The Heir & I: Taming The Billionaire (26 page)

In an impulsive move I swept my date’s body up tight in my arms; not in a fit of passion, but in an attempt to reign her in a bit. Then, settling my head on her shoulder, I allowed my gaze to wander disinterested across the width and breadth of the dance floor.

My body tensed as I immediately recognized someone I knew; a Clark Industries clerk named Kirk Taylor.

“
This seems like the type of place that a no account, working class loser like him would frequent,” I sniffed silently. “I kind of wonder, though, what kind of girl he’s scored for a date.”

I jumped in spite of myself, and my blood ran cold, as my question was met with a shocking, downright unbelievable answer.

“
Lily…” I breathed aloud, recognizing at once the voluptuous brunette that danced with Kirk. “No, it can’t be—when she could have a rich, successful guy like me, why would she waste her time with a lackey? This just doesn’t make one bit of sense.”

I cringed as my previously flirtatious date froze in my arms; at once pulling away from me to pin me with a cold, condemning stare.

“
I said all that out loud,” I told Kelli, biting my lip as I added, “Didn’t I?”

Kelli said nothing, just left my arms and gestured broadly in Lily’s direction.

“
Go ahead, Oliver,” she demanded, planting her hands on her hips. “Your mind and heart are already with her—not with me. Your body might as well join them.”

I froze, staring with an open mouth at the woman that—for all intents and purposes—had just put me in my place.

“
Why Kelli,” I breathed. “I do believe that’s the smartest thing you’ve ever said. By a long shot.”

Obviously not taking this as a compliment, my angry date turned away from me with a hale and hearty, “Screw you, Oliver Clark!”

Shaking my head at her ire, I dismissed Kelli with a casual wave and turned to face the woman that really mattered; one whose lush, voluptuous body now collided with mine at the center of the dance floor.

The instant that she turned to face me felt more like an eternity. For a timeless moment I stared into her wide, expressive eyes, not knowing quite what to say or do.

“
Good evening, Lily,” I muttered finally, breathless as I awaited her reaction.

I cringed seconds later, as—once again—Lily Ashton turned away from me.

Chapter
Nineteen

~

“
Just so you know, Oliver. I can’t always accommodate weekend appointments—especially not first thing Sunday morning.”

Seated behind her desk with her back straight and stiff, Dr. Ann Goldman folded her arms before her as she continued, “So what did you need to talk to me about this morning? That couldn’t possibly wait until Monday morning?”

I sighed, hanging my head as I finally gave voice to an undeniable truth.

“
I’m in love with Lily Ashton,” I revealed. “There, I’ve said it. I can’t deny it any longer. I am madly, passionately in love with this woman, and I need desperately to get her back into my life. I’m nothing without Lily, and I don’t want to live one more day of my life without that wonderful, brilliant, beautiful woman.”

Dr. Goldman nodded.

“
Well it’s good that you’re finally willing to admit what the rest of us have known, for quite some time,” she told me, adding as she cocked her head in my direction, “The only person that doesn’t know this, as a matter of fact, is Lily. So how do you plan to show her your love?”

I shrugged.

“
I don’t know!” I exclaimed, adding as I spread my arms in a desperate gesture, “Just the other day I bought her an expensive and very beautiful gift, which I handpicked at her favorite department store—a gift she rejected and sent back to my office. If she rejects such a grand gesture, then what on earth will she accept?”

Dr. Goldman sighed.

“
Oliver, don’t you get it yet? Haven’t you been listening to what I’ve told you all along? Lily Ashton is an intelligent, independent woman. You can’t buy her love. You have to tell her, to show her.”

I nodded.

“
OK, so how do I do that?” I pressed her. “I mean, I’ve never had to express myself in words or even actions to a woman. Usually the gifts, the dinners, the trips, just said it all for me.”

Ann nodded.

“
That’s probably because, as I said before, Lily is a very special woman. And you in all likelihood feel more for her than you do for all the other woman combined,” she offered, adding as she leaned across the desk and fixed me with an apprising stare, “All you have to do, Oliver, is tell her what you truly feel—how you truly feel. Speak your heart. Then show her your heart—sweep her up in two loving arms and never let her go.”

I thought a moment, then nodded.

“
So that’s really your professional advice?” I asked her, smiling slightly. “Is this what they taught you to say in psychology school, when a man asks you for advice on how to pursue a serious relationship with a woman?”

Dr. Goldman shrugged; then out and out shocked me with a girlish grin and an excited, high-pitched giggle.

“
That’s my advice as a therapist, and as a woman,” she told me, adding with a sly wink, “Go get her, Oliver.”

Chapter
Twenty

~

Lily

It was with slow, trudging steps that I made my way into the offices of Clark Industries; greeting Monday morning with a sense of dread that clutched the pit of my stomach.

I didn’t particularly want to see Kirk this morning; our car ride home Saturday evening had been so awkward and stilted—we both seemed relieved as he finally and mercifully dropped me off at my front door.

Yet while I could manage polite smiles and empty conversation for the kind, good-natured office clerk, I honestly didn’t know what I’d say or do if I ran into Oliver and just how, I wondered, would I continue to work at Clark Industries without associating in any way with the boss’ son?

As the harsh light of Monday morning flowed free through my bedroom window, I’d been sorely tempted to call in sick—or maybe even dead! Eventually, though, I pulled myself out of bed, threw on a freshly pressed pant suit and headed into the office.

Trisha needs me. Harry Clark needs me—and even if he didn’t, I can’t allow his son to mess up my career—or, for that matter, my life
, I mused, lifting my chin as I trudged up the stairs en route to my office.
And really, what are the odds that I’m going to run into Oliver today, or—for that matter—anytime soon?

Since I switched jobs, we’d pretty much managed to avoid each other—working on different floors, eating lunch at different times, and studiously avoiding words and eye contact during that rare company meeting. And especially in light of the events of last weekend, I had the feeling that he’d pretty much be keeping to his side of the building.

My spirits lightened as I considered this fact and while my heart still hurt at the memory of last weekend—indeed, at the memory of the last few months of my life, and the grand romance that now seemed like a lost dream—I realized that I owed it to myself to steel myself against all thoughts of Oliver and go on with my life.

Committed and newly energized by this fresh, empowering concept, I actually smiled as I passed the threshold of Trisha Vance’s office suite; my mind reciting all of the projects and tasks that were likely to consume my day.

This smile dissolved seconds later, as I saw that a particularly conscientious co-worker had preceded me into the office; and it wasn’t Kirk or even Trisha.

My eyes flew wide as they beheld the vision of a gorgeous, muscular man; a bronzed god that came complete with thick, dark hair, wide ebony eyes, bronzed skin and sculpted features, and a tall, muscular frame currently draped decoratively across the surface of my desk.

He was a handsome, smiling dream of a man who could stir the heart of just about any woman.

And never in my life had I ever been more sorely tempted to just haul off and slug another human being, and hard.

In the interest of saving my job and, for that matter, saving myself from imminent criminal prosecution, though I swear to you not a jury in the land would convict me—I opted for plan B; looking Oliver Clark straight in the eyes and saying, “Unless you are here on company business, Mr. Clark, I would highly suggest that you get off of my desk and out of my office.”

Unphased by these rough words, Oliver met them with a short, sharp nod as he folded his arms before him.

“
Actually, Ms. Ashton, I am indeed here on company business,” he told me, more than matching my official tone. “If I don’t get to talk to you this morning, I won’t be able to do a lick of work today or, for that matter, to go on living my life.”

I rolled my eyes.

“
That’s a lame line, Clark, even for you,” I barked, adding as I waved him away from my desk, “And to be honest, I have a lot of work to do this morning—and I’m sure you do as well.I’m sure that your father would really appreciate it if we both got to work.”

Oliver shook his head.

“
Lily, please,” he pleaded, tone low and sincere. “I need to talk to you!”

“
I don’t want to talk to you,” I insisted, walking with brisk, purposeful steps in the direction of my corner filing cabinet.

I froze in my steps as I heard a loud, sharp sob erupt from the throat of my onetime lover.Wheeling around with my mouth agape, I marveled at the appearance of a single tear as it creased Oliver’s carved cheek.

“
You don’t have to talk to me,” he told me, visibly fighting to retake control of his voice and his emotions. “Just listen to me, Lily. Please.”

Moments later I too sat on the edge of my desk; facing a still emotional Oliver as I said, “You have five minutes, Oliver.”

Oliver shook his head.

“
I’m afraid, Lily, that my story might take a little longer to tell,” he told me, adding with a heavy sigh, “It’s the story of my life.”

He took a deep, sustaining breath and shut his eyes tight; seeming to transport himself to another place and time.

Then he opened those same eyes and said, “Lily, as you know, I’ve always gotten what I wanted in life.”

“
Until you met me,” I interrupted, folding my arms before me.

Oliver shook his head.

“
No, actually, there were two other times in my life when I couldn’t keep the girl,” he said, voice barely above a whisper. “Back in college, Lily, I dated a very special young woman named Andrea. She was warm, funny, beautiful, smart—everything a sensible man would want in a woman. Oh, but I couldn’t be sensible—after being a good boy and staying faithful to Andrea for six months, I got drunk at a frat party and woke up the next morning with a cheerleader.”