A Mess of a Man (Cruel & Beautiful #2)(86)

“You can relax, Ben. I do think there is room for improvement.”

Of course he does. The relief I feel dissolves.

“This company needs your fresh approach.”

I blink. Did I hear him correctly? Had he meant the company needs improvement and not my performance?

“It’s time for me to take a step back. Your mother never looked happier in the last twenty years as she has over the past month. And I realize I’ve put this company before her, before you, and Jenna too.”

I’m so stunned I can’t think, let alone speak.

“I want you to take on more responsibility. You don’t know how long I’ve hoped for this day. I’m proud of you.”

He stands and the next thing I know I find myself enveloped in a bear hug with my father. Fuck, I feel like the world’s been lifted from my shoulders. His approval is something I’ve worked for my entire life.

When he pulls back, my mouth opens spewing words I’ve longed to say. “I have ideas.”

Although a cloud has been lifted from my chest, I still feel dazed when I leave his office. He listened to me and even agreed to some of my plans. I feel like Neil Armstrong as I float across the floor as if I’m walking in zero gravity. And the office suddenly feels like a strange new world.

Back at my desk, I pick up my phone. My first thought is Sam and how much I want to share this development with her. It’s only after that thought do I realize I can’t tell Drew. Fuck. I hit the desk with my fist, the solid surface absorbing my blow. How many conversations did I have with him on this subject? If only he were here to share this news.

I push the emotions back, not wanting to lose the high from attaining one of my goals in life.

It’s early, but I have to see Sam. Talking to her on the phone won’t cut it. I grab my keys and head out the door. I wave at Jeff who’s giving me a curious look. He probably thinks Dad’s pissed me off. I don’t bother to stop. I’ve been working sixty plus hours a week and I deserve to see the sun for once when I walk out the door.

The air is stifling, yet I draw in a lungful as I take my first step into the light. My heart fluctuates between loss and lightness, but I know Sam can make everything okay.

I make a quick stop before I show up unannounced at her office. From where I stand in the front, I see her head bent as she types furiously on her keyboard. God, she’s beautiful.

It’s that moment of perfect clarity. And I see it as though I’m looking through crystal. I’m in love with this woman.

“Can I help you?”

Glancing down, I realize I’ve been mesmerized by Sam.

Hastily, I ask, “Is she free?”

Her admin’s face lights up with mischief. “Go right in.”

So f*cking eager to touch the woman who quite possibly may be the one I spend the rest of my life with, I don’t waste another moment.

Lightly, I knock on her door before I breeze in. “Hey, gorgeous.”

When she lifts her head, her lips curve in a smile that makes me feel like the most important man in the world.

“Ben.”

My name rolling off her lips makes my dick leap to attention like a dog waiting for a bone. Shit.

My legs move independently of my mind, as I find myself around her desk drawing her to her feet. Her shock melts away as she surrenders her lips to mine when I devour her like she’s my last meal.

Her cheeks are as red as the roses I present her. She takes them from my hand and lifts them to her nose.

“I know they aren’t exotic. I thought about which flower I could bring you that no other man has. In the end, perfection can’t be improved upon. You are my rose. And damn, Sam, if you aren’t everything my world’s been missing.”

Damn boy, slow down, I think, as her eyes grow large. I kiss her again unable to resist.

“Tell me you can leave early.”

Her eyes drift over my shoulder. I turn in that direction and find we’ve gathered a small audience. Then her staff starts to clap.

When I glance back at her, I smile.

“I didn’t think you could get any redder,” I laugh. “Let’s give them an encore.”

I wrap her in my arms and kiss her long and hard. For show, I dip her to the sounds of more applause and whoo whoos.

“What do you guys think? She deserves a break, right?”

They all nod. I turn back to her to find reluctance on her face.

“Ben, this is sweet, but I can’t. I’m swamped.”

She sweeps her hand over her desk, which is littered with a few stacks of paper. Nothing that looks too daunting.

“You can,” I tease, holding on to each of her arms so she can’t walk away.

Giving her employees my back, I draw her closer. I grip her ass, pulling her tight against me.

“For the love of God, woman. If you have any compassion …”

“Believe me, you’re making this hard.”

I chuckle and whisper in her ear so our audience doesn’t hear. “No, I believe you’ve made me hard.” In a regular voice after stepping back, I say, “Come on, I have news.”

“You do?”

Her smile is like a sunburst in my heart.

“Yes, I want to celebrate. I have so many things I want to tell you.” Including that I’m so in love with you. I manage to keep that thought to myself. I want it to be the last thing I tell her . I don’t want her to think I’ve said it because I’m horny or stoked about my father giving me props.