Carter Reed

  “I got scared.” The admission slipped me before I knew what I was going to say.

  “I’m sorry, Emma. I should’ve been there.”

  “No, you said that you have things to do. You have to work. You—” are doing something to make sure that I’m safe. Even as I thought that, shame tore through me. He was right. I was angry that he left and that he stayed away for so long. I was angry that he hadn’t called or texted. I was angry that he wasn’t beside me, but Carter wasn’t normal. This wasn’t a normal relationship—and then I bolted upright in bed.

  Carter and I were in a relationship.

  The last time I’d been in a relationship—I squeezed my eyes shut. The guy had cheated on me, robbed me, and turned all of my friends against me. It was another reason why I was only friends with Mallory and Amanda. The few friends I had in college were snooty and disloyal. Mallory and Amanda seemed safe when I met each of them.

  AJ and Carter had been my first family. The few friends I had in college could never be considered as family, but that changed once I met Mallory after I graduated. She became my family, and then Amanda was included. Ben got added because he never left Mallory’s side for years. But now those three were gone and Carter had come back.

  As I sat there, struggling to breathe, tears flowed down my face. Everyone left.

  “Emma?”

  I became aware of his voice. The phone had fallen into the covers and I grabbed it. “Sorry.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Emma.”

  “I am,” I rushed out. “When are you coming back?”

  “I’ll be back tomorrow night.”

  “Good.” I took a deep breath. “That’s good.”

  “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “I’m good.” And I was, as long as I heard his voice, felt his voice, had him in my life—I was good, but it wasn’t going to last. Nothing good lasted for me. He was going to go away. I just didn’t know when or how it would happen.

  “Okay…” He wasn’t convinced.

  I counted to ten, hoping he’d let it go. I couldn’t spill any of the thoughts that were racing in my mind. They were too much.

  “So what’s this I hear that you’re cooking for the guys now?”

  My shoulders sagged. He had let it go. “Yeah, I felt bad. I’m going to cook for the whole group this weekend.”

  He chuckled, “I’m sure they’ll love it, no matter what you cook.”

  I slid back under my covers. We talked for another hour, the longest conversation I ever had over the phone. I could’ve continued for another hour, but I told him to go to sleep after I heard his exhaustion. He sighed into the phone, “It’s good to hear your voice, Emma. I’ve missed you too.”

  I couldn’t hold back a grin. “Good night, Carter.”

  “Good night. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Then I heard the dial tone and laid the phone next to me. I slept with it beside me.

  When he put his phone away, his associate glanced up from the parallel seat. He asked, “Is she alright?”

  “She feels frustrated and trapped. She doesn’t know what’s going on and it’s making her angry.”

  The older man frowned. “She told you all that?”

  “She doesn’t know she feels all of that.”

  “But you do?”

  Carter threw his comrade a grin. “I always do. I know things about you too. Would you like me to enlighten you?”

  He started to open his mouth again, but Gene groaned, “Please don’t.” He paused for a second. “Are you going to tell her what’s going on?”

  “Not yet. I want to wait.”

  The older man lifted his phone. “I got off the phone with Christian.”

  Carter waited, more alert and quiet, if that was possible. When his comrade hesitated, he lifted an eyebrow. “Am I supposed to guess? Is this when you’re going to question my intuitive senses?”

  “Shut up.” A grin slipped from the other man. He shook his head. Carter reminded him of his son. It was why he vouched for him when Farve brought him into the family. Carter never knew that and he didn’t want him to know, although it was a fair assumption that Carter probably did. He treated him differently, but then again, Carter Reed had demanded different treatment than the others. He’d always been better than the rest. He had proved that again with the feat he pulled off.

  “Gene,” Carter prompted.

  “They’re deliberating right now. We’ll know the decision by tomorrow.” He eyed the younger man. He seemed as unfazed and cold as always. “You’re not worried?”

  “Legitimate business is always good business. They won’t pass on it.”

  “If they do?”

  Carter turned back to his window. “Then I’ll figure something else out.”

  Gene shifted in his seat, trying to stretch his long legs. He had no doubt Carter would find a different way. He always did. Then he cursed. The damn jets were so cramped, even the private ones could use bigger leg spaces.

  It was the next day, at the end of my shift when I learned the real reason he was headed to New York. Theresa called me and gushed over the phone, “You’re back on!”

  “I’m back on what?” I grinned as I heard her excitement and pulled the office door shut behind me. As it clicked in place, I turned for the elevator. The whole day had been torturous. I knew that I’d see Carter that evening. The day went slower because of that.

  “The Bourbon account. You’re back on.” She laughed. “Allison was horrible. She was so flustered by your boyfriend, she kept dropping everything. She almost dropped the computer equipment, but Noah sent her out of the room. So you’re back in. That’s great, right?”

  “Yeah…” I frowned. “My boyfriend?”

  “Yeah, about that.” She turned serious. “Not cool, Emma.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Carter Reed. Your boyfriend. The guy I saw you with at the club, but, stupid me, didn’t realize was Carter Reed.” She grew quiet. “Were you laughing at me? Was that why you didn’t say anything?”

  “What?” I punched the elevator button. “No. How do you know about Carter? I didn’t think you had ever met him.”

  “What do you mean, how do I know? He’s Noah’s best friend and he owns some shares in the hotel.”

  “I thought you said Noah offered him shares and he turned him down?”

  “He offered him more shares and he turned those down, but he already owns 32% of the business. I thought you knew that.” She sounded sheepish, “Okay. I’ll admit that I never believed Noah, but I’m realizing that I judged him wrong before I ever really met him.”

  I stepped inside the elevator and pushed my button. “Carter and I don’t talk about that stuff.”

  “Oh.”

  I sighed in frustration. A headache was coming on. “Carter was there? He was in the meeting?” And that was why he was going to New York, not for me, not like he had said.

  “Of course he was there. We had to present the new account to the board so that we can go through with making it a brand. You knew that?”

  But I hadn’t. I really hadn’t. I sighed into the phone, “Look, I have to go. Can we talk about this later?”

  “No, that’s the thing. We’re flying back now. We’re on his jet with him. He’s being nice, Emma. And he said that he wants to treat us tonight. I’m calling you to tell you to get your cute butt all dressed and sexified. We’re going to Octave tonight, and we’re going to be with the owner. Can you imagine what perks go with that? It’s awesome enough just when Noah and I go there because Noah knows him, but actually being with the owner?! I’m really excited. And Brianna’s going to be there too. We already asked. He promoted her once he found out that she was working there. I’m not sure what she does, but Noah’s okay with her working there now. Obviously, your boyfriend did that for him.”

  “Stop calling him my boyf
riend.”

  She grew quiet on her end, but the elevator opened on mine. I stepped out and headed towards my back exit. When the door opened and I slid into the backseat, Mike was next to me. He gave a small wave.

  “I’m sorry,” I groaned into the phone. “I’m irritated with him, not you. I shouldn’t take it out on you.”

  “Oh. Well. You’re still going to Octave tonight, right? Even if you’re mad at him, you’ll still go? Pleaseee?”

  I grinned at how eager she was. “Yes, I’ll go for you.”

  “And for him,” she whispered into the phone. “Even if you’re pissed right now, imagine the hot make-up sex. That man if one fine specimen, Emma. I know I should hate him. I used to, but I can’t deny the sex appeal of that man, not one bit. If I wasn’t so used to Noah and how attractive he is, I would’ve reacted the same way as Allison. Good thing I’ve got some immunity built up, huh?”

  “You’re horrible.”

  She laughed, “Just happy that you’re back on the team again. Noah already told me that he’s going to promote us both. He really doesn’t want Mr. Hudson to get the benefits from this account so he’s moving you above him. Mr. Hudson is going to be your assistant. You’re the Head of Project Promotions now. Congratulations!”

  “What?”

  There was a grumble on her end before she rushed out, “Sorry. I wasn’t supposed to tell you that. It was a surprise for tonight, but dress sexy. Tonight will be so much fun. I promise!” Then I heard her say, “Shut it, Noah. If I hadn’t said anything, she might not have come out…I don’t care…” Her voice grew clear again. “I’ll see you later, Emma. See you tonight!”

  It wasn’t long until my phone lit up again. This time it was Carter.

  I answered, “Calling to do damage control?”

  He sighed, “No, but now I am. You’re angry with me?”

  “Were you sitting right next to her?”

  “I’m in the back of the jet. They’re in the front.”

  “But how did you—”

  “I had the intercom open on her end. I could hear everything she said to you.”

  He didn’t even sound apologetic. “You were eavesdropping on her.”

  “Yes, I was. And I’ll do it again and again when it comes to you. I’m starting to realize that you have no idea the lengths I have gone and will go for you.”

  I shut up and sat back. Then I surrendered, “You weren’t in New York for me.”

  “No, I wasn’t, but I was in Chicago because of you, for you. I was in New York today for a friend of mine that asked me a long time ago to buy into his hotel so he could start up his idea. It was a good proposal and I invested. It was smart on my part, one of the first decisions I did independent from those my reputation associates me with. That decision and that money have allowed me to further expand and I am very close to becoming fully independent of those previous associates. Are you understanding me?”

  I gulped. Oh yes. I was following along. I was suddenly a starving person given their first morsel of food in months. I was hungry for more. “You’re coming back with them?”

  “I’m coming straight to you.”

  Desire lit inside of me. The flame grew to a fire. “Hurry.”

  “I am.” The raw need in his voice had me breathing hard. “Are you still angry with me?”

  I grimaced. “I was never angry at you, not really.”

  “Good.”

  I glanced at Mike, who was studying his window with an intensity that told me he was very aware, and uncomfortably so, of our intimate conversation. I lowered my voice, “I have some things to tell you when you get here.”

  He hesitated on his end before he said, his voice husky as well, “As do I.”

  My heart picked up. My hand grew sweaty around the phone. “Okay then.”

  He chuckled. “Okay then.”

  “Did you get me kicked off the account?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “Because it wasn’t safe for you. I didn’t want you in New York, not right now. You’re safer there and in my home. And it wasn’t ethical. Noah shouldn’t have put you on that team in the first place. He knew I was on the board. He knew about my relationship with you. He was trying to manipulate me.”

  I was confused, again. “What are you talking about? He didn’t think you were going to approve the product?”

  “No. My previous associates have another product that would be its competitor.”

  “But you did approve it?”

  “Of course I did.”

  My head was swimming. “This makes no sense to me.”

  He chuckled again. “This is my excuse to step away from the other product.”

  My chest felt constricted. “They’ll let you…step away?”

  “Yes, they will. I have done very well for those associates. They’ve known about my wish for independence and with a venture I insured for them over this past week, I have fulfilled any obligations they might’ve had for me to the family.”

  “Are you saying…” No, it couldn’t be. People didn’t walk away from that life.

  “Yes, Emma. I’m free now.”

  I couldn’t talk. My chest was heaving. My eyes were watering and I gripped onto that phone like my life depended on it.

  “Emma.”

  “Yes?” I wrung out.

  His voice dropped even more. “That’s a good thing, right?”

  “Yes,” I breathed out. “That’s a very good thing.”

  “Good.” His voice broke for a beat. “We’re almost there. I’ll be home soon.”

  I couldn’t say anything. I should’ve said good bye or safe travels, something, but the magnitude of what he had just told me hit me like a truck. I was bowled over at what that meant for both of us.

  It was five hours later when I got his text. Something came up. I’m sorry. Will meet you at Octave tonight. The men are notified. They will drive you there at ten.

  I didn’t text him back. Maybe I should’ve, but my entire body was humming. I had been waiting for him and now this. It wasn’t long after that when I got a text from Theresa. Meet you at Octave! So excited!

  I spent the next hour choosing what I was going to wear. I was going for Theresa and because Noah had promoted me and, as tingles raced through me, because I was excited to see Carter, even if it was later than he told me and not where we’d be alone. So as I headed downstairs, I ignored the shocked looks on the guys and even the raised eyebrow as Mike scooted beside me. I didn’t want to admit that I was dressing for somebody, certainly not for Carter, but I was. My tan dress fit like a second skin. The fact that it resembled a corset was an added bonus.

  As I walked into Octave and saw the reactions, I knew the dress had been perfect. However, when we neared the door to Carter’s private office, I stopped walking. A fresh batch of shivers raced up and down my spine, but not the good kind. Scott Graham was approaching from the opposite end. As he stopped outside the door, he looked up and his eyes trailed up and down my body. His lips pursed together in a wolf whistle, but two of the guards stepped in front of me, blocking his view.