Chapter 5 #2
“No.” She looks horrified. “I mean, I want kids. But I’d still work when I have them.”
My knuckles clench just thinking about this asshole.
“All this time he was encouraging me to apply for the position, to go for it. But the reality is he wants it for himself, and he’s prepared to throw me under the bus to get it.”
“Sounds like an asshole.”
I’ll never understand how beautiful, smart women end up with guys like that.
“So I walked out. Grabbed my laptop and purse and went straight to the train station. I’ve got no plan, no belongings. I just know two things. I’m never going back to Jeff, and I want that promotion.”
“You want it to spite him?”
She shakes her head. “No. I want it because I’m the best person for the job. I’m great at what I do, and the work excites me. It’s got nothing to do with Jeff.”
Her eyes sparkle, and I see the truth in it. Mel wants that promotion. Even though that means she’ll be staying in Charlotte doing a fancy job while I’m in the mountains bar tendering, I vow I’ll do whatever it takes to help her get where she wants to go.
“What do you need?”
She tilts her head at me, confused.
“What do you need to do to get that promotion? Tell me, and I’ll help you.”
She twirls her hair around her finger, thinking.
“The timing is shitty. The first round of interviews are in a week, and if I do well I then need to present to the board of directors. I’ve got a presentation to prepare while my life falls apart.”
“So you need a quiet place to get your presentation ready?”
“Yeah. I’ve been looking for hotels to stay in Charlotte until I can find an apartment.”
I shake my head. “No. You’re not house hunting until after you’ve secured the position. It’s too big a distraction, too stressful.”
She tilts her head. “Why are you interested?”
Because I’m falling for you. Because I want to see you succeed?
“Because it’s obvious you want this, and you need to focus on the job. Not on apartment hunting, or your asshole ex, or anything else.”
She sighs and runs a hand through her hair. “You’re right. But everything feels impossible right now. I’ve still got my day job to do, and I don’t even have any clothes, and my boss thinks I’m about to go off and have a baby. It’s a fucking mess.”
She looks up quickly. “Sorry, I swear sometimes.”
And she’s fucking cute when she does.
“How well do you get along with your boss? Can you tell them that what Jeff said isn’t true?”
She rubs her temples. “Pretty well, actually. Jeff thinks Peter is in the old boys’ club, but I’ve always found him pretty fair.
I get along well with his wife. She works too, and they share the childcare responsibilities, so I don’t think what Jeff told him will throw too much of a wrench in my plans.
But it’s the betrayal of someone who’s supposed to have your back that I can’t get over. ”
“Of course not. Your ex is an asshole.”
I can keep saying that all night. At least she agrees with me.
Mel smiles grimly. “I’ve been in denial about that for years.”
“So can you have an honest discussion with . . . Peter, is it? And tell him that you’ve broken up with Jeff because of what he said. That you’re committed to the company, but you need some time to work remotely to deal with the situation and prepare for the interview and presentation.”
She chews on her hair thoughtfully. “And work from where? A hotel?”
I grin, because she’s still not getting it. “Nope. Stay here.”
“No…”
She starts to protest, and I cut her off. “I’ve got a spare room and the space. A satellite connection. And you’re surrounded by woods and mountains to rest and recover for as long as it takes.”
She sips her hot chocolate. “I need to think about it.”
“Of course.”
“All my things are in Charlotte.”
“I’ll get them for you.”
Her eyes widen. “You can’t do that.”
“I can and I will.” I’ll make this as easy for her as possible. Show her what real support looks like. “I’ll take the club van and a couple of the guys. You give me a list and a key, and I’ll get your stuff. You don’t need to see the asshole at all.”
A smile spreads across her face, and she launches herself off the couch to wrap me in a hug. I’m engulfed by her feminine scent as her hair whips across my face.
“Thank you, Davis. Thank you.”
I wrap my arms around her and pull her close. It’s a friendly hug to show her gratitude, but when she pulls away, she doesn’t move back on the couch. My eyes dart to her mouth, her chocolate-tinged lips.
I’m breathing hard, and my dick lengthens at her close contact.
It’s been too long since I kissed a woman, and I can’t remember ever feeling this attracted to anyone before.
But if she’s just left her fiancé, then she’s vulnerable.
And if I’m inviting her to stay with me for two weeks, then she doesn’t need me coming on to her the first opportunity I get and giving her more complications to worry about when she needs to focus on the promotion.
“I’ll put more wood on the fire.”
I stand up abruptly and move to the fireplace, wondering if I looked back at Mel now whether I would see disappointment or relief.
It doesn’t matter. I need to keep my dick in my pants and not take advantage of a woman who needs a retreat. She’s here in my cabin, and that’s enough for now.