Only Yours (7 page)

Upon seeing me walk up she instantly perks up and greets me with a genuine happy smile. “You are looking lovely today, Kelly.”

“Thanks Betty. As always you do too. How is your husband doing?” Betty’s husband Dan is a recently retired police officer. He’s been having a hard time finding things to keep himself busy since he left the force.

She makes a good-natured huffing noise that brings a smile to my face. “Dan is going to drive me into the mad house if he doesn’t find a hobby soon and learn to stick with it. So far he has tried fishing, golf, and flying those small airplanes that cost a fortune to make.” Shaking her head side-to-side she gives me an exasperated look. “You would think the man would enjoy some down time, but oh-no, not Dan. Such a silly old man,” she laughs.

I can’t help but laugh along with her. She and Dan’s marriage remind me a lot of my mom and dads. Strong, solid, and totally dedicated to each other. I want that. I always thought Gary and I would have that one day and look how that turned out.

“Maybe marriage is just not in the cards for me
”, I think sadly.

Before we have a chance to say anymore, Betty’s intercom beeps and Cherie’s voice floats over it. “Betty, if that is Kelly I hear out there. Please send her on in.”

Betty gives me a small smile and bends over pushing a button on the phone. Speaking loudly into the receiver she answers, “Yes, Ms. Cherie. I will send her in now.”

I give Betty a small wave good-bye and stride past her, walking down the small hall, to the large imposing double wood doors. Not giving myself a chance to freak-out or run the other way, I push on through, and quickly shut the door behind me. I even give it a little jiggle on the handles to make sure they are completely closed. Privacy is a big concern of mine these days. I am not exactly sure what Cherie wants to talk to me about today, but the last thing I need is one of the other designers in this office overhearing it.

You know, I had a lot of thoughts about what I would find when I entered Cherie’s office. I imagined a stack of resignation papers, a confidentiality agreement for me to sign, and other board members sitting in on our meeting while giving me unapproved glances here and there. All that would be annoying, but acceptable. What I’m met with boggles my mind.

Not surprising, Daemon sits front and center with Cherie tucked behind her desk. Besides them, the room is filled with carts lining the walls, covered with an assortment of food and drinks, a stacked pyramid of new luggage stands to the side (the expensive kind), and to top it all off, a short man in his mid-fifties, that I’ve never met before who is dressed in a three piece suit and tie, stands off to the side with his head bowed.

I think I have just entered the twilight zone.

I don’t know what to say.

My mouth opens, closes, and opens again. Nothing comes out except a shaky exhale. The scene before me is so odd, and out of place, it’s comical. Noticing my lack of thought process, Cherie waves me over to an empty chair in front of her, which I gladly take.

“Thanks for coming in today, Kelly. You look very nice today.” She says thoughtfully.

“Umm, thanks Cherie. You also,” I sputter, trying my hardest to keep my eyes trained on her and not the devilishly handsome man sitting to my left.

It’s useless. His gaze scorches right through me. He could be clear across the room and I would still feel the warmth those clear jade eyes of his instills within me. It doesn’t help that I’m still reeling from the frenzy he worked me into yesterday. Pushing down my ramping hormones, I glance around the room once again, taking in the extreme craziness of it all, and letting out a nervous laugh.

“What is all this?” I ask, directing my question to Cherie.

With a roll of her eyes, she gives me an awkward smile, which does nothing to ease my nervousness. “I guess you could call this your going away present.”

My eyes blink in surprise.
This can’t be happening
. I turn to Daemon, expecting him to jump in and help me, instead I find him reclined in his seat, acting as if everything is fine, and my world is not combusting in front of my face. Taking in his smug smirk and confident posture, I want nothing more than to smack the hell out of him. Instead of turning to violence, I laugh. It’s not a happy sound. In fact, my voice sounds unnaturally high pitched and hysterical. That is exactly how I feel. Not to mention, pissed, angry, sad, and close to losing it.

I fist the sides of the chair. I work at putting my jumbled thoughts together so I can get the words I need to say out.

“You just had to step in didn’t you? Thanks for nothing,” I huff. I narrow my eyes on him, making him see the hurt and fury running though me. I should have stopped him yesterday. I knew him going to Cherie and demanding to keep me on his project would only lead to more trouble. I don’t want to lose my job.

Deep down I know he is not the only one at blame. I went to him on my own. I chose to accept his gifts, sleep with him, invite him into my life, and fall in love with him. Despite all that, I can’t push past the anger coursing through me. I screwed up and this is my punishment. Through the buzzing in my ears I can hear Cherie trying to talk to me, but I can’t make out her words. I blink against the black spots blurring my vision. I think I’m going to faint.

Shit. Shit. Shit

I close my eyes and concentrate on my breathing. I’ve got to get control of myself. Someone starts gently shaking me and rubbing a soothing hand up and down my back. I turn my head and see Cherie’s face. She has squatted down beside me to try and calm me. Her face is etched with worry and I instantly feel bad for dragging her into the middle of my problems.

The slow breathing is helping. Pushing through my initial panic, I sit upright in my chair, push a hand through my hair, and lick my now parched lips. I don’t have to turn around to know he is close behind me. I can feel him. I’m thankful he hasn’t touched me. If he does, I know I will fall apart, and that definitely won’t help in getting my job back.

“Cherie,” I begin, giving her a small smile. “Please give me another chance. I know I screwed up and broke office policy, but I am one hell of an interior designer, and I promise to follow every rule from here on out.”

I want to say more, but Cherie is already shaking her head back and forth, urging me to stop. I don’t want to stop! I need this job and if I have to beg and plead then so be it. I would prefer not to do it in front of Daemon, but screw him. The bastard has yet to say a damn word to help me out.

Asshat!

“
Kelly, I’m sorry,” Cherie begins, not giving me a chance to speak. “I messed this all up. I should have worded that better.” I stare at her more confused than ever. “You’re not being fired, sweetie.” She stops and pats my knee, letting her words sink in. “Kelly, you’re going on a company trip for a two weeks. I hope you like Spain,” she says grinning from ear to ear.

“What?” I yell whisper. This is not making any sense. “Spain? Why the hell am I going to Spain?”

“To help me pick out furniture for my office,” Daemon says, finally joining in on our conversation.

“In Spain?” I repeat. I am having one hell of a time wrapping my head around what is going on. I’m relieved to know that I won’t be filing for unemployment anytime soon, but now I’m faced with a whole new situation that is causing my heart rate to fly off the charts.

I palm my forehead as everything around me starts to click into place. I glare at Daemon. I really underestimated him. Out of all the dirty tricks he has pulled this tops them all. “And I guess that means you plan on joining me on this little company trip abroad, Mr. Scott?”

His smile makes my stomach tighten into one very large uncomfortable knot. “Well of course, Ms. Dawson, I can’t expect you to wonder the streets of Spain alone. What type of man do you take me for?” I roll my eyes, not daring to answer that in front of Cherie.

“Anyways, I want to help you search for right pieces we will be needing. Me being there will save so much time and keep you from having to call or email me every time for approval.”

Oh please, what a crock of shit. I arch a brow. “Why would I need your approval, Mr. Scott? Don’t you trust my taste and expertise enough to pick out things I know you will like?”

He shrugs and moves to sit back into his seat. “It has nothing to do with trust or your expertise, Kelly. We all know I treasure them both, but in the contract I signed with your company, it states that I must approve all changes and products before they can be bought or ordered. As I stated before I am too busy to be on the phone or computer with you all day, so I am doing everyone a favor, and making this easy by going with you.”

“Why Spain?”

The man smirks, clearly amused with himself. “I owe that idea to you Kelly. You once told me stories about Spain’s beautiful craftsmanship and intricate wood designs. You sold me on the idea, and now, you and I get to make it a reality.”

His wistful voice is not lost on me. How am I going to survive two weeks along in a faraway, country with this man? From what I hear, Spain is beautiful, cultured, and very romantic. Running away together and pretending our problems don’t exist is not going to solve anything.

Cherie calls out my name, gaining my attention once again. I blush bright red. I totally forgot she was here. He has that kind of control over me. When he is around, no one else exists, but him.

I look around her office, deciding that my best option for now, is to ignore the irritating man beside me. From the disgusted look on Cherie’s face, she doesn’t seem too happy with Daemon either. Not getting anywhere with him, I try my hand with her. Surely she can see what a horrifically bad idea this is.

“What about my other clients and the projects I’m working on? If I up and leave them for two weeks, not only will we it put me behind on getting their work done, but they could call us out on their contracts and walk. That would kill my reputation and the companies’ as well.”

She gives Daemon a withering glare. This is a side of Cherie I don’t see very often and I must say I am impressed. Cherie has doesn’t just have claws, she has talons. I would hate to be the one on her bad side.

“Mr. Scott has already spoken with the board members and gained permission for your leave. They were going to allow some of the other designers take up your accounts while you are away, but I talked them down. I will handling them myself until you return. You don’t deserve to have your work manipulated by those vultures and I knew you would never relax knowing either Maxine or Georgia had their hands on your work. I promise to make sure your visions come to life.”

I squeeze my eyes shut. Pressing my fingers against my temple, I try to ease the headache threatening to take over. “I can’t believe this is all happening,” I breathe out. “Thank you, Cherie. Thanks for everything.” My eyes meet hers and I try to convey with one hard look all the things I can’t say out-loud. I owe her so much. After she has to deal with Mrs. Danish, and her non-stop changes and demands, she might regret agreeing to all this.

She give a small snort and smiles. “Don’t thank me yet, there is more.”

My face blanches and I groan. “Let’s get this over with. I am done with surprises, so just lay it all on me.”

I exhale loudly as she began speaking. “Simons & Cash tried to take care of your flight & hotel accommodations, but it seems Mr. Scott has already done so. You will be traveling on his jet with him and staying at a villa he’s rented.” Cherie stops and clears her throat. Lowering her voice she continues. “I’m not going to lie and act as if I am ok with any of this. Kelly, if you want to stay in a hotel by yourself tell me now, and I will make it sure it happens. Your well-being comes first. I will not stand-by and let you be forced into something you are not ready to handle.”

My mouth drops open. I’m not shocked by the villa or jet, but her words and the venom behind them is a surprise. Daemon taking charge and ordering everyone else around is nothing new, it’s his way of doing business, but hearing Cherie stand up to him for me, makes me smile. I never expected, nor do I want, her sticking out her neck for me, especially knowing that the board members are now involved. She might have had a small part in all this, but I escalated it into one full out shit storm. It’s now my burden to tow, not hers, or anyone else’s.

The screeching of Daemon’s chair sliding across the wood floor cuts through the deafening silence. “Enough,” he shouts, drawing both of our attentions. Standing tall, with his muscles flexed tightly beneath his suit, and a scowl gracing his sculptured face, he looks dangerous and down-right beautiful. Slowly shaking his head, he drags a hand across the back of his neck, and lets out a deep troubled sigh.

“There is no room for discussion in this Cherie,” he punctuates, stabbing a finger down on her desk. Lowering his arms he braces them on each side of her desk. “On behalf of my company, I have made my demands, and with or without your approval, I plan to see them through.”

He shoots me a determined look that has my heart beating wildly once again. My body really needs to get in sync with my mind and understand the danger this man poses. Two weeks together with Daemon with no interruptions, could be the death to my sanity. At the same time, I can’t have Cherie getting herself in trouble over me. Daemon is my problem to deal with, not hers.

Lucky Me!

“Enough of this,” I shout, pressing my lips together in a thin line. I can feel my temper beginning to slip, and take a moment to get it under control. The room has once again gone deathly silent. I’m happy for the small reprieve. I ignore Daemon as he takes his seat beside me once again. I don’t need to look at him to know or feel the anger rolling off him in waves. He knows he’s won. He always does.

“We leave tonight,” he says, clipping out each word. He points towards the odd pyramid of luggage I saw when I first came in. “That is your luggage. No need to pack. Each is already filled with an assortment of new work and casual clothing, shoes, accessories, and a bag of your favorite toiletries. There is enough clothing to cover the entire trip and then some.”