Chapter 47

Michael

Looking out over the city through my floor to ceiling windows of my office, a sense of dread struck me. Not because the sky was gray with the impending snow storm, but because of what sat on my desk.

I looked over my shoulder at the white envelope staring back at me. It signified the end of everything between Rainey and me. Even though she signed up for direct deposit, her last pay stub needed to be collected, along with a signature on the termination papers. There was a second non-disclosure agreement for her to sign and she was slated to come into the office today.

With almost a week to cool off, I still woke that morning with snakes of anger slithering through my body each time I thought of her. At the same time, strangely, I missed her like crazy. Each day that passed without seeing her outside of my office, typing away at her computer made me much more upset than I realized. My feelings pulled me in opposite directions consistently and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to punch a wall or go running to her house.

Thinking of her house made me think of her kid, and my anger returned. I wasn’t angry with the boy; this wasn’t his fault. He seemed like a good enough kid, polite and cute and all that, at least from the little I saw. But why the hell did Rainey have to keep him a secret from me?

The best explanation I could come up with was that she hadn’t been serious about having me in her life if she kept the most important part of hers a secret.

Every day since meeting Sal was a power struggle for information. She wanted to know my secrets and pushed me to reveal them at every new development since Sal’s death. If she were so wrapped up with keeping me honest, why couldn’t she return the favor?

The things I hid from her were only for her protection. Didn’t she see that? I never intended for her to be in any danger, and she wasn’t when she was with me. But I couldn’t keep track of a young boy too. There were too many variables.

It annoyed the hell out of me that she quit so quickly. She was so stubborn sometimes, a trait that I both loved and hated about her. Money was important to her before, and now I knew why. She lived in a small place but having a kid to raise was no cheap endeavor.

While she would never ask for money from me—it was hard enough to pay the check when we went out to eat—I deposited a bonus into her account. I accepted her resignation, but I didn’t feel right to leave her without a job. There were a few times I contemplated calling her and offering her the job back. Sure it would have been awkward of course, but I wouldn’t have to train someone new, and I was certain that we could work all of this out, given more time together.

I turned away from the thin, white beacon on my desk and faced the window. I wanted to distract myself from thinking about Rainey. Easier said than done.

I could even hear her voice in the back of my mind. I allowed myself a few moments to remember the good times with her. The way that her lips felt against mine. Her body underneath me as we fucked in my apartment. Sure, she lied to protect her son, but I still wanted her. What the hell was wrong with me?

The voice in my head got louder, and I turned around, listening for her. She wasn’t in my head any longer. She was in my office.

I strode across the room, careful for her not to hear me.

I listened by the door for a moment. Yes, it was her. She spoke to Sandra about something. I didn’t know she was picking up her check today.

A small smile spread across my lips. It was my final chance to ask her to stay. I could easily tear up her letter, and we can start fresh on Monday. We could go back to the way things were. There wouldn’t be the stress of another charity event for a little while, so we could focus on rebuilding our relationship.

With a plan formulating in my mind, I flung open the door.

I walked out and slammed into her body. She let out a cry as she wobbled on her feet.

I grabbed her arms to keep her upright.

“Sorry,” I said. “I heard you out here.”

Her jaw tightened, and she stepped back, forcing me to release her. Today she wore a tight black pencil skirt that hugged her ass. I shoved my hands in my pockets to keep them from touching her again. If given a chance I might not be able to stop myself.

“I’ve come to get my things.” She indicated her desk, situated right outside my office.

Sandra leaned over her desk to get a front row seat to what was happening with Rainey and me. When I caught her eye, she jumped and sat down in her chair.

Rainey didn’t mention her last pay stub, so I imagined she thought we would mail it to her. I watched her for a moment, collecting the few items of hers in the desk. An extra sweater, a pair of sunglasses, a small glass paperweight that doubled as a clock. Those were the remaining reminders of her in my office. Could I let her go that easily?

She seemed polite enough. I had a sneaking suspicion she had no idea about the extra money in her account. She hadn’t seen it yet. If she had, then I’d get an earful from her at that moment. At least we could start the conversation on a professional note, not an emotional one.

“Your pay stub is in my office,” I said.

“Oh,” she said, finally looking at me. Her gaze flitted between my chin and nose, our eyes never quite meeting. It was like a punch to the gut. Even though I’d never admit it, half of the reason for her feeling this way was because of me. I blew up at her for having a kid with her ex-husband. Sure, she kept it from me, but I knew I had a hot temper.

“Come in my office for a few minutes,” I said.

She chewed on her lip. How I wanted to suck on it for her.

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” she said.

“Just for a minute,” I said.

She blew out a breath. “Fine, one minute.”

I turned and smirked, hiding my satisfaction from her.

I entered my office and flung my hand out in the direction of the two chairs in front of my desk. “Please, have a seat.” I hated the formality of our situation, but it was necessary. From the time I spent with her, I knew professionalism was what she wanted. And if that were going to get her into my company then I would do exactly that.

“Can I just get my check, Michael?” she asked, not sitting down. “I have other appointments this morning—”

“I want you back,” I said, interrupting her. I even surprised myself. I had a plan in place, but seeing her again threw that to the wind.

“Excuse me?” she asked.

“I want you to come back to work for me,” I said. “I won’t apologize for what I said the other day, but now that the secret is out there, I want us to move past it.”

“I’m not sure,” she said, trapping her lip under her teeth again.

That wasn’t a no. I could make this work.

“Why not?” I asked. “I’m willing to look past everything. What’s your hesitation?”

“I think it's probably best that I move on.”

Probably. If I pushed her hard enough, I knew she would cave. There was no reason for her to refuse. It was her pride and stubbornness fighting me.

“We work well together,” I said. “And not many other bosses would offer this many chances. I won’t beg.”

“I know,” she said. “I appreciate the offer. I didn’t mean to make things worse between us. I always seem to make the wrong choices where Tanner is concerned.”

“Then make the right choice. Come work for me. No strings. I’ll tear up your letter, and we can start over again on Monday.”

She looked around the room, dropping her gaze to every piece of furniture, completely avoiding my eyes.

I gave her the time to think, but I didn’t want to let her go. I couldn’t. Not from work and not from my heart. I didn’t dare tell her that. She wanted things to be professional, and if that were the only way I could have her, then that would have to work for me.

She stood up and stepped closer to my desk. “I’ll think about it.”

“This offer won’t last long,” I said.

She nodded, understanding. “I should go.”

I gritted my teeth as she turned away from me. She was upset to be leaving this job. I knew she liked working here, whether it was because of me or not.

“Wait,” I said, picking up the envelope on my desk.

“Michael—” she said in protest until she realized what I was holding. “Oh.”

She took it, and for a moment, our hands brushed against each other. She let out a slow breath, and I knew I still affected her, just as much as she affected me.

“Thank you,” she said and then finally met my eyes.

The sadness in them made my heart thump harder in my chest. Why did she have to be like this? So fucking stubborn. I wanted to scream at her to take the job and let that be it. Confrontation would only push her further away from me. I wanted to climb into her head and change her mind for her. I hoped that she would consider my offer and come back soon. When it came to business, I never offered a second chance to anyone. She had to know she took me out of my comfort zone completely.

“Goodbye, Michael,” she said, sliding the envelope out of my hand.

“Bye, for now,” I said, holding onto her gaze.

She tore her eyes away from me and walked out of my office, closing the door behind her.

I stood there, staring at the door, hoping that she would burst back inside and accept my offer. But I knew that was a long-shot the second I thought it. She would need time to think it over. Though I had a feeling once she saw the larger amount on her pay stub, then she might have a harder time accepting it.

Her pride would be her downfall, but there was nothing she could do about it. In the end, I always won.