Holding Up the Deal
(Liam)
I give it a couple of days before contacting Darcy again, to give her time to reflect on what happened. Instead of phoning her cell, I call her office.
“Darcy Knight speaking.” Her voice instantly relaxes me.
“It’s Liam.” I don’t say anything more, waiting to judge her reaction. There’s a short silence, during which I can hear her swallow.
“Hi.”
“I missed you on Sunday.”
“Really? You didn’t seem to miss me on Saturday night, when you ran away and left me alone in my bedroom.”
“There’s a reason for that.”
“I’ve been waiting for an explanation for three days.”
“It’s something I have to explain in person.”
“Oh really?”
”Yes, and I assume you’ll have an explanation for me on why you took off.”
“I needed some space,” she pauses. “After what happened.”
“Like I said, let me explain.”
“You keep saying that, but you never offer any explanation.”
“When we go to my event on Saturday, I will explain everything. I promise.”
“Your event?”
“Yes, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten our deal.”
“No, I haven’t forgotten. I’d just assumed you didn’t need me to come anymore,” she says, her voice full of exasperation.
“I’ll always need you. Don’t ever think otherwise.”
She doesn’t say anything, and I let the silence hang over the phone to accentuate my point. I don’t ever want her to doubt me.
I speak again, “My event starts at six. I’ll have a car pick you up at five-thirty.”
“Oh.”
Darcy doesn’t sound like she’s sure about coming.
“Yes, be ready. I’m depending on you.”
“You are?”
“Absolutely.”
“Okay, then.”
I don’t care if she’s confused, I need her to follow my instructions.
“Excellent.”
“What do I wear?”
“Whatever you want. Your pink dress was pretty close to perfect. Anything like that works.”
“Okay. Five-thirty. Send me the details.”
“Yes. And Darcy? I’m really looking forward to seeing you again.”
“Okay. I’ll see you then.” She hangs up the phone.
Satisfied, I run over my plans for the evening. It’s a risk, bringing her here, telling her things. But I need to be upfront with her. At least about who I am.
I said if I still wanted her in the morning after the hotel room, I would know she’s The One. And want doesn’t begin to cover the ache I feel for Darcy right now.
She already knows, at least to some extent, how much money I have and she still ran from me. I know she’s not a gold digger. She’s got an amazing career of her own. Showing her where I live isn’t going to hurt me. Telling her who I am might, but I’m prepared to take that risk.
On Thursday morning, I wake up to an email with a five-page summary on Darcy’s background that my assistant uncovered. It makes some things clear and reveals things I had no idea about.
I text my assistant.
Set up charitable donation, ten million to the charity Young Hearts
Yes, sir
Make sure it’s complete by tomorrow
I struggle to focus on my businesses the rest of the day. I even have Victor cover me in a few meetings. For the first time ever. He doesn’t question me when I tell him I’m ill. I guess he has no reason to.
Part of me wants to tell him about my situation. A small part of me.
Dating isn’t something I’m used to. Normally, women are in and out in a night and purely there to scratch an itch. A handful of them have stayed for breakfast. And only a couple of those were invited back.
By the time Saturday arrives, I’ve prepared and planned out the evening. Darcy will not run from me tonight.
* * *
I check my watch and check it again. Darcy should be here any minute. I’ve arranged to have one of the doormen escort her to my apartment.
There’s a knock and I rush to the door.
I open the door and my heart stops. Darcy stands centered in the doorframe, a little black halter dress acts as a second skin on her perfect body. It’s cool in the corridor, and her nipples poke against the fabric. There’s no way she’s wearing a bra, and that already has my desire raging.
“Darcy, you look,” I pause while my eyes rake over her body, searching for the right word, “Unforgettable.”
“Thank you.”
I take her hand, the warmth from it radiates through me and puts me at ease.
“Is that everything, Mr. Jones?” the doorman asks.
“Yes. Thanks, Mike.”
I close the door and lead her into my living room.
“Is the event here?” She asks.
“Sort of.”
“What does that mean?”
“Sit down, let me get you a drink and I’ll explain everything.”
“You sure have a lot of things to explain.” She raises her eyebrow as she says it.
“I know. In good time. What are you drinking? Bubbles?”
“I think I’ll start with something stronger. A G&T?”
“Two gin and tonics coming up.” I nod to my butler, Jasper, who’s standing off to the side, hidden from view. He turns and heads for the kitchen.
She sits in my armchair, the one I always sit in, and I take a seat on the sofa nearest her. Her knees are tight together and she leans slightly forward.
“What’s the event?”
“Just a dinner thing.”
She purses her lips and nods.