Chapter 35
Reese
“Are you sure you have to go into the office at this hour? The sun’s not even up yet.”
I was pretty sure it was more night than day, but I hadn’t looked at the clock when Clay tried to sneak out of bed a little while ago.
“Sadly, I do.” There was something sexy and seductive watching Clay dress.
It didn’t matter if it was the jeans and T-shirt he’d worn back home or the expensive suit he donned now.
Standing in front of his dresser, he positioned a deep emerald-colored tie around his neck and glanced at me through the glass.
The color played perfectly with the wicked glint in his eyes.
His practiced hands worked the two ends into a perfect knot before opening a drawer, selecting a belt, and threading it through the loops at his waist. “Lachlain’s texts woke me.
He and Gage are already at the office, and I need to be there.
” The way his hands worked the buckle had me panting a little, disappointed I would be alone for the day.
Concern outweighed desire at the moment, however. “Does this have to do with what we talked about last night? Or something to do with Reg?” I had not liked that man one bit, and it was clear something more than normal business was on the table.
Tight lines formed at the corner of his mouth, something I hadn’t seen before, only to be replaced by ice in his eyes.
This version of Clay was formidable and cold, determined to strike down whatever stood in his path.
His intensity and demeanor should worry me, and maybe if I weren’t already head over heels for the man, they would.
Instead, I wanted to know what was going on, to help.
“Is there something I can do?” I called after him as he disappeared into the walk-in closet. The damn thing was larger than my bedroom back home. My cousins would faint dead away seeing it. Well, the girls anyway. I wasn’t sure some of the guys did more than throw their clothes in a pile.
“Your being here is exactly what I need.” He slid his arms into his suit jacket as he emerged from the closet. “Regarding your questions, the answer is yes to both.”
“What aren’t you telling me, Clay?” I didn’t know big business and billionaire dollar corporations, but I knew people, and the man in front of me right now was hiding something.
I tried to make myself believe it wasn’t a big something, but like Ever said, “go big or go home,” and that was exactly where my mind went.
He looked away and then, with a brief nod to himself, he perched on the edge of the bed. “I made a deal with Reginald before I met you. He’d give me Montgomery if I got you to agree to work with us.”
Pain slashed through me. I knew his interest in us was too good to be true. There’s an agreement though.
“He’d never given me a concrete way to get Father’s company, and I wasn’t about to turn him down.”
I threw back the covers and jumped from the bed, not caring at all that I had no clothes on. He’d seen it all anyway. “So you were ready to screw us over and get your property.”
“I didn’t say that,” he countered. I turned back to him, hands on my hips and fire in my eyes, staring him down. “My plan from early on was to work with you. To make Henley Falls the first step in the return of Montgomery.”
There was something he wasn’t saying. I could see it in his eyes, the way he didn’t quite meet my gaze. I hadn’t spent this much time with the man over the past weeks and not know some of his tells.
“Can you put some clothes on?” His question came out pained, and it didn’t take much to notice his state of arousal.
“I shouldn’t.” My actions didn’t meet my words as I slipped on the shirt he’d worn the night before. “Happy?” The question came out more bitter than I would have liked to let on.
“Not particularly, since now I can’t see you.” I narrowed my gaze and Clay held up his hands in surrender, then ruined it all by adding, “But you look adorable in my shirt.”
Closing my eyes, I tried to calm down and listen to what he had to say. Unfortunately, his phone chimed.
“Fuck,” he cursed as he slid it from his pocket and glanced at the screen.
“That was Lachlain again.” He ran his fingers over my hair, smoothing it back, before kissing me on the forehead.
“I can’t tell you everything that’s going on just yet, but I promise…
” He paused, staring into my eyes with an earnestness I so wanted to trust. “…nothing is going to happen to your dreams.”
His lips found mine and I opened to him willingly. I may be worried about the business, but there was no way I could deny the way he made me feel. “Fine.” I knelt on the bed and wrapped my arms around his neck. “But I expect answers tonight.”
“You’ll get them.” He turned from me and headed toward the door.
With a glance back, he added, “We’ll talk about where we go from here too, Little Trouble, because there’s no way in hell I’m letting you go.
Somehow, I found you, and I’m not going to lose you.
” His lips quirked up as my mouth dropped open and he sauntered away.
Dropping back onto the bed, I watched him leave the room. In the quiet of the apartment, his footsteps on the marble staircase echoed, followed by the closing of the door.
I was alone, with nothing to do but think. Curling onto my side, I dragged Clay’s pillow to my chest, wondering exactly how my life had morphed into something I never expected and barely recognized.
Last night felt different from every other time between us.
It felt like a connection between our souls, not only our bodies.
Probably because I used the “L” word. Twice.
Like an idiot. I hadn’t thought that way last night.
In the moment, asking him to make love to me came naturally. Because I do love him.
I wasn’t sure when exactly it happened, but it had. The emotion had come on hot and strong and overwhelming, like everything and nothing I had expected at the same time. Maybe he was Grams in this situation. Coming into Henley Falls and sweeping me off my feet.
Except she’d stayed. What were the chances of that happening now?
“None,” I said aloud.
That’s not what Clay said.
“No way in hell I’m letting you go.” Those had been his exact words, but what did he even mean by them?
He was finally getting control of his company and everything that went along with it.
This city and apartment were amazing, a level of luxury and wealth I’d never had any dreams of experiencing, but they weren’t for me.
Not because I wasn’t good enough for Manhattan, but because I belonged in the Falls. It was home.
But what if Clay were home? What if the man, not the location, was where I found my place?
I shook off the thought and focused on the situation I found myself in.
There was something extraordinarily natural about waking up in his massive bed, having him take me again before his alarm even went off and watching him ready himself for work.
Like we'd been doing this for years instead of only a few days.
As if this was the way life was meant to be.
Which was simply bizarre. How could something that should be so far out of the realm of my normal be what felt the most right?
I didn’t know what was happening with Clay, where any of this was going, but in that moment, I knew I’d try. I couldn’t not try.
Flipping onto my back, I flung my arms wide and lay there on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.
“I sure as hell hope I know what I’m doing.”
I didn’t know if I was relieved or worried that the universe didn’t answer back.
Good morning again, Little Trouble.
Morning, Clay. Is everything okay?
Yes and no, but it will all turn out alright. I don’t know when I’ll be home, though.
I’m sure I’ll find something to do in all this space. Did you know you have like a legit theater in your apartment?
Yes, I’m aware.
Taylor’s concert on the big screen will send Ever into a tailspin.
Enjoy. Also, Grandmother said she might come over to keep you company.
Tell her she doesn’t need to do that.
I did. You try to tell Giovanna Conti what to do and let me know how that goes.
Are you scared of her, Claaaaayyyyy?
Most definitely. See you later.
I pulled open the apartment door an hour later, ready to invite Giovanna in to watch the rest of the concert. Only, it wasn’t Clay’s grandmother standing on the other side.
“Mr. Aster.” Quite possibly the last person I wanted to see, let alone be in an empty apartment with. Something about the man set off the alarms on my ick meter.
His wide smile displayed sparkling white teeth. It was like the Big Bad Wolf had come for a visit. “Hello, Ms. Henley.”
“Hello.” If he heard the ice in my voice, he didn’t let on.
“Clay’s not here. He left for the office earlier.
” I wasn’t about to tell him he was partially the cause of his pre-dawn departure.
“I’m sure you can find him there.” It wasn’t that I felt unsafe physically, but there was a little voice in my head telling me I didn’t want to hear what this man wanted to tell me.
“Yes, dear. I know.” He looked past me and into the apartment. Was he checking to see if anyone else was there? “May I come in?”
Not liking him was one thing, but saying no would be rude. Right? Though when has that ever stopped me.
I really, really wanted to say no.
Still, he was Clay’s stepfather, and even if I had no idea what was going on, maybe I could find something out.
Do a little investigating while he was here.
Maybe I’d get him to tell me something no one else knew about.
Oh, like a murder. Even inner me rolled her eyes at that.
Giving myself an internal shake, I stepped back. “Of course.”
The second I closed the door, I wanted to open it again and shove him out. Still, I could play the gracious host. “Would you like something to drink?”