Bereft (Seven Year Itch #2)(63)

“Fine,” he began tucking the papers away. “I’ll sell it to someone else then.”

“What?” I quickly pulled the documents back in front of me. “No. I don’t want you to sell it.”

“After speaking with my grandfather, we’ve decided it would be best. He wants you to have it, Rach, and so do I. You know he cares about you. According to the revised will, you were getting it regardless.” He tapped on the paperwork. “Sign the papers and make it official. I know you don’t want to be in here with me.”

I still hadn’t looked in his direction yet. “I never said that.”

“You don’t have to. I know you. Our situation may have changed, but a man doesn’t forget a woman as special as you are.”

“Stop.” I covered my face and prayed I could keep my composure.

“Sorry if I overstepped. Just sign the damn papers and I’ll get out of your hair.”

Suddenly I realized we had little time to spend together and I was acting like an immature kid. I turned and finally let my eyes coast over that body I knew so well. “You really want me to have the company?”

“It’s been yours all along. I’m just finally getting around to making it official. Sign the papers. Take control of the company. Make it your own. Change the name if you want.”

“No. I wouldn’t. Leviathan is a huge part of my life.”

He kept staring at me, then nodded. “I know what you mean.”

For a few seconds I felt like he was looking into my soul. My hands were shaking, and my palms were sweaty. I was uncomfortable, but didn’t want to move an inch away from him. “I’m happy, Chad. I want you to know that.”

“I can tell. It’s obvious. You look stunning.”

I managed to smile, feeling the heat rush to my cheeks.

“How’s Grayson?”

“He’s doing well, thanks for asking.”

“Is he treating you right, because you know, you always have another option. As far as I’m concerned, there’s never going to be another like you.”

“Don’t say stuff like that,” I whispered. “I’m committed to my marriage.”

“I know you are.” He reached over and brushed my cheek with the back of his hand. I closed my eyes and attempted to keep from reacting. “Walking away from you was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. I regret it, but I know it was for the right reasons. I was never the man you needed, Rach. Your heart already belonged to someone else.”

I wanted to argue with him, but what good would it do? He was right. I was with the man I loved. Chad represented a time in my life where I was at my lowest. He saved me, and for that I owed him a lifetime of respect and appreciation. “Thank you.”

He kept his fingers on my chin. “Don’t mention it. Just know, if that man ever treats you wrong, I’ll be in California, with plenty of room to share.”

I snickered. “We did have fun, didn’t we?”

“It hasn’t been the same.”

I looked down at the papers and signed them. “I’ll never be able to repay you for this.”

“Look at it this way. If I ever need furniture, you can write it off on your account.”

We both laughed. “Is there anything else you need from me?”

His brows furrowed. “No. If the attorney requests something I’ll let you know. It’s not really a huge change. People won’t even notice. The marketing firm hasn’t been here in a year. If you ask me, your employees will be thrilled. They never liked me.”

“Yeah, I remember when I felt that way too.”

He brought his face closer, almost to where he was touching me. “And how do you feel about me now?”

I couldn’t close my eyes. We weren’t touching, but it felt like we were. I licked my lips and replied. “I think you’re the only man on the planet to make me feel like I could break my marriage vows. It makes me uncomfortable, because I know how easy it would be to fall into your arms again, but I know what that kind of pain feels like, and I refused to put myself and my husband through it again.” I slid my chair back. “Thank you again for the company. I’ll be paying Charles a visit very soon.” I reached out my hand to shake his. “I guess this is it then?”

Chad stood, displaying his height. He glared into my eyes, as if pleading with me to reconsider. He leaned forward and let his lips linger on my cheek, then toward my ear. “I will always love you, Rach. Never forget it.”

I watched him leave the room, then collapsed back down into the chair. By the time I managed to calm down, Chad had left the building.

I didn’t stick around to make an official announcement. I needed to get out of there. While riding on the train, I focused on Grayson and how I’d kept control over my actions. A part of me wondered what would have happened if I gave in, but I knew I would have regretted it.

When I pulled up out front I saw Grayson mowing the lawn. He’d only been working three days a week after his heart attack, and relieved stress by doing light yard work from time to time. He stopped the riding mower and climbed off to greet me. “Hey, babe. Is everything okay? Did it go alright?”

“It’s better than okay. You can retire. We’re now the official owners of the Leviathan Agency. Charles and Chad gave me the company.”