Page 101 of Conflict
“So, I need to talk to you about something that happened today, but you have to promise not to freak out.”
“Babe, you just lulled me into a state of bliss with veal and red wine. Sure you want to ruin that?”
His satisfied yet quizzical expression has me second-guessing if I want to do this right now. He’s right, and I realize the error in my ways, even if it’s too late.
“I had an unexpected visitor at the office today.”
My words have Shane sitting up straighter, looking more sober than he was just a moment ago. I quickly replay the scene with Mr. Wellsley, talking faster as the agitation on Shane’s face grows by the second.
“The son of a bitch,” he growls as soon as I’ve finished. “Who the fuck does he think he is?”
“Shane, I took care of it. He knows I’m not going to do what he asked.”
He pushes his chair back and stalks out of the room. I follow him to the kitchen, where he dropped his briefcase off on the way to the dining room. He opens it, pulls out a tablet, then holds it out to me.
“What does he want to know?”
“I didn’t tell you that because I wanted you to give me the insider details. I told you because I don’t want to keep anything from you. I would quit before I ever asked you to discuss confidential information with me.”
He sets the tablet down and braces his palms on the edge of the island. “You love this job. It kept you away from me once before and that’s not fucking happening again. But now I’m taking you away from something you’ve worked your whole life for just to acquire a god damn wine distributing company. It’s not worth it.”
My eyes soften, and I reach across the island to place my hand overtop his. “You’re not asking me to do anything. It’s one man who thinks he holds all the power, but he doesn’t. He’s just grasping to hold on to even a semblance of it. Even if he gets his way and I lose my job, I don’t care. I can find a job anywhere. But there’s only one you, and I refuse to lose you again.”
Shane pulls his hand out from under mine. The loss of contact sends my heart reeling because I have no idea the implications behind the move. I study his expression, but it’s unmoving.
“Please don’t let this come between us. Please don’t make the same mistake I made at the beach. Don’t push me away over something that neither of us can control.”
“Come here,” he whispers, his eyes finding mine and holding me tight in his gaze.
I do as he asked, and when I get to him, he scoops me up in his arms and carries me to the bedroom, where he deposits me onto a fluffy comforter. Shane’s body covers mine, and I’m thankful for the full moon that allows me to see his captivating eyes, even in the darkness.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen with Wellsley or Filiatrault, and honestly, I don’t fucking care. I’m never going to push you away. The only thing I want to do for the rest of my life is hold you close. Starting now.”
