Page 10 of Liberating Lena

I threw myself down on the couch. “Everything. Nothing. I don’t know.” I leaned forward placing my elbows on my knees and my hands over my face.

“Why don’t you start at the beginning.”

I scrubbed my face with my hands. “Have you met Ethan Reacher yet?”

Her eyes rounded. “That gorgeous millionaire? Of course, I haven’t met him personally but I’ve seen him. If there were such a thing as the most eligible bachelor here at the Ranch, he’d be it.”

That got a smirk out of me. “Well, he isn't like that in my books. The man treats women like objects.”

“Oh. I never got that impression but, like I said, we’ve never spoken. The word, though is that he’s incredibly polite.”

I grudgingly agreed.

“Is that why you’re upset, because of Ethan?”

“Yes.” I proceeded to tell her about my time at the fire with him and our conversation. “I’m just glad I avoided a potential minefield with that man.”

Carrie didn’t respond the way I expected. She eyed me uncomfortably for what felt like minutes although I was sure it was only seconds. “I don’t know, Lena, maybe give the guyanother chance. I know he appears all open and such, but maybe interpersonal relationships are hard for him. The guy knows business, but maybe the dynamics of real communication outside of the boardroom are a lot harder for him. Just something to think about.”

She may have a point. I was exhausted from the emotional turmoil and wanted to curl up in my bed and forget all about my interaction with Ethan. “Maybe you’re right. Thanks, Carrie. I’m going to bed now. Are you working tomorrow?”

“No. My boyfriend Andy is arriving and I have scheduled it off.”

“Okay. Good night.” I closed my bedroom door. My hair smelled like woodsmoke, another reminder of Ethan. I decided on a shower to wash that connection down the drain. The last thing I needed was to be reminded of him while I was trying to fall asleep. Twenty minutes later, with my hair up in a towel, I crawled into bed. Exhaustion pulled at me, but my mind continued to play over the events of the evening and it was a long time before my mind let go and I finally drifted off.

CHAPTER 6

Ethan

I’d been kicking myself in the ass ever since I’d inserted my foot in my mouth that night by the fire. What a colossal mess! But like any risk assessor, turning things around for the benefit of Lena was my main priority.

Despite feeling like a complete douchebag, I’d learned something about Lena. Gift giving was not one of her love languages. My intention had been to gently tease by saying what I did about Rachel. Instead, Lena thought she had me pegged but nothing could be further from the truth.

I stepped into the lodge intent on finding her and apologizing, well, grovel was more like it when Luna approached me.

“Mr. Reacher, Sir, you have an urgent call. There is a business room around the corner where you can take it. Line two.”

Without waiting for a reply from me, Luna hustled back to her desk where a small line was forming. Around the corner Ifound a small office space and picked up the receiver. “Reacher here.”

“Jonas Skyes, Mr. Reacher. I’m sorry to bother you.”

“Are you? I’m out of the office on vacation. How did you find me?” So, help me, if Rachel gave up my location, there would be no crystals forthcoming for a while.

“It’s about the investor you drummed up for the–”

“Wait! Are you telling me you reached out to my overseas investor after I explicitly forbade it?” There was silence from the other end.

I needed to shut this asshole down. The entire point of hiring me for their start up accelerator was to provide the guidance and connections needed. I couldn’t have a newb with zero experience speak in my stead. It was unacceptable.

“Listen to me, Jonas, I built the pitch deck that got you in the room. If you try to undermine my position of authority again, I’ll bury the deal and the brand. Don’t confuse my charm with weakness.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t–”

“Don’t bother. When next we speak, you had better remember who you’re dealing with.” My voice couldn’t have been icier, my words laced with barely controlled fury.

I ended the call and rubbed my eyes. This was the last thing I wanted to think about right now. I pushed the conversation away and straightened my shoulders. It was time to find Lena and make things right. She was there when I turned to leave the office. A stack of folded towels in her arms, her expression was unreadable.

“Lena. I was just about to look for you.”

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