Chapter 44
FORTY-FOUR
Lainey
Present Day
Me
I know you never sleep, so I’m just checking in to see if you got any last night.
Rhett
I don’t know how, but I got about six hours. That’s more than I’ve slept in years. You’re doing something to me …
I do know that when I finally get to fall asleep with you in my arms, knowing I’ll wake up next to you, I’ll sleep even more.
Me
I want that too. Trust me.
Are you at work?
Rhett
I’ve been here for over an hour. So much to do for this Iceland build-out.
Just throwing this out there … I think you should come with me.
Me
To Iceland?
Rhett
Yes.
Me
You’re not kidding, are you?
Rhett
Not even a little.
Listen, I know you just told me that you aren’t going to move in with me within a week—LOL—but I’m not leaving for a few months. That gives you plenty of time to think about it. By then, who knows? Maybe you’ll be ready to live with me.
Me
I’m smiling … just thought you should know.
Rhett
Is that a yes?
Me
That’s a strong maybe.
Rhett
I can live with that. I can’t live without seeing you tonight.
Me
Then, you’d better come over after work.
Rhett
I’m on my way. Want me to grab dinner? Don’t worry, I’ll make sure it doesn’t have any dairy.
Me
That would be amazing. See you soon.
Rhett
And more vodka?
Me
How about wine?
Rhett
Even better.
Rhett
You look so beautiful when you sleep—that’s why I didn’t wake you. Just want you to know I left for work.
Me
Thank you for the coffee—you made it perfectly—and for the cutest note ever.
Rhett
Almond creamer with a dash of cinnamon. Even I can’t fuck that up.
Glad you liked it.
Me
I have to work tonight—a big project I have to get done before the morning. Could you meet for lunch instead of dinner?
Rhett
Are you asking me out on a date, Lainey?
Me
Ha! Yes, a day date.
Rhett
For you, I think I can make that happen. I’ll text you an address where to meet me.
But don’t expect me to put out. We’re only on our third date. You’ve got at least a week to go before you can even think about getting in my pants.
Me
Dead.
For the record, I’ve thought about getting in your pants.
Rhett
I know. I can tell.
Me
That lunch = sooo good. Thank you. And thank you for showing me the pictures of the Iceland hotel. I was already in awe of you, and now, I’m just blown away.
Rhett
Keep talking that way, and I’m going to think you want to move there with me.
Me
I just might.
Me
Rhett! The flowers! OMG, they’re absolutely gorgeous. And huge! They take up almost the whole kitchen counter. I’m in love with them. Thank you. XO
Rhett
I’m glad you love them. Hopefully, they’ll make this sting a little less … I have to cancel our dinner plans tonight. The whole team is getting together with the Westons to talk about Iceland. If it wasn’t my hotel, I’d bail, but I can’t.
Me
Please don’t worry. I completely understand.
Rhett
It’ll probably be a late night—it usually is when it comes to those guys. I don’t want to wake you when I get home, so I’ll sleep at my place tonight.
Me
Wake me.
Rhett
You’re sure?
Me
I’d rather sleep with you than without you.
Rhett
God, I fucking love you.
I’ll go into work late tomorrow. Maybe we could hit up the track for a walk and go to breakfast?
Me
I would love that.
And I love you.
Me
I miss you already.
Rhett
Going into work late and having my mornings with you is something I could really get used to.
Me
I still can’t believe I didn’t hear you come in.
Rhett
I tried to be quiet.
Me
You were mouse quiet. But to be honest, I’m surprised you didn’t wake me up …
Rhett
We both know I wanted nothing more. But I’m trying to be a good boy, Lainey. Truth, that’s become so hard and almost impossible.
Me
I didn’t ask you to be a good boy, Rhett.
Rhett
You told me you wanted to fall. You’re going to fucking fall.
Me
Rhett, I already am.
I got off the elevator on the executive-level floor of the Cole and Spade Hotels. My mind was blown by the grandness of the high-rise and the amount of people working here and how professional it all was. Rhett had described the company on several occasions, but seeing it with my own eyes was an entirely different experience.
I approached the receptionist’s desk and said, “You must be Trista.” I stuck out my hand and smiled. “I’m Lainey.”
“It’s so nice to meet you, Lainey.” She stood and shook my hand.
“I appreciate you taking my call and helping me with this. Iceland is keeping Rhett pretty busy, so I didn’t even know where to start.”
“Oh, please, it’s my pleasure.” She straightened the bottom of her blazer. “You’re right, the project has certainly kept him busy, but I’ve carved out an hour for you without him knowing. That’s the good news. The bad news is that I couldn’t keep his office free. It seems Rowan and Ridge are in there now with him.” She lifted the receiver of her phone. “Should I call him and make some kind of excuse to get him alone?”
I adjusted the bag on my arm. “No need. I’d love to see them too.”
She placed the receiver back down. “Great. Then, I’ll take you to his office. Please follow me.”
Trista approached a large glass door that was behind her desk, hitting several buttons beside it and swiping a card before it opened. I followed her through and into the hallway. There were doors every several feet—some ajar, some fully closed, name plaques next to each one, most that I recognized from conversations I’d had with Rhett.
“He’s going to be so happy to see you,” Trista said.
“He’s usually the one surprising me.” I hesitated before I continued, “You know, like the time he showed up at the track at our old high school.” I laughed and put my hand on her arm. “Rhett mentioned you helped him find me.”
She slowed her pace. “I had a feeling he would tell you.” Her face was turning red. “I’m so embarrassed?—”
“Please don’t be. You were doing what your boss asked of you. And look what it did—you brought us together.”
She gave me a soft grin. “Lainey, I can’t even say I’ve never seen him happier because I’ve never seen that man happy until you came back into his life. He’s an entirely different person than who I’ve known for all these years.”
“We’re both different people now. That’s the power we have over each other.”
She stopped outside a door, Rhett’s name on the side of it. “It’s been quite an honor to watch. Have a wonderful lunch. Please let me know if you need anything.”
I thanked her and gently knocked on the thick wood, waiting a few seconds before I opened it just enough to peek my face in.
Rhett’s expression went from confusion to a smile once he realized it was me. “Baby,” he said from behind his desk. “Come in, come in. What are you doing here?”
“I wasn’t sure if you’d have time to eat with all your meetings, so I wanted to bring you lunch. Trista helped coordinate it.”
I gave him a grin and looked at Rowan and Ridge, who sat in front of Rhett’s desk. Rhett had shown me pictures of both, but nothing could have prepared me for what it felt like to see them in person, all dressed up in their corporate attire, looking like true executives.
“Lainey,” Rowan said softly, pressing her hands together and holding them at her chest. “I can’t believe it—it’s you.”
I held open my arms. “Girl, you were around fourteen years old the last time I saw you. Look at you now. You’re gorgeous.”
“No, you’re gorgeous,” she said as she got up and hugged me. “Aw, Lainey, it’s so, so good to have you back.”
I squeezed her tightly. “You have no idea how good it feels to be back.”
“You’ve made him the happiest man alive,” she whispered before we released each other, our hands clasping at the end of our hug.
“Get over here,” Ridge said as he reached for me. “Lainey fucking Taylor. My God, I never thought I’d see the day.”
I slipped my hands out of Rowan’s grip and walked into Ridge’s grasp. “Honestly, I didn’t either, but I can’t believe I stayed away for so long. I wish I hadn’t.”
He rocked me and pulled back. “You haven’t changed a bit.”
I laughed. “Well, you two have. I know the age difference between us isn’t massive, but I feel like you went from babies to corporate badasses. And parents! Rhett has told me all about Rayner and Daisy. I cannot wait to meet them. They’re both so beautiful, you guys. Congratulations.”
“We’ll have to plan a family dinner soon so we can all spend some time together,” Rowan suggested.
“Yes,” I replied. “It’s a must.”
She looked at Ridge and said, “Let’s leave these two so they can enjoy their lunch.” Before she headed for the door, she gave me a small hug again. “Let’s catch up. Maybe we can grab dinner.”
“I would love that, yes.”
She smiled. “Me too.”
Ridge patted my shoulder on his way to the door and said, “You’re the best thing that’s happened to this family in a long time.”
I watched them leave, and when the door closed, I turned toward Rhett. “They’re just as wonderful as they used to be. Maybe even more so.”
“Get over here.”
I laughed as I walked around his desk, setting the bag on the floor before I climbed on his lap. “Hi. Surprise.”
He kissed me. Slowly. And then he nuzzled into my neck. “Lunch, huh? How did I become such a lucky man?”
My head tilted back as he kissed up to my ear and over my throat, his lips making it difficult to think. “I felt like cooking, and you get to be my guinea pig. Since I can’t eat it, I have no idea how good it is—or how bad.”
“You can’t eat it?” His mouth stalled on my collarbone, his exhales causing shivers to run through my body.
“Lasagna with real cheese as opposed to the vegan cheese I would normally use.”
“I’m going to devour it, the same way I want to devour you right now,” he breathed out before he pulled his mouth off my skin. “What I wouldn’t do to swipe everything off my desk and put you on top of it, getting you naked so I could eat you for fucking lunch.” His exhale sounded like a moan while he looked at me. “ Mmm .”
“Rhett, you’re at work.” I gently slapped his chest, but the truth was, I wanted everything he’d just described.
“I’m the boss. What I do in my office is my business.” He rubbed his thumb back and forth over my lips. “But you’re right, I need to let this hard-on die because the first time I taste you after all these years isn’t going to be on top of my desk or in a room where anyone else can hear you scream.”