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Behind me, I feel him before I hear his voice. The electricity in the air crackles between us, and his gaze sets my skin on fire. “Chair empty?”
I turn, meeting his whiskey eyes, and see the torture they hold. It’s like he doesn’t want to approach me, but he can’t help it. I feel the same.
“All yours,” I reply, looking back to the bartender as she slips my drink in front of me.
It is murky and delicious looking, with three blue-cheese olives sitting on top. I lift one of the olives to my mouth and close my eyes as I eat it. The entire time I feel him watching me.
Speak already, I just want to yell, but I bite my tongue, waiting for him to say whatever it is he came to say.
“Grace, I’m really sorry for how I acted at dinner.” His voice is strong, and I turn to look at him, surprised by his apology. He runs his teeth over his lips, and I study him, trying to figure out where this is going. Then I remember the women I met with today that are meant to make him happy, and I try to forget how his lips felt against mine, reminding myself that I’ve moved on.
Or I’m moving on. It’s a work in progress.
I’m a work in progress.
“Don’t sweat it.” I let out a breath. “I have really put you through the wringer the last week or so. I deserved everything you said.” He eyes me quizzically and then his lip turns up in a smile. “Okay, maybe not everything,” I admit, and he grins wider. “The sloppy seconds dig was a bit harsh.”
He looks down at the bar. “I really am sorry, Grace. You should know that is not who I am. Hanson and I have a history…not a good one,” he grumbles, “and you… you just happen to bring out…” he pauses as he looks back up at me.
“The worst in you,” I finish for him. Cash nods as his eyes don’t leave mine and I can almost feel them as if he’s touching me. “It’s okay. I think I do that to a lot of people,” I admit, my eyes growing wide in a teasing manner. I smile inself-deprecation. It’s a defense mechanism. “The good news is you won’t have to deal with me much longer.”
Cash furrows his brow. “What? Why?”
Ignoring his tone, and the way it sends a flurry of hope to my stupid head, I continue, “I met some wonderful women today. I’ll be sending over their information tomorrow. Take a look and let me know if any of them interest you.”
Cash looks away from me. “Right. Of course.”
“That is if you haven’t already found someone,” I stupidly say, remembering the photographs of him with the two models. Jealousy makes for a stupid companion, and I deserve the look he gives me when he realizes what I mean.
The dig isn’t lost on him. He knows I’ve seen the article. If he cared, he could shoot down the rumors. Instead he smiles and replies, “Nah, just having a bit of fun. Nothing serious.”
Gnawing on the inside of my mouth, I try not to respond. In my mind I’ve created a fantasy of who Cash is, but that wasn’t real. He’s a hot single bachelor, and he’s out fooling around with women. He’s not pining after me like I am him. We were nothing more than a blip on his radar. I’m sure he’s had dozens of flings like ours before me, and at least one since me. It’s foolish that I thought there was this special pull between us. Unable to stop myself, I quip, “Great, well, after you’ve had all your fun, just let me know and I’ll send you your next set.”
Cash shakes his head as he smiles. “Bed’s empty tonight; send them whenever you’re ready. Just make sure they’re actually single.” He tips his head to me as he gets up and walks out, taking the air with him as he goes.
Chapter 17
Cash
As CEO, I am acutely aware that there comes a point when you have to cut your losses. It’s not as easy to see that something is bleeding you dry though when it’s personal. Last night I tried to cut my losses with Grace and start over. I knew I handled everything with Hanson wrong. I owed her an apology. But fuck, did she make it easy to walk away.
She acted like a jealous girlfriend which makes no sense because she’s made it clear we are nothing. The thing I liked about Grace when I first met her was that she was straight to the point. Her honesty was a breath of fresh air. But the woman I’ve seen her be in Boston is nothing like that. I have no interest in drama or the games she plays.I’m moving on.
As I turn into our office, inhaling the wood scent that permeates the floor due to the whiskey barrels we strategically placed throughout, I finally feel my body relax. I have to get my head on straight if I am going to steer this company into the next century.
“Good morning, Mr. James, can I get you a coffee?” my secretary asks as I round the corner into my office.
Lucy was hired by Carter, so she’s beautiful, young, and everything I don’t need in an employee. Which is shitty of me. Just because I have a hard time controlling myself lately doesn’t mean that she should be out of a job. I nod once at her and promise myself to do better.
I immediately regret my thoughts when I walk into my office and spot Cat lounging on my couch reading a magazine. This is precisely the type of thing a secretary should warn you about. Cat looks up from her rag and smiles. “Don’t blame Lucy. I snuck in here while she was in the bathroom.”
At exactly that moment, Lucy walks in with my coffee and practically falls over when she spots Cat. “Oh, Mr. James, I’m so sorry.”
Her eyes go back and forth between us both and I sigh, accepting my coffee and waving to the door. “Hold my calls, please.”
I glare at Cat as I sit down in my seat. Just when I thought this day was turning around. “Why are you here?”
Cat pouts like a child. “Is that any way to address your favorite sister?”
