Elena wished she had a much stiffer drink inside her cat mug, but coffee had to suffice. She glanced down at the steamy black liquid, and brought it to her lips with a sigh of despair. Never in a million years had she imagined she’d be offered the CEO position of Wilder & Co.
“She came to work here because of Matthew, and she has just been offered the CEO title,” Janie said.
Hearing it from someone else sent a rush of adrenaline through her. Or was it the caffeine? She sat down the mug. Whatever it was, her hands shook.
Holly narrowed her eyes. “You must be a good lay.”
She would have laughed, but kept her face straight. “I didn’t sleep with Imani.”
Holly’s lips spread in a devilish grin. “Oh, that’s right. Sorry. Still thinking about why Devon chose you,” she said in a whiny voice, like somehow that was a pill hard to swallow. “No offense.”
She shrugged. “None taken.”
Janie crossed her legs, swiveling on her chair. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m not going to accept the position unless Devon agrees to buy his mother’s shares in the company,” Elena said. So what if things turned out much differently than what they all first intended? Everyone had a secret agenda going in on the CEO race. “Imani made it clear that neither of them will have the title, and my plan is to keep them in the company by having them buy the shares. The real power is owning more shares. Devon deserves that.”
“Even if he doesn’t deserve you,” Janie said.
Elena tapped her head against the wall. Once. Twice. Maybe if she drilled a hole she’d be able to remove all the sensory memories her mind and body darted at her. Every second. Every minute. Every hour. She couldn’t stop wanting him and praying he’d come around.
She loved him. And he’d ended their relationships because he didn’t trust her enough to do the right thing. “You’re right,” Elena said. She did deserve better, but still she hoped he’d live up to her expectations. If not, then she’d survive. Alone, but stronger for it. That Devon had played a big role in helping her move forward only made her heart clench. She didn’t want to lose him, but she had to stand her ground, or she’d lose herself again.
She leaned against the table. Her head touched the cold glass. Hot tears teased her eyelids, but she blinked them back. She’d cry tonight. Alone.
“So if he doesn’t accept the shares, you’re saying no to the CEO title?” Holly asked.
“Yes. I know I’m capable and qualified for it, but I’m not stabbing him in the back. Accepting while he got the majority of shares would mean all of us working together. And them not having to worry about hiring someone completely new.” And me being close to him. Somewhat. “When we started all this, I wanted to break my sexual dry spell. But I don’t want a man who doesn’t respect me and trust me. Been there and done that before.”
“I sure as hell know I wouldn’t let that chance slip through my fingers,” Holly snapped at her.
Will I?Elena squared her shoulders. Was she really going to let a CEO title come between her and Devon? “I want what I deserve. Honestly, Holly, Devon is better than that and I know it. That’s the guy I want—and he deserves everything but I do, too. We deserve each other. Although he probably feels betrayed and hates me right now,” she said, and as she heard herself, her heart tightened. His mother had left him. His ex-girlfriend sold him to the press. Did he put her in the same category?
“Who says hating is bad? Make-up sex is gold,” Holly said.
Janie snorted. “Then sorry-I-stole-your-dream-job sex will take her to Unicornland.”
“I’ve been worried about getting him the shares and I didn’t really stop to think about how he’s feeling.” Curling her fists, she pushed back the chair and stood. How much longer was she going to keep denying herself the happiness they both deserved? He had been the one who helped her stand up to her brothers, and come out about her failed marriage, and Timothy’s abuse. Why keep the truth from him? Her stomach knotted. Because you can lose him. “I need to talk to him, and get him back.”
“What are you going to do?” Janie asked.
A thrill of excitement went through her. She was going to kick ass and he would watch it. “I’m gonna start with balloons.”
