No Strings... (14 page)

He shifted in his seat, his gaze darkening with anguish, and she knew her words had struck a very sore spot for him. Tears choked her, and before the moisture could fill her eyes and she completely lost her composure she turned around and left his office.

She heard him curse, but he didn’t come after her, and honestly, she was glad because she was so close to falling apart. Back in her office, she picked up her phone and dialed Perry’s extension. Her call went to his voice mail, and she took advantage of that fact and left him a message, telling him she was exhausted and taking a few days off and would be in touch. With Aiden winning the St. Raphael account, it wasn’t as though she was needed at the office.

All she wanted was to be alone with her misery. She needed time and space to figure out what her next move was going to be, because one thing was certain. She could no longer work with Aiden, because seeing him day after day, loving him the way she did, would absolutely destroy her.

She’d have to resign from the firm, she realized, as she tossed a few things into her briefcase so she could work from home. She had a great résumé and it wasn’t as though it was the first time she’d started over with a new company. But she knew better than to make a rash decision in the heat of anger, not that she expected to change her mind—or calm down anytime soon.

She stilled when she caught sight of the piece of paper and the tagline for the resort she’d come up with on the spur of the moment and had written down after her presentation with Edward Luca, so she wouldn’t forget it.

As if she ever could.

Find Love in Paradise.
The laugh that escaped Chloe held no humor at all. She might have found love in paradise, but her current reality was a nightmare.

* * *

A
IDEN
MET
HIS
brother Sam’s inquisitive gaze from across the table at McGann’s Pub, swallowed his pride, and confessed just how badly he’d botched things with the one woman who meant more to him than he ever could have imagined. “I screwed up with Chloe. Big-time.” And the worst of it was, he didn’t know if he’d be able to repair the damage he’d done.

He’d just finished telling Sam about what had happened between him and Chloe at the resort—from their agreed upon affair, to falling for her, to how he’d thought the worst of Chloe and her intentions when it came to pitching his campaign to Luca. He’d been miserable all day, wanting to apologize and make things right, but considering she’d taken the next few days off of work, Aiden knew she had nothing left to say to him, and no doubt wouldn’t listen to him, either. She’d made that abundantly clear in his office that morning.

Not that he could blame her for blasting him with her indignation, which he fully deserved. His behavior, and the conclusions he’d jumped to, were inexcusable, even if they’d been a knee-jerk reaction based on his past. In reality, that made his assumption even worse, because Chloe was nothing like Paige when it came to honesty, integrity and her sense of loyalty. Those were characteristics that mattered to him, and over the past two years of working with Chloe, she’d proved time and again that she was a woman who lived by those traits.

She was right in telling him that she hadn’t had to pitch his presentation to Luca, that she could have just promoted her own campaign and not even mention his. Yet she’d delivered his concept with enough persuasion to sell his idea to the vice president of the resort. She was the type of woman he’d always be able to trust to have his back, and he was sick to his stomach to think that he’d destroyed something so precious and rare.

Sam leaned forward in his seat, arms braced on the table and a cold bottle of Guinness in his hand. “Well, the first step to making amends with Chloe is admitting that you’re wrong,” Sam offered with a hint of humor, trying to make light of a dark situation. “And as difficult as I know that is for you to do, you just confessed that you screwed up.”

Aiden raised a brow at his brother, not all that impressed with his worldly advice, but curious to hear what he’d suggest next. “And the second step?”

“Groveling. Lots of it.” Sam grinned, as if he’d done his share and was an expert. “Women love that shit.”

Aiden shook his head. “That might work with your playmates, but I don’t think groveling is going to cut it with Chloe.”

“Then just take the direct approach and man up,” Sam said simply. “You owe her an apology and it’s up to you to make her listen to it.”

“Kind of hard to do when she won’t even listen to me.”

“You hurt her, so of course she’s going to be standoffish and defensive.” Sam took a drink of his beer, paused for a moment, then slanted him a curious look. “Do you care about Chloe?”

“Of course I do,” Aiden said, his tone adamant.

“Do you want a
real
relationship with her?”

His brother’s question brought up yet another huge obstacle standing in his way. “Yes. But even if Chloe forgives me, having any kind of real, open relationship with her is a whole other complication.”

Sam frowned. “How so?”

Aiden swirled the amber liquid in his own bottle of beer. “Everyone at the agency is required to sign a strict no dating policy.” It was a common practice in most high-profile firms, because of potential legal issues, conflict of interest and distractions at work. “An office relationship is grounds for termination of employment.”

“Awww, shit,” Sam muttered, sympathizing with Aiden’s dilemma. “That sucks.”

The rule definitely put Aiden at a disadvantage, because even if Chloe forgave him and wanted an open relationship, he wasn’t willing to risk Chloe losing
her
job. He’d always planned to leave the firm to start up his own ad agency, was nearly there financially thanks to the bonus he’d gotten winning the St. Raphael account, but this was Chloe’s career, and she didn’t deserve to be terminated. It was a catch-22 situation, and Aiden needed to figure out a way to not only get Chloe back, but keep their employment intact.

“Do you love her?”

Sam’s quiet question made Aiden’s heart beat faster. No matter how complicated, there was no denying that he did love Chloe. On the island, during their last night together, he’d known that she was the one he wanted to spend his life with, but he’d been so damned afraid to embrace the emotion and believe he could have a future with her. And then everything had unraveled from there, and he’d let those fears overrule rational thought.

A huge mistake he wanted to rectify.

“Yeah, I love her,” he said gruffly.

Sam grinned. “Then do whatever it takes to make it happen, bro. Personally and professionally. I like Chloe and I think she’s good for you. You two seem very compatible.”

Aiden groaned at his brother’s choice of word, since he and Chloe had just spent the past week debating the different aspects of compatibility. They’d each filled out a questionnaire that had deemed them opposites, yet a traditional matchmaker and her mystical flower had determined that they were soul mates. He could believe the results of those quizzes they’d taken, or he could take a chance on what Chloe made him feel. How he loved being with her, laughing with her, having deep, intimate discussions with her that bonded them emotionally.

Ironically, he chose to believe Hattie.

Chloe loved him, and knowing how she truly felt gave Aiden the hope that he still had a chance with her, to make things right and to let her know he wanted a future, and everything that came with it, with her.

Now he just had to figure out a way to have Chloe in his life, without jeopardizing her job.

12

A
IDEN
SPENT
MOST
of the night tossing and turning, but by the time he arrived at work the following morning, he’d come up with a possible solution to his situation. It was a risky proposition, and it all depended on how lenient Perry was willing to be with Aiden’s suggestion, but if his boss didn’t agree, Aiden was ready and willing to walk out the door before he’d ever allow Chloe to lose her job.

Aiden was just reaching for the phone on his desk to call and request a meeting with Perry, when his intercom buzzed and Perry’s personal secretary, Lena, spoke first. “Aiden, Mr. Perry would like to see you in his office immediately.”

Lena rarely used the word
immediately,
which put an urgent spin to the request. Whatever was on Perry’s mind, the other man wanted to address it posthaste, and that could either mean good news, or bad.

Aiden was prepared for either.

“I’ll be right there,” he said, and within a few minutes he was sitting across from Perry, who appeared calm, composed and very unreadable. Aiden had no idea what to expect.

Perry leaned forward in his chair and clasped his hands together on his desk, all business. “I just got off the phone with Edward Luca, and there’s been a change in the campaign and what he wants.”

“Okay,” Aiden said hesitantly, wondering if Luca had instead decided on Chloe’s flash mob concept, or worse, had elected to go with the Metro Ad Agency. A contract hadn’t been signed, so the other man wasn’t committed to any firm yet and could easily opt to go with a different idea or company.

“Now that he’s had time to really think about your concept, and Chloe’s, he’s decided that he would like to incorporate elements of Chloe’s presentation into the campaign, as well,” Perry said, his expression remaining serious even though he was imparting some very exciting news. “It seems he likes the idea of using a flash mob as a viral marketing tool, with the focus being on the island matchmaker. He wants to mesh both concepts, and I agree that it could be a very effective campaign.”

“That’s fantastic,” Aiden said, meaning it.

“I’m honestly glad you feel that way, because I wasn’t sure you’d be okay sharing the account with Chloe. It would mean splitting the bonus with her, and working closely together for the next few months,” Perry said pointedly. “And after what happened in my office yesterday between the two of you, I have to wonder if that’s going to be possible. Care to tell me what, exactly, happened on the island between yourself and Chloe?”

Perry’s direct gaze met Aiden’s, waiting for him to answer the question. Perry wasn’t a stupid man, and probably had a good idea what had transpired on the island. Not just the misunderstanding of her pitching his presentation, but on a more personal level. And Aiden wasn’t going to lie about it. This is where he intended to fight for Chloe, and prayed that it all worked out in the end.

He exhaled a deep breath. “Chloe and I broke the no dating policy,” he admitted, trying to be as diplomatic as possible with his reply. “And I plan to continue seeing her outside of the office, if she’ll accept my apology after yesterday’s misunderstanding.”

Perry’s brows furrowed into a deep frown. “I figured something like that happened between you two, and now we have a situation where the tension has the potential to affect and hurt each of your efforts on the campaign.” Perry’s lips pursed, and anger flashed in his gaze. “This is exactly why the no dating policy exists. You do understand that this is grounds for termination, don’t you? Not just for you, but Chloe, as well? I’m now in the position where I have to fire two of my best executives.”

Aiden knew there was a firm stance on the no dating rule, because an intimate relationship with a colleague did tend to affect their working relationship. He’d seen it happen before, in other firms and even this office, and knew that there would be no exception for him and Chloe. One of them would have to leave, and Aiden planned for that person to be him.

“I have a compromise I’d like to offer,” he said, because he cared for Chloe, loved her and wanted every aspect of a relationship with her to work. And that meant securing what was so important to her—her job and career. “I’m offering up my resignation, effective in three months, when the campaign for the St. Raphael account has been finalized. At that point, I’d like the entire account to become Chloe’s, and
I’ll
leave the firm.”

Perry stared at him in shock. “You’d sacrifice your job for Chloe’s, just like that?”

Aiden nodded, knowing he’d sacrifice a helluva lot more for the woman he’d fallen in love with and wanted in his life—every single day. “That’s how much she means to me.”

Perry considered his proposition for a moment, then spoke. “I think we could make that work.”

Relief poured through Aiden, and he stood, feeling triumphant. “I’d like to get the agreement in writing, sir.”

“Fair enough.”

Perry stood and the two of them shook hands. “I have to say, I hate like hell losing you, but I have no doubt you’ll be just fine.”

“I know I will be,” Aiden said with certainty. He might be starting his own firm sooner than he’d anticipated, but his decision felt good and right. And with Chloe by his side, supporting him, he knew he’d succeed.

Now, he just had to go and get the girl.

* * *

A
FTER
WORK
,
Aiden drove directly to Chloe’s apartment, admittedly nervous about how this evening might end. He’d like to believe she’d forgive him, but the possibility existed that she wouldn’t want to have anything to do with him or his apology.

He refused to even consider the latter.

He knocked on her door and heard footsteps nearing on the other side, then they stopped. Silence ensued. He knew she was looking through the peephole, and enough time passed that he was fairly certain she was going to completely ignore him.

“Open the door, Chloe,” he said gently. “I need to talk to you.”

No reply. He blew out a frustrated stream of breath and dragged his fingers through his hair. The stubborn woman was going to make him suffer—rightly so—but he could be just as determined.

“There’s a lot I have to say, and I’m not going anywhere until I do,” he persisted. “If I have to say it from this side of the door, I will, but I’d rather not have your neighbors listening in to the conversation.”

Finally, the lock turned and the door opened, with Chloe standing on the other side. She wore a pair of sweatpants and a tank top. She wore no makeup and her hair was in a ponytail. He thought she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen—except for the irritable scowl on her face.

“Can I come in?” he asked.

Still not saying a word—though the apprehension in her body language spoke volumes—she stepped aside and let him enter. He’d never been inside her apartment before, and the living area was decorated in deep purples and forest-green. The room was warm, vibrant and inviting—like the woman herself when she wasn’t so angry with him.

He turned to face Chloe, who was standing too far away for his liking, but he understood why the distance was there. He’d put it between them, and he hated himself for doing so.

She continued to stare at him, silent, not making any of this easy on him. “I owe you an apology for ever doubting that you’d do anything to hurt me,” he said, the words heartfelt.

Her chin lifted an imperious inch. “Yes, you do.”

She still wasn’t softening, wasn’t falling into his arms like he’d imagined. His gut tightened, but he hadn’t thought it would be that easy. “I was an idiot, and I’m so sorry, Chloe. For ever believing that you are anything less than someone I can trust unconditionally. I’m sorry for leaving you alone on the island, instead of staying and talking things through with you.”

She folded her arms over her chest. “Okay.”

Okay? That’s all he got...just
okay?

Her tone was flat and emotionless, and it scared the hell out of Aiden, made him fear that he was too late to repair any damage he’d done. He swallowed back the huge knot of uncertainty lodged in his throat and tried again. “Will you forgive me?”

“Why should I?” she said with a shrug of her shoulder.

He groaned. She was killing him with her cool indifference, and Aiden was forced to admit that his brother was right. He was going to have to grovel. Pull out the big guns to shake a real, emotional response from her.

“Why should you forgive me?” he asked, slowly stepping toward her. “Because I love you.”

She gasped and took a step back, her eyes widening in shock.

Satisfied that he now had her full attention, he continued to move closer. “I’m so sorry that I let my past affect things between the two of us, because you are
nothing
like Paige. I was an idiot, and it wasn’t until I’d lost you that I fully realized what holding on to the hurt from that betrayal was costing me. A future with you.”

He stopped in front of her. “I know for a fact that you love me,” he said, his gaze holding hers as he continued to list all the reasons why she
had
to accept his apology. “Because I want to be with you. Because I want to marry you and create a family together.”

She shook her head furiously. “You can’t just come in here and say those kind of things to me, Aiden. Not unless you absolutely mean every word.”

God, he loved her fire, her spirit. “I do mean every single word.” He took her shaking hands in his, holding them tight. “There’s always been something between the two of us. For two years we’ve worked together and denied our attraction, but a strong friendship developed. And then, on the island, being with you and seeing who you really are away from the office, well, it wasn’t hard to fall in love with you. Even Hattie knew before I did,” he said with a crooked smile. “I resisted, because of what happened with Paige, but there is no doubt in my mind that I love you, that I want to do whatever it takes to make it work between us.”

“Oh, Aiden—” Her voice cracked with emotion, cutting off her words, and moisture shimmered in her eyes.

He panicked, his heart jolting in his chest. “Please tell me that those are tears of happiness.”

“They are,” she said, and laughed. “Oh, God, they are.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, and the emotions that poured through Aiden were stronger than anything he’d ever felt before. He wholeheartedly embraced the feelings, and welcomed the need and desire she evoked in him.

The kiss deepened, the heat and passion between them escalating. Her moan of surrender was his undoing, making him desperate to be inside of her again, to feel that connection, and by mutual agreement they made their way to her bedroom. She was just as frantic as they tugged and pulled their clothes off, until they were both naked and he pressed her down onto the soft mattress. Framing her beautiful face in his hands, he lowered his head and took her mouth the same way he took her body...slowly, deeply, sensuously, until they were both unable to do anything but give in to the inevitable pleasure they created together.

Completely spent and ridiculously happy, Chloe snuggled against Aiden’s side and rested her head on his shoulder, feeling more content than she could ever remember. Forgiving Aiden was easy, because she understood why he’d jumped to the conclusions he had, even if it had been a painful experience for her to go through. And, he’d groveled with such conviction and sincerity, which had gone a long way in proving to her that he was a man who could admit when he was wrong.

She sighed and smiled to herself as he lazily stroked a warm hand along her hip and trailed his fingers along the dip of her waist. She was in love, Aiden loved her, and her world couldn’t be more perfect...until she remembered the one thing that could tear them apart.

A surge of panic rippled through her, and she lifted her head and stared down at Aiden, who looked up at her with slumberous, sexy eyes. “What are we going to do about work?” she asked. “If anyone finds out that you and I are in a relationship...”

“Perry already knows. I told him about us.”

“You did?” Aiden looked so calm and unconcerned, while Chloe couldn’t stop the dread swirling in her stomach. “Are we both fired?” She wasn’t giving up Aiden, but she would have rather quit the firm, rather than have a termination on her employment record.

“Nobody’s fired, and you still have a job,” he said, smiling at her. “In fact, Luca called Perry and wants to incorporate both our concepts for his campaign, and so I made a deal with Perry. I’m going to stay for the next three months to help you finalize the St. Raphael campaign, and then I’m resigning from the firm and the account becomes yours, along with half of the bonus.”

Her jaw dropped open. “What? You can’t do that!”

“I can and I did,” he assured her. “It was either that, or one or both of us would be fired. I wasn’t going to risk you losing your job.”

She swallowed hard, realizing what he’d done for her, what he’d sacrificed. “But what about you?”

“I’m good. Honest.” He lifted his hand and tenderly caressed her cheek. “I’ve been planning on starting up my own ad agency for a while now. This just pushes up the time frame a bit faster. And guess what?”

Humor danced in his eyes, making her smile and curious to know what amused him. “What?”

“If you ever want to come to work for me, which I’m hoping you will at some point in the future, you won’t have to worry about a no dating policy.” A sinful grin curved his lips. “In fact, I’ll have to insist that you sleep with the boss.”

She laughed, knowing she’d be taking advantage of that special perk. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

* * * * *

Keep reading for an excerpt of
Lying in Bed
by Jo Leigh!