Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Our meeting unfolded just as I’d imagined, except now Colin was there to talk me up. As we shook hands with Mr. Bing while Mr. Sheldon signed the contract, I fully understood what Colin had been saying. I was driven. I’d made this happen.
The euphoria lasted throughout our congratulatory champagne on the flight back until I was back in my apartment picking out clothes to take with me to Colin’s place.
Suddenly, my off-brand jeans and graphic T-shirts seemed to clash with the idea of the penthouse I’d be staying in for a couple of days.
I picked the least shabby casual outfits I could find and threw in something nice as well, in case he wanted to take me somewhere.
Downstairs, a driver was waiting to take me across town to a building with a doorman, security, and a key fob plus security code to access the elevator to the top floor.
I stepped off the elevator directly into an airy open apartment with windows all along one side displaying a vivid sunset.
It was very obvious an interior decorator had put together the living area, and I wandered around for a moment, studying the cozy features chosen, like a throw blanket over the long apricot-colored sofa, and the eucalyptus arranged in a tall vase on the coffee table.
“Welcome,” Colin said, striding into the room, beaming.
I matched his enthusiasm. “Thanks for inviting me.”
“I might never let you leave.” He picked me up and twirled me around.
I found paradise.
The next few days consisted of awkward moments arriving at work together (including plenty of gossip and speculation) and intimate evenings followed by passionate lovemaking.
Oh, the way he made love…
As we got to know each other better, learning each other’s sexual history, talking more in-depth about our lives, secret dreams, hidden desires, our nights together only grew more intense. Once he learned I responded to dirty talk, it was like the pre-show to opening Pandora’s box.
I don’t think I’d ever had a man so intent upon giving me an orgasm. It became his mission to give me pleasure, and I made sure to show my gratitude.
We ventured out from the penthouse to get some food (though he most often masterfully cooked for me), but I would only have to tug at his sleeve for him to look me in the eye and understand that I was hungry for him. We raced back to his place to indulge in each other.
We spent weeks this way. I’d go home for a few days, managing a bit of housework and errands if he was away on business.
But then he’d return, and I’d end up back in Colin’s bed after he passed by my desk at work.
Just a word or two from him to me would give me the green light, indicating he had no other obligations and was free for me to come over.
Usually, I’d get a raised eyebrow, clapping, or gagging noise from Grant, depending on which mood he was in.
We still hadn’t heard who the new director was going to be. I hadn’t told Grant that I was in the running because I figured he might want the position himself, and I didn’t care to be in direct competition with him.
Who the next Director of Accounts would be became the topic of conversation over the next few weeks and reached a fever pitch after Monica and Jessica found out I’d had an interview with the vice presidents.
While it had been a nerve-wracking experience, I had a good feeling about the whole thing.
Colin wasn’t part of the interview process due to our relationship (which we’d officially registered with HR a few weeks back).
But when I received an invitation for a meeting with Colin in his office on the Friday after my interview, I suspected something was up.
I didn’t bother calling or texting him and waited eagerly for the couple of hours until it was time to head upstairs.
Even Grant had a suspicious look about him when I told him about the meeting.
I checked in with Kaitlin and sat down to wait to be called in. While I would never say we’d be friends, Kaitlin and I had reached a seemingly unspoken agreement to be friendly to each other. It’d been a long time since I’d had an eye roll or hair toss from her.
I realized I’d been perpetuating something for a long time with Kaitlin that didn’t need to be drawn out.
If I’d just taken the high road the first time she’d been a bit haughty, I might have avoided years of unnecessary unpleasantness.
Also, who knows how long she’d been dealing with Kirkman’s advances, and I truly sympathized with her for having been put in that position. It would make anyone lash out.
Kaitlin’s phone rang. She answered it, then stood up to open the door to Colin’s office.
“You may go in now,” she said with a slight twitch of her lips.
I walked in to see Colin standing by his desk, and when the door closed, he rushed over and took my face in both of his hands, kissing me with a fervor that sent any thoughts of promotions flying out the window.
Just as quickly, he pulled away, put his hands in his pockets, and walked back around to his desk.
“What was that for?” I laughed, still giddy. I kind of hoped I could do that move where you slide everything off the desk and let it fall to the floor before jumping on top of the desk.
“I missed you,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.
“You just saw me this morning. In your bed,” I said, blushing.
Why was I still so moved by this man? I studied his features…
his well-proportioned face and strong jawline, the hair combed loosely to the side and back, which must have taken him less than a minute that morning, the blue eyes which seemed to both pull me in and read me.
“Enough of my deep and embarrassingly strong feelings for you,” he said, suddenly reverting to his work persona.
No smile. Sharp stare.
I stifled a laugh and even put my fingers up to cover my mouth.
He ignored my reaction. “I brought you here for some news, which you may be expecting. With much deliberation between my colleagues and myself, we would like to offer you the position of Director of Accounts. As you are aware, it comes with a host of extra benefits, such as a company car, company phone, company credit card, annual bonus, and direct access to your boss, the VP of Sales.”
He broke his professional facade to wink at me and then handed me the official papers outlining my benefits.
I was thrilled about the promotion, of course, but I was on cloud nine that it was Colin who got to tell me and that he was obviously enjoying it.
For so long, I’d put Maggie on a pedestal. The unreachable goal I could never attain. Effortless confidence, polished, mysterious. But sometimes strength didn’t come with secrets and enigmas. Sometimes it looked like working your ass off, asking the dangerous questions, and doing the damn thing.
And it felt good.
My presence at work didn’t seem small in comparison anymore. I felt appreciated. I’d earned my power and my place.
“When did you find out?” I asked, my cheeks hurting from smiling.
“I was certain it would be you from the beginning. But the other vice presidents put in their votes this morning. Don’t worry, my love. There aren’t any secrets anymore.”
“I understand if there are company matters that I can’t be told about,” I said.
He came back around to hug me, and I simply breathed him in, the faint scent of his cologne an added bonus to the moment.
“We celebrate tonight?” he asked.
I nodded excitedly, not knowing exactly whether we’d go out to celebrate or celebrate indoors.
Grant wasn’t all that surprised when I told him. He then proceeded out to the open office area, shouted for everyone to give a round of applause for the new Director of Accounts, embarrassing me in the process.
The gasps, smiles, and claps had me blushing profusely. I gave a short speech thanking everyone and retreated to our corner.
“Well, that was fun,” I said truthfully.
“I’ll be your assistant of fun,” he said.
“Do you think you can handle me being on top of you?”
As soon as I said the words, I waved my hands at his widening eyes and goofy grin, but he cut me off.
“I know my place, boss,” he said with a chuckle. I realized then that Grant’s humor had never been about confidence. It had been a shield. Now it was as if he’d accepted something and didn’t need to fight it anymore.
He raised an eyebrow. “The question is, who will be the second assistant?”
“Maybe we don’t need one,” I said, his eyes widening this time in horror.
I laughed. “We’ll figure it out. Don’t worry. I won’t work you to death.”
When I arrived at my apartment that afternoon, the plan was to pack a bag to stay at Colin’s for a few days. The car in my parking spot, however, was the first strange thing. I parked next to it, unsure of what to do.
Then I watched my front door open.
I was already putting my car in reverse, muttering, “Shit! Shit! Shit!” to myself, knowing I was about to witness a murderer or, at the very least, an intruder leaving my apartment.
When I saw a mass of brown curls and arms waving in the air, I said one last “Shit” to myself with an audible sigh of relief.
It was Angie. What the hell she was doing on my front stoop instead of in San Francisco, I had no idea. I jumped out of the car, ready to berate her for almost killing me from fright.
We both screamed as we ran toward each other.
“Surprise!” she yelled as we hugged each other tightly.
We smiled at each other like idiots in the driveway. My upstairs neighbor was peeking through her curtain, as she usually did any time she caught me coming in or leaving. I pulled Angie into my place.
“Here’s your spare key,” she said, handing me the key I kept in a planter outside for emergencies.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, putting my purse down and gesturing for her to sit on the sofa.
“My parents sold their house, remember? They’re moving this weekend, so I thought I’d help.”
“Too bad they didn’t want to join you in San Fran,” I said.
She shook her head. “They wouldn’t like it. Not with all the friends they have here and knowing nobody over there but me and Mickey.”
“How is Mickey?” I asked about her husband.
“Good! Busy. He’s trying so hard to get that restaurant off the ground, but it’s such tiring work. There’s not much I can do to help him with that because he insists on being there all the time himself. He’s got the staff he needs. It’s a control thing.”
“Well, it sounds like you also needed a little break from that,” I said.
“Yes! I’ve missed you so much, you little bear,” she said, referencing the nickname we gave each other eons ago.
“I’ve got news, big bear!” I told Angie about the promotion, for which she heartily congratulated me.
“And while I’m so excited for that, I’m more excited to meet Colin. Please tell me we can make that happen.” Her eyebrows lifted, imploring me to make it happen.
I giggled. “Sure. Come out with us for a celebratory dinner.”
“Hell yes!” She jumped up and walked over to my kitchen. “Where do you keep the wine?”
We toasted to me, to each other, to Mickey’s restaurant, to Colin, and to every good thing we could think of.
Dinner that evening with Angie and Colin was a great success. Colin was smooth, engaging, and gracious—the same way he always was with me. I covered my mouth to suppress my laughter when she rapid-fire interviewed him, and he played along marvelously.
“Okay, Ange, let’s give him a minute to enjoy the bread now, huh?” I said, buttering my bread.
“I’m entitled to look out for my best friend. But what about Momma Bear? When’s that introduction happening?” she asked, looking back and forth between Colin and me.
I had thought about it. More and more as time passed.
“I’ve met his family,” I said.
“So you’ve told me,” Angie said. “Though I don’t think they really met you as a serious girlfriend. You two are serious, aren’t you?” She directed this at Colin.
“As serious as it gets,” he said.
“Oh? ‘Cause I don’t see a ring on her finger,” my friend not-so-subtly pointed out.