Bereft - Jennifer Foor Page 0,53
sauna, gym.”
“I get it. I’ve been there before.” His grandfather lived in a beautiful mansion. I expected Chad to stay there until he inherited the property.
“Yeah, it’s nothing huge. It’s enough for me, and it’s close to work. Plus, I have a garage to keep my car in.”
“A garage. Impressive. I don’t even have a couch.”
Chad paced around the room and finally turned to face me. “How’s the tax situation coming along?”
He was turning our conversation into a professional matter, instead of personal. “It’s good. I think by next week we’ll have some permanent papers to sign. Are we still good with the same plan?”
“Why wouldn’t we be?”
“Well, I’ve told you I can’t be with you again. I didn’t want you to get bitter about it.”
“Jesus, Rach, I’m not an asshole. You’re going through hell. I get it.”
“Thank you. I didn’t want to have to worry about something else.”
“We’re good. So, how about some dinner and a bit of couch shopping?”
“I need to save up some money before I buy furniture.”
Chad reached in his back pocket and pulled out his wallet, chucking a plastic card in my direction. “Get whatever you want. It’s the business account. You can pay it back in payments out of your checks. If you don’t, we’ll use it as a business expense and write it off.”
“What? I can’t do that.”
“I own the company. Don’t make me force your hand.”
I rolled my eyes and grabbed the card. “Fine.”
“Good. Now, what would you like to eat? I’m fucking starving.”
“I don’t care. Let’s do something close to our places. I might not have furniture, but I’ll pick up some blankets and sleep on the floor until it’s delivered.”
“No you won’t. You can stay with me.”
I shook my head. “Absolutely not.”
“Why? Are you afraid you can’t resist me?”
I nodded. “Yes, actually that’s exactly what I’m afraid of.”
He chuckled and sat half his ass on my desk. “I’ll keep my hands to myself, Rach. You can have the bedroom. I’m cool with the couch. I usually fall asleep there anyway. Seriously. It’s not a big deal.”
“What about the girls you bring home? Don’t you need the bedroom?” I was fishing for him to admit he was a manwhore. He seemed to find me hilarious.
“The girls I bring home? Didn’t you just say we couldn’t be physical?”
I nodded.
“Yeah, well I’m pretty sure I can hold out for the time it takes for your furniture to be delivered.”
He wouldn’t admit there were other women, and a part of me didn’t even want to know the truth. It might make me feel terrible about my decision to sleep with him. “Fine, but only because it’s close to work and you have furniture and dishes.”
“How about we go shopping, then pick something up to take back? You can change into something comfortable and relax for a change.”
“That sounds nice.”
“It’s settled. Close up your computer and let’s get going.”
Chapter 21
Grayson
Work wasn’t keeping my mind off of Rachel. I kept contemplating calling her and begging her to come home, but I knew she was getting annoyed. I couldn’t continue to push her. She needed time, and I had to give it to her. This wasn’t something I was able to rush. I had to give her ample space if I ever wanted her back in my life. Time would be the only factor when it came to our marriage. I was going to have to pray I didn’t lose her forever, but if I had, I’d need to learn how to survive without her constant love and support.
Around lunchtime my receptionist told me my daughter had dropped by. Without a second’s thought I told her to send the girl straight back to my office. When the door opened I didn’t even look up, since I assumed it was Stephanie.
Kyla leaned against the door. She was wearing some low cut number, which actually made her more flat chested than she was. It didn’t do a thing for her, though it was obvious she thought she looked amazing. “So, it’s been a couple days. I figured you might be missing me.”
I pointed to the door, shocked she’d showed up and got through the necessary departments to locate me. “Turn back around and get out. You aren’t permitted here, and even if you were, I wouldn’t want to see you. Why can’t you get it through your head? There is no us. I love my wife. That will never change. She’s my soul mate. She’s the reason I want