Page 31 of Saving the CEO

“What article?”

“You didn’t hear? It was titled ‘Reservations Canceled for Party of Two.’ Cora just so happens to be good friends with one of the editors at The Mercury News. Now the whole Silicon Valley knows what happened on Saturday. It wouldn’t be so bad if it just affected me, but it’s affecting our business. Some of our clients are backing out and asking for a refund. And there are others coming out of the woodwork claiming that I flirted with their dates and that’s why their matches didn’t work out. We’ve gotten more one-star reviews in the last twenty-four hours than the last twenty-four years! I hate that my family has to suffer for a mistake I made. I’m not calling us a mistake,” she quickly added as she sat up. “I just wish I had handled things differently. You understand, don’t you? Please don’t be mad at me, too.”

“I’m not mad at you.” How could he be, especially when she was wearing those ridiculous frog PJs again. She had no idea how adorable she looked right now. “I could never be mad at you.”

“You sure about that?” Her brows furrowed until a line formed between them. “I seem to recall you being mad at me after your date with Moira went south.”

“I was more frustrated than anything.” He took ahold of her hands and held them between his. “I’m making a new rule. From this point forward, there will be no more talk about my dates with other women. The only woman I’m interested in dating is you.”

Scarlett smiled genuinely for the first time since he’d arrived. “I’m really happy to hear that ’cause you’re kind of the only good thing to come out of all of this.”

“Kind of? I seem to recall it was you who kissed me first. And you seemed to really enjoy it.”

She wrinkled her nose in chagrin. “It was all your fault, you know. You just had to pour your heart out to me and make me feel so special. My love language happens to be words of affirmation.”

“Is it? Good to know.”

“What’s yours? Let me guess—” She paused to think. “Acts of service?”

“Exactly.” He nodded, impressed that she could tell that much about him. “I know people talk about how it’s the thought that counts, but since no one has the ability to read minds, we can only rely on actions.”

“That’s why they also say actions speak louder than words. They’re probably not the same people though who say it’s the thought that counts.”

“Likely not.” He brushed a lock of hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear. His fingers lingered on her cheek, enjoying the intimacy of this small gesture. He and Scarlett had become so comfortable with one another in such a short period of time, and all he longed for now was to be closer to her. Tilting her chin up, he murmured, “I appreciate acts of service, but I’m not opposed to physical touch.”

Her gaze dropped to his mouth. “Are you saying you wouldn’t mind if I kissed you again?”

“I’m saying I would mind if you didn’t—”

The sentence was barely out of his mouth before Scarlett wrapped her arms around his neck. She teased him with a soft peck at first, leaving him wanting more, then deepened the kiss to allow him to experience her fully. It was only their second kiss, but he was already familiar with everything Scarlett offered him—her unique taste and scent and sounds. The knowledge that a woman so kind, giving, and loving would agree to be his filled him with more happiness than he’d felt in a long time. His heart drummed in his chest as she leaned in close, sending a surge of need through his body. Being alone with her in this room was more than he could handle. Reluctantly, he broke off the kiss and sat back to put some distance between them.

“Now I’m the one enjoying the kiss a little too much,” he joked, trying to catch his breath. The emotions brimming in his heart were ones he’d never experienced before. How could he feel so much for Scarlett already? He’d do anything to care for her and protect her. The thought made him all the more aware of how much was at stake. He clenched his hands at the realization that he’d already failed to protect her from the fallout of Saturday’s situation.

“Are you okay?” Scarlett took his hand and gave it a squeeze. “You got quiet all of a sudden. What are you thinking about?”

“I’m going to figure out a way to clean up this mess. Those accusations being thrown out there about you—they’re false and you shouldn’t have to deal with them. This is grounds for a libel lawsuit. I’ll make things right for you, Scarlett, I promise.”

“Whoa, slow your roll, Mr. CEO,” she exclaimed. “I don’t want to sue anyone. I’m hoping this news will die down in a few days when the next piece of gossip comes in. And anyway, not everything they said is untrue. I did break the cardinal rule of matchmaking, which is to never get involved with a client. I made the choice to cross the line. I just never imagined the outcome would be so public. But these are my consequences, and I accept them.”

“You’re just going to give up like that?”

“I’m not giving up. I’m still praying. I have faith that God will work things out for me and the business. He’ll let me know what I need to do.”

“You’re going to pray and wait?” He ran a hand down his face. The sarcasm coating his words was more than he’d wanted to show, but it was too late to take it back. He might as well be up front with Scarlett about his faith, or lack of it. “That’s your game plan?”

“Yes. That’s what I usually do. Don’t you ask God for help?”

“To be honest, not anymore. I’ve had to learn to solve my own problems. He has other, more important things to deal with.”

“That’s not true. God cares about everything that you care about. You matter to Him, Devin.” Frowning, she pulled him into a tight embrace. “I can’t believe you’d think otherwise. If He loved you enough to pay for your sins through Jesus’ death on the cross, don’t you think He’d want to listen to your prayers and answer them, too?”

Devin almost laughed to hear the worry in her sweet voice. “I thought I was the one comforting you, not the other way around. I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine. It’s you that I’m worried about.”

She drew back to look him in the eyes. Her gaze didn’t waver for one moment as she said, “If you’re worried about me, then promise you’ll pray for me. That’s the best thing you can do.”

Since he truly loved Scarlett, he nodded in agreement. But just because he agreed didn’t mean he couldn’t also do something to help the situation. A plan began forming in his mind as to how to save Scarlett’s reputation and her family business.

CHAPTER16

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