The Executive's Decision (17 page)

She fell into his arms and nestled her face in his neck. “I haven’t decided if you’re the most wonderful man to walk the earth or the craziest.”

“A fine line between the two.” He smiled, but his it felt like his heart was being wrung by the hands of the man who’d hurt Regan and kept her from trusting him. “What I am is crazy about you. And if I have to fire you to love you, I’ll do it.” He pulled back and looked into her eyes. “But I don’t want that. I want us to love each other and to work side by side. I think we make a good team.”

She watched him as she let her shoulders fall, and a smile formed on her lips. “So do I.”

Regan stood to the side and watched Zach, along with twenty others in hard hats and suits, lift dirt with shiny silver shovels in the ground breaking ceremony of the Dallas Empire Building. She couldn’t help but scan the crowd and look for faces that were familiar to her. It wasn’t the first time she’d stood to the side and watched the man she loved bask in the glory of something he was building.

No one looked familiar, except for Rebecca, who still kept an eye on her as though she knew all her secrets.

Among those who attended, there were introductions and handshakes. Zach kept his professionalism, as did Regan. Both wanted the same thing—success for Benson, Benson, and Hart and a speedy trip back to the hotel.

They spent one more day in Dallas as tourists and lovers before returning to work. And work was what they did.

The Dallas project was officially underway. The Kansas City project had almost caught up to schedule without going over budget, and John Forrester was making things easy in Nashville so he could be relocated to Los Angeles for the project there. The build was going to take Zach’s very best man, and that man was John Forrester.

On Thursday, Regan and Zach drove to the Memphis site, holding hands in the car the entire way, and she sang old country songs that made Zach laugh.

“This is a great work day.” Regan smiled as the wind blew through her hair in Audrey's convertible. “I’m glad Audrey thought of this.”

“She likes you. She wants you to like me so she can marry me off,” he said with a hint of laughter in his voice, but Regan turned her head. Every time she thought she had the man figured out, something else told her to beware. His mother was planning her future. She was already someone who could be forced to do what the rich and powerful wanted her to.

Zach touched her arm. “Regan, I didn’t mean anything by that. All I meant to say was she really likes you.” Regan looked back at him. The crease between his brows told her he was sorry for hurting her with his words, and it killed her that she was so sensitive to every word he spoke.

“I like her too.”

“She would like to think you would be the one I marry. She’s suddenly desperate for a huge wedding at the house and grandchildren.” The conversation wasn’t getting any better. Why was it she couldn’t accept the fact that Audrey Benson was genuinely kind and liked her for the person she was? Everything inside her said that it was happening again. That she was being controlled. However, if she replayed the past few weeks in her head, there was no evidence to back that up. She was scaring herself and she didn’t know how to stop.

She remained silent for the remainder of the trip and so did he. When Zach parked at the site, Regan grabbed her briefcase and took out her notebook. She checked to make sure she had her digital camera in her bag for visual notes.

Zach walked around the car and touched her. She jerked back, but he grabbed her arm. “Listen, this is all new to me. I chose you. My mother didn’t. I want to see where this goes with or without her blessing. We just happen to have it right now.” She was still looking away. “Damn it, Regan, I’m not him. Whoever the bastard is that made you so afraid of commitment, love, and family, I’m not him. I’m not going to break your heart and plan out your life. If you’re going to be part of my life,
you
’re going to choose that.”

She knew she was being petty, but the pain was still there. Furthermore, she hadn’t been completely up front with him. There was so much more to the story. He’d promised not to lie to her, but she couldn’t be up front with him. She bit her lip and looked up at him.

“I’m sorry I picked a fight. Really, what you said wasn’t so bad. I… I guess I’m just gun-shy.”

“I would be too.” He moved closer to her as she swung her bag onto her shoulder. “I love you. Really, that’s all that matters.” His hands were on her arms, and he dipped down and kissed her lightly on her lips. As his mouth lingered on hers, someone called his name from behind him.

Roger Byers was headed toward them. Zach lifted his head, composed himself, and extended his hand to him.

“Damn hot day.” Roger’s shirt was sweat stained, and even as he spoke, a bead of sweat ran down his temple.

“That’s why we drove with the top down.” Zach smiled. “Roger, I want you to meet Regan Keller.”

“Oh, so you’re the pretty voice on the phone,” he mused, and she felt her stomach churn.

“Thank you.”

“Well c’mon back. We got sweet tea in the fridge and a ton of paperwork for you to look at.” He started toward the offices and they followed.

Regan sat uncomfortably in the office as the two men went over paperwork and plans. She couldn’t help but feel physically threatened by the way Roger would look her way when Zach turned his head. There was a hate in his eyes. She’d seen it in Alexander Hamiliton’s eyes the day he struck her and meant to kill.

They went through the items in the office that needed attention. Zach asked questions. Roger answered them with “um” and “well.” Regan took explicit notes. She was very familiar with the fact that they were close to completion, and the job was going to go over on both time and budget.

Zach’s impatience with Roger was becoming obvious to her by the way he paced the floor and raked his fingers through his hair. She was sure it was showing to Roger as well. Roger Byers met Zach's well-mannered questions and concerns with half answers and stories, things she was finding Zach didn’t like.

When Zach excused himself to the bathroom, Roger sat in his chair, kicked up his feet, and scanned his eyes over her. “Some cushy job you have.”

“I beg your pardon.”

“I’ll bet you do your share of begging. I’ll bet you do your share of a lot of things.” He dropped his feet just as Zach walked back into the office.

Regan looked down at her notes and breathed through the hurt his words had caused.

Zach picked up his notebook and handed it to Regan. “Roger, I’m not happy about all this. You should have this building completed in less than two months, and we over budgeted, so to have gone over that is unacceptable. Your labor costs are higher than any other project.”

“C’mon, Zach. We both know how this is business is. Turnover rate, materials, weather, it’s all unpredictable. When have you ever known a building not to go over on time and budget?”

“When it was built by Benson, Benson and Hart. I’ll be back in a week for the walkthrough. I’m too angry to go in now,” he said. He gave Regan a nod. She stood and headed for the door.

Regan walked toward the car as Zach turned back again. “If I don’t see improvements, I’ll find someone else to finish the build.” He let the door shut behind him, and they could hear the curses that Roger Byers flung at him as he walked away.

Regan couldn’t help but keep looking back at the trailer to see if the man was going to come after them.

Zach opened her door and waited for her to climb into the car. When she had, he slowly walked to the other side, got in, and started the engine. He gripped the steering wheel and sat.

“Are you okay?” She wanted to touch him, but she wasn’t sure his reaction would be one she’d welcome.

“I’m just cooling down.” His teeth were clenched as he talked, and he wrung the steering wheel with his hands. “One thing about Benson, Benson and Hart, we get what we want.” He sucked in a deep breath. “That building will be done in my time frame, or he’ll be out on his ass and John Forrester will finish it before he goes to L.A. John has the Nashville project, which is still in its infancy, so we have time. I have to send him to Kansas City to do some damage control and now here. It’s all just an awful lot to chew on.”

Finally, he put the car in reverse and they left the lot.

Not one foul word had slipped through Zach’s lips as he drove away from the building site. Even though his sunglasses shielded his eyes, she knew he was deep in thought. A man who could breathe through his anger, and not use abusive words or fists to change the direction of things, was a special man. “Why don’t you send someone else out here?”

“I have lots of foremen on lots of jobs. Unfortunately, some of them are like our friend Roger Byers. But when you need it done right, you send John. Even if he’s only there a few weeks and then turns it over, you’ll be amazed at what gets done.” He gave a thoughtful nod and his shoulders relaxed. “I trust John.”

“I believe that.” Finally, she reached for his hand, and he interlaced his fingers with hers. Whatever anger he’d had over Roger Byers had melted away, and as his thumb grazed over her skin, she knew he’d never take that anger out on her. A giddy burst of joy filled her. “This has been a crazy afternoon.

What do you say we finish up at the office and go back to my place? Let me cook you dinner. I have a claw foot tub that fits two and a king-sized bed that’s lonely when I’m in it by myself.”

He finally smiled and shifted his glance to her. His face had gone gentle, and he lifted his hand to caress her cheek. Even though he’d been angry, she didn’t feel the need to jerk away from him. She was comforted by his touch.

He reached for her hand, pulled it across to his lips, and pressed a lingering kiss on her knuckles. “I’m not one to turn down a free meal.”

“Good. Carlos is away tonight. No one will interrupt us.” She lifted his fingers to her lips and kissed them. “But there is one stipulation.”

He gave her a quick glance then shifted his attention back to the road. “What’s that?”

“We have to stop by the store. If I’m keeping you for the night, I’m not letting you go until after breakfast.”

He gave her hand a squeeze. “You’re sure about this?”

Couldn’t he see it resonate through her whole body? She was claiming back her life one piece at a time. With Zachary Benson, she was claiming back her heart, which had been torn into a million pieces. She was reclaiming the confidence that had been torn away with deceit and lies. And having watched his demeanor change on the ride back to Nashville, she realized she was letting that wall she’d built to protect herself physically crumble to the ground. There was nothing she wanted more than to keep Zach busy and wrapped in her arms all night long. She was now in charge. “That’s my executive decision.”

Chapter eight

Regan was completely aware that Zach’s stare was on her as she stirred the filling for the pie she planned to serve with dinner. With every stir, she let her body sway a bit. She liked the way the hem of his shirt, which she’d ripped from him the moment they’d walked through her front door, skimmed her bare thighs. From the few groans echoing into his wine glass as he drank, she was sure he liked the way it looked.

Zach cleared his throat. “You’re sure Carlos isn’t coming home tonight, or your sister won’t be here for some surprise visit?” he asked as he set his glass on the table and walked up behind her, still barefoot and clad in only his jeans after they’d made love all afternoon.

“I’m sure.” She tossed back her hair, revealing her neck. Taking the subtle hint, he trailed kisses from her collarbone to her ear. He slipped his hands up under the shirt and cupped her breasts.

“You’re going to make me spill the filling,” she sighed.

“Sorry for distracting you.” He dropped his hands slowly, skimming his fingertips over her sensitive skin. “You’re sexy when you bake.”

“I’ve never had that compliment. Thank you.”

He wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled his chin against her shoulder. Regan dipped her finger into the chocolate pie filling and lifted it to his mouth. His breath was warm against her cheek as he sucked the filling from her finger, and it sent tingles through her core. She closed her eyes and rested against him. His hands wandered back up her shirt as she laid the spoon against the side of the mixing bowl.

Her skin under his touch was hot, and her breath had quickened. Zach slid his hands to her hips, hooked his fingers into the band of her panties, and pushed them down. She braced her hands against the counter, and he pushed his hard body against her. Zach dipped his finger into the pie filling and ran a line of chocolate down her neck. When she sighed, he licked the trail with his tongue. Regan felt her knees go weak.

He spun her around and pressed her back against the counter. He pulled her up to him, wrapped her legs around him, and turned her toward the kitchen table. She buried her face in his neck as he set her on the table.

Zach turned back and brought the bowl of filling to the table. The sexy smile on his lips and smoldering darkness in his eyes told her he was going to devour her.

He dipped his finger into the filling and fed it to her. She sucked the chocolate from his skin. He let out a groan and pushed closer to her. She set a firm hand on his bare chest and pushed him back.

Regan reached for the first button on his shirt she’d borrowed and released it. His eyes sparked. She unbuttoned the second, and Zach bit down on his lip. He was putty in her hands now, and she was in charge. When she had opened the entire shirt, she sat before him on the table naked, enjoying the pain she was causing him. She dipped her finger into the pie filling and ran it from her neck, down between her breasts to the top of her stomach.

Zach swallowed hard, but didn’t move until she reached for him. She pulled him to her, kissing him thoroughly, tasting the chocolate and wine. She intoxicated herself with him and let a moan slip from her throat as his hand moved up the inside of her thigh.

He broke free from her mouth and slowly licked the chocolate from her body. Every flick of his tongue sent a shiver through her. Her desire for him grew more intense as he made his way to her stomach and lower.

Unable to stand it any longer, she grabbed for his hips and unzipped the already unbuttoned jeans that kept him from her. Zach slid them to floor and wrapped her legs back around him. He gripped her waist and pulled her to the edge of the table. Her arms flew around his neck as he pushed inside her with a passion, a heat. She kept perfect rhythm with him.

She stroked him with her body, gripping him, until she drove him with her to the edge and they spilled over together. Their bodies were damp. Their heartbeats rapid and their breath only in gasps.

“God, what you do to me…” He rested his head on her shoulder.

“I’ve never been touched like that. You handle me with finesse and care when I need it.” She ran her hand up his chest. “And when you know I’m relaxed with you, you turn up the heat. You’re amazing.”

“Oh, honey, I think you turned up the heat this time. Watching you let go and unbutton my shirt…” He lifted his head, looked down at her, and blew out a satisfied breath.

Zach brought out something inside of her no other man had ever been able to do. Not only was she comfortable with him, she was comfortable with herself. She wanted to release the passion, the need, the love she’d bottled up inside for so long.

She looked up at him with hazed eyes and smiled. Then his eyes changed, and a sudden anguished look crossed over his face. “I’m sorry about this. I wasn’t thinking.” He took a step back.

“Neither was I. That was the nice part.” Regan reached for him, but he was out of her grasp.

“No. I just took you. I didn’t think about protection.” He raked his fingers through his hair.

“I take care of myself.” She pulled the shirt closed around her.

He stepped closer to her and reached for her hand, which still gripped the shirt closed. “You know I’d take care of you if anything ever happened.”

She hopped down from the table. “I said I can take care of myself.”

The tone in her voice had changed. The entire mood had changed. He was treading somewhere she didn’t want him to go.

He wrapped his arms around her waist. “I love you, Regan.” She rested her head on his chest, and he pulled her against him tighter. “I could really get used to this.”

“Me in your arms.”

“Well, that too,” he joked, and she looked up at him and smiled. “Can’t you see it? Sex on the table and then dessert? What a way to end a day.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “But never when company is around.” He wrinkled up his nose, and it made her laugh.

“I’ve had sex now twice in an hour. I’m feeling lightheaded.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m not used to this kind of attention.”

“I like it in the light. I can see your face.”

“Yours isn’t too bad either.” She patted it and then looked at the floor. “Where are my panties?”

“Here.” He gathered them from the floor then knelt down before her. “Let me.”

She laughed as he held them out for her to step into then he slowly slid them up her legs, pressing lingering kisses to her calves and thighs.

She tucked in her bottom lip and bit down on it as his kisses rose. Then he stopped.

“What is that from?” He accentuated his question with a kiss, and her heart stopped as he ran his finger over the scar on her stomach.

“Nothing.” She pulled her panties from his fingers and hiked them the rest of the way up. Hastily she began buttoning the shirt and turned from him.

“I didn’t mean to upset you.” He grabbed her arm and turned her toward him. “What happened? What is that scar from?”

“I said it’s nothing,” she said again and went back to her preparation of dessert.

He picked up his wine and took a long drink. In a few short weeks, he’d made her forget her promise to herself not to fall for her boss. Thank goodness for that. He’d decided she was the woman with whom he wanted to share his life, but there were still too many walls between them. There were still secrets, and it was killing him. He could wring the neck of the man who had made her so timid around him.

He loved her. He’d said he loved her, even though she’d yet to return the words. In time she’d tell him what it was she was keeping buried inside.

Even though Zach kept his promise to remain professional in the office, he always found a way to sneak in a little romance. He’d leave her a note in her drawer or even on his desk in the morning, knowing she’d find it when she laid out his papers. He’d call her from a job site on her cell phone at lunchtime. Without those around her knowing, he’d speak sweetly to her. Certainly, on the other end her cheeks were flushed and her head hung to hide her emotions. This came through in her voice as she giggled and returned sweet thoughts in a soft whisper.

Whenever they got the chance, they spent the night in one another’s arms. He wondered when she’d open to him and accept him as more than just her boss and more than just her current lover.

“My mother wants us to come for dinner on the weekend.” He intertwined their fingers in the darkness.

“I was hoping we could go to New York and see my sister. She opens this weekend.” She kissed the fingers he’d intertwined with hers. Though her body had tensed beside his, she didn’t sound afraid when she suggested changing their plans to what she wanted. His chest filled with happiness.

“I’ll tell my mother we’ll have dinner another time.”

“Thank you.” She moved in closer to him, and her body was pliant. She was comfortable with him, and he couldn’t have been more pleased to feel that wall she kept between them crumble.

In his bedroom, with moonlight casting a glow over the room, she was comfortable in Zach’s arms. But she was beginning to worry the feeling would go away. She’d felt that way in Alexander’s arms too—at first.

Alexander Hamilton and Zachary Benson were so different. Alexander bullied his employees into doing what he wanted them to do. Zach took care of them, and in turn, they took care of him.

She’d never met Alexander’s family, and until the day he came looking for her in the hospital, in which he’d put her, he’d never met her family. Already, she’d spent time alone with Zach’s mother, and she adored his father.

Alexander had whispered things about trips and jewelry. There were promises of riches and houses. It wasn’t like that with Zach. He spoke of his family with love, and he cherished hers. There was talk of travel, but it wasn’t just a job. There was talk of vacations and destinations for them and only them. He’d spoken of marriage, though it was what his mother had wanted, but he’d said it aloud. Audrey wanted a big wedding to plan and grandchildren running through her home. Could it be that Zach was the man she could do these things with?

What happened to the promise she’d made to herself? Fear settled into her. Perhaps if things were as serious as they seemed, she should think about finding a job away from him.

No, that would be silly. She loved working with him. She loved being with him, and she was quickly realizing she was head over heels in love with him.

Regan turned to him in the moonlight and studied the lines of his face. His eyes were still bright as he looked back at her. He hadn’t asked about her scar again. He didn’t ask about the relationship she’d told him she’d had. He’d let her be. Perhaps it was time to tell him everything. Confide in him her travels into corporate America though the law offices in Los Angeles. She could continue about how the tall, dark, and handsome Alexander Hamilton had swept her off her feet. Would it discourage Zach to find out that he wasn’t the first to turn her head in a matter of a few weeks? With Alexander, she left a perfectly good job and moved to Hawaii. She’d given up the connection she had with her family, just to be with the man she’d thought she loved.

Her heart rate picked up. She’d had a ring. She’d had a condo. She’d been pregnant with a child that she loved.

Zach would have to know these things. She had to confide in him. She had to…

She opened her mouth to speak, to tell him everything that had happened to her before she’d fallen onto his lap. But she thought better of it and closed her mouth.