27. Damien
Damien
H olding tightly to Ella’s hand, we hurried along the sidewalk as fast as the Louboutins would allow her to walk. While Michael had offered to drive, both the Union Boutique and Van’s office weren’t far from the hotel. Despite the chill in the air, it was a pleasant day. Hardy Wisconsinites were out and about up and down the city’s main streets.
“Are we far from Mr. Sherman’s office,” Ella asked.
“No.” I tilted my chin toward a three-story building with a brick facade. “It’s right there.”
She stopped walking. “Then I’m fine. I don’t need a coat.”
I tugged her forward, stepping in front of what had been a historical bank. “As luck would have it, we’re at the boutique the hotel clerk recommended.”
“I don’t think?—”
Pulling her closer, chest to chest, I leaned down. “I don’t recall you being this impossible back when we were together.”
“I’m impossible?”
“Good girl. Acknowledging our shortcomings is the first step.” My lips quirked into a grin at her expression. Before she could argue, I said, “Now, let’s see what they have.”
A bell jingled as I opened the door, allowing Ella to enter before me. The hotel clerk said that the boutique was Ashland’s newest clothing store. Two women turned our direction and smiled.
“May I help you find anything,” a petite brunette said as she came our way.
Before Ella could tell the woman we were here by mistake, I spoke, “We’re in Ashland for the weekend. I believe we didn’t accurately check the weather. Do you by chance have any women’s coats?”
The brunette sucked on her lower pink lip as she turned toward the showroom floor. “I’m afraid we have our spring merchandise out.”
Technically, by the calendar it was spring.
The second woman, a redhead, came forward. “We have a few options in back.” She smiled. “If you like one, the good news is they’re discounted.”
I turned to Ella and lifted my eyebrows.
“Fine, yes,” she said. She spoke to the redhead, “If you don’t mind getting them for me.”
“Of course,” the redhead replied. “Give me a minute.”
“May I get you anything?” the first woman asked. “A glass of champagne or perhaps you’d like to browse.”
“It’s a bit early for champagne,” Ella replied.
“We’ll browse,” I said, hoping for some privacy.
As Ella walked away, I couldn’t help that my focus went to the way the navy skirt with the high waist accentuated her curves. The hem of the blazer was high enough to watch the sway of her round ass. And the heels made her shapely legs even sexier. She stopped at a long rack filled with blouses. Walking up behind her, I lowered my volume. “Thank you for not arguing with the woman doing her job.”
Ella spun toward me, her sapphire stare meeting mine. “My issue isn’t with the woman. Besides, she had me at discounted.”
“You know price isn’t an issue.”
“I’m paying for my own coat, Damien. It’s a coat I don’t need, but I can afford it.”
“Consider it a business expense.”
“Creative accounting is bad for business.”
The clip of the redhead’s shoes caused us to turn. Over her arm, she had a stack of different coats. Her smile grew as she came near. “I didn’t ask your size. I guessed and brought out what we had that would fit.”
Ella stepped forward and tugged on a bright pink sleeve. “May I see this one?”
The woman set the stack over a chair and began to dig toward the pink coat.
“Pink?” I asked.
Ella flashed me a stunning smile. “Exactly, not one you would choose.”
At first glance she was right. However, as the coat was lifted higher for viewing, I was sold.
The woman was speaking as she untied the sash. “…a Carolina Herrera wrap with a shawl collar, made with virgin wool in Italy. I believe the striking color will look stunning with your hair.” She held up the coat and Ella stepped forward, sliding her arms into the sleeves.
Walking to a three-way mirror, Ella tied the belt around her waist and pivoted from side to side. Sliding her hands into the pockets, she turned all the way around. Finally, her blue eyes met mine. “Do you hate it?”
I didn’t. “I thought my opinion didn’t matter.”
“If you’d like to try on any of the other ones.”
Ella shook her head, still wearing the bright pink coat. “Could you give us a minute?”
The woman nodded and stepped away.
With my hands on her shoulders, I turned Ella until she faced the mirrors and stood behind her. “It isn’t the one I would have chosen, but it’s stunning.”
Ella’s smile grew. “Do you really think so?”
“No.”
She spun back toward me. “Damien.”
“You’re stunning. The coat is lovely, and the color brings attention to you, the attention you deserve for being the smartest, the most informed, and the most gorgeous woman in the world.”
She turned back to the mirror. “I do like it.” Lifting one sleeve, she pulled out the price tag and her eyes grew three sizes.
I reached for her arm. “The price doesn’t matter.”
“Holy shit,” she stage-whispered. “She said discounted. It’s discounted to eight hundred dollars.”
“Not a problem.”
“I said I’m paying for it.”
“You can pay me back.”
“Damien, I have the money. It’s just that buying a coat for a weekend is unnecessary.”
Reaching for the belt, I leaned toward her ear and whispered. “Wear this coat to my room tonight with those heels and nothing more and your debt is paid.”
She sucked in a breath as her cheeks pinkened to match the coat. “Inappropriate.”
I lifted my brow and tilted my head toward the other coats. “I’m sure you’d look stunning in any of those.”
Ella snagged her lower lip with her front teeth. “It is warm.”
“Then your nipples aren’t hard.”
She smiled and lowered her chin.
“They are hard because you’re thinking of how brazen it will feel to walk to my room in nothing but this coat and heels tonight.”
Ella let out a long breath. “Fine, I’ll take the coat. Aren’t we late for our meeting?” She started to remove the coat.
Lifting my hand, I garnered the attention of the redhead. “We’d like the coat. May she wear it?”
“Of course.”
When I met the saleswoman at the counter, she continued speaking. “It’s a great deal, fifty percent off the original price.”
I handed her my credit card. “It makes her happy.” I was speaking of Ella. “For that, I would have paid double.”
As the saleswoman handed me my receipt, she whispered to Ella, “You’re a lucky woman.”
“I’m the lucky one,” I said, resting my hand in the small of Ella’s back and leading her out onto the sidewalk. “What do you think?”
Ella looked over at me through veiled lashes. “When I discovered my seat was beside yours on the plane, I thought my luck had run out. Maybe it didn’t.”
“Van’s office is right over there.” I took her hand and after looking both directions, led Ella across the street. Inside the seemingly modest building was a breathtaking brick entry, two stories high with a sign that read Sherman Corporation in large letters over a door mostly comprised of smoked glass. Reluctantly removing my hand from Ella’s back, I gestured for her to enter.
“Mr. Sinclair,” Connie, Van’s assistant, greeted as we entered.
“Connie, it’s nice to see you.” I tilted my head toward Ella. “Connie, this is my friend Gabriella Crystal. Ella, this is Connie, one of the women who keeps Van in line.”
Connie’s laugh filled the front room. “I think Julia has a handle on that job. Let me tell them you’re here.” She turned to Ella. “It’s nice to meet you. Mr. Sherman has told me many great things.” Her smile grew. “I love your coat. You were smart to bring one. People forget how far north we are.”
“Does it ever get warm here?”
“Oh yes. Our summers are lovely, all two weeks.” She scoffed. “I’m kidding, but yes, it does heat up.” Connie went behind her desk and made a call. When she looked up, she smiled. “I’ll take you upstairs.”
The elevator she led us to was old-fashioned, the kind with a cage instead of solid walls. Thankfully, it was motorized. With a push of a button, Connie took us to the third floor. Before the bars to the elevator opened, I saw Van and Julia. Her hand was in his as they watched our arrival. For a split second, a tinge of jealousy ached in my chest. I wasn’t jealous of Van and Julia, but of what they represented—a happily married couple. I wondered if I hadn’t screwed things up with Ella the first time, if we could be like them—holding hands, running companies, and raising children.
The door opened and Ella and I stepped out.
“Welcome to Ashland,” Van said to me with a hearty handshake. He turned his attention to Ella. “It’s good to see you again, Ms. Crystal.”
“Ella, please.”
Julia was more direct as she came up and clenched Ella’s hands. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“Finally?”
“Oh, Damien has only been talking about you for years. He’s nothing if not persistent.”
Craning her neck, Ella flashed me a smile. “That he is.”
“Where did you get that coat?” I heard Julia ask as she led Ella toward a conference room.
“You believe this will work?” Van asked as we stayed near the elevator shaft.
“Ella is good. You saw her at the gala. And with her experience with Sinclair, she is light-years ahead of most candidates.”
Van lowered his tone. “You can thank my wife for getting everyone on board, but I want you to know, Dwain Welsh and Kendrick Cade were the most hesitant.”
“I figured. Welsh knows that Moon Pharmaceutical is a thorn in my side. He’s not exactly looking to help Sinclair. What’s with Cade?”
“Same old story. Perry Drugs is the front name. It’s the same reason the Cades were hesitant to join the coalition. He’s concerned about Ms. Crystal’s confidentiality.”
“She’ll sign an NDA. It’s also why she’ll be working from Sinclair,” I said. “The information she receives will be held as confidential. It won’t be made public or even shared with others at Beta Kappa Phi.”
“I told him.” Van lifted his chin the direction the women went. “This is Julia’s baby, not mine. She has a real handle on the other CEOs, and she’s one hundred percent on board.”
“Speaking of babies,” I said with a grin. “How is it to be the father of two?”
Van’s grin grew. “Other than lack of sleep, I’m a fan. And once school is out in Texas, my niece, Brooklyn, will be staying with us for the summer.” He shook his head. “She’s fourteen now and loves the kids.”
“How does Julia do it?”
“She’s a superwoman without a cape. But I’ll have you know she doesn’t do it alone. If time has taught this old man anything, it’s when and what to delegate. Julia and I are both hands-on with the kids as much as possible. That doesn’t mean we don’t have help, but I’d walk away from Sherman Corporation before walking away from my family.”
Wow. That wasn’t something I expected to hear from a man like Donovan Sherman.
“That’s something,” I said.
“It’s the only thing.” His gaze narrowed. “If you’re serious about Ella, she needs to know that…that she’s the only thing that matters to you.” He shrugged. “I get if that’s not something you can commit to, but if you can’t, don’t expect her to commit for both of you. Think about what happened with Amber.”
Pressing my lips together, I shook my head, wishing Van and I hadn’t become as close as we had. The last two years were grueling in their own way. I probably overshared on occasion. No, with that remark, I definitely overshared. “Ella is different. She always has been. I need to make it through the next five months and then she can and will be my only thing.”
“I don’t know,” he said, “kids give you a different perspective. Five months is a lifetime.”
“This campaign with Beta Kappa Phi will help secure my position at Sinclair.” I exhaled. “My dad is facing some health issues. Darius is poisoning the board. I can only manage so many fires at once.”
“Ella seems like a great woman. I remember your elevator pitch when you found out about the gala.” He lifted his hands. “Listen, I’m not an expert on the relationship thing. I fucked up more than I succeeded.” He tilted his head toward the conference room. “But damn, success makes all those failures worth it, and I guess I’d rather see a friend avoid the failures and enjoy the success, sooner rather than later.”
“Van,” Julia called as she stuck her head out the doorway. “You two can gossip later. Come in here and help me prepare Ella. I’m not sure of your plan, but I want her as ready as possible for this weekend.”
“Gossiping.” Turning to me with a grin, Van said, “We weren’t gossiping.”
“Hell no.”
Soon the four of us were seated around a long glass table.
“I’m not sure if this campaign with Beta Kappa Phi was Damien’s or Van’s idea,” Julia said to Ella, “but when I heard it, I knew this would work.”
“I hope you’re right,” Ella replied.
Julia looked over at Van and me. “Let’s be real, these guys can be pains in the ass, but they know their stuff, and they have made a fortune. A great businessman once told me that the only bad idea is the one you don’t investigate.”
Ella smiled. “Is that businessman in this room?”
“Yeah.” She turned toward Van with a grin. “I liked his advice so much, I married him.”
I decided I should give Van’s advice some serious consideration. If he can get a woman like Julia to look at him the way she does, he could be an expert on relationships.
Over the next three hours, we ate a lunch that Connie delivered to the conference room and discussed the finer details of the coalition and our expectations for the Beta Kappa Phi campaign. At about two thirty, Julia received word that Robert Ayers and Dwain Welsh had recently landed. Robert Ayers was the CEO of McCree Pharmaceutical and Dwain Welsh was my thorn, the CEO of Moon Medical.
I sat back. “They flew in together.”
“Plenty of time to talk,” Van replied.