Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Riley
I’m vaguely aware of the sun peeking through the curtains as I stifle a yawn.
When I reach out to touch the spot next to me, it’s empty.
As I open my eyes, I can’t help but smile.
I wasn’t dreaming; I did spend the night with Hunter.
As I sit up, leaning on my elbows, I hear someone talking.
It’s muffled. Sliding out of bed, I throw on one of his shirts and open the bedroom door.
He’s sitting on the couch with his cell phone pressed to his ear. He runs his fingers through his already messy hair and shakes his head. I catch parts of a one-sided conversation. He sounds angry.
“Tell Chris I’ll be there around ten, and make sure he knows how upset I am about this emergency meeting.” As he ends the call, he looks up and sees me standing in the doorway.
“Morning, beautiful. How'd you sleep last night?” He winks at me as a devilish grin spreads across his face.
I walk to the back of the couch and reach out to touch his messy hair. I then glide my tongue down his neck. “I slept great when my boyfriend let me sleep,” I say, brushing my lips against his.
He grabs my hands and pulls me to the front of the couch, settling me on his lap. “Baby, we need to talk." His intense look makes my stomach drop, and my heart sinks.
“Is something wrong? Because you’re scaring me right now.” He leans in, kisses my forehead, no doubt trying to erase the frown that suddenly appears.
“You already know that my grandparents left me the cottage when they died, but I didn’t tell you about my inheritance.” He hesitates, and that makes me uncomfortable.
He takes a deep, cleansing breath before continuing.
“My grandfather owned an accounting firm that was passed down to me when he died. I own fifty-one percent of the company; Chris Dempsey owns forty-nine percent. He made me the majority stockholder, so when I graduate, I’ll be running the company full-time. ”
I can’t imagine the burden he's probably carrying. “Where is this company located?”
“It’s in the Myrtle Beach area, so after I graduate, I plan to move into the cottage permanently. I’d like you to move in with me; I can arrange transportation to take you to class and back home.”
“We don’t need to talk about this right now, Hunter. It’s still a year away.” The disappointment flashes across his face, then it’s gone.
“Riley, there’s something else you need to know.
” I notice he’s uncomfortable as he runs his fingers through his hair.
“The company’s very profitable; I really don’t need to work another day in my life.
I could sell my stocks to Chris and go wherever you want.
We could live a good life,” he says pleadingly.
“Your grandfather passed down his company to you, confident that you can be as successful as he was. That’s an honor you need to accept; it’s your legacy. Don’t sell your stocks because of me. No matter what happens in the future, I’ll always be here for you.”
He gently kisses my lips before snuggling into my neck. His warm breath makes me shiver.
“I need to get ready; I have a meeting with Chris at ten. I’ll see you when I get back.
” He picks me up and sits me on the couch before heading to the bathroom.
He looks so exhausted after everything that’s happened; last night, we craved intimacy more than ever, so we didn’t get much sleep.
We had come so close to losing each other.
While waiting for Hunter, I check my phone to see if Ashley left me any messages—none.
She’s supposed to come down at the end of July so we can spend some much-needed girl time, but I feel like she’s slipping away.
I know I haven’t been keeping in touch like I should; I've been so distracted spending time with Hunter that I’ve neglected her.
It reminds me of a poem I once read about a friend who is there for a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime.
An unknown author wrote it, but it definitely resonates with me right now.
I always believed she would be my lifetime friend, but now I wonder if she was just a friend for a reason.
I needed her so badly at that moment in my life, and that might be why she moved next door.
When I reflect on all of this, I get very emotional because she truly saved me.
The bedroom door swings open, and Hunter steps out, looking like he just walked off the cover of GQ.
I have to fan myself as he stands there adjusting his geometric-shaped tie, which looks fantastic against the baby blue button-down shirt.
It highlights the color of his eyes. The khaki suit looks stunning against his bronzed skin; he definitely cleans up very, very well.
He walks over to kiss me before leaving. Damn, he smells so good I can’t help but giggle.
“What’s so funny?” he looks hurt.
“Babe, you look and smell so amazing, I was thinking you look good enough to eat. Now I’m going to sit here and wonder if there are any pretty secretaries I should worry about.” My lips pout as he laughs.
“You don’t need to worry about that. My secretary’s name is Martha, and she’s in her early fifties, very married.
” He pulls me close, his mouth gently brushing against mine.
This man clearly knows how to kiss, among other things.
When he pulls away, he whispers against my lips, “You are the only woman I will ever want, or ever need. Now that I’ve found you, I’m never letting you go.
” He kisses me breathlessly, then steps out the door.
Why is it that when he says all the right things, I struggle to believe it? Will I always compare every man to my father and what he did to us so long ago?
* * *
Hunter
As I drive down the coast for my board meeting, I know Riley’s right.
It would be wrong to sell the company after my grandfather sacrificed so much to make it the success it is today.
Chris has done a great job over the past three years; if it weren’t for him running the company so I could finish school, I don’t know what I would have done.
We probably would have lost many major accounts after my grandfather’s death, but Chris assured everyone that the company wouldn’t change.
There’s too much time to think when I’m driving, so my mind drifts to Riley.
Over the past few days, I’ve opened up to her more than I ever expected, sharing parts of myself I didn’t even realize I had.
She hasn’t agreed to anything I’ve asked or hinted at, and that scares me.
I can’t picture myself with anyone else but her, and I’m starting to wonder if she feels the same way.
I transformed from an arrogant bastard to an angry jerk with walls that were nearly impossible to break down, into a lovesick puppy in just a few weeks.
Before she arrived, I hooked up with a different girl every night—except for Parker’s sister.
Previously, the idea of marriage and kids made me want to run for the hills.
Now, I can picture my children looking just like their mother.
After what happened yesterday, I don’t want her to go back to her dad’s. I want her to stay with me, so we never have to say goodbye. She’s the only woman I want sharing my bed and my life.
How am I supposed to be a surfer-lifeguard one minute and an accountant the next?
I love the outdoors so much that the thought of sitting behind a desk already has me going stir crazy.
I have to remind myself that this is why I went to school in the first place.
My old job will be my hobby, not my career.
Although I do love crunching numbers, I know once I’m involved full-time, it will become second nature.
“Mr. Davis, it’s so nice to see you again.” Martha smiles up at me as I walk in.
“Martha, it’s always a pleasure to see you, too.” I take her hand in mine and give it a gentle squeeze.
The elevator doors open, and Chris steps out. “I’m glad to see you’re okay; I’ve been reading the local papers, and you’re considered a hero,” he says, shaking my hand.
“I was just doing my job; they build it up so people like you will buy the paper.” I can’t help but chuckle at the look on his face.
“You’re just being modest, but I guess you could be right. Come to my office; we have a few things I’d like to discuss with you privately before we start the board meeting.” He motions for me to follow, indicating a seat before closing his door.
“What’s this all about, Chris? Usually, we schedule meetings weeks in advance. I have a hard time believing this one just popped up today.” I’m feeling a bit uneasy.
He leans back in his chair with his hands behind his head.
“Your parents have hired lawyers to try and say you’re incompetent at running this company.
That’s why I’ve called this emergency meeting today.
You need to convince the board that you’re fully committed—that you can give one hundred percent.
” He leans forward, drumming his fingers on the desktop.
“My mother visited me recently, claiming it was for a memorial service. I suspected she had a hidden agenda behind her sudden appearance after three years.” Chris understands all about my parents’ manipulations.
“Well, their lawyer’s hands are tied; you were eighteen when your grandfather died, and that’s considered an adult. This is just to show the board that you fully intend to work here once you’ve graduated.” As I stand up, we head to the meeting.
As I drive home, I can’t help but smile at how I handled the board today.
I had the men eating out of my hand, and the women crossing their legs in anticipation.
After two long, grueling hours of questions, my college grades, and a lot of lifeguard newspaper clippings, I convinced them I could and would do my job.
As I pull into the driveway, I see Riley coming down my apartment stairs. Her eyes light up when she spots me.
“Hey, beautiful, where are you headed?” I grab her by the waist and pull her close to me.
“I didn’t know what time you were coming home, so I was planning to grab a bite to eat. Want to come?” she smiles up at me.
Hell yeah, I wanna come, pun intended. “I’m going to change first, so I’ll meet you there.” I kiss the tip of her nose before heading upstairs.
“Do you need help changing?” Turning around, I see her nibbling on her bottom lip; I instantly get hard.
“I could always use an extra hand.” When I wink at her, she throws herself into my arms, her legs wrapping around my waist. Grabbing her ass, I crush her mouth to mine as I carry her upstairs and into my bedroom. We never ended up grabbing that bite to eat — we stayed in.