Chapter 15
Angela
Dad’s frown etches deep lines into his forehead as he stares at his computer.
He sits back, threading his fingers through his hair.
“I don’t want to worry you, but actuals aren’t holding up to projections.
Revenue is significantly down from previous years.
If something doesn’t change soon, we’re going to be in a tough spot. ”
The words knock the air out of me on a day I already feel off my game thanks to stupid Garrett Cooper and the even stupider kiss I can’t stop thinking about. A weight settles into my stomach as I watch dust motes dance through the sunlight.
If something doesn’t change, we’re going to be in a tough spot.
A tough spot we wouldn’t be in if it wasn’t for me.
One mistake. One simple oversight that I knew better than to let happen…
I swallow hard, my gaze flicking to Dad’s. “I’m so sorry.”
“This problem doesn’t rest on your shoulders alone.
” He offers a gentle smile. “Now is not the time to focus on what went wrong. It’s time to focus on the solution.
With the economy down, people aren’t traveling, and this is our slowest summer in decades.
The off season is only going to make things harder.
None of that is your fault, but if we don’t find a way to increase revenue soon… ”
“We will.” I lift my chin, shoving down a hitch of panic. Dad’s right. Now is not the time for nerves. It’s time for action. For solutions. Emotion has no place in these decisions.
“We have to.” Dad’s eyes harden into the look that used to unnerve younger me.
I’ve since learned his outward expression doesn’t always sync up with what’s in his heart, but his intensity can be hard to handle when it’s aimed your way.
When he meets my eyes, his entire face softens.
“Don’t be so hard on yourself, Angel. Whatever happens, we’ll be okay. ”
Outside the window, the ocean rolls onto the shore, oblivious to the dramas playing out in my heart. I cross the room and put my hand to the glass. “I don’t want to be the one who killed the family legacy.”
“You won’t be.”
I meet his eyes, huffing a laugh. “I delivered a killing blow as my first big move.”
“The Hut withstood the test my father put it through. It’ll withstand this as well.”
My grandfather brought our family to its knees. Being likened to him, even a little, feels like a slap in the face.
“I don’t want you to think less of me.” The words are small, barely loud enough to be heard, but Dad is out of his chair in a heartbeat.
Gripping my arms, he gently turns me to face him. “I think the world of you. Nothing will change that. You’re my daughter and I’m so very proud of you.”
Would he feel the same if he knew Garrett Cooper kissed me to prove a point and I can’t stop thinking about ways to make him do it again? That even knowing he’s the enemy, I can’t get him out of my head?
Would he be proud of his daughter, then?
“I just hope that stays true.” I fold my arms over my chest and return my focus to the window, watching a couple stroll hand in hand across the beach.
I noticed them when they checked in. They could barely look at each other, let alone touch.
After a week at our resort with access to Reiki, massages, healthy food, fresh air, and meditation, they look glad to be together, laughing at something one of them said. They’re lighter. Happier.
This is the legacy I want to protect.
There has to be a way to ensure The Hut is strong enough to reach more people. To ensure my dad stays proud of me.
I scour my brain and find an easy answer almost immediately:
Don’t allow things with Garrett to escalate.
He’s a business contact and needs to remain that way.
Dad leans against the wall, sliding his hands into his pockets. “Have you heard anything from Mr. Cooper?”
His name brings the memory of his lips on mine, his voice whispering in my ear.
Does it feel good, Angel? Do you like it when I take what I want?
My body throbs with want and I hate myself for it. Not only is Garrett Cooper a selfish ass, but our relationship is business. He has the power to solve the problem I created. How dare I jeopardize the deal, the future of my family, just because he kissed me like I’ve never been kissed?
Clearing my throat, I refocus on Dad. “Not yet, but he only just left. I’ll give him the weekend and then reach out if we haven’t connected.”
“I agree with you on that timing.” He turns his gaze out the window. “If we could finish construction on the satellite facility in South Carolina, things wouldn’t look so grim. Multiple streams of income.” He bobs his head. “That’s the only way forward.”
Later that night, after the kittens have been fed, I curl into bed with my phone, intending to finish my audiobook.
Instead, I open my texts, my finger hovering over Garrett's name before tapping on the conversation.
Scrolling to the top, I read through the curt back and forth while our phones were mixed up.
His one-word answers send my imagination into overdrive.
He sent those clipped responses because he was indisposed.
What could he have been doing?
That word conjures images of something private, something that might not require clothing. I like the idea of Garrett Cooper without clothing, especially after seeing that pic of him without a shirt.
I told Dad I would wait until Monday to reach out, but I want to text him tonight.
And I don’t want to talk about work.
“What do you want to talk about then?” I murmur as I stare at the blinking cursor.
I want to talk about that kiss, I type into the message box.
It left me breathless. The way you grabbed my hair, tilted my head to the angle you liked best. Your hot breath brushing against my skin as you whispered in my ear.
Your body made a promise that night and I can’t stop thinking about you.
And fuck you for that because how dare you?
How dare you get in my head? How dare you make this physical when this?
Us? We’re enemies. We may look like we’re fighting on the same side, but we both know we’re not.
Something tells me you’ll ruin me Garrett, and as much as it makes me hate myself, I want you to.
You said you like giving orders. So I ask you, what would you order me to do if you knew how much I wanted you to fuck me?
I stare at the text for a long second, my thumb suspended over the send button. Jesus. What am I thinking? I barely like the guy…
Though I didn’t totally hate my time with him at the bar…
And he did manage to scare off that creepy douchebag…
And that kiss was…
Nope. Garrett Cooper is not for me. He’s…he’s rocket fuel, and not in the good way. He’ll come into my life. Combust. And take all of us down with him.
I move to delete the text—because really Angela? That seems like your next best move?—when my phone bumps with a new message.
Garrett
What are you doing?
My heart pounds as I read his words. Breath held, I triple check I didn’t hit send on that stupid, stupid text, and I didn’t. I can see that I didn’t. That horrifying message is right there, waiting for me to delete it.
I feel like I’ve been caught red-handed. Like Garrett knows all the dirty things I want him to do to me. Like somehow, by wanting him to ruin me, I’ve ruined my chance at saving The Hut, instead.
Obviously, that’s ridiculous. There’s no way he could know what I typed, but I’m struggling to convince myself of that.
Careful to avoid the send button at all costs, I delete my message and type another.
Just a quiet night at home.
Is there something you wanted to say to me?
What the hell? I deleted the damn text. It’s quite clearly not there. There’s no way he knows. I sit up straight and stare at the screen, then craft a perfectly nonchalant response.
Umm…not that I can think of
I grimace. Not exactly wordsmithery, but hey, I’m half convinced this guy can read a message I didn’t send, so…you know…
I saw you were typing something. Waited but got impatient
Sweet Jesus, he basically watched me beg him to fuck me. I mean, not really… He never saw the words, but as I was typing them in, he was right there. Watching the bubbles dance. Nerves spin in my stomach and my body goes on alert. I bite my lip as I respond.
That’s strange. I mean, I clicked into the conversation, maybe that’s why it looked like I was typing?
maybe
I chew on my lip as I wonder what to do. The smart play would be to wait for him to bring up work. If he doesn’t, I’ll say goodnight, wait until Monday, and ask him about the contract as planned.
What does a quiet night at home entail?
My brows lift in surprise. We’re chatting now?
I’m in bed, getting ready to listen to an audiobook
Who would have thought we’d be in bed together so soon?
My eyes go wide. What is happening? Is he flirting with me? I sit up cross-legged and cradle my phone as my stomach flutters in excitement.
Certainly not me. Is there something you wanted, Mr. Cooper?
I want to know what you’re really doing
What’s that supposed to mean? I just told you…
You were typing something to me.
I swear to God, it’s like he knows. Think, Angela. Think! There’s a perfectly reasonable explanation somewhere.
I was going to ask when you’d like to see the new location
There’s no way he won’t buy that.
You were going to bring up work at 11:45 on a Friday, while in bed, listening to an audiobook? I don’t buy it Angel
I’ve told him so many times to stop calling me Angel, and I’m halfway through typing those words into the message box when I realize I like the familiarity coming from him even though I shouldn’t.
I shouldn’t, shouldn’t, shouldn’t.
Instead of calling him on it, I switch the focus to him.
What were YOU doing? Also in bed at 11:45 on a Friday, looking at our conversation
I was thinking about you.
My heart stops.
My jaw drops.
I read, re-read, and read his text again.
Oh, shit. Is this really happening? I chew my lip, trying to come up with an appropriate response
“Don’t overthink it,” I murmur, before asking the only question on my mind.
What were you thinking about?
I was thinking about how much I liked kissing you
I flop back onto my pillow and grin, letting that sink in. Well, there’s that. At least I’m not the only one who can’t get that night out of my brain.
My hands tremble as I type.
Well I was texting you to let you know I was thinking about filing assault charges.
That should shut this conversation down.
I don’t believe you.
Or not.
Fine. I was thinking about texting you because I can’t get you out of my head either.
What made you stop?
I decided it wasn’t appropriate and what I had to say was completely unprofessional
Ahh. I see.
I didn’t want to complicate things
And telling me you liked kissing me would complicate things?
Are you implying it wouldn’t?
Only if we let it
And how do we make sure that doesn’t happen?
We simply don’t let it happen.
I snort at my screen because, yeah right. That’s exactly the way it works.
It’s that easy?
It’s that easy.
Okay. Fine. I liked it when you kissed me.
And…?
And I wouldn’t mind doing it some more.
That’s what you wanted to tell me. You liked kissing me and you want to do it again? Come on, Angel. I’m not buying it.
I blow a puff of air past my lips. Am I really doing this? My fingers fly across the keyboard, acting on their own volition.
Fine. I said your kiss left me breathless. That I loved the way it felt when you grabbed my hair and growled in my ear. That night you said you like giving orders. And I wanted to ask what you’d order me to do if you knew how much I wanted you.
I stare at the message for a long time, thumb hovering over the send button before I finally touch the screen. The text sends and I hold my breath, waiting for a response.
Seconds later, the phone lights up with a call.