“I’m sorry,” I say, slightly breathless. “That was unexpected.”
I need to say something else. The crack in my protective shell widens as his eyes bore into me. Can I really let him in? Can I risk this?
My voice is barely a whisper. “I think I’m falling in love with you too.”
An easy smile spreads over Ronan’s face. His lips come to mine and he kisses me, deep and slow, tangling his fingers in my hair. I’m lost in the feel of him, falling through the air like we just jumped out of a plane. He wraps me in his arms. His kiss is luxurious. I run my hands through his hair and press my body against him.
Whatever else happens at work, I’m too far gone to stop this now.
21: Ronan
I hang up the phone after what may prove to be the most important phone call of my career. The meeting is on, and we’ll have the chance to pitch our plan to get the biggest contract I’ve ever gone after. My thoughts swirl and I lean back in my chair, putting a hand to my chin. I’m feeling a little invincible right now.
I get a sudden craving for speed. For freefall. But I’ll have to wait to indulge it, because I have a shit ton of work to do and several meetings that are too important to miss.
I can’t wait to tell Selene. Her hard work is as much a part of this as anyone’s. My hand hovers over my keyboard, about to type a message asking her to come to my office. But we have a meeting in ten minutes; knowing her, she’s already in the conference room preparing. I’ll wait. Maybe I’ll tell her over dinner.
Just thinking about Selene sends a strange warmth through me. I’m still reeling from the fact that I told her I’m falling in love with her. I didn’t plan on saying that. That wasn’t why I went straight to her house when I found out she’d left work early that day. I knew she was upset about the rumors, and I had to make sure it wasn’t going to drive her away. On the way to her house, all I thought about was what the company would do if we lost her. I didn’t let myself think about what I would do. I couldn’t. Wrestling with that would mean I’d have to face what I was feeling. And that was too fucking much.
Until the words came out of my mouth.
It was a rush just to say it. To admit what I’ve known for quite some time. Selene isn’t a game. She’s not a prize, or an accomplishment I can add to my trophy case. She’s an unbelievable woman—smart, funny, sexy as hell. She’s opened up a place inside me that I didn’t think was there anymore. I thought it died a long time ago. But somehow, she found it. She drew it out and made it live again.
The fear is still there. But I’ve never been one to shy away from fear. I use it. Embrace it. So I pushed past it and admitted that I love her. And fuck, I’m glad I did. I do love her, and hearing her say it back made it worth the risk to bare my soul to her.
Sarah knocks on my door. “You have a minute?”
“Sure, come on in.”
She takes a seat across my desk. “Well?”
I can’t help the smile that crosses my face. “We got it.”
“Are you serious?”
“Completely,” I say. “They’re coming here next month. We have a lot to do to prepare, but we have our shot.”
Sarah shakes her head slowly. “I almost can’t believe you’re pulling this off. But then again, you are … you.”
I smile again. “Anything else? I have a meeting and then I’m ducking out early. I think I deserve it.”
“I’d say so,” she says. “If that’s the case, mind if I head out when you do?”
“Hot date?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I do have a hot date,” she says with a smile. “What about you? Seeing Selene tonight?”
I lean back in my chair. “Yes.”
She raises her eyebrows. “We’re admitting to this now?”
I shrug. “I’ve never denied it.”
“You haven’t exactly been forthcoming.”
“You didn’t ask,” I say.
“All right, I’m asking,” she says. “And not as your assistant, but as your friend.”
“Asking what? There wasn’t a question.”
She rolls her eyes. “You’re such an ass. Are you in a relationship with her?”
“Yes.”
“So, is this the usual thing?” she asks, her voice hesitant.
“What does that mean?”
“You know what it means,” she says. “How long is this going to last?”
“Are you asking me to put a time limit on my relationship?”
“No, I’m asking you if you’re serious about her.”
“Why?”
She sighs. “Because we’ve been friends since we were nineteen, Ronan. Sometimes friends talk about things. In sentences. Without deflecting by asking more questions. So I’ll ask you again. Are you serious about Selene?”
“Extremely.”
She raises her eyebrows again. “Extremely? Now you need to tell me what that means.”
I look away. I’m usually pretty open with Sarah. She’s known me long enough. “She’s different. It’s been a long time since I saw myself having a future with someone.”