If You Give a CEO a Chance (Aspen Grove #3)

Chapter 31

I t’s been a long day at the office, and I’m counting the hours until I can get home to Fallon. Thankfully, my mom and siblings have kept me entertained through our group chat.

Mom Doesn’t Have Favorites

Cash has renamed the group chat “Harrison

Harrison: What the hell Cash?

Mom: Watch your language, Harrison Ford Stafford.

Dylan: Oh snap. Mom used your full name. That’s not a good sign.

Cash: Someone is in trouble.

Harrison: Should be you for changing the name of the chat again.

Presley: This is going to be good.

Mom: Please tell me you’ve made things official with Fallon.

Mom: We loved spending time with her at Lola’s party.

Dylan: Speaking of Lola, she won’t take off the bracelet Fallon gave her.

Cash: I never thought I’d see the day when our big brother settled down.

Mom: Stop teasing your brother.

Presley: OMG. This is the best news. I love Fallon and her cookies.

Presley: The holidays are going to be so fun with her around to help bake.

Harrison: You all realize I haven’t confirmed or denied anything, right?

Cash: Better be careful, brother. Sounds like Fallon is taking your place in the family if you mess this up.

Mom: Do I need to have your father talk some sense into you, Harrison?

Harrison: What do you mean?

I glance up when I hear Cabrina’s voice outside my office door, which is slightly open.

“You can go right in, sir,” she says brightly. “I’m sure he’ll welcome the interruption. It’s been a long day.”

“Thank you, Cabrina.” I would recognize my dad’s voice anywhere.

What is he doing here?

Guess I should have taken my mom’s warning literally.

“Hey, son, it’s good to see you,” Dad says as he walks inside my office.

My brow creases as I rise from my seat to greet him. “You should have told me you were coming into town. I would have picked you up from the airport.”

“I took a taxi. You have more important things to do than driving your old man around.” He holds out a cup of coffee. “I picked this up at the place you like down the street.”

“Thanks.” I grab the to-go cup and take a sip. The flavor of toasted marshmallow reminds me of the holidays in Aspen Grove. “Couldn’t resist adding a specialty creamer, huh?” I ask with a grin.

“What can I say? Your mom’s influence has rubbed off on me.” He goes over to the bar cart to pour himself two fingers of whiskey.

“You didn’t get yourself a coffee?”

He shakes his head as he sits in the chair across from my desk. “I wanted something stronger. Your mother banned alcohol at home. She says I need to cut back on drinking and has me eating healthier too,” he grumbles, clearly not thrilled about it.

“Mom just wants you to be around as long as possible. We all do,” I say with a smile.

My dad relaxes in his chair and drinks his whiskey, studying me. “I’ve missed this version of you.”

I tilt my head, squinting at him. “I’m not sure what you’re referring to.”

We have a good relationship, but it’s a lot different than with my siblings. He and Cash love cars and spend time in the garage working on his Jeep. With Dylan, they have Lola to talk about, and Presley gets to enjoy his doting side as the youngest and only girl. Me, on the other hand, our conversations have always centered around Stafford Holdings and business matters, with him occasionally asking how the hockey team is doing. I’m taken aback by his impromptu visit and unusual line of conversation.

“Dad, what are you really doing here?”

“You’re smiling,” he notes, disregarding my question. “That’s not like you.”

“I smile all the time,” I argue with a frown, unwilling to admit he’s right.

My dad leans forward, setting his drink on the desk. “Bullshit. You’ve a signature scowl—just like you’re wearing now,” he says, gesturing to my face. “This is the first time since you took over as CEO three years ago that I’ve walked into this office and actually gotten your full attention.”

“That’s not true.”

“You usually look straight through me, glued to your phone or computer, busy handling another acquisition or poring over contracts.”

“That’s my job,” I deadpan.

“Yes, but it’s essential to maintain a healthy balance between personal and business. I know from experience. You’ve heard your mother’s side of how we met, but I think it’s time I told you my version.” He leans back in his chair, wrapping his fingers around his glass.

“When I met her, it was love at first sight. God, she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. I lived in Maine and was learning the ropes at Stafford Holdings. Like you, I wasn’t sure it was what I wanted, but I felt obligated to my father and grandfather. One summer, I went to California to meet with an associate at a law firm we did business with regarding our properties on the West Coast. Your mother worked as a part-time assistant at the firm, and when I asked her to have dinner, she said yes. She was unapologetically bold, and when she walked into the restaurant wearing a robin blue slip dress with a pair of combat boots, I was officially a goner.” He glances at the floor, removing his glasses to rub his eyes, a deep crease forming on his forehead.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m not proud of what I did next,” he admits, taking a deep breath before continuing. “We had an incredible time, and I was smitten. From then on, I flew out to the law firm in California every three months. I took your mother out during every visit, but I never contacted her when I was back in Maine.”

“Why not?”

While I’ve heard the story from my mom, I’m glad I can hear it from his perspective to better understand why he hesitated to take things further. My dad is like me. We have a reason for everything we do.

He slides his glasses back on and meets my gaze. “Stafford Holdings came first, and getting seriously involved with a woman would only be a distraction. My father made it clear that I would be his successor, and I couldn’t see how a family would fit with the demands piling on my shoulders. This went on for a couple of years, and a month before your mother graduated college, I was back in town for a business trip. I even brought her flowers, but she declined my invitation to dinner. She told me she was going on a date with someone else that night and refused to let me string her along any longer.”

I let out a low whistle. “Damn, Dad. You messed up big-time.”

He chuckles. “I did, and I nearly let your mother slip away. But as I sat alone in my hotel room that night, I realized no amount of money or prestige could make up for losing her. In that instant, I knew I had to get her back, because without her, nothing else mattered. I went to the restaurant she said they were going to, ready to fight for her, and found her sitting alone in a corner booth, drinking a glass of wine. When she saw me coming, she smirked and said, ‘It’s about time you showed up.’”

Given her talent for matchmaking, it’s fitting that she played a key role in her own love story—carefully laying the groundwork for her happily ever after.

I let out a low whistle. “Mom never leaves anything to chance, does she?”

Dad shakes his head. “No, and I love her all the more for it.”

I understand why he made the choices he did. He was devoted to my mom but felt bound by duty to his family’s business, struggling to find a way to have both. In the end, love won out, but not without sacrifice and confronting his own fears.

Dad is watching me with a downcast gaze. “I’ve failed you, son.”

I frown, leaning forward in my seat. “Why do you say that?”

Despite his heavy workload at Stafford Holdings, he always made time for his family. Even though the headquarters was an hour from Aspen Grove, he took a helicopter home every night, unlike other executives who would only go home on the weekends or raise their families in the city.

He fidgets with one of the pens on my desk. “I did to you what I despised my father for. Instead of offering you a choice, I set the expectation that you would run the business someday. Even when I saw the signs that it might not be what you wanted, I brushed them off, failing to see that I was taking away the very thing your mother and I wanted most for you—to be happy.”

“Dad, you didn’t make me do anything. If I had told you I didn’t want to work at Stafford Holdings, you would have respected my decision.” My words are measured and resolute. “It was my choice to follow in your footsteps, and any resentment I experienced was my own doing. I’m honored to have had the chance to carry on your legacy. Not only has it shaped the man I am today, but it’s also given Dylan and Cash the freedom to shape their careers in the company without sacrificing time with their families.”

When Presley and Jack started dating, I was protective of her but also relieved she found someone who treated her right. With Dylan and Marlow, I was grateful that he found a splash of color in a world of black and white and that Lola gained a maternal figure who loved her unconditionally. I even played a part in getting Cash and Everly together. But once it occurred to me that I was the only one still single, it was hard not to feel left behind, even if it was my own doing.

“That’s my point, son,” Dad says. “You’ve always been so concerned about how things will affect your family but never yourself.” He spins the pen in between his fingers absentmindedly. “Like I told Fallon at the skating rink, I’m not one to get involved in my children’s personal lives, but this is the one instance where I couldn’t stay silent.”

That’s unexpected. Fallon never mentioned speaking with him. He tends to keep to himself at parties and events, so I’m glad he felt at ease with her. Still, I can’t help but wonder what they talked about.

“You deserve a life filled with joy, and if Fallon is part of that, all the better,” my dad offers with a smile. “Life is too short to let your career or fears of the unknown make you miss out on what could be the chance of a lifetime.”

I sit up straight, dragging my fingers through my hair. “I misjudged Fallon in the beginning, and I’ve hurt her in ways I’m not proud of. I’m afraid she doesn’t think I’m committed or in this for the long haul.”

The more I think about it, I realize I have to show her that I’m here to stay. I’ve got an idea in mind of how to do just that, and I only hope that it’ll be enough to make her see that if she gives me a chance, I’ll give her the world. She’s become my one and only, and I’m determined to show her every day.

My dad sets the pen down and leans forward, making sure I’m looking at him. “It’s simple, son. Tell her how you feel. You might be surprised by the outcome.”

I glance out at the floor-to-ceiling windows.

That’s easier said than done. Once I lay it all out, there’s a real chance Fallon might turn me down, and I’m not prepared for that.

Until now, we’ve been focused on our explosive sexual chemistry, and she’s been reluctant to define our relationship. I can understand why. She’s been hurt in the past—by her ex, her grandmother, and even me, and is always waiting for the other shoe to drop.

In spite of that, she’s become a pillar of strength, learning to navigate life on her own. Now that true happiness is within her reach, I think she’s scared that it could all disappear in an instant. I thought avoiding the conversation to give her space to figure out what she wanted was the right call. But in the process, I’ve failed to communicate my intentions, which I believe has contributed to her doubts about our future.

My dad stands up, setting his empty glass on my desk. “Looks like you have a lot to think about,” he says, heading for the door. “I’m going to head out. Your mom is expecting me home tonight, but if you need anything, call me.”

“Hey, Dad?”

“Yeah?”

“Did Mom send you to New York to talk to me?”

I wouldn’t put it past her to have him fly out just to talk some sense into me. She was over the moon when she found out Fallon was in Aspen Grove with me this past weekend—odds are, she’s planning our wedding as we speak.

The idea of making Fallon mine in every way is appealing, but there’s no rush. After everything we’ve been through, I want to cherish every moment with her, and when the time is right, I’ll make it official.

Dad shrugs. “Where did you get that idea? My schedule was free, so I decided to pay my son a visit. There’s nothing more to it.” A smirk tugs at his lips. “And if there were a piece of truth to that, you should consider yourself lucky to have a mother who will go to any lengths to ensure your happiness.”

“I love you, Dad. I’m glad you stopped by.”

“Love you too, son,” he says before leaving my office, closing the door behind him.

I glance at my watch to see that it’s only 4:00 p.m. It’s still early, but there’s no use pretending I’ll be able to concentrate on work now. Not with Fallon waiting for me at home. My dad was right. I have to tell her exactly what I want—I just hope she wants it too.

When I get home, Fallon is seated at the counter in the kitchen, editing a photo of grilled salmon and asparagus on her laptop. Cat lies at her feet, eyeing me warily. Fallon’s his favorite person in this house, and it’s a relief to know that if a burglar ever got into the penthouse, Cat would take them out before they even reached the hallway.

Fallon glances over, smiling at me. Her hair falls in waves to her shoulders, and her eyes sparkle with warmth. She’s breathtaking.

I stride over, sliding my arm around her, drawing her in for a kiss. “I missed you today.”

“I missed you too. You’re home early.”

“Am I interrupting?” I nod toward her laptop. “I can always go back to the office,” I tease.

She tugs me down for another kiss. “Not a chance. You’re stuck with Cat and me the rest of the night.”

There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

“You should have told me you’d be back sooner. I put a casserole in the oven, but it won’t be ready for another thirty minutes.”

“Guess we’ll just have to find a way to pass the time.” I tug on my tie, loosening it from my neck.

“I can think of something we could do.” Fallon closes her laptop and gets out of her chair, carefully stepping around Cat as she heads toward her bedroom.

“Where are you going?”

She stops, glancing back at me. “Going somewhere to pass the time . Come on, hotshot.”

Her confidence is magnetic, and I’m hooked on her as much as she is on me.

I was planning to talk about our future, but that can wait until tomorrow. Right now, I want to lose myself in her—one night to worship her and to show her just how much she means to me. I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to earn another chance with her because she has my heart, and I’m ready to give her the love she’s always deserved.

Fallon stands by the bed, her gaze unwavering as she slides off her shorts, kicking them off to the side. Next to go are her panties. She shimmies them past her hips, far enough for me to see her pussy. As she pulls them off, I approach her, wrapping my hand around hers. I take the panties, stuffing them inside my pant pocket.

“You have an unhealthy obsession with my underwear, don’t you?”

“No, trouble. I have an obsession with you .”

I tug off her hoodie, noticing that she’s bare underneath, her full breasts on display. “Damn, these are perfect,” I murmur, bending down to eagerly suck a nipple into my mouth, biting down on the soft flesh just the way I know she likes.

“Oh, god,” Fallon cries out as I lavish her breasts with attention. “Harrison, I want you inside me. Now.”

I lean forward, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Lie down on the mattress.”

She does as I ask, her chest heaving as she glances over, waiting for me to join her. I take a moment to appreciate what’s in front of me, committing every detail to memory—the way her blonde hair spreads around her head like a halo, her dimples deepen as she smiles, and the soft curve of her waist. The universe must be on my side bringing Fallon back into my life.

Unable to stay away a second longer, I take off my suit and tie in record speed. When I get to my boxers, I pull them down, and my rigid cock springs free. Fallon keeps her eyes glued to mine as I get on the bed and crawl up her body, settling between her thighs.

I glance down at her heaving chest, tracing her nipple with my finger. She whimpers when I move to her other breast, this time lightly pinching the nipple, watching it pebble under my touch.

“I love your hands on me,” she pants.

“I’ll never get enough of you.”

Her gaze holds me captive, as though she’s unraveling every hidden part of me, seeing me in a way no one else can. I cup her cheek, gently tipping her face up with my thumb. Our mingling breathing is the only sound in the room as I brush my lips over hers, earning a soft groan. My touch is slow and tentative, a promise of what’s to come. I pour my unspoken words into every kiss, saying more than I could ever articulate.

I trail my hand down her chest until I get to her stomach, mapping patterns with the pad of my finger. Drawing lower, her breath hitches when I reach the apex of her thighs.

“Harrison,” she moans, begging for more.

I lock eyes with her as I line up my cock with her entrance. Slowly, I work my hand up and down my shaft as I push in slowly. The feel of her clenching around me has me letting out a low groan.

She gasps when I pull out, then push back in deeper.

I press a kiss on her nose. “Relax for me, beautiful. I’m not all the way in yet.” I claim her mouth with mine, relishing in her soft sighs as I ease the rest of the way in.

Once fully seated, I intertwine our fingers, and stretch her arms above her head. A sense of calm washes over me, paired with a fierce need to claim her as mine and show her the effect she has on me. My energy is focused on moving slowly, wanting to savor every second inside her.

I lean down, brushing my tongue against her lips before slipping it inside her mouth, coaxing out a breathy sigh. Fallon’s fingernails dig into my palms, the sensation sending a spark of electricity through me.

“I need more,” she pants out, writhing beneath me.

“I know, baby, but I need to take it slow this time.”

She looks up at me with those big blue eyes as I angle my hips in short, deep thrusts. Her desire is magnetic, pleading for release.God, she’s so wet and warm, making me wish I could stay here forever.

Unable to deny her any longer, my free hand moves to her clit, exploring different strokes until her body goes taut. She arches off the bed, squeezing my hand that’s still holding hers above the bed. I match her grip, silently telling her I’m caught up in this moment as much as she is.

I watch in awe as she cries out, tumbling into a free fall. She’s never been more beautiful than in this moment, sending me barreling toward my own release. I capture her mouth with mine, craving to be connected in every possible way.

I lean down, resting my forehead against hers, trying to catch my breath. When I glance at her, the tension is wrung from her body, a thin sheen of sweat covering her breasts. My heart is still racing after what just felt like an out-of-body experience.

Fallon gives me a sated smile as I lower myself beside her, wrapping an arm around her waist. She instinctively curls into me, resting her head on my chest, and I kiss into her damp hair. She tips her head, bringing her soft lips to mine.

“I need you in my bed tonight,” I murmur.

“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”