AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He clicked his seat belt into place and continued to stare down at her computer screen. Did he have to be so close? Smell so good? Torture her on a daily basis?
Hopefully once they reached their destinations, they would go their separate ways, only meeting up for dinner and to discuss business like they did on any other trip.
“Are those the flowers Mona chose?” he asked, referring to the simple, elegant calla lilies on her screen.
“These are the ones I like. She told me to do what I wanted.”
“Why do you like those? Why not go for something traditional, like roses?”
Abby glanced over, only to find those dark, haunting eyes roaming over her face. “Because they add grace to any wedding. Just a few here and there will really make the arrangements seem softer, more romantic.”
“And you know all about how to create romance for other people. Right?”
Was he mocking her?
“I’d say you’re pretty knowledgeable in the romance department, as well.” Abby smiled, trying to get him to open up, to see if he had any genuine feelings for the woman he was about to marry. “That was quite an impressive rock on Mona’s hand.”
He shrugged, crossing his ankles and lacing his hands over his abdomen. “I wouldn’t know. She picked it out.”
Appalled, Abby cocked her head, turning even more to face him. “You’re not serious? You didn’t even pick out your fiancée’s engagement ring?”
“No. I sent her an e-mail and told her to get what she wanted and send the bill to me.”
Her heart actually froze from the iciness of that statement. “I speak for women everywhere when I say that is the worst way to start a marriage and the tackiest proposal I’ve ever heard.”
Cade laughed. “Maybe so, but you have to remember, Mona and I aren’t going into this for love or any other personal reason. We want to build our companies up to the best of their abilities. Once we create this merger, the impact of going global will be nothing short of perfect.”
Shocked, though she supposed she shouldn’t be, Abby knew “merger” really referred to the marriage. Her heart broke a little at the fact that this beautiful, powerful man was lowering himself this way. If he could just open up to the idea of loving his mate, he would be an amazing husband. He gave his all in everything he set his mind to. His wife would be the most fortunate woman.
“I can’t get my work done if I’m chatting about non-existent romance with you,” she told him abruptly, drawing her attention back to the screen. “Besides, I’m sure you have something you should be doing.”
Cade’s rich, robust laugh filled the cabin. “You sounded just like my mother.”
Ouch. That was not something a woman wanted to hear out of the mouth of the man she’d fallen in love with.
“She used to shoo me away when she wanted alone time,” he went on. “Brady and I would purposely aggravate her just to get her riled up.”
Abby had no problem imagining the Stone boys getting into mischief. “You must miss her.”
His wide smile dropped some. “Every day. It’s harder now, too, with Dad gone.”
“There’s nothing worse than the death of a parent.”
“The few times you’ve mentioned your parents, it was in past tense.” Cade shifted in his seat as the plane taxied down the runway. “How long have they been gone?”
Great. Now he wanted to get to know her personal side. After nearly a year of working for him and his brother, and just a brief time with their father, he wanted to know more.
“My father’s never really been part of my life. He left when I was two, so I don’t remember him.” Abby concentrated on clicking through sample floral arrangements instead of the empty, aching hole in her chest. “My mother passed away right before I came to work for you. I took care of her until she passed. It was the hardest time of my life.”
“You’re a strong woman.”
Cade’s words washed over her, touching her in areas she shouldn’t allow. But she couldn’t stop the emotions from taking over any more than she could stop him from marrying Mona. The fact that someone like Cade—a powerful, courageous CEO—thought she was strong, really boosted her self-confidence.
“I don’t know about that,” she replied, trying to stay on topic. “At the time I did what I had to do, what she needed me to do. I didn’t even think about my needs. I wanted to devote every moment and ounce of energy to making her as happy as possible and making memories while she was still here.”
“So that explains why there’s no man in your life.”
