Chapter 30
Christian
A sleepless night.
I’d paced the floors, thinking about what Carson had told me. He was much more intuitive than I’d given him credit for. All the years wasted would continue to haunt me. I didn’t know if I felt relief or just more guilt from actively blaming him for all these years.
Such a fucking waste.
I jogged toward the door, pushing my way inside and heading toward the elevator. The funny thing was that even after the last tumultuous week, I felt lighter than I had in a very long time.
Was it relief of some guilt or finally being able to face the man inside? I didn’t know and maybe never would, but I knew what I was about to do was the right thing.
One way or the other, it was time I lived my life on my terms.
I found myself whistling inside the elevator, smiling at those who entered. This wasn’t about happiness, but doing something that I should have done a long time ago.
As soon as I stepped off into the corridor leading to the office, I fixed my tie like Vanessa had done for me so many times before. I should look the part of a corporate mogul. Right?
With long strides, I headed into the office, waving at the receptionist who seemed shocked that I’d arrived at the office. I guess news traveled fast.
I headed to my father’s office. Of course he’d come in early since the company was facing what would be called a crisis.
Michael had called, telling me that my father was pissed and that was fine by me.
Heather smiled as I approached, but I could see the same look of concern in her eyes as when I’d been here before. My father was in a shitty mood.
When I was standing outside his door, I could hear voices. With a smile on my face, I headed inside without knocking.
Michael and another member of the board were inside, only my friend was not surprised that I’d made an unannounced appearance.
“Hello, Dad. Michael. William. How is everyone on this gorgeous day?”
“What the fuck is going on, son?” My father should know better than to jump me immediately. I didn’t take kindly to being accosted first thing.
I moved closer, planting my hands on his desk and leaning over.
“I know what you’re going to say. I shouldn’t have allowed my emotions to get involved.
I should have kept Vanessa on a leash and if I know you, if you’d known ahead of time her brother was having a substance problem, you would have called her damaged goods even with her father being Jonathan Blair. Right?”
He didn’t say anything, but when he opened his mouth, I waved my hand.
“Save it, Dad. I know you too well. You love to manipulate everyone including me. I bought it for my entire life thinking this company was all I wanted. Then I got control of it, changing some things about our operations, which I’m proud of.
Nothing mattered to you. Not even your daughter.
Caroline has been dead for over ten years, but you haven’t mentioned her name in at least nine of them.
Were you embarrassed by her? Is that why you never gave Carson the time of day? ”
“Let me speak, son.”
“Nope. I’ve heard enough. This needs to be said and should have been years ago.
Vanessa is far too good for me. She’s an amazing human being and much like you, her father ignored or denied his son’s issues.
That put the burden on her. I treated Carson as if he was the problem when he needed my understanding and support.
I didn’t give it to him. I’ll carry that with me for the rest of my life, but I won’t allow you or anyone else to destroy Vanessa.
I know Lopez had decided to go with Blair.
While I think he won’t be happy, I honestly don’t care. ”
When I laughed, my father finally narrowed his eyes into the old familiar anger I’d seen so many times.
“And get this. I really don’t. So, I know what you’re going to tell me, Dad.
That I’m a failure and you’re disappointed in me, but as I said before, I don’t care.
But let me save you some trouble. You and the board of directors don’t need to fire me.
I quit.” I laughed again and felt more relief than I had in years.
Maybe my life. “Isn’t that fabulous? I quit. ” I turned around, winking at Michael.
“Christian,” my father called.
I waved him off, heading out the door.
Michael trailed behind me. “Congratulations, but you need to hear something.”
“I’m a little busy, my friend. Now I need to figure out how to get Vanessa back.” I continued walking.
“Lopez decided to come back to our firm.”
“Why would he do that?”
He moved in front of me just as I reached the door, forcing me to stop. “Vanessa. Evidently, she had a discussion with him. Whatever she said worked.” Michael’s eyes were twinkling.
It took me a moment to realize what he’d said. “You’re kidding.”
“No, I’m not. Are you sure you don’t want your job back?”
I rubbed my jaw, a smile crossing my face so easily my face hurt. “I’m positive. Now, if you’ll excuse me. I’ve made my choice.”
“Good for you. Just don’t forget to invite me to the wedding.”
“Very funny.”
Vanessa
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but in the three days you’ve been back to work, you’ve done little more than stare at your phone hoping a certain person would call you. Right?” Amelia had her arms folded, one leg crossed over the other as she stood in my doorway.
“I have not.”
“Yes, you have. Why don’t you call him?”
“Because… Because we’re not talking.”
“Because you’re both stubborn.”
“I am not stubborn.”
“Bullshit.”
“Get back to work. We have several new client meetings today.”
She grinned. “That you couldn’t care less about. Admit it.”
“I will not.”
“Uh-huh. You won’t be happy until you’re in his arms, smooching and fondling each other.”
I took a balled-up piece of paper from the trash, tossing it in her direction. Of course she was right. All I’d been doing was pining away for him, unable to sleep and barely eating. I’d hoped he’d call, but it was obvious I’d been right about him all along.
Why did it hurt so much? “Get out of here. Do your job,” I teased. “And close the door behind you.”
“Why, yes, ma’am.”
As soon as she did, I dropped my head into my hands. What was I doing? Why couldn’t I just pick up the phone and call Christian?
Maybe I was stubborn, but he certainly hadn’t made an effort to contact me.
The only good news I’d heard in the seventy-two hours of self-imposed torture was that my father had lost the contract with Barchella.
The details weren’t known, but I could take some sense in satisfaction that he’d lost his big, bad, ruthless game after all.
The fact he’d left me two rather nasty voicemails had proven what I’d said to Lopez and his wife had hit home.
What had I told them?
I’d admitted we’d entered into a contract for the sole purpose of deceiving them into believing Elliot Enterprises was a family corporation.
The words had been scripted, said with perfect intonations as I would teach any of my subcontracted employees.
I’d told them about Donovan, the words painful to say, but something they’d needed to hear.
After that, the conversation had taken a different turn when Triana had asked what I really felt about Christian. I’d gone off the rails and ten minutes later, I’d admitted I was madly in love with the man and was certain he felt the same.
I’d provided examples that had been easy to do, dripping from my tongue like warm butter. I’d spouted off his best attributes and the things that drove me batshit crazy. In the end, my eyesight had been foggy from the dream state I’d drifted into.
What a crock of shit.
But it wasn’t.
I twirled my ring, glaring at the bauble as my stomach continued to churn. Why was this so difficult?
Work.
That’s what I needed, to immerse myself in work. I’d feel better at some point. A few days. Maybe a year.
I turned to my laptop, the empty wall across from my desk catching my eye. Maybe at some point I’d purchase another neon sign, just to bring everything back to the way it was before…
B.C.
Before Christian.
With a smile on my face, I turned to the schedule. Before I knew it, a full thirty minutes had passed.
Suddenly, my door was flung open, Amelia rushing inside. I heard noise and immediately bristled.
“What is going on out there?”
She stared at me wide-eyed. “A delivery service that refuses to go away. We didn’t order anything. Did we?”
“Maybe some office supplies. Just tell them to leave it in the reception area.”
“I tried.” She wiped her face, shaking her head as she did.
Hold on. Did I see a twinkle in her eyes?
“What is really going on, Amelia? Confess or else.”
“Nothing. Just some unruly men.” As if to prove her point, two men dressed in uniforms burst into the room carrying a huge box.
“What is this and who the hell are you and why do you think you can just bust in unwanted?” I was on my feet, snarling in a way that allowed me to release some of the rage and irritation I felt at the entire world.
They said nothing, immediately beginning to unbox whatever they’d brought.
I glanced at Amelia. Oh, no, she was not trying to hide a smile.
“What did you do?” My demand had a lilt to it.
“Me? Nothing. This was very unexpected. Very.”
“You’re a terrible liar. Who sent this?” Another demand the men ignored.
They were quick in their actions, unboxing the item within two minutes. Whatever it had remained wrapped in foam, but it didn’t take them long to lift and push the huge piece against the wall.
Now I was curious, moving from around my desk. For some reason, I was nervous.
The men pulled out drills and fasteners like lightning. Maybe three minutes later they unveiled the piece.
“What the…”
Another loud bang occurred from the reception area.
“Let me see what that is,” Amelia chirped and rushed from the scene of the crime.
The two men stood back, turning to me as if seeking approval.
I couldn’t react right away, the incredible neon sign a creation of beauty. Not only did it have the Perfect Pairing name in the same script I’d used, but there was an incredible, well-lit depiction of Miami as a background.
“Who did this?” I asked, the venom gone from my voice.
A shout dragged my attention away and I heard Amelia’s voice clearly.
“You can’t go in there.”
But the person ignored the request, storming into my office as if he owned the place.
“That’s all, boys. I appreciate your help.”
“Happy to, Mr. Elliot. Let us know if there is anything else you need.” One of the two men had spoken, both giving me a nod before exiting my office.
Christian closed the door behind them, now standing with his hands in the pockets of lightweight trousers, loafers without socks on his feet, a tight cobalt tee shirt accenting every marvelous chest muscle, and a wicked grin that could light up all of Miami.
“You look like you just stepped out of an episode of Miami Vice,” I told him, my pulse ticking up a thousand beats. I wanted to be furious with him, but my body betrayed me, my pussy already wet, soaking my lacy thong.
He swaggered closer. “Be careful, Wildcat. You’ll date yourself.”
“Who gives a shit.” I found myself taking one step then another. The draw to him was electric, a magnet I couldn’t ignore.
“You were always a rule-breaker, so I thought I’d help you with your efforts.”
“Oh, okay. How’s the big project coming? Broken ground yet?” We were now inches apart.
“I wouldn’t know.” He took a long, lingering look all the way down to my heels, his nostrils flaring.
“Why is that?” My God. How was it possible he was even more handsome than before?
“Because I quit.”
The man could have said anything else and I wouldn’t have been shocked, but as soon as he stated the words, I gasped. “You’re kidding me.”
“I never kid about business or pleasure.” He closed the distance, his chest rising and falling. “I see you’re still wearing my ring.”
“Oh, this. Just a lovely bauble. I might sell it.” I held up my hand, moaning as soon as he grabbed my wrist, bringing my palm to his mouth. As he pressed kisses against my skin, I swayed back and forth. “What are you doing here?”
“You needed another sign. I had connections.”
“You have connections with everyone.”
“Yes, I do. I thought I would put them to good use.” He licked down my middle finger and I shuddered.
“The sign is amazing.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that.”
“What are you doing here?” I couldn’t help myself, brushing the tips of my fingers down his chest. Just as rock hard as before.
He shrugged, lifting his head and yanking me closer, wrapping his arm around me. “I have a proposition for you.”
“You do, huh?”
“Yep. I was thinking we could work together to make Perfect Pairing something special.”
“You’re saying it isn’t?” The intensity of his aftershave was overwhelming and I could easily get drunk off the scent.
He lowered his head until our lips were almost touching. “Anything with you involved is magical, utter perfection.”
“You’re just saying that.”
“No, Vanessa. I am not. I can’t do this without you.”
“This?” My words were barely audible.
“Life. You are everything to me. There’s no sunrise as beautiful as your smile, no twinkle of stars able to ignite the fire within like your touch. You’re the air I breathe and in my every thought.”
“Does that mean you want to marry me?” He brushed his lips across mine and I rose onto my tiptoes, wrapping one arm around his shoulder.
“Very much so. As long as you obey.”
Laughing, I shook my head. “You know I can’t.”
“I’ll teach you. We’ll work together. What do you think?”
“As long as I’m president and CEO and you’re my lowly assistant, I think I can handle it.”
“We’ll see about that.” As he captured my mouth, I completely let go.
All the tension.
All the irritation.
All the fury that the man had driven into me went away.
Poof.
All that remained was the sweet thrill of victory.
But not of a game.
Not of pretense.
Not of business.
Of love.
The sweetest victory of all.