Something More (15 page)

Chapter 21

Matthew took several deep breaths waiting for the door to close behind Ginger and Jake. His hands fisted and he consciously opened them again. Anger boiled inside his chest. Seeing Ginger with her face battered had scared the living daylights out of him.

What if it had been Carrie?

He would kill the bastard. Jake had the right of that. He’d seen the raw and bloody knuckles. If he’d had the opportunity, he would have pounded the man, too. Another deep breath, and another. Matthew tried to calm his rage, and fear. He could lose his mind at the thought of a man doing something like that to Carrie.

If anyone dared so much as touch her, his life would be forfeit. The idea rocked him to his very soul making him realize just how much this woman had come to mean to him.

He made his way to the kitchen and pulled two mugs from the shelf. What he needed was hard liquor. He concentrated on pouring coffee into the cups. Focused on his aim, he didn’t know Carrie was behind him until her hands went around his waist and he felt the heat of her cheek on his shoulder.

Sitting the pot back on the burner, he slowly turned and gathered her hands in his. Raising her fingers to his lips, he held her gaze. “We need to talk.”

Carrie stiffened and an immediate mask hid her emotions. He guided her over to the table and pulled out a chair. He collected the mugs and placed one in front of her. Pulling out the seat beside her, he slid onto the wood and stared down into black brew.

“Uh oh. Here it comes,” Carrie said.

His head shot up to find cold eyes locked with his. What crazy thought went through her mind? This would be hard enough without her glaring at him. “Carrie, I need to say a few things.”

“A few things. Brought on by what happened tonight?”

Matthew shoved out of the chair and paced the floor. “What happened tonight . . . was horrible. Ginger looked like a bloody pulp. A man beat her.” He swung around. “Beat her! Good God! Do you have any idea how that made me feel?”

In a too controlled voice, she answered, “You handled it well.”

He dropped to the floor on one knee in front of her. “Carrie. It scared the hell out of me. I imagined . . . if it had been you. My God, I can’t stand the thought.” He raked a hand through his hair. His voice shook with profound emotion. “If anyone touched you, hurt you, I’d kill him. I know you think you don’t need anyone to take care of you, but . . .”

“Wait. Tonight made you want to take care of me?”

He dropped his head, fighting to get his emotions under control. Self-control warred with the defiant urge to pound something. When he thought he could speak without bursting, he continued. “It helped me face a few things.”

“Out with it.”

He grimaced at her frosty tone. “You’re not making this easy.”

“Why should I?”

Matthew rose to his feet. Apprehension crept in his mind. What would he have to do to break through the wall she kept around her emotions? He returned to the chair he’d vacated. He faced her and held her willful gaze. “Please let me say what I have to say. It may not be what you want to hear, but I believe in being honest. And after tonight, this needs to be said.”

“Honest? I expect no less.” Carrie stiffly leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms while her glare remained on him. However difficult she made it, he would not back down.

“You know I travel all over the country, stateside and internationally. I’ll be forty on my next birthday, certainly not a boy anymore. I’m a man of considerable means with a healthy portfolio. I won’t insult your intelligence by pretending there have not been women.”

“I’m not an immature young girl,” Carrie replied. “I am also no innocent.”

He picked up her hand and placed it between both of his own. Looking deep into her eyes, he willed her to listen. “There is only one woman in my life right now. I plan to keep it that way.”

Carrie gasped. And by the look on her face, she wouldn’t be more shocked if a spaceship landed on her kitchen table.

I guess it was too much to hope that she felt the same.

He couldn’t stop now. “Women in my past only wanted me for my money or a romp in bed.” Matthew searched her eyes for any idea of what she might be thinking. She was cool as a cucumber. “I know you’re independent. I understand you have a thriving successful career and you probably want things to remain exactly as they are.” He hesitated. After searching her face, he knew he had to take a chance. “I want you in my life. I want to be there for you if you ever need me.”

“You’re here now,” she said softly.

Arms resting on the table, he leaned closer bringing his face mere inches from hers. “Carrie, I’ve only said this once before in my life. I was young and foolish and thought I was in love.” Matthew ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “Hell, I didn’t know the meaning of the word.” His heart lifted when she grabbed his hand and clutched his fingers. He squeezed hers in return. An ache developed in his heart, unlike anything he’d ever known.

His eyes bore into hers and his voice dropped with intensity. “Now, I do. With you, I do.”

He had no idea how long he could hold his breath. He waited. Merging companies took a back seat to tension compared to this moment. He’d never been so anxious in his life. This was the most important move he’d ever made.

Why didn’t she say something?

Anything, dammit.

“Carrie? Say something.”

Another long tense moment.

Her brows came together in a frown. “Now, you do,” she said.

“What?”

“You said, now you do.”

He mentally went over his words again.
I didn’t know the meaning of the word. Now, I do.
“Yes.”

“You did use the word love?”

The tenderness in her voice eased the ache in his chest and made him confident enough to blurt out. “Carrie, I love you.”

“Matthew.” His name was a raw croak from her throat. “I can’t . . . I don’t know what to say.”

“I’m bleeding here. I guess I didn’t expect you to be over the moon, but I . . . I hoped you had some feeling for me. I see the image you present, a tough businesswoman. But I also see a vulnerable woman.

She withdrew her fingers from his grip.

Damn.
He held out his hands, palms up as if in surrender and quickly added, “Not weak. Vulnerable does not mean weak. Susceptible to love. I feel it when we’re together. You’re not immune. Open your heart to me.”

Abruptly, she lunged at him. The chair rocked and he braced himself to keep from falling over. She was in his arms, right where she belonged. She kissed him with total abandonment. He returned her kiss, lick for lick, feasting on her mouth.

“Matthew, I thought you were giving me the big
kiss off
.” She pressed kisses over every inch of his face. She leaned back and cupped her palms around his cheeks and stared into his eyes. “It’s true, I am independent. But I need you. I want you in my life, too.”

He could have shouted for joy.
Finally.
“You have no idea how much I needed to hear that.”

She smiled. “Were you worried?”

“You’re not easy to read,” he answered. “You come across tough as nails.”

“I learned to be tough. In a man’s world, I had to be better than the next guy. I had to be hard to survive.”

Matthew moved his hands under her shirt seeking warm flesh. His hands stroked up and down her back, caressing, searching. He found the clasp of her bra and released it. “A hard exterior, but so soft in my arms. Nothing matters but this.”

One hand cupped the back of her head as he pulled Carrie to meet his open mouth kiss. He teased her with his tongue, circling and delving into every crevice of her mouth. Sliding his hand down her back, his fingers caressed as they worked their way around and traveled a sensuous path up the front of her rib cage, and found . . .
Sweet
. He cupped her breasts, weighing the heavy globes overflowing in his hands. “Your skin is so soft. I want to taste you, here.” He squeezed as he rubbed her nipple between his thumb and forefinger.

Carrie jerked the shirt over her head and flung her bra across the room. She captured his head and guided him while running her fingers through his hair.

Her nipples puckered and beckoned. He laved circles around her areole before taking it into his mouth. He sucked deep then opened his mouth to take more. A rush of breath escaped her lips as she tugged and molded his head deeper in her fullness. Then she bent forward and nipped his ear. He moved to her other breast and licked and sucked while caressing the one he’d just tasted.

Carrie moaned and pushed away.

“Where are you going?”

“Nowhere.”

She straddled his legs and lowered herself on his lap, her hands reaching for the button above his zipper. She gave him a tongue-worthy kiss as she pushed her hips forward and at the same time, she reached in and grabbed his erection causing a harsh breath to rush from his lungs.

Matthew tensed and groaned his approval as her fingers stroked him. A drop of moisture beaded on the head of his cock. Using her thumb, she circled it around the head making his already engorged rod harder. His tongue thrust in her mouth and his dick thrust in her hand. She consumed him. Every nerve in his body demanded he take her. The sexual tension surrounding them drove him to heights he’d never reached before.

His mind delirious, violent need consumed him. The fear of losing this woman drove him insane. He had to have her. He needed her with a passion beyond his imagining. A fierce, demented need flowed through his blood with the force of an erupting volcano.

His hands tore at her jeans. Shaking fingers released the snap and jerked the zipper. His urgency communicated itself to her. Shifting her weight, she shoved the fabric down her legs in frenzy. In no time she squirmed back on his lap and angled her hips just so. Blood surged through his veins as the head of his cock met drenched flesh.

“More,” she urged.

Gripping her waist, he pulled her forward and lifted, her breasts suspended within easy reach of his mouth. He flipped one nipple with an impatient tongue and gloried in her instant response.

“Oh God, yes. Take it, Matthew. Take me.”

Her words inflamed his senses. Opening his mouth he took her breast and sucked greedily. At the end of his control, he plunged deep within her velvety heat. She took him, all of him. He felt her shiver and she moaned his name. Locked together, he relished the moment afraid to move. Carrie began a rocking motion and soft whimpers came from her throat. Good God, he nearly exploded. Summoning every ounce of self-control he had, he fought against the pulsing culmination raging through him.

Carrie threw her head back, arched, and took command, setting the pace. Lost in a desperate rhythm, he surrendered. Her breathing quickened to rasps that turned to muffled sobs as she reached her peak. With one final thrust, he surged inside of her and gave a lusty cry of pleasure.

Caught in the throes of sweet passion, he’d lost his grip on the world around him. When her head dropped on his shoulder, emotions threatened to choke him. The love he had for this woman was fierce and possessive. For as long as he lived, he could never let her go.

Chapter 22

“Brenda said you wanted to see me.”

Carrie glanced up to find the object of her misfortune standing in the doorway of her office. The junior executive had shown dedication and he’d accepted the workload without complaint. Now she knew why. Unknowing to him, she’d summoned him to her office for a reason, one he wouldn’t like.

“Come in, Brad. Close the door behind you.”

He sauntered in with the confidence of a corporate tycoon.

A delusion
.

Carrie gestured to the chair in front of her desk. “Have a seat.”

Brad slid a button through the hole on his suit jacket and slumped onto the chair with an air of self-importance. “What’s up?”

Carrie picked up the file she’d been reading and tossed it across her desk. The folder landed with a slap.

Brad leaned over to read the name. “Mr. Thurston. The investment two weeks ago made him another fifty thousand. Too bad he lost a bundle on this one. But then, Thurston is so loaded he’ll never miss it.”

With cool composure, Carrie took her seat behind her desk. “Is that what you think? He’ll never miss it?”

“The man has millions.”

Carrie inhaled slowly for control, then answered in a firm voice. “Losing money is not how you make millions.”

“The guy’s investments over the years acquired him a tidy sum. That
is
why he hired us. To make money for him and save him the hassle of keeping up with numbers.”

The egotistic bastard. Carrie hid her irritation. “You think he doesn’t keep up with his investments?”

“Why should he? He’s too busy spending his money.”

“That’s your opinion of Mr. Thurston?”

Brad uncrossed his legs and shifted in his chair. “What are you doing with his file, Carrie? Are you checking up on me?”

Hearing her name cross his lips sent a tremor of disgust down her spine. He should show her more respect. After all, she was a senior partner, and his boss. Brad’s ego came off way too cocky.

“Mr. Thurston,” she said with emphasis, “is a very important client.”

“You gave this file to me.” His expression chilled. “I thought you trusted me to direct his securities.”

Spoken like a true ass.

His voice reflected his misguided opinion of himself. “He is a
client
, Carrie. He pays us to control his money.”

The arrogant imbecile
. “Do you really think a man with a billion dollar portfolio would sit by and let others
control
his money? Make decisions which he would be totally unaware of?”

Brad lifted a finger to pull at the collar of his shirt. “Did you say
billion
?”

“Yes.” Carrie pierced him with her eyes. “
Billions
.”

His face paled while that bit of news sank in. “That uh . . . wasn’t in the file I read.”

“I gave you only
part
of his portfolio.”

Brad’s voice rose with apprehension. “And I proved I could handle it.”

She had liked Brad. Thought he would be good for the company. Now she saw him for the opportunist he was. “Oh, yes. You proved your skills. You stayed late hours, worked right by my side and never protested once when I asked you to work weekends.”

A smirk crossed his face and he postured like a prime peacock. “I learned everything from you.”

“Not everything.” His attempt at flattery sorely failed. “A friend of mine is a silent partner in Chase and Wachovia. It seems a Mr. Connelly is a friend of yours.”

Only because she stared, she saw the change in Brad’s eyes. He tried to hide his shock. If his career were the theatre, he would surely starve. He feigned confusion. “Connelly? Don’t think so.”

Carrie leaned forward and braced her forearms on the edge of her desk. “Well, if he’s not a friend . . . then maybe a business associate?”

“Carrie, uh . . .”

“Don’t bother to deny it. The man you’re dealing with just happens to be under surveillance for suspicion of illegal trading. You should really choose your partners in crime more carefully.”

Brad’s face paled and a tic jerked his right eye. He cleared his throat. “I have no partner in crime. I’ve been . . .”

“I suggest you tell me the truth. I have all the proof I need. Your dealings have been traced back to this company.” Losing her cool, she soared from her chair and slammed her hands on her desk. “Dammit, Brad! I will not let some egotistical dick destroy what’s mine.”

His expression hardened with anger. “You act like this company belongs to you.”

“I helped to build this company. I’m a partner and my word is my bond. I have a reputation to uphold.”

A look of pure hatred crossed his features. If Carrie had been anyone else, she might have felt threatened. “You have a reputation, all right. A cold, hard woman who wants to be a man.”

She braced her arms on her desk, curling her fingers to keep from scratching out his eyes. “Insults won’t get you out of this one.”

“Why do you have to be such a bitch?”

“Because I can,” she fired back. “The point is, you could have jeopardized the reputation of this firm. Higgins and Andrews! No one working under me will . . .”

“Under you?” Brad shoved out of his chair. A malicious leer covered his features. “What you need is a man on top of you. A real man. One you can’t dominate. Edward was a weakling. What man would ever want to be under an ice queen like you? A damn Eskimo for a lay.”

She’d had enough. “You’re finished. You no longer have a job. Get out.”

He fisted his hands. His chest rose while he struggled with his inner thoughts. “I’m not without connections, you know,” he threatened.

Did he really think he was on a level with the big dogs? “Connections? You mean the ones paying for your illicit information?”

“I have friends. I can make trouble for you. These are very influential people. I’ll have the upper hand.”

Carrie gave a mocking chuckle. “You think they will rescue a man who lies and cheats his way to the top? When they hear about this fiasco, they’ll drop you like a hot potato. Your
friends
will avoid you like the plague. I wager your
friends
won’t even remember your name once they learn you’ve been found out.”

Brad’s face turned red with fury, the vein at his temple protruded, a sure sign he comprehend he was about to lose everything he had hoped to gain. “Mark my words. This isn’t over.”

She stiffened. “You dare to threaten me?”

“You’ll see. You’ll come crawling, asking
me
for a job.”

Crawl? No way in H. E. L. L. would she crawl to any man.

This is the kind of shitheads she had to deal with. The son-of-a-bitch would not ruin her. This incident with Brad reaffirmed her belief that men were absolute dicks. And not to be trusted. She’d built a career with her blood and her sweat and tears she refused to shed. Instead, she had turned her energy to strength. Determined to control her life and her destiny. Resolute in her belief that men were pigs. With pure will and fortitude, she had pushed to be better at her job than any man. Her career was everything to her.

Brad preened, pulling the cuffs at the end of each sleeve, maybe his way of regaining his poise. Much calmer now, a glint flashed in his eyes as his lips curved in a smile. She clutched her hands into fists, tamping down the desire to strike him.

“You have no idea who you’re dealing with,” he said slowly, his voice steel. “But you’ll find out. And you might want to take another look at your new boyfriend.”

Dread clawed her gut. She remained steady waiting for the coil around her insides to loosen.

Show no reaction.

Never let the enemy see your weakness.

With a calmness she did not feel and strength from God knew where, although it could have been pure survival instincts, she forced words from her lips. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“Now I’ve got your attention.” Brad’s cocky stance grew taller. His lips curved higher.

“You’ve had my attention. Now I want an answer.” Anger replaced her earlier shock. Back on her game, she prepared for a new battle. One she was determined to win, and hoped her heart would not lose.

Entirely too pleased with himself, Brad smiled. More like the snarl of a wolf about to devour his prey. Cold day in hell before that happened.

“You have something to say, spit it out,” she said. “You are not staying any longer than necessary.”

“You have all the answers. You seem to know my contacts. But I wonder if you know what role a certain Corridon played in all this.” His lips drew back in a sneer. “Just remember. When everything falls apart, I’ll be there watching.” He turned with an air of victory and marched out.

Carrie stared at the closed door, glad the ordeal was over. She never wanted to see the deceitful, lying bastard again.

But what exactly had Brad lied about?

I have friends. These are very influential people.

You might want to take another look at your new boyfriend.

I wonder if you know what role a certain Corridon played in all this.

Brad had to be lying. Why? Because he lied about everything else.

But, had he? About everything?

No. She wouldn’t believe Matthew had been involved with Brad. She knew people and she knew men. She could not have misjudged Mathew so badly. Yes, Brad had stabbed her in the back, but the idea of his betrayal had not been one of complete disbelief. Not one as devastating as the slur he’d aimed at Matthew.

She fell down into soft leather, her hands griping the arms of her chair. Now what? Fingers positioned on each side of her head, she rubbed her throbbing temples. When she closed her eyes, Matthew’s sexy smile sprang to life. His sparkling blue eyes flashed in mischief, then darkened in passion.

The intercom buzzed.

Glancing down, she saw the flashing red light. If she ignored it, Brenda would take the hint. Carrie took a deep breath, counted to ten, and let it out, feeling the tension flow from her body. Opening her eyes, she decided to concentrate on work. The one safe haven in her existence. The one thing she trusted above and beyond any emotion. The events of the day would sort themselves out and she’d worry about Matthew later. She turned toward her computer, moved her mouse, and checked her emails.

Thank God she’d been warned about Brad’s treachery before he did any real damage. The contacts she’d made while establishing her career had saved her ass. To survive in the corporate world, one had to know their limitations. And, they had to know how to play the game. Respect was a big key. Carrie showed the same respect to her business adversaries which she expected in return. She’d earned it—deserved it—and she got it.

Brad’s contemptible endeavor to insinuate Matthew in his scheme was a weak attempt to rattle her. If the Corridon name had been connected in any way, her contacts would have known.

Clicking on the last email, she shut the computer down. Everything needing answers today was done. She picked up her handbag and headed for the door.

The intercom buzzed again. “Matthew Corridon on line two.”

Her heart jumped. She automatically stepped back to her desk, then froze. Brad’s little escapade reminded her of what she should not have forgotten. Men were untrustworthy.

What about Matthew?

Was he leading her on a merry chase? Waiting for the right moment to lure her in? She’d taken the bait. Hook, line, and sinker. She’d been acting like a teenager. Was she blinded to the fact that Matthew could have been a partner in Brad’s crime? Had Matthew sought her out to take advantage of her? Of her company?

Carrie thought back over the last month. She’d been lusting after Matthew like a dog after a bone. He was a man. How could she have forgotten? Hadn’t she learned anything? Maybe he couldn’t be trusted either.

Oh God. She couldn’t do this right now. She had to believe him innocent. Because she just couldn’t stomach anything else.

Carrie pushed the intercom button. “Brenda. Tell him I’m in conference.”

Silence.

After the way Carrie behaved these past months, acting like a starry-eyed teenager, no wonder she’d taken her assistant by surprise.

“Okaaaay. What if he asks when you will be available?”

“I won’t.” Carrie released the button. She gave Brenda enough time to end the call. She didn’t have long to wait before Brenda came dashing through the office door.

“Carrie. Are you all right?”

Eyes forward, she charged past a flustered Brenda. “I’m fine. Finish up and go home.”

“Carrie. Wait.”

She stopped with her fingers inches from the door. Turning, she gave her assistant the same look as the one she gave the executives in the boardroom, the no nonsense look. The look that said—I dare you to challenge me. “Yes?”

Brenda recognized the look, for she knew it well. She took a step backward as though she’d been slapped.

Hell. It wasn’t her fault.

Carrie felt like an uncaring, browbeating bitch. No sense in being a bitch if you didn’t act like one. It had certainly gotten her through men’s intimidating inspections.

From the expressions moving over her assistant’s face, Brenda obviously changed her mind on the words she’d been about to speak. Holding out a piece of paper, she asked, “Don’t you want to know what he said?”

“Put it on my desk. I’ll look at it tomorrow.”

“But . . . he’s expecting you to call him back.”

“Do you make assumptions for me, Brenda?” Carrie regretted her sharp tone as soon as she saw the stricken look cross Brenda’s face, although she recovered quickly. She’d been with Carrie long enough to know she would not put up with a spineless assistant.