Chapter 40
CHAPTER FORTY
Winnie stood in front of the staff in the assembly hall, recalling all too well the first time she’d done this. The uncertain glances, the subtle shaking of heads, Matthew’s snarky comments from the back. It was all rushing back to her.
But this time would be different. Because this time, she was different.
“Hi,” she said awkwardly, refusing to pull up her typical Knox exterior. How could she claim the power from the name when she’d decided to be just Winnie? “Thank you so much for coming here this morning. I’m sure you’ve all been wondering what’s going to happen to the festival after last week’s, um, okay event.”
A few nods occurred around the room. Matthew, who sat on the front row, leaned forward, his eyes focused on hers with a soft, encouraging smile.
Her heart skipped a beat, as it had each time she’d seen him since their kiss the day before, but she tore her gaze away, not wanting anyone to notice their lingering attention on each other.
“I’m happy to say,” she continued, “that Mr. Wintour has given us—has given me —another opportunity to prove the festival’s worth with all of you. I’m even happier to share that this time, your opinions will take on more weight, the changes made will be approved by each member of the staff here, and Matthew and I will be working as a team to ensure this festival really goes off without a hitch.”
Her eyes roved over the group, gauging reactions that ranged from excited smiles to wary brows. Inevitably, she returned to Matthew next, his knowing look and encouraging smile giving her the courage to continue until she saw Mrs. Birdwhistle glance between them with a curious gaze.
Winnie grimaced inwardly. She didn’t want anyone to think that the only reason she hadn’t been fired was because of her fraternizing with the boss’s son. Matthew didn’t seem bothered by revealing whatever this was between them, but she was.
She’d tried to speak with him about it the day before—and that morning after their plan had been approved by Mr. Wintour—but her courage had faltered each time because she worried Matthew wouldn’t understand.
Either way, they couldn’t carry on with their little looks and smiles, not if she wanted to prove that she’d come by her new position honorably. Until then, she would reinstate her will and force her eyes to focus on everyone but Matthew.
That became easier after a while, especially when she told the others that they would be reinstating the damsel in distress and unscripted winners for the joust. The looks of relief and joy across each face reaffirmed to her again that she had finally made the right decision in making the changes, and she was relieved because of it.
Finally, after an hour of Winnie explaining the new proposal, the staff agreed to accomplish the work in time to hold a two-day grand opening event, two weeks from Friday. If they were met with success, they’d continue on every other weekend after that until the summer ended.
To Winnie’s relief, each of them appeared to leave the meeting with renewed spirits. Everyone, that is, but herself.
As Matthew remained behind, she geared up for another conversation, one she prayed would end up as good as the last .
Obviously unaware of her reluctance, Matthew grinned from ear-to-ear the moment the door clicked closed and they were left to themselves.
“Well,” he said, raising his hands out to his sides, “is it just me, or did they all take those plans remarkably well?”
“No, it wasn’t just you,” she agreed, stacking up papers to avoid eye contact. “It’s night and day compared to the last time.”
Matthew didn’t respond for a minute, his eyes boring into the back of her. “And yet…you’re unhappy.”
She straightened the rest of her belongings, then turned to face him. It was time. “No, I’m not unhappy with the meeting at all. It’s just that…”
He looked at her, then nodded, as if he understood the turmoil within her mind. “It’s just that…we need to chat.”
She nodded slowly. “Yeah.”
“About moving forward as professionals,” he continued.
“Yeah,” she repeated. “I just think it might be better if we kept our relationship…on the DL.”
He tipped his head to the side, his eyes narrowing. “And by that, you mean…”
She sighed, leaning back so she half-sat on the table. “I’d like to keep seeing you. And spending time with you. But I think, right now, while things are so iffy with people trusting me, it might be smarter if we didn’t do anything that led them to believe that I was given a second chance just because of you and I being…together?”
Her words were disjointed, as awkward out loud as they were in her mind.
Luckily, Matthew seemed to understand perfectly. “In short, you wish to keep our business ours.”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I want,” she said.
“So…” He took a step closer to her. “That means no more secret looks.”
She nodded.
“No more secret smiles.” He drew a step closer .
That look in his eyes…She didn’t know if she liked it. It was far too appealing. She tried to lean back, only then realizing she was stuck with the table right behind her.
“No more secret…” His eyes caught hers. “Kisses.”
She swallowed hard, trying to remember what they’d been speaking about in the first place.
“Is that what you want?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Yes?” The word had come out in a question. She cleared her throat, trying again. “Yes, that’s exactly what I want.”
He stood a breath away from her, their bodies so close to touching, a single movement would press their chests together.
That twinkle in his eye told her he was doing this on purpose, trying to call her bluff and test her resolve with these brand-new rules between them.
By giving in, she’d be revealing the truth—that she had no resolve. But then, why did she have to prove that she had none when she already knew she didn’t? What if she did kiss him? No one else was in the room with them. Besides, once more wouldn’t hurt. In fact, it would probably help her to get it out of her system.
She bit her lip, trying to talk herself out of it, but the more he stared at her in silence, the more her desire grew to wipe that gorgeous smirk off his lips with a kiss he wouldn’t soon forget—a kiss that would put the ball back in her own court.
Without another thought as to why she most definitely shouldn’t do it, Winnie grabbed his shirt and pulled him toward her, pressing her lips against his without notice.
He responded at once, and fire burst between them, embers from yesterday still simmering, making it easier for them to jump into the flames. She slid her hands up his arms, allowing her fingers free rein as they inched toward his curls—those curls she’d been dreaming of touching for weeks.
All that waiting was worth it, though, as the soft locks slipped easily through her fingertips. Matthew sighed deeply at her touch, and he wrapped his arms around her, his fingers splayed across her back as he pressed her against him.
Winnie deepened their kiss, all the while acutely aware of the location of the door, her ears homed in on any sound that may indicate anyone discovering them.
This kiss was different than the day before. It held more passion, more fire, more sparks. Gone was the timidity, the uncertainty of what the other felt, because they both knew now, as clear as the sun shining that morning, that their feelings were reciprocated.
And that was enough for her.
With as much strength as she could muster, she gave Matthew one final, long, lingering, satisfying kiss, then pulled abruptly away.
The dazed look in Matthew’s eyes gave her just the boost her pride needed, his longing for her still emblazoned across his features.
She smiled, pretending to be unaffected.
“I…” Matthew began, his voice husky. He cleared his throat and tried again. “I thought you said no more kisses.”
She shrugged. “That was just one last time to help us both get through the coming weeks.” She smiled, wiping her lower lip for good measure. “Just like we promised.”
“I think it did the opposite for me,” he said, smoothing down his beard.
“I was hoping for that, too.” She gathered her belongings and headed to exit the assembly hall. “Now come along, Matthew. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
She walked away, feeling his eyes on her until she left the room. Only then did she allow herself to admit how much trouble she was in. Because any chance she had before of focusing on the festival had now been swallowed up by the sheer and utter bliss she’d received from that kiss.