Surprised by Love: A Contemporary Romance (The Armstrongs Book 4) (11 page)

The next morning, Toni woke up and it took a moment before she remembered where she was.
I’m in Douglas’s bed!

Her first impulse was to rush out of his bed, but then reminded herself she was done with running. She slowly extricated her arm from around his waist and tried to get out of the bed without waking him, but her movements stirred him and he locked both arms around her waist in a tight grip.
God, I love that possessive nature of his.

“You’re not leaving, beautiful. Are you?”

She looked at his sleepy face, love filling her heart. She swallowed back the lump in her throat. “No. I promise. I just need to use the bathroom.”

When she returned to the bedroom, he was waiting for her spread out, naked, gorgeous, and with a huge erection. She had stopped counting last night, but was surprised how he could be ready again.

Her whole body ached from their love making the night before and sex had been the last thing on her mind this morning. That was until he ordered her to come back to bed and started nibbling her neckline and down her back to her waist.

Two hours and five amazing orgasms later she protested, “If I don’t get anything to eat soon, I’ll starve.”

Douglas watched her for a moment, as if he had to think about her request and then placed a tender kiss on her nose. “Okay, I’ll make breakfast, but only because I don’t like skinny women without curves.”

He chuckled when she insisted on wrapping her robe around her body before leaving the bedroom. She knew it was silly, her feeble attempt at modesty, but she couldn’t help it. It was just who she was.

Over breakfast, they discussed their situation and the various options that could make it work.

“I think you would make an excellent CFO of Stronger Constructions, and you’ve already proven you know what you’re doing.”

Toni shook her head, “No way. It would be—”

“Please, at least hear me out.”

Toni sighed and nodded.

“Good. What I’m suggesting is that you would be the CFO. You wouldn’t be reporting to me, but to the board of directors. You would have final say on all the financial stuff. Not just single projects, but the entire company.”

Toni listened to him with big eyes. What he proposed would mean a huge career step for her, the step she’d been hoping to achieve in the next five years. But she didn’t want to earn that position because of her relationship with him. It wouldn’t seem right. She needed to earn it on her own merits and told Douglas, “I’m not making any promises, but I will at least think it over.”

Douglas captured her heart a little more with his next sentence. “Toni, if you want to keep working for Asia Bank, I’ll pack up my stuff and travel with you wherever you go.”

She looked at him in shock and then started laughing. “No way. That would never work. You’re not cut out to live out of a suitcase.” But she was touched that he’d made the offer. It showed her just how serious he was and she started to believe that, just maybe, this could work. Maybe they had a future together.

They finished breakfast and then settled onto the couch and watched a movie. When was the last time she’d done ‘normal stuff’ with someone? It felt good and she could get used to that.

Later, after lunch they decided to hit the malls, and Toni had never enjoyed a day more. When they arrived back at the apartment building, they moved to her place, since Patrick would be arriving back sometime later in the day. The last thing either of them wanted was to be interrupted again.

She had told Douglas about her brother and the need to make amends with him. But now that the time approached when he’d be awake back in the States, she paced around her apartment, trying to not look at her phone. Douglas, of course, caught her putting things of and gently forced her to go through with her plan.

***

“Russell?”

“Antonia? Is that you?”

“Yeah. Uhm… how have you been?” Now that she had him on the phone, she couldn’t form a complete sentence.

“Fine. How about you?” It was evident in his voice that he felt the same awkwardness she did.

“I’m good. I work for Asia Bank and spend most of the year travelling around to different parts of Asia.”

“You’re calling me from Asia?” her brother asked.

“Yes. Malaysia. Russell, look – I’m sorry.”

“Toni, that was a long time ago.”

“Yes, but I feel so bad. I missed you. I’m sorry I couldn’t get it together after Mom and Dad died.” Tears dwelled in her eyes. “It wasn’t fair to you.”

“Ah, sis. You know I love you, but I couldn’t take it anymore. You were slipping away each day and week that I allowed you to hide in that house, and you threatened to drag me down as well.”

“I’m sorry, I….” she sniffed.

“I hated kicking you out; it literally tore my heart apart the day you left. But I figured it would be for the best for both of us.”

“Russell, it sucked at the time, and I hated you for it, but I know that it was the right thing to do.”

“I wish you weren’t so far away. I’d love to see you.”

She imagined her brother standing in his living room, tall, blond as she is, with his broad chest and his wicked grin. Oh god, how she had missed him all those years! Her heart filled with a peculiar mixture of emotions. Love. Joy. Regret.

“You will. I need to get back home to straighten out a few things. I’m done running and want to start a normal life…” she paused. Should she tell him about Douglas? That he was the main reason for her return to the States? “I met a man.”

“My little sister is getting serious? I have to check out that man of yours, see if he’s any good.”

“No, you don’t,” she said on a laugh. “Remember, I’m a big girl and can take care of myself. I’ll introduce you to him when the time is right, but you don’t get to check him out or anything.”

“If you believe I’ll let you ruin your life with the wrong man, you’re so wrong. You are still my little sister.”

“Don’t you dare. Douglas is the sweetest, most caring, wonderful man ever.”

***

Douglas had entered the room and overheard the last part of her conversation with her brother. He wanted to leave unnoticed, but then decided it would be more honest to let her know that he’d overheard their talking.

He walked over behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Placing his cheek against hers, he asked softly, “Talking about me, sweetheart?”

Toni leaned back into him while she spoke into the phone. “Or maybe I just changed my mind. He’s an obnoxious man without manners, interfering with my private phone calls.”

Douglas heard the laughter of her brother and then she shoved the phone towards him. “My brother, Russell. He wants to talk to you.”

***

Douglas took the phone while Toni leaned against his chest. He loved to feel her soft body pressed against his, but at the moment, his heart was pounding for another reason. Being a brother himself, he knew how important it was to convince Russell that Toni was safe with him.

Russell started the conversation. “I hear Toni is thinking of getting serious with you.”

Douglas’ heart missed a beat. She’d admitted that to her brother? “I love your sister and I want to cherish and love her for the rest of my life.”

“Look. She’s a big girl, but she’ll always be my little sister. And she’s endured enough pain for a lifetime.” Russell paused and continued with a threatening tone, “I don’t know you man, and I assume you’re an honest guy. However, I have to warn you that if you hurt her, I’ll kill you.”

Douglas laughed at that. “I hear you loud and clear. I’m a brother myself and I completely understand where you’re coming from. I’d protect my little sister, Samantha, in the same way.”

Russell growled into the phone and Douglas continued, “She’s the one woman who has captured my heart and I promise not to hurt her ever.”

Russell seemed content with that answer and he and Douglas discussed a variety of things before Russell remembered they were calling from halfway around the world. “I should probably let you get some sleep. Douglas, it was great speaking with you. Take good care of Antonia!”

“Antonia, I’m so glad you called me. I’ve missed you so much,” he said when she’d regained control of the phone.

“I’ve missed you too. I’ll let you know when we’ve got things worked out on this end. I can’t wait to see you.”

“Love you, sis.”

“Love you too.”

The next day, Toni called into the office to tell Douglas that she was going to stop at the bank first and would be in later. Thankfully, he didn’t question her about her mission; he must have assumed it was a normal part of her routine in keeping the bank informed about the project.

Toni had called ahead and her boss was waiting for her when she arrived. “Antonia, come on in.”

She smiled at him and joined him in his office.

“Everything okay with the project?” he wanted to know.

“Perfect. I’m actually here about something else.” She reached into her bag, pulled out a letter, and handed it to him.

She waited while he read the letter and then she told him, “I have enjoyed working here more than you’ll ever know. But it’s time for me to move on. As my letter states, I’ll work my two-week’s notice; that should give me plenty of time to train a new loan manager for the Stronger Constructions project.”

“Antonia, this comes as a shock. Is there anything I can do to change your mind?”

She grinned. “No. I’ve made up my mind.”

Her boss didn’t argue, he knew from experience that once she had made up her mind, nothing could change it. “I’m going to miss you and I’m very sad that you will be leaving us.”

“Thank you, but it’s time.”

“Do you know what you will do next?”

“I’m working on it,” she told him, accepting his well wishes before leaving his office.

There was a lightness to her steps that hadn’t been there before.
You really did it! You’re taking charge of your life and going after what you want!

Later that morning, she greeted Abby and asked, “Is he in?”

“Yes, go right on in.”

“Thanks.” Toni smiled at the woman. She tapped twice on his office door and then stepped inside.

“You’re back. Did everything go okay over at the bank?” Douglas asked absently, his eyes back on the papers in front of him.

“Sure.” Something in her voice must have given her away because he put the papers down and looked at her closely.

“What’s up?”

Toni handed him a copy of the same letter she’d given her boss earlier this morning. When he looked at the folded paper, she nodded towards it. “Open it.”

***

He stared at her, but he couldn’t read her face. For some reason, a sliver of fear took hold of him and his hands slightly trembled when he opened the letter and slowly read her resignation letter to the Asia Bank.

He couldn’t keep his sadness at bay. “You resigned?”

Toni nodded at him. “I did. I’m sorry, but the bank will assign a new loan manager.” After a pause, she continued, “Why do you look so sad? Isn’t that what you wanted in the first place?”

“Yes. I mean no. I really enjoyed our daily meetings and the way you and I constantly challenged each other to become better. You thought of little twists and ideas that nobody has ever come up with before.”

Toni’s lips curved up and he narrowed his eyes at her.

“Why do you look happy that I’m upset over this?”

“Why?”

“Yes. Why?”

Toni approached his desk and leaned her hip against the side of it. “Well, I received a better offer someplace else.”

Now he was seriously worried and not even bothering to hide it.
She was leaving?

Douglas didn’t say a word; he kept his eyes on the envelope as if he could magically change its content. He didn’t dare look up into her eyes. Finally, he stood up to give her a proper goodbye.

He noticed his hand was trembling and he felt as if his world was falling apart.
How did I misjudge her so badly? Wasn’t she as much in love with me as I am with her? I thought we shared a deep connection these last few days.

When he approached her, she lowered her voice to a sexy growl, and clarified her earlier statement, “I received a better offer from the sexiest man alive.”

Finally, her words registered and he looked up. He locked his eyes on hers and then he saw it; that spark of mischief and sheer happiness. That naughty woman loved teasing him, but she was definitely going to pay for this later. Later…when he could think straight again.

For now, he took her into his arms and whirled her around while she screamed in mock terror. When they stopped, he felt dizzy, not sure if it was her exhilarating scent or all of the whirling around. Not that it really mattered.

They were both panting hard as he pulled her over to sit on the couch beside him, “You decided to work with me?”

“Yes, but I have some conditions.”

He nodded, of course she had conditions. He wouldn’t have expected anything less.

She told him her conditions, ticking them off on her fingers just like she did with her “to do” lists. She wasn’t asking, but demanding.

Douglas loved that about her; the no-nonsense attitude, the confidence that she knew exactly what she wanted and wasn’t willing to settle for anything less. A strong woman.
God, he loved strong women.

She listed her requirements: salary, decision power, own office, travel budget. Nothing out of line. All things any CFO of a major company would expect.

When she finished her list, she paused and gave him a measured look. Then she tossed him her cutest smile and lowered her voice. “One last thing. Intimate access to the owner at all times.”

Now she was going to pay for teasing him. Douglas made a sad face like a wounded puppy and whined, “I thought you loved me, but you’re just after me to get to my dad.”

Her smile faded from her face and she was completely at a loss for words, and he loved it!
Finally, something she doesn’t have an immediate answer to. Score one for me!

“Toni, my dad is still the owner of the company. Sometime, he hopes to step down, but for now, he runs things at Stronger Constructions. I’m going to have to decline that last request. My mom would not approve, nor would my dad. I can, however, grant you unlimited, intimate access to the son of the owner at all times.” He was so pleased with his payback, it took him a moment to recognize the little devil glint in her eyes, and the ‘I’ve got you’ smile on her face.

Sure enough, in the next moment her words confirmed he’d just made a huge mistake. “All of them?”

Douglas had had enough of her teasing. Would he ever win an argument with her? “You’re the death of me, Antonia Barkin.”

He leaned back against the cushions, pulling her against his chest and whispered in her ear, “Don’t get me wrong. I love my brothers dearly. But I am not sharing you with them for even a millisecond.”

Toni snuggled next at him, whispering back, “I wouldn’t want you to. I want you. Only you. Nobody else.”

They kissed for several long moments and then she asked, “So, what’s next Mr. I’m Not the Boss Yet Man?”

He tickled her and then sat her up on the couch. “We should probably have a video conference with my father. We need his approval to make this all happen.”

Toni’s squirmed uncomfortably in his arms and he tapped her between the eyes and said, “There it is; your worry-wrinkle.”

When she only looked at him with big worried eyes, he chuckled and told her, “Let’s get this over with before that wrinkle becomes permanent.”