Chapter Twenty
Emmi
“Daddy, he’s your friend. I don’t know why you’re getting this upset,” I yelled as we pulled into the driveway of his house.
“You know exactly why. He’s a liar, and I don’t do business with liars.”
My father had used that same argument for our entire trip home. He’d used it all night long as I stayed at his house and tried to reason with him and he was continuing to use the same argument even after we went out for breakfast and I tried to sweet talk him into being nice to Declan. Nothing was working, though.
“I like him, Daddy. Don’t you want to be supportive of the man I like?”
“You can do whatever you want with him, but I’m not staying in business with the man. In fact, I called my lawyers last night and they should already have the paperwork together and be sending it over to him today.”
“Daddy! Really? That’s ridiculous.”
“Oh, no it’s not. I told him I wouldn’t keep working with him if he did something like this. I’m a man of my word, even if he isn’t.”
“I can’t believe you would do this to someone who you have mentored for years,” I said as I tried the guilt approach.
My father’s eyes narrowed in on me as he thought for a minute about what he wanted to say. He was choosing his words carefully and methodically, which wasn’t like him at all. Typically, he just said whatever it was he wanted to say.
“You should stay away from him, Emmi. He’s not a good guy. I won’t go into every little detail, but he’s a womanizer and no one you should be spending time with. That’s why I asked him to stay away from you. And he promised he would.”
“Daddy, we all have pasts. I didn’t know him before, and I don’t care what he was like. I want to get to know him now. He’s a good man. He’s someone I care about. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”
My father stewed for a minute and then stormed off to the living room, where he grabbed the paper and pretended to read it so he didn’t have to talk to me anymore. Instead of continuing to argue with him for another night, I decided to head back over to Jessica’s house and talk things through with her.
“I’m going to go over to Jessica’s. Don’t do anything rash yet, please. Let’s talk again tomorrow.”
“I’ve already made my decision. There’s nothing to talk about.”
“Okay, Daddy, well, I’ll be at Jessica’s house if you need me. But I’m not going to work for Declan again; I think it’s time for me to find a new job.”
“That’s the smartest thing I’ve heard from you all day,” he said snidely as I turned to leave his house.
I wasn’t used to my father being angry with me. Typically, he might get annoyed at something I had done, but never this all out angry. It hurt me to know that I’d hurt him by my actions even if I thought it was silly that he was angry at all.
As a grown woman, my father really didn’t have a say in the men I was with or who I chose to spend my time with. Him getting upset with Declan was so childish that I could hardly wrap my brain around it. The next thing I knew he’d be telling me I was out of his will or something dramatic like that if I didn’t agree to stop seeing Declan. I really didn’t know how far he was planning to take this whole thing, and I wasn’t sure I could handle it if he continued to be angry.
On the drive to Jessica’s house, Declan sent me a text message.
DECLAN: Call me when you get a chance. How’s your father doing? Has he calmed down?
I didn’t respond. My father had not calmed down at all. He actually seemed even angrier as the last 24 hours had unfolded. I really thought he was exaggerating his anger to prove his point; I hadn’t imagined that he would actually get his lawyers to draw up papers and have them sent over to Declan.
It was a relief to see Jessica sitting on the couch when I got back to her place. I really needed someone to talk to, and didn’t want to go chasing after her at one of the clubs she might be working at that evening.
“Wow, you look like shit. I suppose your father still hasn’t come around?”
“Thanks for texting me last night. I really needed someone to talk to while Dad was going crazy. I just don’t see how he can take this all so seriously. Why does he even care?”
“From what I know about your father, he cares about you and must think that Declan isn’t a good guy for you.”
She was right; my father had spent the last 24 hours going on and on about all the women Declan had been with. He’d tried to paint Declan in a horrible light, but I knew better. I knew my father was just bringing these women up in an effort to turn me off from Declan. But what I didn’t know was why my father thought Declan was good enough for him to be friends with and for him to do business with, but not good enough for me?
“He says he actually sent the paperwork over to Declan about dissolving their mutual interests. I just can’t believe he’s willing to take things this far.”
“What did Declan say?” Jessica asked as she pulled the blanket back and let me sit with her on the couch.
“I haven’t talked to him since I left Breckenridge. I don’t know what to say. He sent a text asking how Dad was. How do I tell him that he’s about to get some paperwork that will finalize his entire relationship with my father? All because the two of us decided to get together? It’s insane.”
“Yeah, but your dad is old. He’s set in his ways. He’s never going to change his mind now. Unless maybe you promised to stay away from Declan forever or something like that,” Jessica said as she laughed. “That’s the only thing I can think of that might make your dad happy.”
“I don’t know if that would even make him happy at this point. He keeps saying it’s because Declan lied to him and he can never trust him again.”
“Oh, please. Like your father has never told a lie when it comes to a woman. I know he was married to your mother forever, but when he was young, I bet he told a few whoppers in his day.”
“Yeah, I think he and my mom used to lie to her parents about their relationship.”
“See, he’s not so perfect,” Jessica said as she went to the freezer to get us some ice cream for our evening of talking.
The more I thought about it, the more the memory came back to me. My mother had told me about when Daddy and her first started dating, and they were trying to bring it up to her parents. My dad didn’t even go to her father for permission until months after they had already been seeing each other. But of course, those were different days, and my father would still go back to the idea that Declan had outright lied to him.
“Maybe I should just find a new job and move on. I could try to convince my father it was all my idea and Declan was just unable to say no to me. Maybe that would work?”
“That was your plan all along. Just work with Declan for a short bit and then move on to a real job that actually used your MBA. Let’s be honest, how likely was it that you and Declan were really going to work out?”
Jessica’s words hit me hard. I didn’t know if Declan and I would have worked out. All I knew was that I really enjoyed being around him. I liked how he made me feel, and not just in a sexual way. When I was with Declan, I felt empowered with creativity and ideas. He listened to what I had to say, and I felt like his equal in every way. Even though we had started off with him as the boss, our relationship had certainly ended with me feeling like we were on equal footing.
“Where should I look?”
“I know a temp firm that hires highly skilled people like you. They put them in jobs at law firms and big corporations. A lot of people end up changing over and becoming full-time employees within a few months.”
“Seriously, Jessica? A temp firm?” I protested. “I don’t want to sound full of myself, but I’m not looking to be someone’s secretary again.”
“No, it’s MBA-type work. They just are so short-handed that they can’t wait to go through the normal hiring process. So you basically get vetted by the temp firm and then these other companies know you are legit. It pays amazing, and you usually have a three- or six-month contract. Then, you can always leave after that time frame if it’s not working out for you.”
“I’ll take the number and check in with them, but I’m not sure what I want to do yet.”
It was the truth; I still had no idea what type of company I wanted to work for or where I was going to get a job. To be honest, I wasn’t even sure I was going to stay in Los Angeles. The chaos going on with Declan and my father wasn’t making me feel all that welcome to stick around.
As my phone dinged with the noise of a message, I refused to take it out of my purse. Jessica eyed me and waited for me to go grab it, but when it was clear I wasn’t going to do it, she grabbed my phone for me.
“It’s from Declan; you should read it,” she said as she tossed my phone to me.
DECLAN: I need to see you.
EMMI: Not right now.
DECLAN: I need your help at the office. We don’t have to talk about anything else; I just can’t get into my schedule and have no idea what appointments I have this week.
EMMI: Just open your desktop and it should be connected to your calendar.
DECLAN: I can’t, I changed my password last week, and I don’t remember what it is.
I burst out laughing as I read his text message. Declan really was a typical ADHD person. Office life wasn’t a good fit for him, but he kept pressing on and keeping his company going. I hated that my father was going to be the reason that everything ended for him. But there was no way I could go to his office and help him without giving in to the feelings that were growing. I had to refuse.
EMMI: Call a temp office. Have them send someone who has tech skills. I have to go. Take care of yourself.
“I basically just brushed him off over text messaging,” I said softly as I plopped down on the couch. “I’m the most horrible person in the world.”
“You’re not horrible.”
“I feel horrible.”
“Just give it a little time. You don’t need to decide everything today,” Jessica said as she turned the television to Netflix so we could binge watch our favorite new series.
Not five minutes went by before my phone was ringing and I saw Declan’s number on my caller ID. My heart sank as I tried to decide whether to answer it or not.
“Should I answer?” I said almost to myself.
“Yes, just talk to him. Tell him you need space and you’ll talk in a few days.”
“Okay,” I said as I pressed the answer button. “Hi, Declan.”
“What did you mean by ‘take care of yourself?’” he asked right away.
“Nothing, I just need a little space. You’ll be alright with a temp. I don’t want to make things worse between you and my dad.”
“Emmi, please come here. I just need you to go through things once and write down how I do things. I’ll need to show the new assistant, and I don’t know how you have everything organized.”
“It’s pretty much the same as Margery left it.”
“Please, Emmi,” he begged as his voice got low and I felt more and more drawn to him.
“Declan,” I tried to protest. “I can’t.”
“Please, it will only take a few minutes then you can leave me if that’s what needs to happen.”
I took in a deep breath as if it would help me make the decision on if I should go over there or not. I really wanted to see Declan; there was no doubt in my mind of what I wanted. The problem was that I thought it would be best if I didn’t see Declan, then he and my father could try and make up. If I could just muster the strength to turn Declan down, then he could go about his business and make up with my father.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“It’s the end of the day, but there’s still people here in the office. You won’t be alone with me, and I promise I won’t make a move. I really do need your help with the business stuff. Please, Emmi, just for a few minutes.”
“Fine, but just for the business stuff,” I said as Jessica smiled at my inability to say no to Declan. She nodded her head approvingly though. Jessica was such a contradiction.
“Thank you so much.”
As I hung up the phone, I couldn’t help but smile at the playful expression on Jessica’s face.
“What? He just needs me to come over and show him how I have everything organized. It’s the least I can do since I’m leaving in such a hurry. You know, most people give a few weeks’ notice before they quit a job. I’m just being professional,” I continued on as if I was trying to convince myself as well as Jessica.
“Hey, I think it’s a great idea. Whatever happens, at least you’ll have things settled after tonight,” she said with a big smile.
“I’m just going over there for business; that’s it.”
“Okay, if you say so.”
“I am.”
“Whatever you say, but go brush your teeth just in case,” she teased.
***
As I got off the elevator on Declan’s floor, my hands were shaking with nerves. I didn’t know why I was so nervous, but my heart was racing, and my face felt flushed as I walked down the hall toward his office.
I could see him through the glass walls, and he looked busy working on his computer. He wasn’t typing, though, and instead was intently looking at the screen. I imagined he had messed something up and was trying to figure out what he had done, but I didn’t know for sure.
He must have felt my eyes on him as he looked up and waved me into his office. I could hear other people in the building, but I wasn’t sure who was there. Even with glass walls, there were still plenty of offices, and I couldn’t see them all from the hallway in front of Declan’s office.
“Emmi, thank you so much for coming,” Declan said as he held his hand out to shake my hand jokingly.
“Well, of course, sir,” I joked back.
“Can I hug you? Is that alright?” he asked as I moved a little closer to him.
I simply wrapped my arms around him and hugged him myself. I’d been thinking about the comfort I felt in his arms, and I needed a hug just as badly as he wanted to give one. With so much going on in our lives, I really did want to talk to him about my father and their business plans, but I decided to wait and get his computer stuff figured out first.
“Is your computer really broken or was this all a ruse to get me here?” I asked while still in an embrace with him.
“I really did mess it up. No joking about it,” he said as he pulled away and went to his desktop. “I hate that I’m so inept at this damn thing. Thank you for coming.”
“Of course,” I said as I sat down at his desk. “I’ll get this working for you and then go through the other things you’ll need to show to the new assistant. Did you call the temp firm to have them send someone over to you tomorrow?”
“Not yet.”
“Do it now,” I demanded. “You’ll need to give them some time to find someone to work with you.”
“Okay,” he said as he dialed the number I’d sent him earlier. “Hello, this is Declan McMillan from The McMillan Westbrook Group. I need an assistant who can start tomorrow.”
There was a long pause as I continued to work on his computer and he sat in the chair across from me. He was listening to something the person was saying and then shook his head back and forth as if he wasn’t agreeing with what they said.
“No, no, it’s not going to be like that this time,” he said. “I will appreciate any help you can give.”
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“Apparently I had one of their assistants when Margery was sick a year ago, and the woman said I yelled at her and was a jerk.”
“What? You?” I said as I opened my mouth in a dramatically shocked expression. “That’s unbelievable.”
“Yes, I’m still here,” he said as he went back to his conversation. “Okay, thank you very much.”
“So they will send someone?”
“Yes, they’ll charge me more though, because I’m a difficult client.”
“You are difficult,” I teased. “Come here so I can show you how to do this. You know there’s an option to get your computer to text you a code so you can reset your password. It only works with your phone because I’ve set your number up as an emergency contact for your account.”
“It’s like you’re speaking a foreign language right now,” he laughed. “What do I do?”
I could smell his cologne as he leaned over me to look at the screen. Just having him that close to me was hard to resist. I took in his delicious scent and imagined having him right there on his desk.
It was impossible for me to be around Declan without thinking about our bodies naked and making love. My heart raced as the thoughts of his naked body and mine ran through my mind. I couldn’t even think straight when he leaned over me and input the password that I had just sent to his phone.
His hands were wrapped around me and his lips only inches from my neck. As much as I wanted him, though, I just couldn’t give in. I had to let him go. He could mend things with my father, and they could both continue their business relationship if I would just stay out of the way.
“I think you should apologize to my father and tell him you won’t see me anymore,” I said as Declan’s breath stayed close to my neck.
“No.”
His voice was firm and didn’t leave room for any negotiations. I spun around in his chair and found myself facing his body as he stood up but didn’t take a step backward.
“It’s the only way. My father will forgive you if I tell him it was my idea and you two need to keep working together. I’ll tell him I don’t have any hard feelings and I’m moving on. I’ll put it all on me.”
“He won’t believe you,” Declan said firmly.
“Yes, he will. I can convince him.”
“I won’t do it.”
“Why not?”
“Because I want you. I don’t even care about the business stuff; I’m sure all of that will work out just fine. Whether we keep working together or not.”
“No, Declan, it won’t. My father won’t keep getting clients into his hotels if you guys break things off. His brand is outdated without you. I’m not going to let him give up his entire life’s work all because he’s a stubborn jerk.”
“It won’t work. I can’t stay away from you,” he said as he moved closer to me.
His hands gently pressed my hair off of my neck as he tasted me. We were right there in the middle of his office, with glass walls so anyone could see what was going on, and Declan didn’t seem to care. It was a big difference from how he had reacted when I’d touched his hand in the middle of our first meeting together.
“Let’s talk in the bathroom; someone might see us out here.”
“Yes, let’s do that,” he said with a huge smile.
“Just talking,” I clarified.
“Okay, if that’s what you want to do.”
“Declan, I can’t be responsible for everything between the two of you falling apart. Do you understand what I’m saying? I can’t do this.”
“I understand,” he said as he went back to kissing me.
I should have pressed him away and protested his kissing, but it felt so good, I couldn’t refuse him. My body longed for more from him. I needed to feel him, every inch of him. And soon, I found my hands sliding down to his pants as I felt the large bulge of his excitement.
“I do care about you. I really do, I just—” I started to say, but Declan stopped me from talking when he covered my mouth with his.
Our tongues played together like they had been apart for years. Instantly, my body warmed with the excitement of having Declan there with me and tasting him in my mouth. All I could think about was wanting more and more.
My hands feverishly unbuttoned his pants while he took a moment to unbutton his shirt. We moved quickly as we both wanted to feel each other. I finally released his throbbing body into my hands and started to play with him while we continued to kiss.
“This is it, we can’t do this again,” I said through our kisses.
“Okay,” he said unconvincingly.
“I’m serious. We would be horrible together anyways. We’d probably hate each other within a week. This is the last time. You have to promise to go make up with my father, and I’m going to go away and leave you alone.”
“Whatever you say,” Declan said as he pulled my shirt off.
His lips moved to my nipple, and the pleasure of his mouth was all that occupied my mind. I closed my eyes and felt the tension as his body started delivering small bits of pleasure to me.
“Shower or counter?” I asked breathlessly.
“Counter,” he said as he quickly lifted me up and set me on the large bathroom counter.
I wrapped my legs around him and held my breath as his body pressed into mine. The wondrous feeling of his body inside of mine made me moan out with pleasure with his first thrust.
My heart raced, and I held on tightly as we moved together, thrusting and holding each other. Soon we were both sweating and barely able to catch our breath from the frantic lovemaking that was going on.
We weren’t even trying to be quiet as he reached down and used his thumb to put pressure on my clit while he continued to move inside of me. The pressure was all I needed, and soon, I was screaming out with pleasure. His final thrusts were deep enough that I felt the pleasure shoot through my body again as I grabbed onto him and held him tightly. This was going to be the last time I felt this man in my arms, and I wanted to remember every single moment of it.
We ended up hopping in the shower and washing off. It was a quick shower, with the warm water soothing my anxiety and giving me the courage to continue our conversation about not dating.
“I was serious about not dating.”
“I know,” he said in a low, sad voice. “I don’t agree. But if that’s what you want to do, I’ll honor your choice.”
“My father won’t admit it, but he needs to be in business with you. I can’t let his whole life be for nothing. He needs to end things on his own terms and not in total financial ruin. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I understand. But I’m not sure your father is going to be willing to give me a second chance.”
“You know he will. My father loves you, and he will give you a chance. I’ll make sure of it.”
“I swear, you’re the perfect woman. I hate this.”
“I’m far from perfect. We wouldn’t have gotten along for long. You know my bossiness would have gotten on your nerves and you would have kicked me to the curb sooner or later. This way we don’t have to go through hating each other. We can move on and still be friends.”
My words seemed to hit him hard as we climbed out of the shower and dried off. His somber expression wasn’t at all the normal look for him.
“Friends.”
“Yeah, we can be friends. We will give it some time and then I’m sure we could talk or check in with each other. I’ll let you meet the next jerk I start dating,” I laughed.
“I don’t know. I really do care about you, Emmi. This wasn’t just some fling for me.”
I held onto his hands as we stood there both totally naked. There was no doubt that I had feelings for this man, but I also had a father who was so stubborn he’d drive his own company into the ground if he thought it would protect me.
“It wasn’t a fling for me, either.”
We stood there solemnly for a moment before I got dressed and kissed him gently on the lips. There was nothing else to be said. Whatever we had was over, and we were both going to have to move on from there.
“Take care of yourself, Emmi.”
“You too, Declan,” I said as my eyes started to water and I quickly turned and left the room. “Give me a few minutes and then call my father and apologize.”
I hurried out of the office and dialed my father right away before I lost the nerve. I had to convince him to give Declan a chance. It was better for both of them if they could keep their business dealings going.
“Daddy, I’ve decided not to see Declan anymore. You know I didn’t really like him that much anyway. I really think the two of you should talk things through. This whole thing was all because of me and now I’m out of the picture.”
“He’s still a liar.”
“Daddy, you know as well as anyone how good I am at getting my way. How can you expect Declan to have refused me?”
“Well, we have a few weeks before we can even meet since to figure things out. I’ll give it a little time before I make a final decision. But he’s still a liar.”
“Daddy, remember that time you told me I couldn’t go to the fair and I begged and pleaded and you finally gave in? But you told Mommy that we went to the library?”
He was silent on the other end of the phone. I had finally gotten through to him, I felt it. I took a deep breath as the satisfaction of knowing my plan had worked set in.
“He will need to call me an apologize before I’ll even consider forgiving him.”
“Okay, Daddy. I’m sure he will.”