Chapter 39
Kate
Over the next few days, Kate had somewhat of a reprieve from Alan. She hoped the money would keep him away from her for at least a few weeks. She needed to be able to think. What was she going to do about him? Maybe she could give him enough money to go away for good.
She was so stressed. She had to book Grant appearances at various parties in his honor. Also, Walter was gearing up for a series of marathon work trips that she was trying to schedule meetings for. At least Alan couldn’t bother her if she was out of the country, but then she wouldn’t see Grant, either.
That’s a good thing, she tried to tell herself. It wasn’t working.
At another party held in his honor, Grant was a natural. He fit easily into the political schmoozing, Kate thought. She knew he probably found it all petty, but if he did, he didn’t show it, that she could see. He had kissed her in the car on the way over, and she could still feel the shadow of him against her skin.
At least I didn’t give in to him, she told herself. She had wanted to, though. Grant was everything she’d ever wanted.
“We’re meant to be together,” Grant had told her.
How she wanted it to be true! And Alan was ruining her life. Again.
She watched Grant walk around the room chatting to people. The ambassador to Ecuador’s sister and children had been in the clubhouse dining room as well, and he wanted to honor Grant. There were other dignitaries present, so Grant had to put on the uniform again. He looked dashing. The heavy tailored fabric highlighted his broad shoulders and narrow hips. She sighed wistfully, remembering how it felt having his arms wrapped around her.
“Never again,” she said to herself.
Grant made his way over to her. “You don’t look like you’re having any fun,” he said, pulling her into a side hallway. His face was inches above hers, and she looked up at him. He had his brimmed hat in one arm, and the other, he placed on the wall above her head and looked down at her softly.
“What happened, Kate? We were so good. What happened?”
“It didn’t mean anything,” Kate lied. “It was just a fling.”
His face darkened, and he slammed his palm into the wall above her head, making her jump.
“Why are you treating me like this?” Grant growled. “Is it me, or is this how you treat all the men you’ve been with?”
“Grant,” Walter called. “I need to introduce you to someone.”
Grant left, and Kate slumped against the wall for a moment, trying to collect herself.
Kate wanted to try to avoid Grant during the next few days, but she still sought opportunities to be near him, such as helping him prepare for his interview at Holbrook Enterprises.
They were in the penthouse. Kate had put them there so Grant could have a good night’s sleep and be ready for the interview the next morning.
“You’re clearly going to land the job. The interview is a formality,” she told him. “But I’m still going to prep you. You have to do well.”
Grant jumped up and down, trying to loosen himself up. Kate hadn’t seen that intense version of him that she had witnessed at the ambassador’s party. Grant seemed as if he was trying to be less frightening.
“You’re going to psych yourself out,” she told him. “The interview is tomorrow morning. Then it will all be over. Just relax.”
“Fifty million dollars,” he said, starting to pace. “I can’t do this.”
Kate placed her hands on his shoulders, trying to keep him still. Grant drew her to him and wrapped her in a hug. She relaxed in his arms; he made her feel so safe. She inhaled his masculine scent and stood in his arms, looking out over the lights of the city skyline against a dark sky.
“You always calm me down,” he murmured in her hair. “I need you.”
She could feel the tension in his body, and she forced herself to push him away. “Like I said, there’s no way you aren’t offered the job, unless you do something stupid or crazy. Let’s go through your strategy.” She moved him to stand in front of her. “So you would be part of the sales team that sells data management, logistics, and weapons-defense systems and services to various organizations and government entities.”
“Those seem like pretty broad categories.”
“Yes, but a lot of times, the people making these decisions all know each other, so they have them all under one sales team.”
“I think I know something about defense, at least,” Grant remarked.
Kate frowned. “It’s sophisticated weapons systems, not some high-school dropout with a rifle.”
“Ouch,” Grant said.
“Sorry, but you can’t just skate by. You have to be very knowledgeable. There was talk about opening up a director-of-sales role that would be more hands-on than the VP. A lot of people are vying for the potential position. If you want it, you have to fight for it and prove you’re worthy of it. Let’s go again.”
Kate drilled him on the ins and outs of the company, the mission, where they operated, potential untapped markets, and how Grant would be able to exploit any opportunities.
“Feeling more confident?” she asked him. “A little more relaxed?”
“You know what would help me chill out?” he asked her, coming up to her and resting his hands on her hips. He pushed her back against the desk.
“That’s not happening,” she said. She felt his hand slide up her skirt. “Your father is downstairs!” she hissed at him.
“I’ll be quiet,” he murmured against her neck. He hoisted her up on the desk.
“Say yes?” he murmured against her neck. She shivered at the sensation of his hands running along her body.
“Yes,” she said, pulling him down and kissing him.
Kate knew she should fight it, but she didn’t want him to stop. He pulled off her panties. She heard the rasp on the zipper as he undid his pants. He kissed her as he entered her. She swallowed a moan.
“You’re supposed to be quiet,” he said teasingly.
She bit his chin, and he growled and thrust into her hard. She gasped, and her breath hitched as he moved in her, and she kissed along his jaw line. Grant moved slowly, and it was all she could do to keep from screaming out. Kate wrapped her legs around his waist as he took her. She felt him come inside her, then her body released.
“That’s all the interview prep I needed,” Grant mumbled, kissing her neck sloppily.
She tidied her clothes as he went to a cabinet and poured them each two fingers of whiskey. He looked like a proper corporate boss as he deftly pouring the expensive liquor and handed it to her with a flourish. He just needed to grow his hair out, and it would be as though he had been raised in New Cardiff his entire life.
Kate savored the taste of the whiskey, letting the flavor bloom in her mouth and mingle with the taste of Grant. He leaned against the desk, and she followed the length of his body with her eyes. His suit fit perfectly, and he looked like a billion dollars.
“We should do this more often,” he said to her as he took a sip of his drink.
She didn’t answer him. She didn’t want to ruin the moment.