Page 32 of Stick to the Plan
The moment drags on awkwardly as Colin just looks at the offered hand like it’s a piece of trash, one eyebrow raised. Colin lets the tension rise to breaking point, before turning his head to me. “Dublin just called a meeting. I need you to run me through the numbers again.”
Without a look back, I let Colin lead me from the kitchenette back to his office. Colin’s hand never leaves my arm as he guides me to the chair in front of his desk. His hands glide down my arms as he squats down in front of me to look me in the eye.
I can feel my thoughts spiraling. All the things I wish I said to Chris. Snippets of past conversations coming back to me. How many times has he put me down like that? Made me look like a joke? Made me feel like I was in the wrong, when he was actually to blame? That gaslighting son of a bitch.
Colin’s brow knots in concern as his eyes dart back and forth between my own. I keep to my box breathing to calm my racing heart. In two… three… four. Hold two… three… four. Out two… three… four…
Launching to his feet, Colin rakes his hands through his hair and mutters something that sounds like “king maggot” - which makes no sense - before telling me to stay put as he storms back out of the office.
Chapter twenty-four
Spill the Tea
Colin
That fucking maggot. In the weeks I’ve lived with Brianna, she’s never looked so lost. Her sapphire eyes are missing their fire, and it scares the fucking hell out of me.
First things first - I need to calm down. The last thing Brianna needs right now is a raging Irishman on top of that gobshite. With long strides, I head down the hall towards the men’s room, hoping some cold water will help.
I grip the edge of the counter until I feel the granite bite into my palms. The pain, a welcome ground for the building rage. I stare into the sink unseeing, the scene between Chris and Brianna running repeat in my mind.
When Brianna first left, I’d taken a minute to adjust the raging hard-on Brianna’s nearness always inspires. She smells so goddamn good - slightly sweet, with hints of amber and spice. I’ve been in an almost constant state of arousal since our kiss on Friday night. I had looked down at my half filled coffee cup and decided the last thing I needed was to be hyper and horny. Thinking a cuppa tea was exactly what I needed, I’d set out afterBrianna.
From down the hall, I saw Brianna on her toes. She was trying to reach something on an upper shelf, and I couldn’t stop smiling at the reminder of our first dinner together. I was so distracted by the view of her skirt stretching over her curves as she reached up, that I hadn’t seen the man approaching until he was already caging her in.
Frozen in place, my stomach had twisted with jealousy as he stood so close to her and smiled down at her…intimately. He was attractive enough, very clean-cut and oozing confidence and entitlement. A real, what do the Americans call it - bro?
“Afternoon, McLeary.”
I had torn my gaze from the couple to find one of the other project managers standing next to me. “Johnson. How are ya?”
About my age, a bit of a pretty boy, but an overall decent fella. I’d taken a liking to Johnson fairly early on. He was friendly, but not a kiss-up, which I appreciated. He was actually the one who’d suggested the Irish pub I’d been frequenting.
“Well, that’s surprising.” Johnson had jerked his chin in Brianna’s direction, a slight curl to his lip.
“Oh?” I’d turned slightly, to give Johnson and Brianna equal attention.
“Yea - I shouldn’t gossip…” he looked up and down the hall quickly to see if anyone was coming, before leaning in a little closer. “But - those two used to be together. Engaged, if the diamond ring she used to wear was any indication. About a year ago there was a big shake down. Not sure what happened exactly, but suddenly our boss retired, Chris transferred to another office, and the shiny ring disappeared. All within days.”
Johnson checked his watch, completely unaware that his words had left me reeling. Engaged? “Shit, man, I’m late for a call. See ya.”
Nodding at him absently, my eyes narrowed as I inspected Brianna. At first glance, Brianna looked relaxed. But I could tell hershoulders were tense, and she seemed to be leaning away rather than towards him. I watched her try to step away, and the man followed. Like a dance.
As Chris grabbed her, the jealousy in my stomach churned. She had turned her head slightly, and I could finally catch a glimpse of her face. Her eyes were wide and her lips tight. I was already approaching when she yanked her arm away. As she collided with me, I could feel her trembling.
What the fuck was going on? How could I instantly see that she was upset, and this man she was supposedly going to marry could not? This was no lover’s quarrel.
Jealousy fully doused, rage filled me as I looked at this smarmy asshole. The need to protect Brianna pulsed - not unlike my temples. I’d made up an excuse and got her the hell out of there, barely acknowledging the guy.
Brianna hadn’t said a word. She’d just let me drag her away and seat her in a chair. The woman had a sassy comeback for everything. At least for me. Even if she didn’t say it out loud, I always saw the fire sparkle in her eyes. Seeing her just sitting there, wringing her fingers with dull eyes, twists me up inside.
If I ever see that twat again, I’ll fucking kill him. I have half a mind of chasing the bastard down. With one more squeeze of the counter, I force myself to take a deep breath and calm down.
None of this is helping Brianna right now. I left her in my office alone and shook up. She is the priority. I can plot the ex’s murder later.
Hell, Nic will probably help me!
With a cruel smile on my face, I leave the men’s room. Passing the kitchenette, I notice Brianna’s favorite mug still sitting there. Quickly, I clean it out and brew a cuppa to bring back to my office.
