Chapter Five #2
She recalled the first time she’d met his gaze, the tickle of excitement that turned into a thrum of awareness. She should have walked away then. But how could she have turned down the chance to work with such a phenomenally successful CEO?
Yet it wasn’t just his business acumen she’d stayed for, or the bonuses or the knowledge she could walk into any job she wanted after being Conall Abercrombie’s assistant.
‘Conall.’ She cleared her throat. ‘Can we talk?’
‘Of course.’ Yet that unreadable expression had her on edge. She’d seen it enough times in negotiations, when he refused to give away his thoughts. Usually just before he sealed the deal on his terms. ‘Come in and shut the door.’
Greer knew a moment’s craven impulse to flee but squashed it, closing the door behind her.
He gestured to the pair of leather lounges facing each other between his desk and the window. ‘Please, take a seat.’ His tone was affable but she hadn’t missed his swift glance at her empty hands. She hadn’t bought her laptop or even a folder, just her shoulder bag.
Stiffly she crossed the room, but instead of taking a seat, stopped at the end of the lounge. ‘Actually, I’d rather stand.’
Conall raised his eyebrows, a frown gathering above those fathomless eyes.
Even that makes your breath quicken. For all the wrong reasons.
Now she was here this didn’t seem like such a good idea.
‘You moved house.’
It wasn’t what she’d intended to say but it was a whole lot easier than the apology she’d been practising.
For a second he didn’t say anything, just scrutinised her as if trying to define what went on in her head.
Good luck with that. It’s such a mess in there.
Half the time she wasn’t sure whether her couple of vague memories from the last months were real or just figments of her imagination. As for her emotions…
He shrugged. ‘I find this suits me better.’
Greer stifled surprise. He was a wealthy, single bachelor.
He was in demand socially and though she had no idea how many invites he accepted, she’d seen enough photos of him attending galas, nightclubs and swanky restaurants, each time with a gorgeous companion, to know he enjoyed an active social life.
A penthouse apartment in the heart of the city seemed more in keeping with a busy bachelor than this stunning, sprawling home.
None. Of. Your. Business.
‘How did you find me?’
She blinked. He hadn’t told her since the accident about his new address. Heat flushed her cheeks. Maybe he hadn’t wanted her to follow him here. Maybe she’d done something that she’d forgotten about that made him want to keep her away from his personal space.
But that didn’t gel with him spending so much private time with her recently. The day yachting. The opera. And afterwards, the kiss.
She slicked her lips and looked past him to the private jetty where a familiar white yacht was moored. The sight made her yearn for that carefree day when things had been easy between them.
‘I asked one of the staff on the floor below our office. They know my memory only goes back so far. It turns out they’d hand delivered some documents to you here for signature.’
Conall nodded, but the information didn’t seem to please him.
‘I’m sorry to intrude.’ The words spilled in a breathy rush. ‘I won’t take much of your time.’
He folded his arms, muscles bunching. ‘If you’re here to offer your resignation—’
‘My resignation!’ Her blood froze. She’d hoped he’d see past the last few weeks as an aberration and remember instead how well they’d worked together before. ‘Is that what you want?’ She held on tight to the strap of her shoulder bag as if that might stop her hand shaking.
‘No, I damned well don’t,’ he growled. ‘I know you’re upset about the other night but it’s not worth throwing away a partnership like ours.’
Greer gulped, trying to reconcile his words with the steely ring of anger in his tone. She couldn’t ever remember seeing such banked fury in his eyes.
‘You don’t want me to leave?’
His frown became a scowl as he unfolded his arms and moved towards her. ‘Of course not. You didn’t do anything wrong.’
She was already shaking her head, pulling the long strap of her bag in front of her with restless hands. ‘Don’t! Don’t be kind, Conall.’ She already felt guilty enough. Guilty and mired in a situation that felt like it had no way out. But she had to try.
Instantly his laser-sharp stare eased. ‘Why are you here, Greer?’
‘To apologise.’ She dragged in a quick breath and plunged on.
‘You’ve been so supportive and I turned on you as if you’d done something wrong.
I’m sorry.’ Her mouth rucked up in a bitter smile.
‘I came on to you and then turned on you, making accusations. You shouldn’t have to deal with that, or walk on eggshells in the office because of me.
I came to say sorry and see if we could go back to how we were before.
If we could pretend that night hadn’t happened. ’
He was silent so long that her hopes turned threadbare, a weight filling her chest.
‘Is that what you really want? To go back to how things were in Perth? Working together as colleagues and nothing more?’
Those obsidian eyes glittered as if he could see past her apology to the secret she’d hidden so long. Her need for him.
Slowly she nodded. ‘I like working with you, Conall. My job is challenging and fulfilling.’
And she couldn’t imagine not seeing him every day, not being with him.
Maybe she should resign. This fixation on him wasn’t healthy. She’d told herself that for ages yet the thought of moving on to another position filled her with dread. When had attraction turned into something more?
‘Good. I wouldn’t accept your resignation.’
‘You wouldn’t?’
His mouth thinned. ‘Absolutely not. And in case you don’t remember, your employment contract stipulates a minimum of six months’ notice.’
He made it sound like a threat, as if he actually feared she might leave.
‘Well that’s…good.’ She paused, relief stealing her words for a moment.
‘And you accept my apology? I know you were only offering comfort that night. I should never have pushed myself at you, demanding a kiss.’ She made herself hold his gaze.
‘And then to turn on you… It was unreasonable. I know you don’t really want me. ’
She’d had the week to think it through. She remembered his arms around her and the feel of his erection.
But then she’d all but begged for his attention.
Just because a man felt physical arousal when a woman threw herself at him, all but scaling his body, didn’t mean he wanted her specifically.
Conall had proved that with his withdrawal.
‘You’re doing it again, Greer, telling me what I do and don’t want.’ He paced closer, around the end of the lounge so she had to tilt her head up to hold his gaze. ‘Things are complicated enough without you putting words in my mouth.’
The only thing she wanted to put in his mouth was her tongue. Standing so close to him she had total recall of how perfect that kiss had been. But remembering that would only destroy any chance of regaining their old working relationship.
So she stood silently while he took another step, stopping a handspan away. Close enough for his radiating heat to make her flesh tingle.
She remained silent, even when her busy fingers inadvertently tugged her bag off her shoulder to fall on the floor. For there was something in his eyes that she didn’t recognise. Didn’t dare believe.
‘Aren’t you going to ask me what I do want, Greer?’
That night at her flat she hadn’t been able to see his face. She could now and what she saw made her swallow hard then moisten her lips. Those dark eyes traced the movement and she felt the hard punch of need low in her body.
‘What do you want, Conall?’
Heat flickered in that intense stare.
‘You, Greer. I want you.’