Kiss Me (15 page)

Then again, he could have handled this situation differently, too. Talking, rather than hurling accusations and misinformation, would have worked. They’d grown close after the night he’d forced her to grapple with her emotions, admit her faults, and her insecurities. She’d never felt more in tuned with another person. He’d loved her for her, or so she’d thought.

“I’ll take your silence as my answer,
J.C.
”

Appalled he would dare use the stupid nickname Mitch had given her, she rounded on him. “Don’t call me that.” Shoving him toward the door, she fought the tears blurring her vision. “Get out of my house.”

Grabbing her hands, he stopped her. “I didn’t come here to fight with you. I told you I wanted to talk about this later.”

“Oh right, after your party. Best if you kept the sleazy slut back at home, you wouldn’t want her to embarrass you,” she finished, and made sure she laid the sarcasm on thick.

“I’m not embarrassed by you,” he said and had the nerve to look appalled
by her accusation.

“Really? Well, I’m dressed and ready to go. Let me just grab my purse and we can head on out.”

Alarm crossed his face before he narrowed his eyes. “You’re not coming. Mitch will be there. So will a lot of the guys he’s told his stories to. Even if I’d known about all of this before, you wouldn’t be coming tonight. I’m up for partner, and I have a reputation to maintain.”

She hugged herself. Everything boiled down to reputations and labels. While she could deny Mitch’s lies, based on Luke’s reluctance to have her anywhere near Mitch, he’d already taken what the slug had said as the truth. Luke worried about his image within the firm over her. A part of her understood. She valued the reputation she’d worked hard to gain, and valued her status when it came to her career. But the thought that he’d callously shoved aside her feelings, believed someone else before ever talking to her, crushed and betrayed the love he’d adamantly proclaimed.

“Look, I don’t need this right now. In less than an hour I’m supposed to make an appearance at a party that might seal my career with the firm. I need to stay focused on that.”

Squeezing herself tighter, she nodded and looked away.

“Jenna,” he said and touched her shoulder.

Stepping out of reach, she turned away. She couldn’t look at him, didn’t want him touching her. For more years than she cared to remember, she’d used her body to express her emotions. To find that bit of love and hope that she wasn’t given as a child and teenager. During those painful years, she’d searched for that special touch, that emotional connection, and she’d thought she’d found it with Luke. But she’d been wrong. He didn’t value what they’d shared the way she did. He didn’t love her or accept her for who she truly is or was, and now no longer had the right to touch her.

As far as she was concerned, they were through. She might have been wrong, and should have told him the truth about her past when she’d had the chance. But she couldn’t be with a man who had zero faith in her. Luke believed Mitch, took what he’d heard in the hallway at the youth center and made his own assumptions. While a part of her couldn’t blame him for his reaction, she’d expected better of him.

He opened the door. A hot breeze blew into the foyer. “I’ll call you tomorrow and we can talk then.”

“Don’t bother.” She glanced over her shoulder. While it pained her to do so, because she loved Luke more than she’d ever thought she’d be capable of loving someone, she had to set him straight. “There’s nothing more to discuss.”

Frowning, he narrowed his eyes. “Are you saying we’re —”

“Through? Yes, now go.”

“Jenna, I just need time to digest this.”

He’d wanted time to
digest
what he’d learned? There was nothing to digest. He either loved her or he didn’t. The “I need to think about this” stuff didn’t work for her. She liked neat and tidy, but had chosen to let things become messy. But this was a stain on her heart and soul that could never be erased, a mess that she, for once, wasn’t about to clean. She couldn’t be with someone who was embarrassed to be seen with her, and more worried about his image than her feelings. No matter how much it hurt.

“Digest all you want, but watch out for heartburn,” she said, and shut the door in his face.

Moments later he squealed out of the driveway. She dropped to the floor, and curled her knees to her chest. Swiping tears from her eyes, she hugged her legs. She’d always believed nothing good could ever come from love and commitment. She’d seen it with her parents, had a near miss with Mitch, but Luke…

Tonight, he’d reconfirmed that belief.

There’s no such thing as true love, and she’d be damned if she ever let herself believe such utter nonsense again.

Music and laughter floated from the backyard of Peter Walsh’s estate. Luke slowed his pace as he approached the open gate. He’d rather be anywhere else, but unfortunately, making an appearance at Peter’s party was an absolute must.

The board and partners considered the firm one big happy family. Luke knew otherwise, that the boasted family image was simply good PR and there was no work-life-balance within the firm. But he’d never missed a function, because image and presence was everything if you wanted to move up in the ranks at Dryscal & Myers.

The fight he’d had with Jenna, and the finality of their relationship looming in his heart, had him wishing he didn’t give a rat’s ass about his image or reputation. Then again, if he didn’t, they might have never fought in the first place.

Or would they?

He stopped short of the entrance into the backyard. Rocking on his heels, he pivoted, then paced the brick walkway. Maybe he was a hypocrite, but he wasn’t sure if he could ever overcome what he’d learned about Jenna. Regardless that she’d led a wild life, had been sexually active — very sexually active according to Mitch — he wasn’t sure if he could look at her the same again. The image he’d held of her was now tainted with debauchery and decadence. He couldn’t shake the thought of her engaging in a threesome, not to mention some of the other lewd acts Mitch had described.

How could she? How could she have misled him, lied to him? He’d loved her, cared for her, wanted to share his home and life with her. All of that shattered the instant he’d learned the truth. Instead of admitting her faults, apologizing for her depravities and fabrications, she’d actually had the nerve to act as if this was his fault.

Because you were wrong
, his conscience prodded.
You should have had all the facts before confronting her.

He kicked the grass with the toe of his shoe. “Bullshit,” he muttered, as his stomach twisted and his chest tightened. He’d loved her. Loved her so much. He’d thought he knew her. Thought what they had shared was solid, forever. He’d trusted her, had droned on about his past, while she’d said nothing about hers. She’d lied to him…about her father, where she’d been raised.

She’d become his world in such a short time, and he wasn’t sure if he’d ever overcome the loss. But he had to. She’d slammed the door in his face, just as her lies had on their future.

Drawing in a deep breath, he moved toward the gate again, then paused. He hadn’t wanted to end their relationship tonight. A few days to absorb
what he’d learned was what he’d needed. Why did everything have to be so black and white with her?

“It’s not that bad, is it?” Jay’s wife, Julie, asked as she approached, then kissed him on the cheek.

“I don’t know. I haven’t gone in yet.” He shook Jay’s hand, glad for the distraction. “Are you ready for this?”

Jay smiled. “After you.”

Together they entered the backyard and were immediately bombarded by servers carrying wine, beer and appetizers. As they wove their way through the crowd, Julie latched onto his arm.

“Where’s your girlfriend? I’ve been anxious to meet her.”

The knot in his stomach grew. “She has a migraine.”

Julie winced. “Ooo, those are the worst. I used to get them when I was pregnant. Just awful.”

“What’s awful?” Mitch butted in from out of nowhere.

“N-nothing,” Julie stammered. “Have we met?”

“I don’t think so. I’m Mitch Cassidy.” He brought her hand to his mouth and brushed his lips along her knuckles. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I had no idea Jay had such a beautiful wife.”

Julie jerked her hand away. “Jay does and that’s all that matters.” She turned her back on Mitch and mouthed “slime ball.”

Luke’s respect for Julie grew tenfold. Although slime ball didn’t cover half of what he thought of Mitch.

“Hey, bud,” Mitch said and elbowed him. “Don’t tell me you’re solo tonight. I was really looking forward to meeting your girlfriend.”

For a split second, Luke couldn’t see straight. Anger and rage blurred his vision. He despised Mitch. His loose lips, his arrogant attitude, and the outright pleasure he took in twisting the knife in his already wounded heart.

As much as he’d love to knock Mitch flat on his ass, he reined in his temper and smiled. “Sorry, Mitch. Jenna isn’t feeling well tonight.”

“What a shame. I’m sure we would have really hit off.”

“I doubt that,” Luke mumbled as he raised a beer to his lips.

“What was that?” Mitch asked, and narrowed his eyes. “I don’t think I heard you right.”

As Luke was about to tell Mitch to go to hell, Sheila, Peter Walsh’s young, pretty wife, approached them. “Luke, it’s good to see you again,” she said, and clasped his hand. After greeting Julie and Jay, she turned to Mitch. “Can you help me with that “thing” we’d talked about earlier?”

Mitch sent him a wink, then offered Sheila his arm. “Of course.”

“Nice seeing you all, enjoy the party,” Sheila said as she let Mitch lead her toward the house.

“Whadya make of that?” Jay asked, and adjusted his glasses.

Julie nudged him. “Don’t be crass.”

“What?”

“Never mind. Let’s go find the real food,” she said, and dragged him away.

Jay simply shrugged and let his wife take him toward the buffet table.

Luke stood for a moment, sipped his beer, and scoped the crowd. Within seconds, he found Margie Benson and…Gwen. Margie looked like he felt. As if she’d rather be anywhere but here.

He’d known Margie for only a few months, spent more time on the phone with her than in person, but had come to learn her body language. Caught her superficial smile, the jerky head nodding, and the way she searched the crowd as if looking for a lifeline.

As he approached, Margie widened her eyes, then sent him a big grin. “Luke, it’s so good to see you. I was just telling Gwen how wonderful it’s been working with you.” She embraced him, then whispered, “Get her away from me.”

“Gwen,” he said after Margie pulled away, and tried hard not to stare. He’d never seen a sundress with shoulder pads and briefly wondered if she’d sewn them in or if she’d had the dress special ordered.

Gwen snorted, and straightened her posture. “Luke.” She nodded, then turned back to Margie. “I see they have the buffet table ready for dinner. Would you care to join me?”

Margie shifted her gaze to Luke. “Maybe later.”

Man, as shitty as the day had turned out, he loved the way things were going now. Gwen didn’t seem to know what to do. Her gaze shifted all over the backyard, then she sent him a narrowed-eyed glare before she smiled at Margie. “We’ll talk later.”

When Gwen walked away, Margie turned to him and said, “Please tell me I don’t have to encounter that woman anymore tonight.”

He placed a hand on his chest. “You have my word.”

“Lord, how can you stand to work with her?” she asked, then sipped her wine.

He shrugged. “I’m a glutton for punishment.”

She drained her glass. “More like a masochist.”

Laughing, he nodded. “Can I get you another glass of wine?”

“God, no. Peter Walsh has more money than his blonde plaything knows what to do with, throws a fancy backyard barbeque with ice sculptures, musicians, caterers, yet serves cheap-ass wine. I’ve drank better out of a brown paper bag.”

Caught off guard by Margie’s blunt comment, he choked on his beer, then quickly looked around to see if anyone had heard her.

She smiled and set her empty glass on the stone wall next to his beer bottle. “You’ve really gotta stop worrying about what everyone thinks. If I had, I’d never have taken my father’s company to where it is today.”

That hit a dark chord considering he was alone tonight and had possibly lost Jenna because of his concern over his image and reputation. “I don’t.”

Eyeing him with skepticism, she took his arm and began to walk him away from the crowd. “Then why do you look like your cat died.” Petite and barely five foot two, she craned her neck to look up at him. “And where’s that psychologist girlfriend of yours. I was hoping she could verify whether or not I’m as crazy as everyone says I am.”

Chuckling, he led her to a bench and offered her a seat. Deciding to stick with his story regarding Jenna’s absence, he said, “Unfortunately, Jenna came down with a migraine, so she’ll have to tell you how crazy you are some other time.”

“Smartass,” she laughed. “Well, you looked all gloom and doom when you arrived. At least until you saw me. Must be the new do.” She touched her short, strawberry blonde hair.

Margie was one of a kind. Pushing sixty, she could still give a forty year old a run for her money. “Mrs. Benson, I hope you’re not flirting with me. Because this would go against our corporate policy, and I’d have to find someone else from the firm to handle your account.”

“I hate to break it to you, but even though your thirty years younger, you still couldn’t hold a candle to my darling husband,” she said, her tone playful, before she grew serious. “Besides, you might have to anyway.”

He faced her. She had the fine lines consistent for her age, but her skin was still remarkably smooth, except for the crinkling of her forehead as she frowned at him. “Is this because of the discrepancies I’d discovered?” he asked.
“Any decent auditor would have found them and had to inform you.”

“Ah, but we’ve had other outside auditors. None of them had ever been able to do what you’ve managed in a few months. Did Wendy Shandler admit her mistakes to you? Is that how you learned about the missing money?”

“No, I did this on my own. Wendy has no idea I even know.” Grappling for a way to convince Margie to change her mind before she severed their relationship, he blurted, “Wendy had to have been fresh out of college when she worked for your company. The real blame belongs with your CFO. He should have checked and rechecked her work. He should —”

“Be fired?”

“I…that’s not my place to say.”

“Tactful. But now I want a blunt, honest answer. Do you agree he should be fired?”

“Yes. The mistake was too big to go unnoticed. He wasn’t doing his job and I’m worried about what other things he might have missed.”

“Thank you. Now, I’d like to know why you haven’t told Gwen about Wendy.”

He scratched the back of his head, and tried not to panic. His day had gone from bad to worse. First Mitch, then Jenna, now Margie was drilling him and possibly telling him he’d lost her business. “Wait, how do you know I haven’t?”

“Before you saved me, she’d gone on and on about Wendy, not you. Which, quite frankly, I don’t understand. Considering I was your client one would think she’d be building you up.”

“What do you mean by ‘was’ my client?”

She waved her hand. “I’ll get to that in a minute. First I want to know why you haven’t told Gwen. According to her, you and Wendy are both up for partner. You could have knocked her right out of the running with this little tidbit of information,” she finished and pierced him with her inquisitive blue eyes. “Why haven’t you?”

He rested his forearms on his knees and glanced at the crowded backyard. “Because I didn’t want to gain the promotion that way,” he admitted, then looked at her. “Your turn. Why are you dropping your business with us?”

“Oh, you misunderstand. I’m not. I want you to hire you.”

“You want to hire me?”

“Most definitely. I fired our CFO yesterday afternoon. The shareholders were none too pleased with him after this little debacle you’d brought to our attention. So now I need a new CFO,” she said with a shrug. “Are you up for the job? I know you were in line for partner, and if you’d rather stay with Dryscal & Myers, I’ll understand and of course expect you to maintain our account. But, I’d love to have you by my side as our CFO.”

He stared at Margie for a moment, waiting for the punch line. For her to laugh in his face and yell, “gotchya.” But she didn’t. Instead, she looked all business, held him enthralled and in shock with her serious, unwavering gaze.

Shoving off the bench, he paced in front of her. He knew approximately how much money the last CFO had made. Talk about a pay hike. But it was more than the money. He loved the manufacturing aspect of Margie’s business, had studied her company months prior to even introducing himself, and knew Benson Steel & Fabricating wasn’t going anywhere but up. A company with little debt, and strength in the industry, their stocks had skyrocketed over the past few years. Plus, the position would offer him more of a challenge than partnership with Dryscal & Myers, where he’d wind up babysitting people like Wendy.

Margie’s offer was still a big decision to make. Now more than ever he wished he could reach out to Jenna. He loved her logical approach to a situation, and knew she’d offer him sound advice despite her lack of knowledge of the industry. Because she understood people, and understood him.

“I know this is a big choice for you, Luke. Take your time. Not too much, though. I’d like you to handle the reinstatement, revamp our current internal auditing program and…what?”

“Margie,” he began, his stomach churning, not with the emotional turmoil he’d been feeling since his argument with Jenna, but with excitement. “Thank you for this opportunity. I’m going to accept your offer.”