CHAPTER NINE

 

 

 

“Hey, sexy, I finished my projections. Want to see them?”

Connor snagged Rey by the back of her sweater and pulled her into his lap. “Sure, I wanna see what you got.” He ran his hand up her sweater to cop a feel.

Rey didn’t wiggle away, she became very still to enjoy his touch. “Didn’t last night satisfy you? We made love four times.”

“Momentarily.” He cradled her in his arms. “I’m a man with a healthy appetite, Rey. I get hungry every day.”

And she was ever so glad he did. “Look.” She opened the folder. “I’ve been doing some research and I think we should focus on these projects for the next twelve months.”

Connor tried to concentrate on what she was showing him. He studied the paper. “The resort, the restaurant, a hotel on Lake Travis, and a boutique mall in San Antonio. Nice.” There was no doubt in his mind that her research was impeccable. “Our schedule looks full. Do you see time for a vacation in there somewhere?”

“A vacation?” She flipped the pages. “Yea, I’m sure we can spare you for a few days.”

Connor growled, blowing raspberries on the tender curve of her neck. “For both of us. I want to take you somewhere. This company won’t fold if we’re gone at the same time.”

She giggled. “Maybe you won’t be missed, but when I leave things fall apart. Remember last fall?”

“Oh, yea,” Connor’s fingers danced across her ribs, “I messed up several things, didn’t I?”

“Two people quit, you broke the copy machine, and when I came back, there was a palm tree in my office.”

“I tried to order you a welcome home plant for your desk. I told them a big one.”

His admission earned him a hug. “It looks good in the courtyard, I check on it every day.”

“You do?” He seemed surprised. “I didn’t realize you planted it in there.”

“Sometimes you overlook things.” She ran her fingers through his hair.

“I’ll do better.” He promised her, his soul quaking when he realized how close he came to overlooking her. “Now, where do you want to go on vacation? Paris? Rome? Rio?”

Rey didn’t hesitate. “Cumberland Island, Georgia.”

“Really?” Connor was surprised. “Over Europe or the Caribbean?”

“You know I’m a country girl. When I want to relax, I’d rather be out in the open. Take long walks on the beach or drive through the countryside.”

All the time she was talking, he was touching her somewhere. “What’s the attraction on Cumberland Island?”

Rey gave him a dazzling smile. “Wild horses. I’ve always wanted to see them.”

“Then you shall. Cumberland Island it is.”

Three days had passed since the charity gala. They were still in the throes of discovery. Unwilling to be apart from her, Connor had insisted she move in with him. Rey had been equally adamant, insisting they take their time. He didn’t argue with her, he’d merely packed a bag and moved in with her. If the mountain won’t come to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain was his philosophy. Being with her was important, where they were didn’t matter.

Rey had been skeptical. There’s no room service at my condo, Connor. If you want a late-night snack, you’ll have to get up and fix it yourself. Her sassy little remark had earned her an orgasm, as Connor showed her his preference for a midnight snack. After that, she’d gotten up and brought him cookies and milk to bed.

Leaning her head on his shoulder, she stared at the list in her hand. “You know, something is bothering me about Whispering Pines.”

“What’s that?” Connor studied her face, pressing a finger to the little worry pucker on her forehead. “I don’t know if I told you, but Karin’s out of the picture. She left Doug last week.”

A little niggle of alarm made Rey look up into his eyes. “How do you know?” Did she get in touch with him?

“Doug called me. He put a limit on her spending and she walked out.”

“Good for him,” Rey mused. “He’s a good guy, he deserves someone who’ll love him, not his money.”

Connor tightened his arms around Rey. “I agree. A woman who is only after a man’s money is no prize. Now, what’s on your mind about the resort?”

“I want to make sure that we’ve thoroughly checked out the historical water levels. It doesn’t happen often, but after a huge rain to the north, the waters can rise. I’m not sure when the last study was done, but let’s check out the flood plain data to make sure before we break ground. What we find might require changes in the design layout.”

“Excellent point.” He playfully pulled a lock of her hair. “That’s why I pay you the big bucks.”

“True, although money has never been my motivation in this job.” She winked at him. “There was this sexy boss I wanted to be around.” Truth wrapped up in jest. Her next comment was more serious. “I’ve always shared your dream, Connor. I could be doing other things, you know.”

“I’m sure you could,” Connor admitted. “Do you get many job offers?” The notion disturbed him.

“A few.” She shrugged. “Anyway, just as soon as I take a conference call with the mayor and the city planner, I’ll get the ball rolling on the historical flooding information, if you think it’s worth pursuing.”

“Absolutely.” Connor kissed her cheek, easing her off his lap. “You take your call and I’ll do some checking online and make some phone calls. Can I use your desk and computer?”

“Thank you and make yourself at home.” Going to the desk, she jotted the password down on a piece of paper. “I’ll take the call in the kitchen so I won’t disturb you. We probably should go into the office this afternoon, I’m sure the staff is wondering what’s going on.”

“Whatever you say, partner.” While Rey left to talk to the mayor, he settled down at her desk. It was foresight like this that made him value Rey so much – this and her lips…and her tits…and the way she screamed his name when he made her come. Connor smiled at the way his mind worked. Turning on the desktop, he began his research. Soon, he saw some beneficial information. Searching for a notepad, he opened the top drawer and a letter contained within in a clear protective covering caught his eye. Before he knew it, Connor had pulled out the letter and was reading it line by line.

At first, he didn’t understand, then he began again and comprehension dawned. Rey had walked away from a career as a concert pianist. Why? Music was her grand passion. “Hell, baby,” he muttered. He knew this was her dream. Quickly, he scanned the letter again. From what he could tell, the offer to sponsor a tour for her was left open. He’d known she was good, but he hadn’t realized how good.

Rising, he held the letter and paced across the floor. Why would she do this? Stepping to the connecting door, he could hear her conversing with city officials concerning some permits they required. He felt odd. Their lives were so intertwined: friends, business associates, and now lovers. Had he taken advantage? Had he held her back? Needing to talk to her, he lingered close enough to know when she ended the call.

“Connor, is something wrong?” Rey had been aware he was there. “Did you find something?”

“Yes, I did.” He approached her, very aware of what she meant to him. Dressed in a classy pantsuit, she exuded self-confidence. The woman could do anything. “Why didn’t you tell me you’d been offered a recording contract and a concert tour?”

Rey stared at him, completely taken aback. “It wasn’t important.” She went to him and held out her hand. “Let me put that back where it belongs.” He gave it to her. “You shouldn’t be such a snoop.”

“I needed something to write on. The thing just jumped out at me.” He justified his actions. “Why would you turn this down?”

Rey didn’t know whether to feel angry or embarrassed. For years, she’d denied her own feelings, protecting herself. Yes, she was in love with the man. Her decision to work for and with him had been influenced by that fact, even if she hadn’t been able to admit it to herself – until now. But that epiphany didn’t mean she was ready to confess her feelings to him. This was all too new and, perhaps, too fragile to bear up under much scrutiny. “I’m not sure what you mean, Connor. Our teaming up was smart, a good move on my part. I earned far more as your assistant, coupled with the bonuses and stock options, than I ever would have on the stage.”

“Money isn’t everything.” Connor shook his head, he couldn’t believe he’d said that.

Walking up to him, Rey placed a hand on his forehead. “Do you have a fever? You’re talking out of your head.”

He captured her arm before she could walk away. “You might not know me as well as you think you do, Rey. I’m grateful McGregor Developments has been successful, but I do have motives other than money.” At her inquiring expression, he elaborated. “I enjoy the process. I get off on letting my imagination run wild.” He paused and pressed his lips together. “And I love working with you.”

“You’ve just named my own motivations for staying with the company,” Rey said quietly. “Don’t worry, I keep that letter more for inspiration than opportunity. It’s nice to know what I’m capable of, everyone needs a little bolstering occasionally.”

Connor was humbled. He took her in his arms. “You’re so talented and I’m so lucky. I’ve always relied on you so much. I’d hate to think I held you back in anyway.”

“You haven’t.” She hugged him back, knowing she wouldn’t change a thing.

 

*  *  *

Working together, living together, and loving together proved to be challenging at times. Over the next two weeks, they gravitated to staying more at the Waterloo than the condo and, as sometimes happens, Connor and Rey found themselves on the opposite sides of an argument in their morning meeting.

“There are other sites we could choose from, Connor. If we build on the Morrison acreage, we’ll have to cut down almost an acre of trees. I’ve been hiking on that property, one night I counted thirty-one deer grazing there. I’d much rather see us turn that section into a park and build the office complex elsewhere.”

“Those deer have all of Texas to run around in, they don’t need to squat on my prime piece of real estate.”

Rey placed her hands on her hips, mirroring Connor’s own stance. “Those deer and their ancestors are the native inhabitants of that land. Wildlife should be protected, not penalized because some man needs another building.”

“Strange talk for a real estate developer, Cassidy. Next, you’ll be wanting to preserve a few acres for the armadillos and the opossums.”

“O-possum? O-possum? Only a city boy calls a possum an O-possum!” She glared at him.

“I am from the city, but I’m definitely not a boy.” He cupped his package and stared at her defiantly. “I think you need another demonstration of that fact.”

Rey knew she was in trouble when he narrowed his gaze and stared at her with a hooded intensity. “I think you need to reconsider your decision.”

“Oh, really?” He began to stalk her around the room. “What will you give me?”

Rey felt an absurd thrill shoot through her. “A compromise?”

“Do you mean a compromise like I take you up against the wall or you suck me off under my desk?”

Rey retreated a few steps. “I’m not sure these are appropriate negotiating tactics.”

Connor snorted. “I like these tactics.” He locked his office door as he passed it. “Make me an offer? How badly do you want to protect Bambi and Thumper?”

“Thumper was a rabbit, not a deer.” She glanced behind her to make sure she wasn’t about to trip over something. “How about if you build your building, but we make the whole area a preserve so the deer are protected?”

“How about you take off that blouse?”

She pulled a chair in front of her. “Is this what our business meetings are going to be like from now on?”

Connor spread his arms wide. There was an obvious bulge in his pants. “I don’t know why not. A little give and take never hurt anybody.” He crooked his finger. “Now come here and take what I want to give you.”

Zing! Just like that she was aroused. Damn, she needed to start keeping extra pairs of panties at the office. “What about the deer?”

“What deer?”

Rey rolled her eyes. “You have a one-track mind, don’t you? When your cock gets hard, your brain goes to sleep.” She hid a smile and began unbuttoning her blouse. “So, what about my suggestion?”

Connor’s gaze was stuck on her tits. He’d seen the bra she was wearing this morning, a little red number with sheer lacy cups. “Don’t take off your bra, I want to suck you through the lace.”

Rey almost doubled over with need. “The deer?” She left her blouse hanging open and started work on the buttons of her skirt.

Connor unzipped his pants and fisted his cock. “Yes, dammit, make the damn place a preserve. I don’t care if you give them security passes and have a petting zoo on the top floor.”

Having secured his permission, Rey let her skirt drop to the floor, standing before him in two very skimpy, filmy, pieces of red lace. “Come get me.”

Connor covered the final few feet and picked her up, not stopping his forward progress until he had her pressed against the wall. With her feet dangling about a foot above the floor, he fulfilled his promise, latching on to her breast with his mouth and sucking hard. Rey keened her approval, wrapping her legs around him and steadying herself with hands on his shoulders. Closing her eyes, she almost swooned. His mouth was magic and she was so dependent on his lovemaking that this noonday fix was becoming absolutely necessary. “Please fuck me, Connor,” she panted.

“All you have to do is ask.” Using one hand to cup her bottom, he used the other to rip the panties from her body. When she squealed a protest, he covered her mouth and kissed her into submission. “You don’t realize the power you have over me, Cassidy. You could ask me for anything and I’d give it to you.”

“Is that true?” She wanted to ask for his love so badly she could taste it.

“Hell, yes. Now, hold on to me.”

Stabilized by her back to the wall, Rey clung to him as he entered her with one powerful thrust. “Fuck, yes!” she cried as he filled her to the brim. The burn was so good. “This is what I was born for,” she whimpered. “Hang business, I just want to be fucked by you.”

“I aim to please.” Impaled to the hilt, Connor began to pound into her, keeping one hand under her hip and the other behind her head so she wouldn’t bang it against the hard wall every time his body collided with hers.

Rey wove her fingers into his hair, pulling on it like he loved to do to hers. Biting her lower lip, she closed her eyes and tightened around him over and over, knowing it gave him as much pleasure as it gave her.

“God, baby, you’re going to end this too soon.” Connor fought to maintain control, flexing his hips and driving into her harder with every plunge.

“That’s okay,” she continued her own form of sweet torture, using her feminine muscles to milk his cock, “we can always start over. Practice makes perfect, you know.”

Connor groaned when he felt her mouth on his neck, the bite of her teeth, the tease of her tongue. “If it gets anymore perfect than this, it’ll kill me,” he snarled as a riptide of lust swept through him. Over and over, he plowed into her, burying his cock into her softness again and again. And then it happened, Connor felt it, tiny ripples caressed his cock as a cry spilled from her mouth. She arched wildly against him, trembling, gasping, clutching his shoulders so tightly he’d have bruises, as marks of her possession come the morrow.

Connor almost blacked out, nothing had ever felt so good. Every movement of her hips was a voluptuous invitation for him to make long, voracious drives into her quivering heat. She was eating him alive and he didn’t care. His whole body tightened before the great and mighty moment when a white-hot explosion rocked him and he shuddered in wave after wave of ecstasy. “My God, Rey.” Connor caught her to him and squeezed tight, his hips still moving helplessly. He fused their lips together and he kissed her and he kissed her until their heartbeats settled and their breathing evened out.

“I love our…staff meetings,” she whispered with a giggle, biting the lobe of his ear.

Connor’s staff agreed.

 

*  *  *

 “I think my employees suspect something,” Connor whispered as they collapsed against the elevator door laughing. “It’s so unlike Gerald to give me a high-five.”

Rey’s chest was heaving, she’d been giggling so hard. “You pinched my bottom in front of the doorman, what do you expect?”

“I suppose so.” He looked over at her and smiled. “I know you wanted to keep things low-key, but I’m so happy I can’t keep it all inside.”

Rey pushed off from the wall and went into his arms. “I’m happy too. I know word is going to get out, I just wanted to keep it private for a little while.” It wasn’t like they were hiding, they’d been photographed at several events. The gossip columnists and paparazzi were used to seeing Connor escorting many different women, they were also familiar with Rey. She was just dreading the day when they put two and two together and figured out all the other women were gone and only she remained.

“Whatever makes you happy,” Connor assured her. “If it were me I’d shout it from the rooftops.”

Rey wanted to tell him to do it, because she was insanely curious as to what he’d shout. Did he love her? He never hesitated to tell her how he desired her and how much he valued her as a friend and business partner. But he’d never said the words.

The elevator door opened before Rey had a chance to reply. One of their secretaries stood there waiting on them. “You have a visitor, Miss Cassidy.”

“Very well.” Rey could see that something was wrong, it was written all over the woman’s face. She turned to say something to Connor, but he was staring at his phone with a pensive look on his face.

Suddenly, he glanced up and gave her a smile. “I’ve got to run an errand.” He gave her a quick kiss right in front of Lori, which distracted Rey to such an extent that all she could do was nod.

Connor stayed on the elevator, holding the door until Rey exited, then he gave her a wave and the doors closed shut.

With a shake of her head, Rey turned back to her secretary, a paragon of efficiency who had been with them since the beginning. “Who’s my visitor, Lori?”

“It’s one of Mr. McGregor’s women.”

Lori’s abrupt answer floored her. Rey bristled. She wanted to rail that Mr. McGregor only had one woman, but there was no use making a scene. Lori didn’t mean any harm. “Who? What does she want?”

“I don’t know, Miss. She said her name was Serena Cheney.”

“Great. Thank you, Lori. I’ll handle it.” As she hurried to her office, Rey remembered the night Serena called for Connor at Toledo Bend. She’d never asked him any questions about the call. She recalled him instructing Karin to tell Serena he’d get in touch with her later. Connor had assured Rey he had no idea how Serena found him or why she assumed they had a date lined up. All these thoughts swarmed around in Rey’s head as she covered the short distance to her office.

Before entering her private domain, Rey resented the fact that she felt the need to stop and get herself together; soothing her skirt, running a finger over her lips, and smoothing her hair. Rey knew when she stepped through the door, she’d be facing an alluring woman, with stunning good looks and a haughty attitude. What she was here for, Rey didn’t have a clue.

Taking a deep breath, Rey put a fixed smile on her face and opened the door. “Miss Cheney, what can I do for you?”

Serena Cheney was sitting primly in front of Rey’s desk, her elegant hands folded in her lap. Rey wondered how often the beautiful woman had been told she bore an uncanny resemblance to a young Elizabeth Taylor, because she certainly did.

As Rey moved to the far side of her desk and placed her bag on the floor, she could feel Serena’s eyes following her. Despite their violet beauty, those eyes possessed a reptilian quality, Rey actually shivered at the realization. When Serena didn’t readily respond to her question, Rey asked another one. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“No, thank you. When I leave here, I’m headed to brunch.”

“Sounds wonderful.” Rey sat down and faced her, close enough now to smell a cloying French perfume. Although, she couldn’t imagine what the answer would be, she had to ask, “Is there something I can do for you, Serena?”

“Actually, I came to give you a bit of advice.”

The icy quality of Serena’s voice didn’t go undetected by Rey’s ears. “Advice? I’m afraid I don’t understand. What kind of advice could you possibly give me?”

Before she answered, Serena gave Rey a look – a sweeping, scathing, demeaning look of condescension. “I hate to see a woman taken advantage of and that’s what Connor is doing to you.”

“Now, look here…”

“No.” Serena raised a well-manicured hand. “Let me finish. We both know Connor well, I know you’re aware of his history with our sex. He doesn’t believe in commitment.” She gave Rey a sneering, smirk of a smile. “Although, I intend to do everything to change his mind on that score. He’s using you. Miss Cassidy. I know he used you to keep one of my predecessors from blowing a contract deal, the former Karin Metcalf, I believe.”

Rey stared at Serena. “How did…”

“He told me. Just like he told me that you kept another woman occupied while he was with me at my mother’s birthday party. Like I said, he’s using you as a shield to hide behind. I’m not certain of his motivation, yet. But I will figure out what it is, because there’s no way he’d ever be serious about you.”

Rey’s mouth dropped open. She couldn’t believe this conversation! “I don’t believe any of this is your business, Miss Cheney.”

“Oh, Connor is my business and the moment you accept that fact, you’ll be better off.”

Rey grasped the arms of her desk chair. “I’m not sure you’re aware, but Connor is with me now.”

At Rey’s announcement, Serena threw back her head and laughed. “Do you think so? I bet there are two or three other women who would say the exact same thing.”

“He’s changed.”

Serena shook her head and sighed. “Both you and I know the chances of that are slim to none.” She shrugged. “I can forgive Connor his wandering eye, because I know in the end that he’ll come to me.”

Rey’s heart was pounding in her ears. She felt like she was being tossed around in the harsh winds of tornado. “Why would you think that? Like I said, he’s with me now and we’re happy.”

“Oh, really? He came up the elevator with you, did he not?” When Rey didn’t reply, Serena went on. “He received a call and he made an excuse to leave to run an errand.”

“What were you doing, eavesdropping?”

“No. I was the one on the phone.” She gave Rey a triumphant smile. “Right this minute, Connor is waiting for me.”

“I don’t believe you.” Rey said calmly, even though she was shaking with nerves.

Serena took her cell phone and held it up. “I’ll turn on the speaker.” Pressing a button, she let it ring.

“Serena, where are you?”

It was Connor’s voice.

“I’ll be there in a minute, darling.”

“Well, hurry up, you know I hate to be kept waiting.”

“So impatient,” she purred and disconnected the call.

Rey didn’t know what to say. Had everything been a lie? “I don’t understand. What do you want from me?”

Serena laughed. “Oh, I don’t want anything from you. I just wanted to take you down a peg. Connor thinks you’re invaluable to his business. I don’t, I think you could be easily replaced. Either way, you’re no threat to me. All this time, you didn’t realize you were Connor’s DUFF, did you?”

The hateful moniker stung. Rey sat up straighter, raising her head high. “I don’t know what you’re trying to pull, but Connor and I are together.”

“Yet, he left you to run to me.” With a satisfied smile, she picked up her purse. “I have a card up my sleeve, Miss Cassidy.”

“I’m not surprised to learn that you cheat, Miss Cheney.”

“Whatever works, right?”

Opening her bag, Serena took out something wrapped in a tissue. When she unveiled it, Rey’s heart almost quit beating. She held a pregnancy test.

“I’m having Connor’s child, Miss Cassidy. I win.”

“Get out.” Rey pointed to the door.

Serena rose gracefully. “You’ve known Connor a long time. This shouldn’t come as a great shock to you. He’s never hidden his lifestyle. I’m willing to overlook his…quirks to get a ring on my finger. I doubt you get an opportunity to choose, but could you turn a blind eye to his indiscretions? Face it, I’ll be a perfect wife for Connor.” Her face hardened. “And when I am, there won’t be any room for you at McGregor Developments.”

“Get out.” Rey repeated herself. “Or I’ll call security.”

Serena laughed. “No need, I’ve said all I need to say.”

As the viper glided out of Rey’s office, she sat there in absolute shock. Picking up her phone, she almost called Connor – but she had no idea what she’d say if he answered. With her heart breaking in two, she dropped it. “God, what’s happening?” Leaning on her desk, Rey held her head in her hands. Unbidden, tears came to her eyes. What should she do? Obviously, she needed to confront Connor and hear what he had to say about the matter. With shaking hands, she pushed her hair back from her face, determined to continue with her work until she could figure out what was going on.

Opening her laptop, she tried to focus on the screen. The wallpaper of a pretty landscape blurred before her eyes. Tapping the enter button rapidly, she opened the window to her email. Scanning down through the messages, she ignored most of them. A Google alert caught her eye. She’d set this up to let her know anytime her name or the company was mentioned on the internet. Most people wouldn’t even think of something like this, but it helped in knowing when reviews were posted or McGregor Developments was cited in an article. Not expecting anything more than a comment on Yelp, she clicked on the message. When an article popped up by Austin City Entertainment with a photo of her and Connor at the charity gala, she stared at it for a few long seconds. The image startled her. She was struck by how extremely handsome he was and how…ordinary she looked beside him. Tapping the screen, she made the article bigger, so she could see what it had to say. As she scanned the words, her mind was still very much on Serena Cheney. Rey knew she was in shock, nothing else could explain the disconnect she felt from what was going on inside her head and what was going on outside her body. Just this morning, everything had been wonderful, she’d awoken in Connor’s arms after a night of peaceful sleep and amazing lovemaking. How could things change so fast?

“Wait.” She blinked her eyes, then moved her face closer to the screen. Through the haze of her bewilderment, she had trouble making sense of the words. The article began with the usual, information about Connor, the company, and the charity – but she was horrified to see it get personal. Buzz around Austin is that Mr. Sexiest Man Alive has been seen squiring his business associate, Rey Cassidy, around town. ACE is not sure we’re buying Mr. McGregor’s claim that Miss Cassidy is his girlfriend. She certainly isn’t his usual type. This reporter is very suspicious that Rey is serving as a smokescreen for someone else. Maybe the rumors we heard about the European princess are true, we’re betting Rey Cassidy is just a very good friend. Not a very convincing ruse, Mr. McGregor.      

No, not very convincing.

Rey slammed down the lid of her computer and stood, stumbling to the window to look out at the slow-moving Colorado River as it glided past the Waterloo.

What was she doing?

“Miss Cassidy?”

Lori’s voice at the door broke her disjointed chain of thought. “Yes?”

“The Mayor’s on the phone. Do you want me to tell him you’ll call back?”

“No, no.” Rey shook her head, realizing Lori must understand how upset she was. The thought horrified her. She felt like she might throw up, but she certainly didn’t need anyone’s sympathy. “Put him through.”

Making her way back to her desk, she heard a sound that almost caused her to stumble.

Connor’s voice. He was back.

“Rey!” His yell caused her to grab the phone and hold it to her ear just as he came into view. She wasn’t ready to talk to him. When he came to her door, she gave him a cursory glance and held up a finger as if to say ‘I’m busy, I’ll get with you later’. Understanding, he nodded. The grin he gave her told Rey he didn’t have a clue as to what had just gone down.

All the time the Mayor was talking, Rey didn’t hear a word, she kept saying appropriate meaningless phrases, her mind stuck on what Connor had been doing or saying to Serena. As if a boulder fell from the ceiling, she remembered Serena was pregnant. A windfall of despair cascaded over her. She felt like such a fool.

Once she managed to appease Austin’s CEO, she ended the call and sat staring at the ivy that trailed across her desk. She reached across her desk and ran a finger across the waxy green leaf. This plant, like the palm tree, had been a gift from Connor, as had the bracelet on her wrist. He’d given her many gifts over the years, but the only thing she really wanted from him was his heart. Knowing she needed to go talk to him, Rey steeled herself. She didn’t want to broach the subject of Serena, but she couldn’t function until she did. 

Standing, she inhaled deeply and started moving. Best to get it over with. He couldn’t deny he was with Serena, she’d heard his voice herself.

Inside his office, Connor was immensely proud of himself. It wasn’t often he could put anything over on Rey Cassidy. Serena’s phone call had just given him an excuse to dip out and visit the jewelry store with her being none the wiser. As for Serena, she was a pest he could handle. Today, he had something much more important to think about. Now, all he had to do was finalize his plans. He didn’t think they’d go out, a private dinner in the penthouse would be better. Taking his cell, he called the chef downstairs and put in a special order.

“Connor.”

Rey stopped at the door, hesitating to go in. When he heard her voice, he looked up, a huge smile on his gorgeous face. His eyes were twinkling and she could see that kissable dimple dancing near his sexy mouth. “There she is.” He rose, slipped something in his pocket and came to meet her. Rey lifted her hands to stop him but somehow, they just ended up pressing to his chest as he wrapped his arms around her in a warm embrace. Connor didn’t hesitate, he found her mouth and kissed her hungrily. Rey responded automatically, no matter what quandary her mind may be battling, her body knew only the truth of her need of him. When she stopped for breath, she buried her face in his neck and that was when she smelled the unmistakable scent of Serena’s perfume. Her instant reaction was to push him away.

“What’s wrong?” Connor asked, surprised. “Do I have bad breath?”

“You smell like Serena.” The truth just spilled from her lips. “She came to see me.”

Wham! Connor felt like he’d been hit with a sledge hammer. This couldn’t be good. “She did? Why?”

“She didn’t tell you? You two had brunch together.”

Connor backed up a moment to study Rey’s beautiful face. “No, we didn’t. I met her at Starbucks to hear what she had to say. I didn’t listen long, she came on to me and I wasn’t interested.” He could see the doubt and hurt in her eyes. “What did she say to you?”

Rey didn’t answer immediately, then she just blurted it out, “She’s having your baby.”

Connor’s mouth dropped open and he laughed. “I don’t think so.”

“She showed me the pregnancy test.”

“If she’s pregnant, it’s not mine, Rey.” Connor held out his hand, but she didn’t take it. “Sweetheart, I told you I never slept with Serena. I couldn’t. Once I kissed your lips, I knew I didn’t want her. She’s jealous, she’s playing some kind of head game with you.”

God, she wanted to believe him. “Why would she do this? She said that I’m some kind of shield for you, ACE said the same thing?”

Connor shook his head. “Who?”

“ACE, the television show, the article is on their website.”

“I don’t give a damn about ACE!” Connor gazed at her imploringly. “Is that what you think? After everything? You think I’m using you?”

“No.” Rey squeezed her eyes together. “I want to believe you. I…” She almost told him she loved him, but she couldn’t. Rey felt so vulnerable. Her insecurity was robbing her of happiness. 

“I did what you asked, Rey, I fulfilled your every request. I turned my back on all women but you. You have it all – my time, my attention, and my adoration. And now you have this…”

His adoration? Rey’s hand went to her throat as she he went to his knees. “What are you doing?” she gasped.

Connor gazed up into her face. “I’m asking you to be my wife, Rey. Let me prove to you how much I care.” He took a ring box from his coat pocket and opened it, revealing a big, sparkling diamond ring. “Will you marry me, beautiful?”

Rey reached out to grasp the back of a chair, lest she fall. “Why, Connor?” When one is granted their greatest desire, how is it possible to question it? Conflicting emotions bombarded Rey as she beheld the face of her beloved. The last few weeks had been perfect. She seemingly had it all – a career any person would envy and a man who gave her heaven anytime he took her into his arms. So, why did she hesitate? “Why do you want to marry me?”

Connor gazed up into her face. He trusted her more than anyone in the world. “You’re my other half. My perfect match. The only woman I want.”

Rey felt like she was being ripped in half. Could she ever be enough for Connor? How long would it be before he grew tired of her? “You know how I feel about you. I would give you the world if I could.”

“Marry me, sweetheart, and you’ll be giving me the world.”

An aching pain began in her chest. “I’m sorry.”

With those two simple words, his face fell. “Rey?”

She tried to form the words to tell him what was in the heart, but she couldn’t. Her greatest fear was asking something of Connor that he couldn’t give. “I have to go. I…need time to think.”

Rey ran.

He’d never said he loved her.