Table For Two: Barrington Billionaire's Series: Book Two (5 page)

“They can wait. What is your answer?” His thumb stroked her cheek as he spoke.

What was wrong with her? It was like being in a trance. She couldn’t even remember the question. All she could think of was how sweet his lips felt on hers, even though it was only briefly.
Why did he kiss me? What does he want from me? Why do I have to analyze everything? Why can’t I for once just enjoy the moment?

As more horns beeped she blurted out an answer, not even knowing what she was agreeing to. At this point, she would have promised him anything. “Yes.”

Dean let her go and said, “Good because I’m starving, and I know this great pizza place I used to go to years ago.”

Pizza? He has me hot and bothered, and he’s thinking food? Maybe I’m the one out of control.
Forcing a smile, she replied, “Make it thin crust and you’re on.”

She thought the pizza place would be a local one in Boston. Each time they approached one, she knew it had to be the one. But once they were outside the city limits, it was apparent wherever he was taking her wasn’t a place she had been before.

Where exactly is this restaurant?
Not that it really mattered. They were on the highway and seemed to be heading to Cape Cod. That made her think seafood, not pizza. Her stomach growled at the thought of food yet to come.

Dean must have heard it as he said, “Hold on, we’re almost there.”

Tessa blushed. “Guess I should have eaten breakfast.”

He reached across and touched her leg and said, “Some things are worth the wait.”

Her pink cheeks turned beet red. Why was it everything he said sounded like a sexual proposition?
Because you have a dirty mind, Tessa. Pull yourself together before you make a fool of yourself.

They turned off the highway and continued driving away from town. The streets had quaint little shops and boutiques. How could she have lived in this area all her life but never explored around here? He pulled into what looked like an old country store. The inside was pretty much the same as the outside, rustic looking with only a few tables. Each one had a different table cloth and mismatched chairs. This wasn’t anywhere she expected someone like Dean Henderson to go. She, on the other hand, found it absolutely charming.

They sat at a table and soon were greeted by a short, stocky woman in her sixties. “Dean Henderson, is that you? The last time I saw you, you said you weren’t ever coming back home.” She turned and looked at Tessa and smiled. “But I can see what would change your mind.”

Tessa waited for Dean to correct her, but he didn’t. This was someone he knew, and if he wanted to mislead her about their relationship, then she was sure he had a good reason to do so. She looked at him from the corner of her eye and saw him reading the menu.
Or he just can’t think past his stomach.

“We’ll have my usual, and I’ll have a root beer. How about you, Tessa? What would you like to drink?” Dean asked.

Nice of you to order for me. I can see your lack of manners.
“Diet soda for me, please.”

When the woman left the table, she turned to Dean. “Do you believe it is your right to control everything?” The words flew out of her mouth before she could stop them. Instantly she wanted to crawl under the table and pretend she was not there. She knew Dean didn’t ask for respect, he demanded it, even if it wasn’t reciprocated.

The anger she anticipated was not there. Instead he looked amused. Nothing today was going as planned. Not his reactions nor hers.

“It’s easier to get what you want when you hold the control.”

“What if I don’t want your usual? I could have food allergies for all you know,” she said gruffly.

Dean looked at her and asked, “Any allergies?”

Tessa shook her head. He didn’t get it.
God this man is thickheaded.
“No, but that’s not the point. Didn’t your mother ever teach you manners when talking to a lady?” She wanted to make him feel guilty, but his words threw her off guard.

“Never met her, so, no she didn’t.” His tone was flat, almost without emotion.

She had crossed the line with her comment, and realizing he didn’t know his mother at all was heartbreaking. Tessa had come from a strong family, maybe too strong at times. But her values, her right from wrong, were taught to her from a young age. Dean’s father had a reputation for being brutal. If that was all Dean had as a role model growing up, that explained a lot. He just needed the right person to show him differently.
It’s never too late to change.

“That was thoughtless of me to say. I’m sorry.” Tessa reached across the table and touched his hand. He pulled it away and shot a hard look at her.

“I don’t need any pity. What would she have taught me anyway? How to be weak and soft like women? Thanks, but neither one of those things would have gotten me where I am today.”

Tessa didn’t turn away. She was not pretending to care, she actually felt sorry for him. “Is that what you think? That someone like me is weak? To me, to be able to think past one’s self and put others needs first is strength.”

“And whose needs are you putting first Tessa? Why are you really at Poly-Shyn? You and I both know that HR management takes a different type of person. So what are you really after?”

“I’m not after anything, just trying to do my job the best I can.” Even as she spoke, she knew her hands trembled. If she didn’t believe her own words, then how was she going to convince Dean that there wasn’t anything going on?
I’m not going to be able to. He sees right through my act. Everything I have been doing is about to come to an end. Starting with my job.

“So that is how you want to play this, Tessa? You want me to believe that you are working for Poly-Shyn because you are a loyal caring employee and nothing else?” He stared at her as she twisted her fingers together on top of the table.

Why was she there? That was a question she had asked herself many times over, even before Dean had taken over as temporary CEO. This was not her dream job. She loved working with people. The job she had been hired for, data entry in HR, was the farthest you could get from that. All she had done was sit at a computer and key in information all day. If she even spoke to another person during the day, it was usually in passing in the hallway. But once the opportunity opened up for her to move up, promoted or self-appointed, she found a purpose for being there. What would Dean say if she told him the truth about what she was doing?
He must suspect something if he’s asking me these questions.
“Whether you want to believe it or not, Dean, it’s the truth. I love my job and the people I work with. Why is that so hard for you to believe?”

Before he could answer, the woman returned with their drinks and what looked like the most amazing veggie pizza ever. The aroma filled the air, and she wanted nothing more than to have a taste but not until they finished their conversation. How was she going to effectively work for him if he didn’t trust her?
But then again, maybe you shouldn’t trust me.

“We each want something different for Poly-Shyn. So why don’t we drop the business talk for now and enjoy the pizza while it’s hot?”

She searched his eyes for a moment but something said he wasn’t going to share anything more than he already had. Tessa took a piece of pizza and slid it onto her plate. While she ate, all she could think about was the one moment when she saw vulnerability in him. The second she spoke about his mother was the first time she saw anything real in him.
Unfortunately, it looked like pain
.

T
essa sat in her office trying to concentrate on payroll for the few employees who were paid hourly. It was a relief when the last one was entered. It was a process she was very familiar with, as it had been her weekly task when she was first hired. Now it was only one of many on her endless list.
I hope that woman they are sending from the temp agency today wants to roll up her sleeves and jump right into work. Like NOW.

She looked at the clock. The woman was already fifteen minutes late. No call, no show. It was like no one wanted to work here.
Maybe we have been blacklisted.

Tessa got up and headed for a much-needed cup of coffee. Why they didn’t put a break room on her floor was beyond her. Did they think HR didn’t need the caffeine? If anything, they needed it more with all the petty complaints that crossed their desk. But that was before Dean took charge. Now no one worried about the small stuff; everyone worried about having a job tomorrow.

As she neared the elevator, the doors opened and she saw the woman she was to interview. She was dressed too nicely to be doing a data entry job, but she obviously had dressed to impress.
Would have been more impressed if you were on time, but beggars can’t be choosers.

“Your timing is perfect. Another minute and you would have missed me. Come in and let me get you started.”

The woman looked a bit startled but followed her down the hall to the vacant desks.

“I know what you’re thinking. We are very short-handed right now. Actually, when I say short-handed I mean it will be just you and me handling all of HR for the time being,” Tessa explained.

The woman looked around and asked, “What happened to the rest of the department?”

Tessa wished she could tell her the truth, but that wouldn’t have been very professional. However, she knew if she didn’t give her the warning about Dean, she might find herself fired even before she was able to learn the system. “We had a change in the company’s CEO recently and he has been . . . reorganizing things a bit.”

“Looks like more than just a bit if you ask me.”

Yeah, and reorganizing wasn’t true either.
“You’ll find that Mr. Henderson likes things done a certain way.”

“And what way is that?” she asked.

Bite your tongue, Tessa.
“His way. Don’t get me wrong, he is tough as nails and will rip your head off and serve it to you on a platter if you make a mistake, but you’re here only to do data entry so there shouldn’t be a reason for you to need to interact with him.” As the words replayed in her head, all she could think about was what she would have said if she wasn’t trying to hold back.

The woman looked puzzled. “If he is really that bad then why are you still here?”

Because he hasn’t figured out how to get rid of me yet.
“I love Poly-Shyn and want to see it succeed. Besides I think deep down, under that rough exterior, there is teddy bear just waiting to come out.”

The woman laughed. “Teddy bear. Are you sure about that?”

Tessa laughed as well. “Okay, so that is an exaggeration. But I will tell you, I got to see a different side of him, and there is hope for that man. He just needs someone to show him what he is really capable of, not just what he thinks he is capable of.”

“I guess you have gotten to know him quite well.”

Tessa shook her head. A hint of pink then a red glow covered her cheeks. “No, not at all. We have not . . . I mean that this is purely a professional opinion.” She couldn’t believe how she stumbled over her words like a schoolgirl who just got caught kissing a boy behind the bleachers in the gym.
Could I look any guiltier? Good thing this woman is only a temp because I look like I’m breaking the HR rules myself.

“Well, I’m glad he has you to keep him grounded. Sounds like he needs it.” She looked around and added, “It looks like you need my help. Where can I start?”

Tessa showed the woman to her old desk and got her started with some files that needed to be entered then headed back to her own office. She felt bad about throwing her right into work with only a few minutes of training, but she seemed willing, and all Tessa could hope was that she also was able.

The rest of the morning flew by without incident.
That’s a lovely change of pace.
Looking at the clock, she noticed it was almost noon. Only then did she realize she hadn’t given the poor woman a chance to take a break.

Leaving her office, she found the woman still typing away.
What kind of manager am I? Am I so desperate for help that I didn’t even ask her what her name was? When did I become so insensitive?
“Sorry. I forgot your name.”

She looked up from the computer and said, “No problem. My name is Zoey. You looked like you were in the middle of a crisis. Hope everything is ironed out.”

It’s going to take more than a few hours to even begin fixing what needs to be fixed.
Smiling Tessa asked, “How about we take a break, and I buy you some lunch?”

“I actually was hoping to meet up with someone for lunch. Maybe another time?”

“Oh, of course. Just let me know when. We should get out of here for an hour. It is going to be a long afternoon.”

They each grabbed their purse and went to the elevator. When the doors opened, there was a man inside. He was dressed professionally, yet something about the way he looked at them made her nervous. She had never seen him in the building before. Any new employee would have seen her first. When they got into the elevator, she noticed the floor for the executive offices was pushed.

“Can I help you find someone?” Tessa asked wearily.

He towered over them both and said, “No.”

Tessa didn’t like the fact that this man was headed in Dean’s direction without warning. His face said he meant business, and she didn’t know what his intentions were. What could she do? And she also had to worry about the other woman because the way he was looking at her had Tessa scared. She was stunning, and the last thing she wanted was for her to fall prey to some tyrant in the elevator. As she was about to say something, the woman spoke up first.

“What business do you have with Dean?” she asked.

He turned to her and let his eyes roam over her slow and easy before asking, “Why do you want to know?”

The woman stood straight and confident staring him in the eye. “I’m his sister, Zoey Henderson. So again, what the hell do you want with my brother?”

The man didn’t appear shaken by the revelation at all. “I know who you are.”

Zoey put her hands on her hips and asked, “How is that? I don’t know you.”

“It’s my job to know,” the man replied.

Zoey looked at Tessa for a clue but she had nothing to offer. This man didn’t work for Poly-Shyn. “What job is that?” Tessa asked.

He turned to her and said, “I’m not at liberty to discuss that with either of you ladies.”

Tessa stood in the elevator as the door opened and both Zoey and the mystery man exited and headed down the hall to Dean’s office.

The initial fear Tessa was feeling quickly changed to shock. That was Dean’s sister? She had just put her to work keying in forms like she was an employee.
And now I have another person in the building that I know nothing about. I’m quickly losing what little control I had here.

She pressed the button back to the fourth floor. Eating was the last thing on her mind, and she actually felt sick.
Oh my God. What have I done? I am so fucked now.

“Mr. Henderson, I know you asked not to disturbed, but there is a Bennett Stone here to see you. He said you can see him now, or . . .” Brittany-Lynn said, standing at his office door looking extremely nervous.

“Say it. Or what?” Dean barked.

Bennett came into the office from behind Brittany-Lynn. “Or you can get the information you were searching for yourself.”

Brittany-Lynn looked at both men as though she didn’t know what to do. “Close the door on your way out,” Dean said to her. Once she was gone, he turned to Bennett. “You’re one cocky bastard barging in here. If I didn’t want that information, I would throw your ass out.”

“I don’t get paid for being nice.” Bennett walked over and sat in the chair across from Dean.

Dean peered at him, trying to read him. He should’ve known Brice and Asher would only surround themselves with the best. “So who is after Poly-Shyn?”

“Have you ever heard of Dax Marshall?”

He shook his head. “Doesn’t sound familiar.”

“He’s from London. A man that takes what he wants, when he wants, and disposes of it when he is done.” Bennett pulled out a picture from the breast pocket of his coat and handed it to Dean.

He couldn’t believe what he saw. The man wasn’t anyone he knew, but the woman sure as hell was.
What the fuck!
“Does anyone else know about this?”

Bennett shook his head. “No. I figured you might want to address both issues at the same time.”

Dean nodded. “He’s messing with the wrong fucking families. Who would be crazy enough to take on both the Hendersons and the Barringtons at the same time?”

Bennett got up and headed for the door. “Dax Marshall. You’ll find his phone number on the back of the photo. Good luck. You’re gonna need it. I hear he never loses.”

Neither do I, Bennet. Neither do I.
Picking up the picture again he looked at his competition. Definitely carried himself with confidence, and his eyes said total control. That may intimidate others, but it was only going to make this all the more exciting when Dax lost.

Know your enemies. Find their weaknesses.
He forced himself to look closer at the photo. This time, he saw something he didn’t want to see. There was hunger in his eyes, and it wasn’t for Poly-Shyn. He not only was after Poly-Shyn, but he was after Kenzi.

Dean hadn’t seen her in years, but he knew what she had been through, and just as he wouldn’t let Zoey be with such a bastard, he wasn’t going to let Kenzi either. Both of them were easy prey for someone like Dax.
Not happening on my watch, Dax. You won’t find any friends. Time to deliver that message to you.

He flipped the photo over and dialed the number.

“Hello.”

“Is this Dax Marshall?”

“Yes, who’s this?”

“Dean Henderson. I hear you’re after Poly-Shyn. Consider it off the market.”

He swore he heard a soft laugh come from Dax. It was going to be a huge mistake for Dax to underestimate him. Many had before him and still regretted it. Dax Marshall was no different.

“It’s not for sale?” His voice sounded sarcastic.

“Not to you. You’re on my stomping ground, Dax, and you have no idea who you’re playing with. I can handle whatever you have planned. You’re not the first one to try to take me down. I’ll tell you right now, you won’t succeed.”

“Be very careful, Dean.”

Dean laughed, not taking Dax’s warning seriously. “You be careful. Go back to London. Stay away from Poly-Shyn and Kenzi Barrington.”

“What does Poly-Shyn have to do with Kenzi?”

That last thing Kenzi needed was another piece of shit hurting her. She was like a sister to him, and he would always protect her, just as he would Zoey. “Nothing, but I know you took her to dinner. I know your reputation, and the last thing she needs is someone like you messing with her. Stay the fuck away from her.”

“Or what?” Dax questioned.

“You’d be wise not to stick around to find out. If you’re looking for a fight, I’ll bring it every time, and I always win.” Dean didn’t wait for whatever comment was going to fly out of Dax’s mouth.
First rule to winning: always get the last word.

He was not foolish enough to believe Dax was through. He had planted Tessa there for a reason. Since he held his cards close, he knew Dax had no idea he was already on to him. This might be their first conversation, but the game had begun. People like Dax and him don’t quit because someone tells them to. If anything, he would need to watch closer since he rattled the cage.
I love a good fight.

Dean left his office. He had a lunch date, and he hoped she was still there. One thing about his sister, she was used to her brothers standing her up, so she knew better than to wait around for them.