Making it Personal (18 page)

Will’s heart went out to her. He knew it was common for someone in an abusive relationship to put up with such treatment, the lengths they would go to in order to keep someone. But it still didn’t answer his question. “So why tell the police it was me?”

She twisted the tissue in her hands. “He kept on at me, asking me if I was seeing you, if I was interested in you. I told him the truth, but he wouldn’t believe me. Finally, he just… snapped.” She wiped her eyes. “He knew he’d gone too far when he woke up the next morning and saw the state of me.” Karen raised eyes full of misery to stare at Will. “Tom s-said I was to tell the police that you’d done it, that if I didn’t, I-I’d get a l-lot worse.” The tears started up once more. “I know it was stupid, but I wasn’t thinking clearly. Anyway, once I told the police everything, they arrested Tom and charged him with assault. They got me to fill outme I know i a restraining order, so that once he made bail, he couldn’t come near me.”

“So you
have
left him?” Blake regarded her doubtfully. When she nodded, he let out a relieved sigh. “Well, that’s something.”

“Karen, for what it’s worth, I’d like to offer you an apology.” Will knelt in front of her. Karen’s eyes widened in surprise. “I’m sorry for the way I behaved that day in the kitchen. I shouldn’t have lashed out at you like that.”

Karen pressed her lips together. “I was so angry with you. It was humiliating, knowing that I’d been throwing myself at a gay man for all those weeks. And you let me!” Will felt a pang of guilt. Then her lower lip trembled. “But that doesn’t excuse what I did.” She stared down at the hand he held out to her, and then she took it. He squeezed her hand tight.

“It’s over, okay?” Will affirmed, meeting her gaze. He felt a surge of relief as she nodded at last. Impulsively he leaned forward and kissed her cheek. Karen blushed.

“Are you staying for the party, Karen?” Blake wanted to know.

She regarded him, biting at her lip. “I-I wasn’t intending to. I thought the team might feel awkward if I were here.”

“Rubbish,” Blake said briskly. “They’re all relieved to see you. Of course you’re staying.” He winked. “Besides, you don’t want to miss
this
party. Trust me.”

Will wondered for the umpteenth time that day what Blake had up his sleeve. He rose from his kneeling position to stand once more by the desk.

Karen got to her feet and gave her nose a final blow. “Thank you, Mr. Davis, and you too, Mr. Parkinson.”

Blake sighed. “Let’s go back to ‘Blake’ and ‘Will’, what do you say, Karen?” She considered his words for a second or two and then nodded, smiling weakly. Blake clasped her hand and watched as she exited the office.

“Well, I’m glad that’s sorted,” he said with a wry smile. “How are things looking out there?”

Will gave a grin. “Looking good. The troops have things well in hand.” He took Blake by the hand and pulled him up off the couch, sliding his arms around him. Blake’s eyes gleamed.

“And what are you up to?”

Will cupped his chin and kissed him, the kiss slow and sweet. Blake closed his eyes and Will pulled him closer, loving the feel of his body snug against him. When their lips parted, Will stepped back, already regretting the loss of Blake’s warmth. “About my Christmas present…”
Blake gazed at him with a wide smile. “Did you like it? There’s nothing quite like holding a book with your name on it, I’m reliably informed.”

Will’s gut clenched. Opening the book that Christmas morning had been a delightful surprise, but he’d had time to think on it since. “Look, I want to talk about this. I—”

There was a knock at the door and Rick poked his head around it. “Boss, your dad’s here.” He withdrew.

“Great.” Blake kissed Will on the tip of his nose. “Let’s continue this conversation later, okay?”

“Sure.” Will wasn’t sure what he was going to say, however. He needed to make some things clear. Blake headed out of the office, Will following him. Justin was standing in the corridor outside the conference room, a wry smile on his face as he observed the feverish preparations. He caught sight of Blake and grinned.
“This looks really good. How many people do you have comingou e o?”

Blake counted off on his fingers. “The team, plus various partners and family members, Dave Thurston, Melissa…” His eyes widened. “Dad, did you invite Bill Richards, like I asked you?”

“I didn’t have to. Melissa had already gotten there before me. It seems she’s really looking forward to this party for some reason.” He winked. “Can’t think why.” Both men shared a chuckle. “So, are you going to tell me what you have up your sleeve?”

Blake gave him an evil grin. “Nope. You’ll just have to wait.”

 

Justin rolled his eyes. “Are you sure you want my son in your life, Will? He can be
very
annoying.”

Will grasped Blake’s hand and squeezed. “I’m sure.” He and Blake exchanged a look, one that made his legs go weak. God, the effect this man had on him…

Noise behind them signaled the arrival of the first guests, and Blake released his hand. “I’ll go greet people.” He gave Will a quick peck on the cheek. “Can you get my Dad sorted with something to drink?” Will nodded and Blake gave him a winning smile as he walked off. Will turned to find Justin regarding him with affection.

“I haven’t seen much of you two since we last spoke,”

Will held back a snicker. It was hardly surprising. Blake hadn’t let Will out of his sight all week. Every minute where they weren’t at the office, they’d spent in each other’s company. The Sunday after Christmas had been moving day and it had been such a wonderful feeling to finally close Blake’s front door behind him and realize he was home. The thought made him smile. Home was where Blake was.

“You really do love him, don’t you?”

Will came back into the moment and met Justin’s gaze. His reply was heartfelt. “Yes, sir.”
Justin put his arm around Will’s shoulders and squeezed. “I’m so glad you’re in his life, Will. I’ve never seen Blake so happy.”

If Will had his way, Blake would be happy for the rest of their time together. He’d see to it personally.

It was nearing midnight. The party had been going really well. Melissa had turned up fashionably late, her father in tow. Will could only estimate how much she’d spent on her outfit. He scowled. She wasn’t doing it to please Blake. She simply wanted to look fabulous when Blake announced their engagement. The scowl faded, to be replaced by a grin. He couldn’t wait to see the look on her face.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden silence as the music was switched off. Blake motioned for him to come stand nearer. Justin and Bill were deep in conversation, and both looked up to see what was happening. Melissa was hovering near Blake, her eyes gleaming. Everyone in the room turned to face Blake as he stood at the end of the room.
“Thank you all for coming here tonight. I know some of you put off attending large family gatherings to be here tonight.”

“Hey, boss, we should be thanking you!” Rick’s outburst had everyone laughing.

Blake grinned. “And some of you might even have been planning to join the crowds on the river bank to watch the fireworks.”

“Yeah, okay, we’re ’appy to be ’ere, all right?” Ed’s cheerful interjection caused more laughter.

Blake held up his hand for silence. “As I was saying, it was really important to me to have you here tonight. I’m particularly grateful to have my team around me.” He held up a glass of champagne. “Guys, you are the best people it has been my pleasure to know. You giv kn happy fe 100 percent, every day, and this company wouldn’t be where it is without all your hard work.” Applause greeted his words. Blake turned to his father. “Dad, thank you for the wonderful press release this last week. To have you praise all the things we’ve achieved here was one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. I hope to make you even more proud of me as Trinity Publishing goes from strength to strength.” There were murmurs of approval from his audience.

Blake lowered his glass and gazed at the people around him. Will found the hairs standing up on his arms. He shivered. All his senses told him something was coming.

“Someone said to me recently that New Year’s Eve is a very romantic time to announce an engagement.” Out of the corner of his eye, Will was aware of Melissa beside him. He gave a brief glance in her direction. Her eyes gleamed with triumph. “That got me thinking. After all, New Year is a time for new beginnings, resolutions, a time to cast off bad habits and take up new ones. So it is with that in mind that I have to share something personal with you all.”

Will caught the buzz around the room. All eyes were fixed on Blake, his included.
“I’ve met someone, someone who means the world to me. We haven’t known each other for that long, but when you meet the person you’re going to spend the rest of your life with, your heart knows it. Time is immaterial.”

Will’s chest constricted. What the hell…. His heart raced as Blake pulled a small, black velvet box from his pocket and walked slowly toward him. Will felt his legs tremble. Surely Blake wasn’t going to….

“Will Parkinson, I love you. I don’t want to spend another minute of my life without you.” Will gasped as Blake got down on one knee, holding out the open box, where a simple white gold band inset with diamonds gleamed. Beside him, there was a sharp intake of breath. Will ignored it, his attention focused solely on the man kneeling before him, his upturned face glowing with love. “Marry me, Will?”

The murmurs and gasps of the room’s occupants faded away as Will gazed into his lover’s eyes. His heart pounded in his chest as he reached down to cup Blake’s cheek. “Oh God, yes.” The smile that spread across Blake’s face sent him soaring. Blake got to his feet and after removing the ring from its box, slipped it onto Will’s finger, sliding it into position. He moved closer, until Will could feel the heat pouring off him.

“I love you, so much.” Blake murmured the words, before cupping the back of Will’s head to pull him into a kiss that rendered him breathless. Will was oblivious to everything but the man who held him so closely. He lost himself in the heady kiss, Blake’s breath sweet as he sighed into his mouth. From the back of the room the applause started, building until it reverberated off the walls, accompanied by shouts and hollers of support.

“What the
fuck
is going on here?”

Melissa’s strident voice cut through the joyous sounds. Blake and Will parted, stepping back. Melissa’s face was a mottled shade of purple, her eyes almost bulging from her head as her face contorted. She glared at them.
“This was
not
what we agreed!”

Blake regarded her coolly. “What exactly did we agree, Melissa?” Will was suddenly aware of the horrified glances Bill was giving his daughter.

“You know what I’m talking about! You were supposed to be proposing to
me
!”

Blake laughed, the harsh sound so unlike him. “I’m gay, Melissa. Why would I propose to you?ropy as Wil” Her lips narrowed and her eyes became slits. “Oh, that’s right, I forgot. I was supposed to marry you and make you rich, and in return you wouldn’t tell my father that he had a
fag
for a son.” The cold gleam in Blake’s eyes made Will shudder. “That
was
the deal, wasn’t it?”

Bill Richards glared at his daughter. “What is Blake talking about, Melissa?” Will watched as all the color slid from Melissa’s face. Her mouth opened and closed as she stared at her father.

Justin gave his friend an apologetic look. “I’m sorry you had to hear it like this, Bill. The boys informed me last week about Melissa’s little blackmail attempt. Fortunately, events took a different path.” Melissa gaped. He walked across to Blake and Will and put his arms around their shoulders. “I’m delighted to hear their news, and I’m sure I speak for everyone here.” There were enthusiastic murmurs from all around. Justin leveled a scathing look in Melissa’s direction. “Well,
nearly
everyone.”

Melissa marched over to Blake and spat in his face. “And that’s for making me spend all that money on this outfit. Do you have any
idea
what I paid for this?”

Bill growled. “That’s enough.”

Blake reached into his wallet and pulled out a wad of banknotes. He flung them in her face. “I wouldn’t want you to be out of pocket.” He ground out the words as the notes fluttered to the floor. As she bent down to pick them up, Bill grabbed hold of her arm and hauled her upright.

“Leave it. You’re acting like a little whore.” A look of disgust crawled across his face. Will felt Blake take his hand. He swallowed. His hand firmly around Melissa’s upper arm, Bill turned to Justin. “I’m sorry about this, Justin. I’m going to leave now, so you can all get on with enjoying the party. After all, it’s nearly midnight.” He glared at his daughter who had started to blubber. “Melissa and I are going to have a little talk about her future, and how she’s going to cope
without
my money in her bank account.” Melissa’s eyes were huge as she stared at her father. He gave a brief nod in Blake and Will’s direction. “Congratulations to the pair of you, and my sincerest apologies for whatever pain she put you through. I can only imagine how you must have felt.” And with that, he marched Melissa from the room, her sobbing becoming more audible. The members of Blake’s team watched her departure with cool glances.

Justin clapped his hands together. “Fill your glasses, please, ladies and gentlemen. Midnight fast approaches.” Rick and Beth rushed around the room, making sure everyone had a full glass. Peter opened the window and in the distance could be heard the sounds of the crowd counting down to the chimes. Justin held aloft his glass. “As New Year arrives, I’d like to make a toast. To Blake and Will, with many blessings for their future happiness together.” His words were echoed around the room as the first chime rang out from Big Ben. “Happy New Year, everyone!”

Amid the sounds of glasses clinking and best wishes being exchanged, Will turned to Blake, his eyes glowing. “Happy New Year.” He kissed him softly, closing his eyes as he savored the silky touch of Blake’s lips against his. When they finally parted, Blake gazed at him, a glint in his eye.