Page 40 of Saving the CEO

“I hope there’s at least room for this.”

Cradling the nape of her neck, he brought his mouth to meet hers. The kiss started off slow and sweet with a gentle pressure. Scarlett held onto the hem of his sweater, allowing herself to relax in his embrace. His intoxicating, musky scent made her stomach dip and her cheeks flush like a teenager being kissed for the first time. The warmth and strength of his hand splayed on her back provided a sense of security and belonging, two things she had always longed for. She kissed him back with all the confidence and gratitude in her heart, hoping that she could also show Devin how much she cared for him. Just as she was about to deepen their kiss, a phone rang, breaking them apart.

“I need to get this.” Devin’s expression turned somber as he pulled his phone out of his pocket. “Why don’t you get started on the hot chocolate? I’ll catch up with you in a few minutes.”

He was out of the room before she could reply.

Scarlett didn’t think much of Devin’s hasty exit until ten, then fifteen minutes had passed, and he still hadn’t shown up in the kitchen. She assumed he had a work emergency that needed his attention. As a CEO, he surely had matters to attend to even on the weekends. Whatever the reason for his delay, she decided to bring his cocoa to him. If she waited any longer, their drinks would get cold.

She took the two mugs and walked to Devin’s office. Her heart went out to him as she thought about how much responsibility he carried on his shoulders. Even if he didn’t want to be a workaholic, his job practically required him to be one. Fortunately, she’d be hanging around here a lot more now that she had a studio she could use. She’d make sure Devin took breaks often.

As she neared the partly open door, the rich timbre of his voice traveled into the hallway. There was an urgency in his tone, bordering on impatience. Gone was the calm, sentimental man from earlier. This was the Devin she remembered meeting a couple of weeks ago, the assertive, no-holds-barred CEO who couldn’t be bothered to compromise or change. She couldn’t quite grasp how these two, so very different, sides could exist in the same person. The thought left her feeling unsettled yet intrigued. Who was Devin Kendall really?

His voice suddenly grew more upset. She paused, debating whether to enter the room. That’s when she heard him say something that made her freeze.

“No, I haven’t found a wife yet. I’m working on it, but I need more time.”

What in the world was Devin talking about?

CHAPTER21

Devin

Devin held his head in his hands as he considered the two options his grandfather’s lawyer had just presented to him over the phone. Contest the will by calling his grandfather’s mental capacity into question or get married. Both choices were impossible and wrong, given the circumstances. He couldn’t lie and tarnish his grandfather’s reputation, nor could he pressure Scarlett into marrying him. The only other solution was a leveraged buyout. He would need to convince his cousin Nick to sell his control of the company to him, then secure a loan to afford the purchase. He would be heavily in debt, but if that was the only way to save Kendall & Sons, so be it.

His chest heaved with each breath he released. The hardest part of this situation was knowing that he was in it alone. He couldn’t ask his siblings for advice. They would likely tell him to let the company go, or worse, to work for Nick and watch everything he’d help build crash and burn to the ground. He also couldn’t involve the one person he longed to confide in the most—Scarlett. Telling her the terms of the will would no doubt push her into a corner. It was too much, too soon. He’d need to figure this out himself. But first, he needed to pray.

I’m at the end of my rope, God. I could really use Your help.

Turning to the Lord in times of need wasn’t his usual first inclination, but he had no other choice. But perhaps this was the best dilemma to be in—one in which he was forced to rely on God, which was how he ought to be living regardless of the circumstance. This was his one consolation, aside from the fact that he had Scarlett by his side.

He glanced at his watch, realizing he’d left her waiting. Standing to his feet, he was about to go find her when he heard a soft knock on the door.

“Can I come in?” Scarlett asked as she stepped inside. “I brought our drinks.”

“Of course.” He joined her on the couch and took the mug she offered him. The room seemed warmer with her in it, and it wasn’t because she’d brought him hot chocolate. Scarlett’s mere presence was enough to chase away his worries. He stretched one arm along the back of the couch and tried to relax. “I’m sorry I made you wait. The call took a lot longer than I anticipated.”

“Was it about work? Did something urgent come up?”

He nodded as he took a sip of the sweet drink. “Yes, but nothing that can’t be resolved. Don’t worry about it. I’ll deal with it later.”

“Are you sure? You can talk to me about it. I’m pretty good at listening.”

“Thank you, but I’m sure. I wouldn’t want to bore you with the details.”

“I don’t mind, really. I feel like there’s a lot I don’t know about you yet that I should know.”

“I’m sure there is, given how new our relationship is. The familiarity will come with time. We have the rest of our lives to get to know each other better.”

She furrowed her brows, not seeming satisfied with his answer. “But it’s better to find out some things earlier than later. I’d like to ask you some questions now, if you don’t mind.”

Devin cocked his head, curious as to the change in Scarlett’s tone and appearance. Her whole demeanor was more serious than usual. Despite her casual clothing, she kept her back stiff and straight. He had no idea what was going on in her head. “Are you upset that I made you wait?”

“No, that’s not what’s bothering me.”

“So, something is bothering you. What is it?”

“I just need to clear some things up.”

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