Page 23

“Trust me, I get it.” He chuckles, exhaling. The thick smoke clouds the air around us.

“Sorry to put you on the spot, but I needed to see how you would react. I’ve had to deal with Alan his whole life, so I know he’s a little twit, that’s for sure. He doesn’t have the sense God gave him. I blame his mother for coddling him all those years when I wanted to make a man out of him. The daft cow wouldn’t have it.” I nearly choke on my drink

“So, now he is an entitled little knob, and I’ll be damned if I turn over a company to him—everything I worked my whole life for. It’s enough to know he and Ellen will be cared for when I’m gone.”

“It was a test?” I mumble.

“Indeed, it was, my dear.” He clinks his drink to mine. “And you passed with flying colors.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You see, Scarlett, there is no place for emotion and family obligation in business, only instinct. This is one of those times. I want to build a company that’s going to be firm and strong, not buckle under the demands of personal favors and patting each other’s back. I don’t need to merge with you and have you always telling me what I want to hear. I want this deal to strengthen Anderson Alliance, by knowing you do what needs to be done. To make me money—make us money. You being willing to toss the whole deal to make the right choice shows you’re not a yes man. Or in your case, a yes woman.” He winks.

“You won’t regret it, Walter.” I smile as I shake his hand.

“Have the office send over the paperwork Monday and let’s lay this aside and enjoy our weekend.” He turns to greet some approaching colleagues.

I feel great, for the first time in a long time, and decide to stop by the dessert table and grab a couple sweets to take back to my room to celebrate. I wish I could call Piers, but decided against it. If he gave a damn, he could have called. I wish I had someone else to call. Teddy would just tell Piers, and I want to tell him, so I hold onto this victory a little while longer.

I’m walking back to my room, balancing a plate of jam tartes and pies in one hand and a bottle of water in the other, and nearly jump out of my skin when I hear a quiet applause

“Well, well, well, looks like you closed the deal. And without even climbing on your back this time.” Alan steps from the shadows, blocking my path. “Yet.” This pathetic wanker just doesn’t stop.

“Excuse me?” I ask.

“You closed the deal without me.” He slithers his hand across my collarbone. “I was looking forward to making you work for it. I know that’s why they call you the closer. Because when there is a deal to be made, you can’t keep those legs closed.”

“You’re drunk, Alan. Go to your room and sleep it off before I call your daddy over and tell him what a naughty little shit you’re being,” I threaten, even though I know it’s not the most brilliant idea. I’m shaking with anger, and nearly sick knowing what he said is partly true.

“Not until you settle up with me.” He steps closer, knocking the sweets from my hand.

“Get away from me!” I scream, shoving him hard. He falls backwards, landing on the ground with a thud. He lays there moaning, but I don’t stick around to see if he’s okay.

I rush back to my room, bumping someone with my shoulder on the path, not even bothering to apologize. A chill runs down my spine, but I don’t stop until I’m locked in my suite with the safety latch is firmly in place.

I lean over, struggling to catch my breath. My heart beat pounds in my chest like a tribal drum. I’ve pushed mean like him away plenty, but I thought I was past all thought. Tears threaten my eyes thinking about how woman have to work ten times harder to get the same respect as men.

When I’ve calmed down a bit, I walk to the bathroom and strip. I take a hot shower, letting the scalding water attempt to wash away the shame. Shame for the way I used to be, even though tonight I did nothing wrong. When my skin is splotchy and red, the water nearly cool, I dry off and I pull on a nightshirt. Hitting the lights, I fall into bed, letting the darkness consume me.

I don’t cry; I have no tears left—nothing to weep for myself and the men who want to use my body… I’ve wasted them on the one man who doesn’t want me at all.

#####

Cohen

Hearing her cry out, I set off in a sprint. Just as I see someone ahead of me on the dark path, she brushes by me, and I nearly lose my balance. Instead of chasing after her, I continue down the path to see what has her so shaken.

My eyes land on that little shit Anderson as he struggles to get his feet with the help if his mates. I slow down and fade back into the shadows.

“What happened, Alan?” one teases. “Pretty blonde kick your arse, did she?”

“No! Nothing like that. She was falling all over me. But I was just escorting her to her room for the evening, like any gentleman would have,” he lies through his teeth, and I fight back the urge to knock every perfect tooth out of his overpriced smile.

“Sure, whatever you say, mate,” the other one says, and they both laugh. “Looks like you’re the only one doing the falling.”

“Shut up! The both of you. I tripped on this bloody path. I’ve been telling the groundskeeper for years we need more lighting out here. It may be his job on the line if my trousers have so much as a stain. Incompetent fool,” he spits out. Spoiled little wanker may have gotten a stain on his britches, call the fucking coppers and make a report. I chuckle to myself.

“Who’s there?” he calls out, turning around. Shit.

“It’s no one, Alan. Come on. You’ve had too many. Let’s get you back to the main house.”

“I just need to check—” He starts back toward the direction of the guest house. Just try it, pretty boy. Give me a reason. Fury ignites in my blood as I think about him going to her room.

“There’s plenty of time to chase the blonde tomorrow. Let’s go see who’s left at the party. There was a table full of ladies from Enercorp still here who look like they’re waiting for a gentleman to walk them to their room.” They clap him on the back and thankfully convince him to return with them.

That was close. I could have stepped in and taught that little shit a lesson. But then she would be stuck here, with him, the rest of the weekend, and I would be escorted from the property. I’ve done my best to stay out of the way. Another insignificant guest, a body in a crowd of business people all vying to be recognized and by the Anderson’s—all but me. I came here to find out about this deal PAN Industries was working on, to keep my ear to the ground on the rumblings of BlackWater…and for her.

At least this way I can watch her from afar. Like I have been the past couple weeks, and continue blurring the lines between what I need to be doing and what I want to do…to her—with her.

When I’m sure the path is clear, I walk back toward the guesthouse and my room, which is just down the corridor from hers. Stopping by her door, I place my hand on the heavy wood and listen for sound on the other side, wanting to make sure she’s locked safely away.

The sound of water running lets me know she must be in the shower. That brings to mind a visual that will haunt my dreams. Her perfect creamy skin, turning pink from the flush of the hot spray as it drips down her perfect, lithe body. Slippery suds, slowly falling over breasts, before continuing to her trim waist and long legs. I inwardly groan, letting my head fall against the door with a thud.

She is under my skin, but I have to keep my distance. It’s imperative. Thinking about her in ways I shouldn’t is part of the reason I nearly wasn’t here when she needed me tonight. I was off doing my best to work her out of my system, and she was nearly attacked. I wasn’t here to protect her from him. That won’t happen again. I check her door to confirm it’s locked and turn to go take a shower of my own. But who will protect her from me?