to you as well, but no one can say no to Mackenzie James. That’s why I’m here, to honor his wishes, and I will step into his shoes, but from behind the scenes. I have my own business and plan to concentrate on that first. I hope to fulfill my obligation when needed, with your guidance, of course.”
They all seemed to relax after hearing my intentions.
“We have several contracts for you,” says someone from the legal team at the satellite offices. “We’ll need to meet at some point to review them and have them finalized.”
“That’s fine. Anything Mac needs. I’ll be glad to help.”
Mac concludes the meeting and we all shake hands. He also makes sure I get all the board members’ names correct.
I go over to a counter, grab two waters, and come back to sit by my uncle. “This is quite the accomplishment, Uncle Mac. I’m thoroughly impressed. I did some research on your website, like you suggested and I have a couple questions.”
“Of course, Nathan.”
“What’s the foundation? And will I be involved in that as well?”
“The foundation was established the year your mother died. I wanted to honor Meredith in some way. She was family. Your father loved her in his own way. The three of us were friends since our college days. We all had a special connection. He didn’t have the same laid back friendship I had with her. Your father is, and always will be, a hard businessman, and it crossed over into his family life.” He shakes his head in regret.
“I understand how my father can be. That’s no surprise.”
We both smirk, knowing he can have a hard edge.
“The world is a crazy, complicated place, and it keeps moving from crisis to tragedy and back to beautiful again.” Such a typical cryptic Uncle Mac response.
“WOULD YOU LIKE
to come over tonight?”
Why am I so nervous?
“Yes.” His response makes my heart flutter.
“What time’s good for you?”
“I could be there at six?”
“It’s a date.”
“I can’t wait. I’ll see you then.” Nathan sounds excited.
***
AS I OPEN THE DOOR,
I soak him in, from his slicked back hair to his jeans. I notice every sexy bulge of muscle. And, Jesus, his scent alone provokes a pulsing throughout my body.
“Direct hit?” he asks as my eyes fly up to meet his.
How long was I gawking?
“Is that what you say to all the girls?”
“Just you, beautiful. Can I come in?” He raises his eyebrows.
“Come in.”
He grins and leans in to kiss me on the cheek, and he knows exactly what he’s doing to me. From the corner of my eye, I notice I’m getting the same treatment. His eyes brand me from head to toe. My shirt is old, faded, and tight, and my jeans are painted on to emphasize my curves. Talk about direct hits.
“You look adorable, Bryer.”
“Are you undressing me with your eyes?” My panties catch on fire.
“Jesus, you’re going to be the death of me.”
All I can think about now is this handsome, god-like man who is inches from me, and I don’t know if I can resist. Should I resist?
We make it over to the couch, and I curl up with my legs underneath me. He sits as close as possible and turns his body towards mine. Nathan brushes a strand of hair behind my ear and touches his palm to my face. His thumb slowly runs over my bottom lip. He never takes his eyes off me. It’s clear we both want this. Body, mind, and soul.