As Tears Go By (5 page)

Miranda
appeared pleased. Mr. Dillard also looked happy. She didn’t dare glance at
Braydon.

“I’m
intrigued,” Mr. Dillard said. “Why don’t you show us what you prepared?”

She’d
maneuvered her posture so Braydon was at her back. When his chair squeaked she
tensed. His tall form came into view as he carried a small thumb drive to the
front of the conference room. “May I?”

Her
breath caught as he reached over and closed out her program. Removing her
drive, he slipped his USB into the port and punched in a few keys. His familiar
scent swirled around her like an opiate. Shutting her eyes, growing dizzy with
memories of his body filling hers, his hands touching and caressing her flesh,
his mouth—

“Bradford
would like to take Apricot to a new dimension…” Braydon’s deep voice took command
of the room.

Becca’s
eyes flashed open as he dominated the meeting with his presence. Easily the
most beautiful man she’d ever seen, only now he was dressed in another sharp
suit that did wonderful things to his broad chest, strong shoulders, and piercing
blue eyes. This one wasn’t the same deep blue he’d warn the other night, but
she liked him in gray as well.

As he
presented, various things became apparent. When necessary, Braydon possessed
quite the commanding attitude. This made her recollection of their tender yet
deliciously forceful encounter seem all the more intimate.

Commercial
architecture was a lucrative profession. He presented with a polished ease she
didn’t think she’d quite mastered in her career. They were in two different
leagues. She was simple functionality and he was sophisticated luxury. The
memory of their one night together replayed with resounding mortification.

It was
only a ten minute presentation, but it lasted entirely too long for Becca’s
poor, palpitating heart. By the time Braydon concluded his show of designs for
Apricot’s headquarters and chain of future franchises, she felt drunk. Drunk
with very wet panties and very hot cheeks.

Braydon
returned to his seat and her lashes lowered as her head swirled. Even from two
feet away, her body reacted as if he was on top of her.

Miranda
took over. “So, gentlemen, as you can see, we’ve taken your mom and pop appeal
and turned it into something superior, without losing that mom and pop
impression. Every franchise will boast the same conveniences and treasured
amenities as the original Apricot Inc. Neighborhoods everywhere will gain a
sense of familiar homecoming whenever they cross Apricot’s threshold, no matter
what state they’re in.”

Mr.
Dillard nodded, a satisfied curve to his mouth. “I like it. Mike, what do you
think?”

“I have
a few notes on schematics, but other than that I think it’s great.”

“Wonderful,”
Miranda said. “Braydon will forward the paperwork to Mrs. Stevens, and we can
carry on from there once you initial any changes in the deal. I don’t see any
reason why this project can’t begin immediately.”

Everyone
stood and pulled out their phones, marking various dates for future meetings.
Keeping her eyes on Mr. Dillard and Miranda only, Becca entered a few dates and
stepped back as everyone gathered their belongings and exited the room.

Once
she politely said her goodbyes and thank yous, she gave them her back and
compiled her notes into a folder. When the room silenced and the door finally
clicked shut, she let out a depleted sigh and pressed her palms into the table,
her shoulders collapsing and head hanging low. How she ever survived that was a
miracle.

“This
was unexpected.”

Her
spine stiffened and twisted so fast she nearly lost her balance. Braydon leaned
against the inside of the door, blue eyes trained on her, strong arms crossed
over his chest. A master of insipid tameness, she skeptically kept her
distance. Such consistent friendliness didn’t exist, certainly not after the
way she’d abandoned him with no explanation after what they’d done together.

Breathing
was impossible. Her skin turned sticky under her blouse. His impenetrable
calmness had to be an act. What guy wouldn’t be pissed? Forcing herself to
stand straight, she lifted her chin. “I’m sorry about the other night, but in
light of the circumstances it was probably best I left.”

“You
think so?” he asked, voice expressionless, leaving her clueless as to whether
or not he agreed.

“I do.”
She swallowed breathlessly.

Oh God.
His shoulders shifted as he pressed away from the door and slowly approached
her, his motions purposeful yet languid like a large jungle cat. His arms
dropped to his side and he didn’t stop until he was directly in front of her,
forcing her head to tilt back so she could keep her eyes on his.

“I
disagree,” he whispered, voice low and gravelly. His larger form crowded her
until she dropped into a conference chair, but that didn’t make him back off.
His strong hands pressed into the arms of the chair, long fingers coiling
around the metal as he leaned close.

Their
mouths were only centimeters apart. His breath was a warm caress over her lips
as he spoke.

“I
think this is the universe’s way of telling us our association’s far from over.
We’re going to be seeing a lot of each other over the next few months, angel.
This is a big deal for both of us and neither of us can afford the distraction
of sexual tension, which I know you feel too. I propose we call it what it is
and work as professionals when our jobs require it, but maintain a…friendly…relationship
after hours. You were running the other day, but it looks like I caught you,
Becca. I think we should finish fucking out all this chemistry so we can get
the job done right.”

She
swallowed and rasped, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He chuckled.
“Yes, you do. I’ll put one hundred bucks on the table that your panties are
soaked right now. By the way, you left your other ones in my couch.”

Her
chest lifted as she drew in rapid breaths. How could he know that? “I’m afraid
you’re wrong, but I won’t take your money—”

Her lie
was cut off as his mouth crashed down on hers. Her head pressed against the
back of the leather chair as he bullied his way past her lips and stole her
kiss.

The
punishing force of his tongue gentled, and she melted as he licked at her lips,
pulling them between his and nibbling softly. Every kiss she’d ever experienced
paled in comparison to this man’s kisses. His mouth was meant for kissing.

Braydon
pulled away slowly and studied her through hooded eyes. “Now, what were you
saying?”

She
needed to give the deal to someone else. She’d just tell Nikki what happened
and her friend would surely understand.

Turning
away, she quietly confessed. “I know we’re attracted to each other, but doing
business together is only another reason we can’t carry on like this.”

“Why?
No one has to know.”

“But
they will know. Nikki’s my boss, Braydon. And I have other responsibilities I
need to consider. Having a torrid affair is so far from the top of my priority
list I can’t even begin to make you understand. I think it’d be best if we just
forget the past and started fresh, two associates, nothing more.”

She
mentally patted herself on the back. That little speech came out better than
she expected. There was no arguing with such logical, well-expressed reasons.

His
eyes narrowed. “No.”

Or
maybe there was. She scoffed. “No? Um, you can’t make me sleep with you again.
That’s against the law.”

“You’ll
come to me willingly. I guarantee it. It’s only a matter of time before the
sexual tension gets to you. Don’t pretend to be cold with me, angel. I know how
hot your blood runs.”

The
tension was already getting to her, but that didn’t mean she should give in.
There were other things to consider. Things Braydon knew nothing about and
never would. Her personal life was private and she needed to have her wits in
order to function without drowning in the difficult moments.

There
was no doubt he could torture her with meaningful looks, innuendos, and other
sex strategies she was clueless about. There was no time for that. She’d
offered him one night and that’s what he got, even if it was cut short by her
Houdini act. Her life couldn’t afford the distraction, nor allot the time and
energy needed for what he proposed.

“I see
that mind of yours working, angel. Give in. It’ll feel so good.”

His
arrogance was intended to soften, but it only hardened her resolve. “I can’t.
I’m sorry. My life isn’t set up for what you’re suggesting. I don’t have the
time or the energy to give you what you want.”

“I want
to please you. Make the time.”

Yeah
right
. Her
experience with men taught her they had ulterior motives in everything. “I’m
sorry, Braydon. The answer’s no. Please don’t make this harder than it already
is.”

“Why
no
?”

“Because—”

The
door opened and Braydon quickly stood. Becca’s gaze jerked to the entrance.
Nikki stood, clearly aware she’d walked in on something unexpected. “I’m sorry,
I thought you were finished.” Her brow shot up. “GQ?”

“Nikki,
could you give us a minute, please?” Becca spoke quickly and Nikki smirked
mischievously.

“Sure.
Take all the time you need. I’ll move our meeting to the other conference room.
Don’t mess up the table, kids.” She turned with a wicked grin and sashayed out
of the room.

“Your
boss is the samurai sword lady?”

“Yeah.
I told you that.” Great. She’d never hear the end of this now. It was difficult
enough convincing Braydon they couldn’t continue their affair. Convincing Nikki
would be plain impossible.

He paced
to the other end of the table. “Let me take you out for dinner tonight.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“I
can’t. I have plans.” It was true and the easiest excuse.

His
expression hardened. “With another man?”

Two
actually. “My ex-husband’s coming by.”

“Do you
see him often?”

“A few
times a week. It’s complicated and inevitable.”

“Why?”

She
sighed. He was trespassing on some very personal territory. Explaining herself
would only involve him more in her personal life, where he wasn’t welcome. “You
don’t have to worry about the whys of it, Braydon. You just need to understand
that the other night can never be repeated. And it won’t.”

Objection
flashed in his eyes, determination to prove her wrong evident on his strong
features, but thankfully he didn’t argue. He gathered his belongings and simply
said, “Tomorrow I’ll be here with the negotiated terms of agreement. We’ll
discuss more of this then.”

When he
left she dropped her head back and groaned. There’d be no surviving another
face off with Braydon McCullough. While she had very valid reasons not to let
him into her life, her body wanted him there in a way she’d never experienced
before.

Bracing
herself for the oncoming hours of the day, she gathered her items, and returned
to the sanctuary of her office.

* * * *

Becca
changed from work clothing into cotton pants and a T-shirt. The rattle of the
garage door echoed at quarter to six as Kevin arrived. Steeling herself for the
unpredictable hours to come, she noted his premature return.

A sharp
shrill filtered through the walls before she made it to the garage. Her mind
prepared a list of approaches as her feet swiftly carried her across the
kitchen floor.

The
sound of Hunter’s high-pitched squeals doubled in volume, piercing her ears, as
she opened the door. Becca drew in a deep breath and called loudly over the
ruckus. “Welcome home, Hunter. I missed you.”

Her son
ignored her welcome and paced to Kevin’s car, repeatedly opening and slamming
the door. “No, no, no, no, no.”

Becca
tensed. Kevin’s ill-concealed impatience spoke of his utter hopelessness.
Leaving the shade of the garage, she approached the driveway. “Hit the locks,”
she muttered to her ex as she passed him.

When
she reached Kevin’s car, she plainly said, “Oh no. We don’t slam doors. That’s
how we hurt ourselves. Why don’t you come inside and have some juice, bud? You
can tell me all about your exciting weekend with Daddy.”

With
quick reflexes, she caught her eight year old’s wrists as he pivoted and shoved
her. Rotating his back to her belly, she struggled to force his arms low.
Crossing one arm over his chest, locking down the other flailing arm, she
dodged his thrashing attempts to lash out in a show of desperate defiance.

Controlling
his outbursts had become a bit more challenging with his recent growth spurt.
He’d always been strong, but since sprouting up another six inches and packing
on a goodly amount of weight, it wasn’t as easy as it had once been to detain
Hunter when his tantrums struck.