Chapter 4
SHAWN
Kara ordered a glass of Budweiser in an attempt to piss me off, but I saw right through it. “I thought you don’t drink beer.”
“I lied.”
The corner of my mouth twitched in a smile. She sat across from me, drumming her fingertips absently on the white tablecloth, like she’d rather be somewhere else. She hadn’t lied about her lack of appetite, though, as she’d barely touched her lunch.
That was my fault. When she didn’t order anything, I did it for her, and her expression filled with irritation. I should have known better.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked.
“The incident? There’s not a whole lot to say. He knew he was getting fired and was upset.”
“L said you were able to deescalate and calmed him down. How did you manage that?”
The blue of her eyes was intriguing and almost silver as her gaze sharpened. “Scott is going through a divorce, so I talked about mine.”
Most of the time, she’d been so guarded. Not only in person, but while texting with me too, so this was surprising. “How long ago did you divorce?”
She was displeased by the question. “It’ll be two years in September.”
“Then you’re through the hardest part.”
“Yeah, I suppose you would know.”
Because I’d gone through two divorces already. I wasn’t particularly proud to have two ex-wives at thirty-nine, but the fact was, I did. I’d really tried to make it work with both of them.
“Can I ask,” I said, “what happened between you and Paul?”
“You can ask, but I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Why?” I should let this be, but I was curious.
“Do you like talking about why your marriage fell apart? Marriages?”
“There’s not a whole lot to say. Nicolette was pregnant, and her parents required we get married.”
“Oh,” she looked taken aback. “Laurel didn’t mention you have kids.”
“I don’t. We lost the baby a week after the wedding.
” I expected it to draw the typical reaction from her, a shocked or sad expression, but she only blinked in response, as if she couldn’t process it.
“We stayed together for a few months, mostly to spite her ridiculous parents. She’s married to a finance guy now and has three kids. ”
“You two still talk?”
“Occasionally, but mostly because he’s one of my finance guys.”
I didn’t mention that I’d been the one to set them up when it had been clear things weren’t going to work out. Nicolette had been through so much, and I was glad to see her happy. She deserved it.
“Oh.” Kara took a sip of her beer. I could see the curiosity building in her, and it eventually bubbled over. She asked it hesitantly, like she thought she shouldn’t. “And your other one?”
“My job can be demanding, and Alicia was . . . needy. She’d say I wasn’t around enough, and that was the justification for her affair.”
Affairs, my brain whispered. One was bad enough, but Alicia had been so angry with me, it felt like she’d fucked half the company before I found out. That had been a dark day, which I preferred not to think about ever again.
Was this why Kara didn’t want to talk about it? “Was Paul unfaithful?”
“No. Not that I know of.”
It just fell out of my mouth. “Then what happened?”
“None of your business is what happened.”
There was a fire in her eyes I got a glimpse of just before she glanced away. It made her so goddamn hot I couldn’t help myself. Somehow, I knew immediately.
“It was a sex thing.” I’d hit the nail on the head because she flushed the most gorgeous color of red.
“Thank you for lunch,” she choked out before tossing her napkin on her plate.
“Wait, wait. I’m sorry. You’re right. It’s none of my business. Can we talk about something else?”
She shook her head. “I really should get going.”
Fuck. I wasn’t ready. As our server walked by, I signaled for him to bring our check. “When are you flying back to the Netherlands?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Why?”
I had a plan forming but wasn’t about to reveal it. “I’m not heading back to Munich for a few days. Let me take you out for dinner tonight.”
It looked like she had to fight the urge to roll her eyes. “Even if I wanted to do that, which I don’t, it’s like I said. I have an early flight tomorrow.”
“Direct?”
“To Amsterdam, and then I take the train. Is there some reason you care?”
“I have a private plane. It can take you wherever you want, including straight to Maastricht.”
It was no secret my wealth made her uncomfortable, and her throat bobbed with a thick swallow. “No, thank you.”
“No? You prefer flying commercial?”
I expected her to throw it back in my face, for her to tell me that she didn’t usually have another option, but she remained cool and even, saying nothing. The server dropped off the check, and I tucked my credit card inside the presentation book before sitting back to give her an evaluating look.
“When exactly is your flight?” I asked.
Frustration broke on her beautiful face. “Why?”
“Because I’m trying to make a point.”
Her phone had been lying face-up on the tabletop, and she scrolled to the airline app to check her departure time, giving me what I needed. “Six twenty-five,” she said. “That means I need to be at JFK around four a.m.”
“You could have dinner with me,” my smile widened with meaning, “sleep in the next morning, and depart whenever you wanted on my plane.”
“Again, thank you for the offer, but no.” Her voice turned quiet. “That would make me more uncomfortable than the flowers do.”
She refused me again. Why did I enjoy it? “Very well. What hotel are you staying at? I’ll have my driver drop you off.” I picked up my phone and tapped out a message to bring the car around.
She made zero effort to sound anything but relieved. “You’re not coming?”
“I need to get back to the office. It’s close, so I can walk. I don’t mind a little rain.”
She eyed me like it sounded too good to be true.
“My leaving has strings,” I added.
She tossed a hand up. “There it is.”
“You have to tell me about Paul’s problem next time we meet.”
Confusion overtook her face. “Paul’s problem?”
“Yes, his problem. Why on earth he would let you go.”
Her gaze turned to the glass windows. The rain was still falling in heavy sheets, and her shoulders slumped. When she focused her attention back on me, her face was set with resignation. “The Hilton by the Park.”
As soon as the server returned with my card, I signed the bill and followed her outside to wait under the awning.
In her heels, she was tall, and I wasn’t used to a woman who could stand nearly eye-to-eye with me.
Schei?e, she was stunningly beautiful. There was a large, rainy gust, and it made wisps of her blonde hair dance in the wind.
It had her pulling her red coat tighter and stepping back so she was better shielded from the rain.
“You’re doing it again,” she commented.
“What was that?”
“Looking at me like you want me.”
“I can’t help it.” To reinforce it, I put my hands on her hips, bringing her close. “Stop fighting what we both want.”
There was no strength in her words. “I don’t want this.”
She hadn’t moved from the spot, from my hands, though. The only struggle was with the worry on her face.
“I don’t believe that any more than you do.”
The limo pulled up, and I released her, pulling open the door for her.
“You know, Shawn, you’re not as irresistible as you think.” She broke off her gaze when she darted into the back seat.
Oh, really?
“Then get ready to prove it,” I growled, following her in.